Jennifer Hudson is singing everywhere these days-at the Grammys, on her latest album, and on the scale. She's gone from a size 16 to a 6 and looks fabulous. It's been quite a turnaround after the emotional devastation she suffered in 2008, when her mother, brother, and 7-year-old nephew were murdered. As everyone in the world must know by now, she's lost 80 pounds through Weight Watchers. But what is not as well known is the fact that she vented her
grief in a diary: "I remember me. I used to smile. I used to know love. I used to
laugh. I used to hear things." Her new album became "I Remember Me."
Emotional pain and weight. They go together like bread and butter. Have you ever watched The Biggest Loser on TV? At some point during the contestants' journey on the show, they break down and reveal the deep dark feelings that started them on the road to weight gain, often hundreds of extra pounds. Maybe it's a general feeling of never being good enough. Maybe it's deep shame from childhood sexual abuse. Maybe a child or parent or sibling or spouse died. Whatever the cause, their emotions were shoved down, buried under an avalanche of pizza or donuts or ice cream.
You might be only 20 pounds overweight, not 200, but the mechanism is still the same: you have emotional "baggage" that is toxic to your well-being. As often as you diet, the pounds just creep back on again. What can change that vicious cycle when you don't have uber-trainers Bob or Jillian pushing you to the breaking point?
Would you believe that keeping a journal is the answer? I can see you shaking your head, no way. . .
But it works. Discovering your own truth-finding and acknowledging the painful emotions you've covered over with Ben&Jerry-can reprogram your body. It can lead you to Jennifer Hudson's revelation: I remember me. It may seem too simple, but journaling is really your single greatest ally when it comes to losing weight. Journaling is one of the fastest, safest, easiest ways to release the toxic energy you are harboring inside. And it's free!
So, how do you do it? Here are 5 guidelines to point you in the right direction (from Be Your Own Shaman: (http://promos.hayhouse.com/beyourownshaman/)
1. Write it down. Thinking is different than writing. There's something about using our hands-whether it's to write on paper or to type on the computer-that opens up your subconscious and unconscious and let's your emotions rise to the surface. Don't bother to spell-check. Don't stop to re-read what you've written; it will only break the flow of your stream of consciousness.
2. Be as honest as you can. It doesn't matter how petty your feelings may seem to you. Honor the truth about how you feel! Don't judge yourself for how you feel, or hold back writing something down that seems too embarrassing. You are releasing the stored emotions that make your body retain weight!
3. Find a few moments, even if you only have five minutes to write. Don't let "I'm too busy" prevent you from doing this valuable practice.
4. Should you share what you've written? Your job is to get your feelings out, not to express them to others. Keep your computer password protected if you're concerned, or keep your handwritten journal in a safe place. If you have a trusted friend or therapist-someone who won't judge your self-expression no matter what you say-and you cant's resist, then by all means share.
5. Journal all you can. Permanent weight loss comes as you clear the old emotional burdens from your life and start living your truth.
Just look at Jennifer Hudson for inspiration!
