The “Joy” of Journaling

Most people are resistant to journaling — I was too. But eventually, most people come to realize that journaling is 50% of the weight loss battle — me included. Journaling accomplishes a couple of things: it makes us aware of our negative thoughts; it gets the negative thoughts out of our heads; and allow us to do a thought switch to consciously create thoughts that will keep us on our path to losing weight.

Journaling creates an accurate record of what we planned for the day, what we actually ate, and the results we experienced. Through writing, we can keep a record of: What DID work this week? What didn’t work this week? How much did I actually weigh? When did I start thinking/feeling better about myself? Why am I so resistant to taking 5-10 minutes a day to write down my thoughts, no matter what they are?

Journaling has showed me that my memory is not an accurate storage system of the facts of my weight loss journey. Every time I think I’ve hit a one-week weight loss stall, my journal proves that it’s been only one or two days. Accurate data like this makes me feel joyful!

It’s okay to start your journaling by writing, “I hate journaling.” Then list all the reasons why, in this moment, you hate writing about your thoughts. That’s how I began. Six months later, I had lost 40 lbs. And because I journaled my thoughts, I know those 40 lbs are gone for good.

Get ready to do all the things that will help you lose your weight for the last time. Journaling will be a huge help.