Daily food and exercise journal

Buy or make a small journal, any size, with room for at least 30 entries. On the first page write a bit about yourself. Each day record what you eat, at what times.,,,whether it is "good or bad"! If something prompts you to eat (for example, someone brings you a birthday cake, or your best friend starts a fight with you, etc) write that down as well, so you might be more attentive to what you are doing. Also record the miles you walk (towards our W VA goal!) as well as any other exercise. If you find it helpful, record your weight at the beginning and end of the book.

Feel free to add personal tips or strategies, etc, anywhere you'd like (not required) Make the journal as intricate or as plain as you like.

Try to eat when you are hungry, more than just when you should eat, and pay attention to healthy eating guidelines, such as drinking water, and eating fruits, vegetables, dairy...

After 30 days re-read your journal. Find your strengths and weaknesses, and write a page of your thoughts to your partner, if there is anything you'd like to add.

If at the end of 30 days you have improved your habits, and lost ANY weight... reward yourself! And record that, as well. :) Why did you choose what you chose? Did you decide ahead of time what your reward would be? Did this reward motivate you at all, or did the accountability of the swap motivate you at all? Were you hungry, or did you feel deprived? Towards the end, did you have the results you were expecting?

How do you feel? (you do not need to answer all of these unless you want to, but they are things to think about)

(we can set up a second swap as this one ends IF we feel it would be beneficial.)

Now mail your journal to your partner. (me!) (Let me know if you want your journal mailed back) This swap idea comes from @iggygirl s public swap.