Living The Lifestyle Monday 12/17/18

imastar2

We meet here to explore, share, celebrate, and (sometimes) agonize over how we do (or don't) incorporate weight loss guidelines into our daily lives. "It's a lifestyle, not a diet" is easily and often said, but sometimes not so simply put into practice.

This is a thread for everyone. If you're new to GoaD, or to weight loss, your questions and comments are always welcome. If you're maintaining, or a long-term loser, your thoughts on the topic may be just what someone else needs to hear. If you're reading this, join in the discussion!

Each weekday, a new topic is offered up for discussion. Thread starters for December below:

Monday - Imastar2 (Derrick)
Tuesday - 88olds (George)
Wednesday - minimyzeme (Kim)
Thursday - savignr (Bob)
Friday - Podkey (Bob)

Topic: Struggling for a topic today. Journal Do you keep a daily journal (This would exclude tracking) of your weight successes, failures, or just a record of your daily thoughts as to why, what or where your daily WW lifestyle journey has taken you through the day, week, month, year.?
1) Can you share how it works for you currently? or if it didn't work for you in the past? or is it just another thing in an already busy day, week, month to have to keep up with.
2) Do you think it would or could help?

No bonus question today.

Jerdtrmndone

I don't do journal other than my foods. Of course this probably is not a bad ideal to write down how your moods are and what makes things work or not.

gadgetgirlIL

At one time I was making comments when I wrote down my foods for the day. It was helpful. But at this point it is just another thing that I can't keep up with.

imastar2

As far as a journal is concerned about the most I've done is under the save notes with MFP post where I ate my meal and the time. As far as where it would be like at the kitchen table, dining room table or the TV tray in the den area or at a restaurant. That has been the extent of most of my journal eperience. I've tried in the past to journal but as of other items go it just didn't hit the priority list an thus didn't keep it going.

As far as the benefits of plus or minus I believe the plus side would be on the majority of keeping a journal for WW lifestyle. I believe it would be very beneficial to keep a journal and be able to look back on it when I was loosing the most weight and see my mindset back when that was going on. On the negative side of gaining weight I believe it would be also beneficial to look back when I was gaining weight and see what the heck was on my mind during a period of weight gain. So I certainly see the benefits being on the plus side of keeping a journal. To add another item to the thought of sitting down at the appropriate periods of time and writing down my thoughts is another thing all together. One would think that we have time to do something that could potentially have many benefits to controlling one's weight but acting on it is another thing.

I can see it as taking up more time than tracking but it's hard to say. I certainly think it's worth exploring and maybe I'll try it out one day, week or month but when is that going to happen? not sure I can commit to the time.

We'll see who knows maybe I'll give it a shot.

SW 400.8
CW 339.2 🙁 +1.4 lbs
1st 335.0 Goal
2nd 300.0 Goal
Final GW 185.0

61.6 lbs Total Loss

Al_Howard

The only thing I hate worse than dieting is journaling.
I do track. Both on MFP and WW.

88olds

I was a relentless tracker. But it was just food and points. I didn’t even track water or dairy or anything else. Much less mood or whatever else may have been going on. I’m in my own head enough without keeping a record.

minimyzeme

Do you keep a daily journal (This would exclude tracking) of your weight successes, failures, or just a record of your daily thoughts as to why, what or where your daily WW lifestyle journey has taken you through the day, week, month, year.?

I don't journal about this journey. To each their own, but I realized shortly after joining WW in 2014 that I was not willing to expend a great deal of time and energy dissecting my behavior or focusing on weight loss. While I was (and am) committed to the process or the outcome, just that I preferred to spend whatever 'free time' I had focused on other things. If I recall correctly, this is referred to as the "opportunity cost"--what one gives up in order to do something else. I wanted to lose weight but I didn't want the pursuit of that to take a huge chunk out of my life.

Instead, after reading GOAD archives, I opted to prioritize healthier choices and smaller portions. I also developed a better sense of mindfulness about what triggered me to eat--especially when I was stuffing my face. I was fortunate in that these things gave me the results I was looking for without spending a lot of time and energy in other aspects of weight loss.

imastar2

Well it's good ti see everyone I'd honest about keeping a journal. It's not like we all don't all have enough to do without overthinking this whole weight loss subject. Thanks to everyone for participating.

SW 400.8
CW 343.4 🙁 +3.4 lbs
1st 335.0 Goal
2nd 300.0 Goal
Final GW 185.0

57.4 lbs Total Loss