You’ve probably heard it plenty of times before: Journaling can reinforce your weight loss plan, and motivate you to achieve your health goals. But how, exactly? Does keeping records really help that much?

Track your habits. It can be difficult to pinpoint what we’re doing right (or wrong) when we look back at the past week or month. All you know is that your weigh-in went really well, or it was disappointing. But when you track your daily habits, you can see, in black and white, how your habits have held up or changed over time.

Simply make yourself a bullet list for each day, including all of the goals you want to meet, such as:

• Aerobic exercise at least 30 minutes
• Strength training/toning
• Abstain from sugar
• Eat at least 5 fruits and vegetables
• Consume your targeted grams of protein
• Include adequate fiber in your diet
• At least 8 hours of sleep
• and so on

Checking off your goals each day will provide an accurate record that you can reference quickly.

Build better habits. Journaling doesn’t just provide you a historical record; it can also motivate you to build better habits. It’s more difficult to forget anything when you’re working from a handy checklist, and it feels rewarding to check off goals as you complete them. Remember, too, that you can include goals that aren’t directly related to your weight loss plan. Include some personal goals, such as relaxation time, challenging your mind, or items that help you budget better.

Develop a positive outlook. Journaling can help you nourish your mind as well as your body. After you’ve tracked your health and other goals for the day, challenge yourself to write down one thing for which you feel grateful. You might also include one item that made you feel proud that day, or something that made you laugh. Developing a healthy mindset will always translate into a healthier life overall.

For more help with your weight loss plan, give us a call. We can offer tips on staying motivated, as well as nutritional advice to help you reach your goals.