Ah, well. Here’s a beginning. This blog, for me, is self-serving, certainly. I lost 100 lbs a year ago, and learned a lot along the way. But the best thing I learned is the power that writing has in the weight loss and weight maintenance process.

I’ve been a writer for more than 20 years, so of course I’ve always known that journaling is a powerful ally and tool for anyone trying to change mind and behavior, but somehow, oddly, I never connected writing to weight loss until I worked with a local weight loss clinic to lose the weight. The folks there recommended keeping a journal. Reluctantly, I tried it.

I wrote and recorded constantly. I lost weight. I steadily became more fit. And much more aware.

And when I stopped writing, I gained weight back. Ah!

And the next thing happened. After losing my weight, I began a half dozen e-mail exchanges with friends who needed to lose weight. I wrote to these folks daily to encourage them, share tips. And in writing those e-mails, I supported myself while encouraging them. I worked on problems we all were facing. These e-mails supplemented my daily journal, kept me learning and interested in improving my health.

So, now, it’s a new year, and I’m writing those messages here, for my friends old and new. These are my thoughts on the matter. I hope they can be of some help. Of course, I encourage you to write down your own thoughts. It’s the act of writing that’s powerful.

JuJu