Journaling

Definition

Journaling, in the context of weight management, is the practice of recording your daily food intake, exercise routines, and thoughts to help monitor and promote weight loss.

Scientific / Technical Definition

Journaling, particularly food journaling, involves systematically recording caloric intake, types of food consumed, and associated physical activities. It serves as a self-monitoring tool to increase awareness of eating behaviors and physical activities, thereby aiding in behavioral changes necessary for weight loss and management.

Benefits

• Increases self-awareness about eating habits.
• Identifies patterns in dietary intake that may need altering.
• Helps track progress towards weight loss goals.
• Encourages accountability and consistency.
• Facilitates mindful eating by documenting emotions and triggers.

Examples

• Writing down breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals in a dedicated notebook or app.
• Logging daily workouts and duration in a journal.
• Recording emotional states and their impact on eating behaviors.

Additional Information

• Effects: Journaling can impact cognitive processes by increasing motivation and diligence in sticking to dietary and fitness plans. It also often leads to improved diet quality by identifying unhealthy eating patterns.

Related Terms

• Mindful Eating
• Calorie Counting
• Behavioral Therapy
• Food Diary
• Weight Tracking

References

• The Role of Self-Monitoring in Diet and Exercise Interventions
• Keeping a Food Diary Increases Weight Loss