Post by Jana on Oct 18, 2004 14:26:59 GMT -5
Journaling the low-carb journey
Linda Ann Olson, MEd
Take a journal along on your low-carb quest and make the trip a little easier and a lot more fun. All you need is a lined notebook or blank journal, found at most bookstores, a favorite pen or pencil, and a few minutes of quiet time.
Eases stress
Keeping a journal is low cost and low stress. It's your time to relax and reflect. What's the payoff? The reward is learning more about yourself, discovering what motivates you to keep pursuing a healthier lifestyle. Simply stealing a calm 10 minutes from your multitasking day can help you keep everything in perspective.
Low-carb journal prompts
Don't let facing those blank pages put you off. Try the following journal "prompts" to get going. Remember how we were forced to make an outline before writing in school? Well, I hated those too! Instead, here's one short word to give our journals some form.
Let's use the word "carb"
"C" is for Cheers
Use this section of your journal to give yourself a big pat on the back as you record triumphs and achievements. When you take a successful step on the low-carb journey, write it down. For example: "Today I passed up that box of doughnuts at work. I walked right by and had a handful of strawberries I brought from home instead. The self-control felt great."
"A" is for "Aha"
This is your personal discovery part of the journal. What are you learning about yourself as you follow the low-carb path? The more you write, the more you'll gain insight. What works for you? What doesn't? How do you feel about it all? Keep track of the people, places and things that really spur you on.
"R" is for "Reference"
List here a new product you found, an exercise plan to try, or a new vegetable you'd like to sample. Did you come across a book or web site that will help with your low-carb goals? A healthier tea or an unusual recipe for blueberries? Add these things to your journal and build a custom-made collection of resources.
"B" is for "Beware"
This part of your journal is for the low-carb bad guys, the obstacles that get in the way of your goals. Are there friends or family who push you to overeat or overindulge in sweets? Write them down and devise a few strategies for dealing with them. Is there a restaurant or situation that you find particularly difficult when making food choices?
Is there a product you never want to buy again (I recently bought a low-carb cereal that was so tasteless it made foam packing peanuts look tempting). These are all your personal "potholes" on the low-carb highway. Write them down and help yourself either avoid or get around them.
Gain as you lose
Journaling encourages you to make time for yourself. As Mahatma Gandhi said, "There is more to life than increasing its speed."
It helps you focus on important goals, feelings and strategies. Write daily or weekly and over time you'll be able to look back and see patterns of both progress and setbacks.
Your big steps forward can be great encouragement on a "down" day. It's your journey and keeping a journal can be a valuable tool in your low-carb lifestyle kit. Ready to get started? Write on!
Linda Ann Olson, MEd
Take a journal along on your low-carb quest and make the trip a little easier and a lot more fun. All you need is a lined notebook or blank journal, found at most bookstores, a favorite pen or pencil, and a few minutes of quiet time.
Eases stress
Keeping a journal is low cost and low stress. It's your time to relax and reflect. What's the payoff? The reward is learning more about yourself, discovering what motivates you to keep pursuing a healthier lifestyle. Simply stealing a calm 10 minutes from your multitasking day can help you keep everything in perspective.
Low-carb journal prompts
Don't let facing those blank pages put you off. Try the following journal "prompts" to get going. Remember how we were forced to make an outline before writing in school? Well, I hated those too! Instead, here's one short word to give our journals some form.
Let's use the word "carb"
"C" is for Cheers
Use this section of your journal to give yourself a big pat on the back as you record triumphs and achievements. When you take a successful step on the low-carb journey, write it down. For example: "Today I passed up that box of doughnuts at work. I walked right by and had a handful of strawberries I brought from home instead. The self-control felt great."
"A" is for "Aha"
This is your personal discovery part of the journal. What are you learning about yourself as you follow the low-carb path? The more you write, the more you'll gain insight. What works for you? What doesn't? How do you feel about it all? Keep track of the people, places and things that really spur you on.
"R" is for "Reference"
List here a new product you found, an exercise plan to try, or a new vegetable you'd like to sample. Did you come across a book or web site that will help with your low-carb goals? A healthier tea or an unusual recipe for blueberries? Add these things to your journal and build a custom-made collection of resources.
"B" is for "Beware"
This part of your journal is for the low-carb bad guys, the obstacles that get in the way of your goals. Are there friends or family who push you to overeat or overindulge in sweets? Write them down and devise a few strategies for dealing with them. Is there a restaurant or situation that you find particularly difficult when making food choices?
Is there a product you never want to buy again (I recently bought a low-carb cereal that was so tasteless it made foam packing peanuts look tempting). These are all your personal "potholes" on the low-carb highway. Write them down and help yourself either avoid or get around them.
Gain as you lose
Journaling encourages you to make time for yourself. As Mahatma Gandhi said, "There is more to life than increasing its speed."
It helps you focus on important goals, feelings and strategies. Write daily or weekly and over time you'll be able to look back and see patterns of both progress and setbacks.
Your big steps forward can be great encouragement on a "down" day. It's your journey and keeping a journal can be a valuable tool in your low-carb lifestyle kit. Ready to get started? Write on!
