Before joining SparkPeople, I thought blogs were kind of silly. I mean, why would you want to lay your life out for everyone to read? But, I discovered, blogging is a great way to get your feelings out. It gives people a way to anonymously, sort of, vent their feelings of joy, anger, grief, and whatever else they may be feeling at the moment. Often times, those same emotions lead us to eat in isolation. We feel like nobody will understand and that we are alone in our feelings. Bloggers find that there are other people in situations just like their own and that they are not alone, they are part of something bigger. When I blogged about weighing 460 pounds and being bed-ridden with fibromyalgia, herniated disks, pinched nerve bundles, bad knees, arthritis, and clinical depression, I honestly felt like "I’m the only one with this many hurdles!" I was so wrong. People who have read my blogs have shared their unique but similar struggles with me, and it feels like we are kindred spirits. Now, when I feel "hungry," I try to feel out whether it is head hunger or stomach hunger. Believe it or not, I’m still learning the difference, even after losing 150 pounds. If it’s stomach hunger, I eat a nutritious snack or meal. If it’s head hunger, I ask what my issue is. If I’m feeling emotional, often times I will log on and blog. I may not be specific in my blogs because I can be a very private person sometimes when I feel down. I’ll ask for prayers and give a few details, but it always makes me feel better. I sometimes change my status to fit my mood, as well. That gives me a short but sweet "Blog experience." How would blogging help take weight off and keep it off? The answer is that it helps quell the emotional storm raging inside of you if you are an emotional eater. If you aren’t an emotional eater, it distracts you and gives you time tor the cravings to pass. It also gives you a platform to think out loud about why you want to eat and what your long-term goals might be. Others can learn from your blogging, as well. You never know how many people are going through the same thoughts or will go through them by the time they read your blog. By taking the time to write out your thoughts, the events, and emotions, you may find a solution to a problem that would otherwise leave you holding a bag of cookies. Cookies are a quick bandage when I don’t want to deal with a problem and I have to just cope and move on quickly. If I take a quick break to write something instead of eat, I might actually do more good for myself and my situation. I could write a few quick brainstorming ideas down for my issue at hand and put them in my purse for later. So even in a situation where I have to hold it together fast, writing it out can help. Distraction and water are great hunger stoppers. Hunger and thirst are sensed by the same part of the brain. Sometimes we get the signals confused and you think you are hungry when you are actually thirsty. Trying a large glass of water before trying food to quench your needs makes sense. It helps to decide whether it is really hunger or thirst that has you in a dither. It goes back to what I mentioned earlier about head hunger versus stomach hunger. Head hunger responds very well to water. The distraction of writing can keep you busy until the water has had time to do its job of quenching your thirst. If you still feel hungry after 20 minutes, odds are you probably do need a snack or a meal. Keep a notebook handy wherever you go for any writing you need to get out of your system. You could even type it up as a blog later. As you look back at all the writing and blogs you have done, you will be amazed at your personal growth and all you have learned. You will also be amazed at how much more resolve you have to reach your goals. You may even notice your goals have evolved into bigger and better things. Do you keep a journal or blog? Why or why not? |
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