In order to succeed at any given goal it is important to keep this goal foremost in your mind. It helps even further if you actively make notes of your progress, barriers and solutions to problems.
The aim of losing weight is no exception to this rule and you could benefit greatly from journaling your weight loss journey. Take note of the high and low points, what works and what doesn't. You will have a greater chance of success if you can monitor and review your progress.
Starting a Weight Loss Journal
Simply stating that you need to lose weight is not enough to achieve your goal. When that desire is met with action, that’s when you start to see and feel the difference. It is easy to start an exercise program but maintaining it is much more difficult. It takes commitment.
Keeping a journal will help to keep you focused and motivated along the way.
Maintaining your Weight Loss Journal
To improve your chances of success, get out your journal and make notes on the following points:
- The amount of weight you want to lose;
- The date by which you want to be fit;
- Set achievable milestones and specific rewards to commemorate each stage;
- Make a list of excuses you know you tell yourself and find ways around them. Turn the excusing into statements of purpose and rehearse them regularly, and;
- There will be down times along the way so write out a plan to get you through the slumps.
This list is not exhaustive. You can use a weight loss journal to create a meal and exercise plan and to keep track of what you eat and how much you exercise.
Another way to stay motivated is to keep a picture of yourself at your ideal weight or pictures of clothes you want to fit into. What ever it takes to keep you focused include it in your journal.
Update Your Journal Daily
As with any change program, consistency and commitment is the key. You will need to journal on a daily basis and read your purpose statements regularly. Whether it is a good day or a bad day, it is important to journal.
You may find that you discover destructive emotions that contribute to poor eating habits and bad lifestyle decisions and this is the perfect forum to work through it.
What starts off as a journal for losing weight could turn out to be a mentally healing process.
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