2008 Woodie Awards
Author claims writing can aid in process of healthy dieting
Composing said to help face emotions, healthier than consuming foods
Tony Andracki
Issue date: 1/23/08 Section: Features
Want to keep the "Freshman 15" a myth? Well, look no further than the nearest…pencil?
Author Julia Cameron claims writing can actually lead to healthier lifestyles, working in very similar ways as diets.
Cameron wrote the 1992 best seller "The Artist's Way," but it is her recently released book titled "The Writing Diet: Write Yourself Right-Size" that is really getting people thinking.
Basically, Cameron's idea is that writing can have similar benefits to a dieter that exercising has. Writing does not burn a lot of calories or release endorphins - at least it has not been proven to do so.
What writing does is block food, according to Cameron in a recent article. She claims some people turn to food as a way to not face feelings. Writing, however, can help or force people to face their feelings.
Instead of people turning to a big, juicy hamburger, a large fry and a diet coke for comfort, writing can suffice, taking the place of the food in essence.
"I think it could be a benefit," Kelly Greenwell, a senior exercise science major, said. "Anything that puts your focus off eating would probably be a benefit…I would recommend anything they enjoy doing that keeps them away from turning to food."
Jennifer Zielinski, a senior exercise science major, suggests several other tips to avoid turning to food for comfort.
"Sometimes maybe talking to someone face-to-face could be helpful," she said. "If you have a certain activity set up, it could be helpful, such as reading or walking. Making more time, just personal time for yourself, would help too."
Greenwell suggests any type of exercise or daily activity, and stressed the importance of getting enough rest.
One key element of Cameron's writing-as-a-diet program is "morning pages," which she described in the recent article as a person sitting down each day and writing whatever comes to mind.
Writing can aid in the dieting process in other ways besides as an outlet of emotion. People can also use writing to keep track of their daily intake of food and calories, an idea suggested, but not invented by Cameron.
Author Julia Cameron claims writing can actually lead to healthier lifestyles, working in very similar ways as diets.
Cameron wrote the 1992 best seller "The Artist's Way," but it is her recently released book titled "The Writing Diet: Write Yourself Right-Size" that is really getting people thinking.
Basically, Cameron's idea is that writing can have similar benefits to a dieter that exercising has. Writing does not burn a lot of calories or release endorphins - at least it has not been proven to do so.
What writing does is block food, according to Cameron in a recent article. She claims some people turn to food as a way to not face feelings. Writing, however, can help or force people to face their feelings.
Instead of people turning to a big, juicy hamburger, a large fry and a diet coke for comfort, writing can suffice, taking the place of the food in essence.
"I think it could be a benefit," Kelly Greenwell, a senior exercise science major, said. "Anything that puts your focus off eating would probably be a benefit…I would recommend anything they enjoy doing that keeps them away from turning to food."
Jennifer Zielinski, a senior exercise science major, suggests several other tips to avoid turning to food for comfort.
"Sometimes maybe talking to someone face-to-face could be helpful," she said. "If you have a certain activity set up, it could be helpful, such as reading or walking. Making more time, just personal time for yourself, would help too."
Greenwell suggests any type of exercise or daily activity, and stressed the importance of getting enough rest.
One key element of Cameron's writing-as-a-diet program is "morning pages," which she described in the recent article as a person sitting down each day and writing whatever comes to mind.
Writing can aid in the dieting process in other ways besides as an outlet of emotion. People can also use writing to keep track of their daily intake of food and calories, an idea suggested, but not invented by Cameron.
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