Happy Friday!
I hope you are enjoying these giveaways as much as I am. It's fun learning more about you as I read through your thoughtful comments. Thank you for participating. I really appreciate your support!
Giveaway has ended. Scroll down to see who won.
Time for another giveaway! In honor of Memorial Day Weekend, which for many of us marks the start of summer, we are celebrating by giving away a $100 Amazon Gift Card! You'll find all the details at the end of the post.
Have You Ever Considered Blogging For Weight Loss?
Before we get to the giveaway details (scroll down if you must), I'd like talk a bit about how blogging has helped me lose weight and keep it off. I have lots of reasons I think everyone, including you, should blog. Today I'll focus on why I think you should start a blog to help you lose weight and keep it off.
When I launched this blog back in December of 2007 I had no idea what I was doing or where it would lead. Looking back, I can see how integral it's been to helping me create the simple, nourished, life I've always craved.
When I began I was curious about the world of blogging and wanted one of my own to share all of my interests: yoga, healthy eating, weight loss, recipes, cooking, simple living. Over time it evolved into a place where I focused on sharing my favorite Weight Watchers friendly recipes and healthy eating tips that I have accumulated as a WW Lifetime member.
And the more I focused on healthy eating, cooking, and weight loss, the easier it became to maintain my weight, something I'd never been able to do previously. That's why I think blogging may be the ultimate weight loss tool and why Peter and I have put together This Ultimate Guide to Starting a Blog if you're interested in learning more about having one of your very own!
If it were not for blogging, I wouldn't have been as successful creating and maintaining the healthy lifestyle I have today. I probably would have reverted back to my old unhealthy ways and ongoing cycle of yo-yo dieting long ago. Blogging changes you.
In fact, research has shown that weight loss bloggers lose on average 40 pounds over two years. Reading weight loss and fitness blogs has benefits too. On average, readers surveyed lost 20 pounds over two years.
5 Ways Blogging Helps You Lose Weight and Keep it Off
1. Awareness
A blog is like a journal on steroids. And as a weight loss support system journaling can't be beat. There's clinical evidence to prove it and tons of testimonials too. Singer Carrie Underwood has even gone on record stating that writing down her food choices was a pivotal act in accomplishing her weight loss goals.
Journaling my food has helped me understand the breakfast foods that are best for keeping me satisfied until lunch, the importance of chewing gum while making dinner to avoid mindless munching, and how terrible I feel when I eat too much cake.
Journaling my activity has helped me move more in a way that feels fun and keeps my back pain at bay.
It creates a record of your past decisions, so you can learn from them. Reviewing old blog entries has allowed me to look back at all the important changes I've made, places I've become stuck and the challenges I've overcome these past eight years.
I've learned tons about myself that I wouldn't have otherwise.
Better, than a paper journal, your blog is digital and saved “in the cloud" so it's easy to search and can never be lost, stolen, or destroyed in a fire.
2. Accountability
Accountability is critical to lasting weight loss. It helps you monitor your progress, maintain focus, and make adjustments as needed. When you're being held accountable you are much more likely to make healthier choices.
Blogging has held me accountable. I describe myself as a Weight Watchers Lifetime Member maintaining her goal. That means I have to show up and face the scale at least once a month. Knowing this causes me to think about the choices I'm making all month long.
So simple yet so powerful.
I also want to be a positive role model and hold myself accountable to my readers. I'm a real person with real struggles. I know how hard it is to change habits and focus on being healthy in our crazy out-of-control world.
I know what it feels like to juggle competing priorities and struggle with the effects of aging on our weight. It's not easy. But it can be done. I did it and want to encourage others through my blog that if I can they can.
3. Support, Connection & Community
Losing weight is really tough, so the more support you can get the better. Having a group of people to offer advice, motivate each other, and share ideas can be very helpful.
Blogging gives you the sense that you're not alone, that there are many others out there in the same boat as you. When you become a blogger, you become part of a community with your readers and with other like-minded bloggers who are friendly and supportive.
Andie Mitchell, a successful blogger turned published author who lost 135 pounds, explains how blogging saved her in this moving post.
Connecting with like-minded folks is more powerful than you might realize. Social scientists have discovered that good behaviors — like quitting smoking or staying slender or being happy — pass from friend to friend almost as if they were contagious viruses.
