Why Journal?

Studies have shown that effectively changing ourChange! To some it's down right scary and changing
lifestyle involves journaling out food, exercise and dailyour daily lifestyle habits can be a daunting task if you
thoughts.don't know where to begin. The secret to permanent
It does not have to be anything fancy, though; thechange involves an important step called awareness.
important thing is that you allow yourself freedom toYou now know why journaling is an important tool in
express your thoughts and feelings about anything thatchanging your habits but simply writing it down is not
is happening in your life right now. Remember, anyenough. You must become aware of your habits; ask
form of self-monitoring will help you manage your totalyourself what is this habit exactly? How is this bad
well being better.habit or group of bad habits affecting you? How is this
Emotional eaters need to expand the food journal tohabit affecting others? For example, smoking often
include feelings on why they eat a particular food item,has negative effects on others as well as on you.
because it's not only important to track how much youWhat I want you to do is track your food, movement
eat, but also why and when you eat it. Identifying theand feelings on paper for one week and make no
feelings and issues that trigger and accompanychanges to your diet or movement habits. Once you
overeating is an important step toward developinghave one weeks worth of journal entries you will think
healthy eating patterns.of one small change you want to incorporate into your
Keeping up with your journal is a great motivator andlifestyle according to your journal entries.
helps you be aware of exactly what and how muchRemember the more detailed you are at the beginning
you are eating.stages of the change process it will greatly help you to
Paying attention to detailchange your habits more effectively and permanently!