January 2008: A Whole New You

The Writing Diet: Write Yourself Right-Size

(Tarcher)
By Julia Cameron

As a writer, I was skeptical as to how my beloved craft could help me shed unwanted pounds -- aside from nimble fingers. It sounded too good to be true, and perhaps a little like wishful thinking, but after reading Cameron's sensible plan, I am a "Writing Diet" convert.

The cornerstone of Cameron's plan is an exercise she calls "Morning Pages." The premise is this: Every morning write three pages in a journal. Seem simple? Here comes the tough part: Without inhibition. In other words -- just write. Don't worry about punctuation, disclosing too much, being too whiny, needy, or mean. Whatever is on your mind, get it out of your head and into your journal. How liberating. And, according to Cameron, how potentially life (and body!) changing. Through journaling, she maintains, we begin to see our own patterns, both emotionally and nutritionally. We become present and take notice of how we eat, speak, and act, enabling us to take responsibility and -- most importantly -- action, in order to live more consciously and to be kinder to ourselves.

Cameron peppers her plan with case studies and personal anecdotes. She addresses head-on many common dieting pitfalls (restaurants, emotional eating, low self-esteem) and outlines a very rational, reasonable plan that promises weight loss and increased health, happiness, and creativity. So, with a new journal and a new year, I am excited to "write myself right-sized."
-- Lisa Gerry

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