And the same is true of bad behaviors — clusters of friends appear to "infect" each other with obesity, unhappiness and smoking. Staying healthy isn't just a matter of your genes and your diet. Good health is also a product, in part, of your proximity to other healthy people.
In this interesting NYT article, Are Your Friends Making You Fat? one of the researchers points out that it's possible to improve the world with your good behavior. He explains that most of us, within three degrees are connected to more than 1,000 people — all of whom we can theoretically help make healthier, fitter and happier just by our contagious example.
It happened to my husband. Since I've been blogging and maintaining my active lifetime Weight Watchers status, he has lost weight and lowered his cholesterol without even trying. I've heard many fellow Weight Watchers share similar stories. I believe blogging can have the same positive effect, inspiring others with our words.
4. Personal Growth
Journaling about your goals and projects is a great way to stay motivated and keep moving forward. When you examine your life through journaling/blogging, you'll see new ways to improve, and you'll grow faster.
Blogging keeps me learning, exploring and growing. My beliefs and understanding about food, health and weight continue to expand and evolve as I read, write and experiment in these areas
You'll become a better writer and a better thinker. You'll gain confidence too.
5. Fun Inexpensive Hobby
I've had many different hobbies, but none as satisfying as blogging.
Blogging gives you an outlet to explore and discuss the topics that are relevant and interesting to you, without boring your friends and family to death.
Food journaling, mindless eating, meal planning, slow cooking and the latest Weight Watchers plan are topics I could discuss for hours, but not with those closest to me. I can see their eyes glaze over and sense their desire to run from the room whenever I get on a roll.
Blogging provides me a forum for sharing this information, which benefits me and others who share my interests. And it can keep my hands and mind busy during dangerous times when I might otherwise be roaming the kitchen stalking something to snack.
I never really expected to enjoy blogging as much as I do. It has changed me and the way I live my life and will do the same for you.
Interested in starting a blog of your very own? If So, Peter and I have written this Ultimate Guide to Starting a Weight Loss Blog to help. (The steps for getting started are the same for whatever topic you're interested in blogging about.)
6/1/16 GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED!!
The winner of the Gift Card is:
Terry Dunavant,"Like others have said, I enjoy and get inspired from reading others blogs and posts. I am not one who likes to express my feelings publically. I just recently found the WW Connect on the app. Reading what some of the things people have accomplished makes me think WOW I can do this. Though I have thought that maybe writing a blog would help me be more accountable. I am thinking maybe I will start writing on my computer but it would be for me. I say Thank You to all of those you do Blog. I know it helps not only me but many others also."
Congratulations Terry, Contact support@simple-nourished-living.com to claim your prize! And thanks to all of you who stopped by and participated. I'm so grateful for each and every one of you.
Update 6/3/2016:
From Terry: I've just received my gift card - thank you so much! It will really come in handy. One reason I decided to get this weight off for good this time is that in October my best friend and I are going on a Photography and Birding trip to the Galapagos Islands. I want to be able to get in a swimsuit and snorkel for the first time. This gift card ill help me buy some of the stuff I need and while using it remind me of my weight loss journey. I started writing that journal for myself, I think it will help me. Thanks again.
AMAZON GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY DETAILS…
Now onto the Giveaway… to celebrate Memorial Day weekend we are giving away a $100 Amazon Gift Card!
TO ENTER
To enter the giveaway, just answer the following question in the Comments section of this post:
How do you think blogging/journaling could best help you reach your goals?
Just let me know how you think blogging/journaling could help you most and you're automatically entered to win the gift card.
THE RULES
One entry per person, please.
Winners will be announced Tuesday night. Be sure to check back to see if you won.
Have a Happy Safe Weekend and Good Luck!
Giveaway sponsored by Simple Nourished Living
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Pattie B
Blogging: it's all about sharing. You're not alone out there, even though it sometimes feels that way, especially when it comes to losing weight $ trying to eat in a healthy way. I use my menu creating to not just plan ahead but to keep me from eating things U shouldn't & my appetite at bay. Blogging would do the same. It can be a creative outlet as well.
