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Dave Nicholson
The Master
Posts: 2094
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 # Posted: 18 Jan 2008 16:35


So, I recently read a couple people mention starting and keeping journals and I had a couple questions... I've wanted to keep a journal for some time; I think it's a great idea not just for weight loss but for overall reflection and understanding. I bought a book to do this about a year ago, but have no idea how to get started!

What do you write about? How did you start doing this? Was it easy once you got going?

Honestly I'm also a little self-conscious about it (even though it's just for me, sometimes it feels like thoughts are even too personal to write down)... Any suggestions/experiences are really appreciated...

thanks!
Fred L
Fitness Guru
Posts: 753
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 # Posted: 18 Jan 2008 16:39


journal or blogging?
Dave Nicholson
The Master
Posts: 2094
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 # Posted: 18 Jan 2008 16:42


Journal... blogging i get the hang of, I'm just too damn lazy to keep it updated!
Fred L
Fitness Guru
Posts: 753
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 # Posted: 18 Jan 2008 16:57


Oh I don't do that, so I guess I can't add anything. Only journal I have contains my workout details.
Jocelyn Coutant
Fitness Guru
Posts: 222
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 # Posted: 18 Jan 2008 18:16


dave, it definitely helps. i never really was the "journal/diary" type, always seemed like a girly thing, but honestly, every health professional i have talked to (nutritionist/psychologist/personal trainer/doctor) they all say that when you write down things that are constantly on your mind, it's almost like you're relieving your mind of something. it's like telling somebody something you've been wanting to tell them, but only really just writing it down for nobody to see. and if you ever need someone's help, and you can't talk, you have just have them read what you're writing.
it's easy to start, you can write whatever you want. you can make lists of goals, and how you'll achieve them, what set backs you tihnk you might have, and then moniter how you're doing with them. you can write down just emotional things, you can vent, you can congratulate yourself, you can just write down what you did that day
it can be in anyforms-lists, letters to someone, just ranting or writing random stuff. it's completely yours.

i have one, and i hide it well lol.
i know i write a lot about food and weight and stuff, and by writing it down, it kind of relieves me of that stress, so i can move on.
Cindy N
Fitness Guru
Posts: 733
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 # Posted: 18 Jan 2008 19:06


I've kept a journal most of my life, so it obviously came naturally to me. Mine has always been a "what's on my mind" sort of thing. You know all those thoughts that are always running through your head? For me, I just started putting them on paper.

I've done all of the things Jocelyn mentioned and then some. Occassionally I'll pick a "topic of the day" and challenge myself to write about that. You can look for places online that give you subjects on which to write each day. You could even start just by doing the old "laundry list" way of saying what you've done during the day. Maybe that will get you thinking about things more.

Sometimes I put pictures in there or snippets I like or other things that inspire me (and will fit). I just use a plain notebook, but some people feel more inspired to write in something nice. Most people have trouble writing journals because they put too many restrictions on how it should be. It's what you make of it and gets to be something entirely yours, without judgment.
tex girlee
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 169
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 # Posted: 19 Jan 2008 06:55


i keep a journal(or try too anyway) of what i eat everyday and what my workout is. i also hear its good to write down how you feel when your eat and how hungry you are. everybody I hear from says journaling can be very effective for weightloss. write down your goals, where you are now, and keep up with it. dont kno if this helped, but i hope so. makes me kinda want to get a bit more devoted to journaling!

tex

p.s i completely get whatt you mean by its too personal too write down your thoughts!
Jocelyn Coutant
Fitness Guru
Posts: 222
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 # Posted: 19 Jan 2008 07:04


yeah i agree. especially if you worry about someone finding it and reading it... which i always worry about

i think if my parents ever read it, i'd be locked away in a straight jacket haha.
Cindy N
Fitness Guru
Posts: 733
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 # Posted: 19 Jan 2008 17:18


I have a friend who has "ceremonial burnings" of her journals, so no one will be able to read them later. I've been in a seminar where you write down your horrible thoughts to get them out and then later burned the page to release and rid yourself of those thoughts. It's surprisingly effective. To put it plainly, I thought it was a bunch of crap when it was presented, but after I did it, I really liked it. Haven't done that in a while... maybe I'll do that again.
Stephanie .
Fitness Guru
Posts: 274
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 # Posted: 19 Jan 2008 17:30


Quoting: Cynthesis
have a friend who has "ceremonial burnings" of her journals


Mine met with a "ceremonial dumpster" and I haven't written since.
Rachael M
The Master
Posts: 2299
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 # Posted: 20 Jan 2008 23:02


I keep a prayer journal. I write my prayers and praises. I find that it gives my quiet times more structure and it helps me remember to pray for certain things that I might forget if I didn't look back at yesterday and see what I wrote/prayed for. I haven't kept any other kind of journal since I was quite young.
tex girlee
traineo Fanatic
Posts: 169
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 # Posted: 21 Jan 2008 01:34


that sounds like a good journal to keep rachael. i have actually thought recently about writing down what i read in the bible and what it means to me. anyhoo...thats my thoughts on that...


tex
Dave Nicholson
The Master
Posts: 2094
Post History
 # Posted: 23 Jan 2008 15:07


Hehehe... Found another reason to keep a journal -

http://xkcd.com/374/

For those not familiar with xkcd, not only is there a comic, but if you 'mouse over' the comic, the alt text on the image is fitting and amusing as well


Rachael M
The Master
Posts: 2299
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 # Posted: 23 Jan 2008 15:14


Haha. That's terrible. Yeah, I read those comics too.
Ara Bruno
Fitness Guru
Posts: 774
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 # Posted: 23 Jan 2008 15:16


Haha I love xkcd... nice find on the journal... havn't read that one yet.
Rob M.
Fitness Guru
Posts: 442
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 # Posted: 24 Jan 2008 04:23


I have started like 5 blogs and never get past the first entry, lol.
Samantha Cordell
Fitness Guru
Posts: 338
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 # Posted: 24 Jan 2008 04:24


Thats a lovely journal to keep Rachael, really nice
♥ Sam
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