More studies have shown recently that have shown the effectiveness of writing 15 minutes a day in losing weight. Study participants who wrote more about religion, music, and relationships were shown to be able to lose more weight compared to those who did not.

Through regular writing exercises, we can remind ourselves of what is most important to us in our lives.

The study involved 45 female undergraduate with a body mass index of at least 23. Normal body weight means that body mass index is usually 18.5 to 24.9, and 58% of the participants were overweight. The study’s methodology weighed each woman at the start, and asked them to write down which values were important to them. They were asked to choose among relationship, music, creativity, music, and other values. They were then asked to write about the value which was most important to them. Another control group was asked to write down a value they think may be more important to someone else.

Each woman was asked to come back a number of times in a four-month span to be weighed. Those who wrote about a value with high importance in their lives were shown to have lost an average of 3.41 pounds, and the control group women gained an average of 2.76 pounds. The weight gain patterns that they showed seemed to be common in undergraduates.

The values that are important to us can have a big effect in how we feel about ourselves. Our self esteem, when reinforced through writing, can have a great positive effect. It’s a possibility that some of the women who wrote about a value important to them felt extra good, and didn’t have to resort to eating to make themselves feel better when they got home. Snacking wasn’t that important and when this habit is continued, the long-term effect can bring about significant weight loss.

Other studies have shown that even when one thinks about what values are important in their lives, this can help battle situations wherein one has low integrity or self-esteem. Although it still isn’t proven if this technique can work for everyone, the women who participated in the trials were not informed that the writing may help them have better lives.

If people can practice this for a lifetime, they can benefit in many other ways apart from weight loss. No harm can come out anyway when you take some time out of your busy lifestyle to reflect on what really is important in your life.