Maggie
For me any time that I write down what I have eaten it makes me accountable to myself and blogging would make me accountable to others. I am not a writer or sharer so I am thankful that there are others who are so willing to share recipes and thoughts on losing weight. Keep up the good work Martha as you give me the inspiration to keep on my journey!!
Deanna Harrison
I think blogging/journaling would keep my accountable. Also, I know that issues with eating are not always just hunger. I think blogging would force me to explore some of the emotional issues that blog me down in my weight loss journey.
Sharon
I think that blogging would help me to focus on moving forward on my weight loss goals, give me a purpose as well as accountability. Since journalling is often a very personal and individual activity, it tends to be easier to lose momentum and motivation, whereas a blog is shared with a community of readers and requires commitment. While I sporadically journal or track my food and exercise because I am the only one reading the words, I feel that blogging would lead to growth and lasting change because others expect consistency in posting. A blog might also push me to research and read articles on a variety of topics to enhance my blog posts, a definite side benefit!!
Joan
I wouldn't have my own blog but reading others certainly helps with with ideas and encouragement. My personal journal is helpful when I can look back and be aware of how my mood and activities effect my eating. Being aware helps me to be more prepared going forward.
Matt Blecha
I think blogging/journaling will help me to be accountable to my weight loss journey because it would give me something to be accountable to. If I had a bad night or made poor decisions, I would have to write about and kind of relive it. It also is a way of tracking all of those milestones you hit along the way. Those milestones can then be looked upon any time you may need some inspiration.
Jodi
Blogging is just a fun-filled friendly reminder to keep me on track. Kind of like a child......consistency, consistency, consistency......:) Thanks for the motivation!!!
Leisa Larkin
Blogging would be a good outlet for recording my progress, struggles and successes plus connecting with like minded people. I know I get so much from other blogs; maybe someone would gain from mine - if I ever start one 🙂
Donna Sharp
I would not even know how to begin to "blog" nor do I feel I would have anything interesting to share to keep something like that going. I do enjoy reading what others post, just not interested in blogging.
I could journal though possibly if it was just a few words every now and then. Might help me be accountable.
Cindy V
If I write it down, I can't ignore what I have eaten that day. I know what a good day is or a bad one is.
Doris B.
I think blogging/journaling would help me be more accountable. I could go back and see what I ate that gave me a good week or not.
Sue S
Writing via blogging or journaling keeps you honest.
Caitlin
I think blogging will help me to be more focus and gave me a place to help process my weight loss journey! It's a struggle to stay on task and having a talk about it helps
Edie Dull
Blogging would help me stay on task because the simple act of writing it down would keep it in the forefront of my mind. It would also make me more determined to succeed because my competitive spirit would want me to win!
Terry Dunavant
Like others have said, I enjoy and get inspired from reading others blogs and posts. I am not one who likes to express my feelings publically. I just recently found the WW Connect on the app. Reading what some of the things people have accomplished makes me think WOW I can do this. Though I have thought that maybe writing a blog would help me be more accountable. I am thinking maybe I will start writing on my computer but it would be for me. I say Thank You to all of those you do Blog. I know it helps not only me but many others also.
Renee
I think blogging would definitely help with both the accountability and support aspects of losing weight. I think people who are able to put themselves out there like that are very brave.
Judy Hill
I am a very old weight watcher lifer, run amuck again, hopefully for the last time in this lifetime. Tracking and meetings are essential for me to stay on track. Writing regularly, or even ireregularly, in a journal, not just about food, but emotions, insights, good ideas I have read or heard that help me through my days, details I noticed while riding my bike that make life worth living, That keeps me on the more important track, the track that keeps me grateful for this beautiful planet, my family, my friends, my health. And that helps me want to stay as healthy as I can, for as long as I can.
Kim Martin
I'm not the writer in our family, but I think a blog would be a great accountability tool! We all need someone or something to keep us "on track"!
Liz
I think blogging would help in terms of support for shared goals and ideas. Not to mention the accountability that I always need!?
Jo Esman
I think journaling is helpful for me - it allows me to go back and look at my successes and failures to learn from and be reminded by each entry. My journey is for me and so is my journal. I am not particularly comfortable sharing something so personal with lots of people so blogging is not a comfortable platform for me although I do like reading, learning and being inspired by other peoples blogs.