| Studies have shown that effectively changing our | | | | Change! To some it's down right scary and changing |
| lifestyle involves journaling out food, exercise and daily | | | | our 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; the | | | | change involves an important step called awareness. |
| important thing is that you allow yourself freedom to | | | | You now know why journaling is an important tool in |
| express your thoughts and feelings about anything that | | | | changing your habits but simply writing it down is not |
| is happening in your life right now. Remember, any | | | | enough. You must become aware of your habits; ask |
| form of self-monitoring will help you manage your total | | | | yourself 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 to | | | | habit 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 you | | | | What I want you to do is track your food, movement |
| eat, but also why and when you eat it. Identifying the | | | | and feelings on paper for one week and make no |
| feelings and issues that trigger and accompany | | | | changes to your diet or movement habits. Once you |
| overeating is an important step toward developing | | | | have 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 and | | | | lifestyle according to your journal entries. |
| helps you be aware of exactly what and how much | | | | Remember 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 detail | | | | change your habits more effectively and permanently! |