IF YOU'VE NEVER kept a food journal before, give it a
try! Record what you eat and drink for a week to see
where your diet needs improvement—whether that
means having a nourishing breakfast instead of a
sugary pastry or choosing bottled water over a mid-
afternoon soda. You may even discover that you're
eating too little!
"Keeping a record helps people be more success-
ful, whatever the goal," says Cindy Johnston, RN,
BSN, KishHealth System Community Wellness
manager. "A journal allows people to better under-
stand their current habits and identify what
to improve."
When and how you journal is up to you. If you like
the act of writing with a pen, select a new notebook
just for this purpose. If your smartphone organizes
your life, pick an app like Lose It! or MyFitnessPal to
help. An online digital journal, like Penzu's free diary
at penzu.com, is another option.
DEEPER AWARENESS
Once you build the habit of recording what you eat
every day, you can include other details to better
understand causes and effects.
"When you write down how you feel before, during,
and after each meal, you can see patterns forming,"
says Beckie Frieders, CHES, preventive health educator
at KishHealth System. "If you learn you're eating out
of boredom or frustration instead of actual hunger,
you can choose an activity to directly respond to that
feeling. Mindful eating removes worry and guilt and
can be very freeing."
KishHealth offers free Know Your Numbers Personal Appointments. Turn to page 8 for more information.
JOURNAL YOUR WAY
TO GOOD HEALTH
SCRIBBLING DOWN WHAT YOU EAT ON A DAILY
BASIS IS A SIMPLE TASK THAT COULD HELP
YOU ACHIEVE BIG RESULTS.
Gratitude Journaling:
How and Why It Works
Free//Registration Required
KISH HOSPITAL ROBERTS CONFERENCE
CENTER - 815.748.8962
March 18, 6 - 7 pm
VALLEY WEST MEDICAL
OFFICE BUILDING - 815.786.3962
Feb. 13, 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Turn to center spread
for more information.
KISHPROGRAMS.ORG
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