Side by Side - the Dieting Journal
Marinating Set (T in Austin): T’s entries are a cycle of self-reflection, guilt, and plans that never fully launch. They fixate on past failures (tacos, granola), emotional roots (loneliness, family), and a “plan” (calorie counts, affirmations) that’s just more rumination. The focus stays inward, reinforcing the struggle without real movement—classic marinating.
Doing Set (R in Denver): R’s entries are action-driven, rooted in facts (calories burned, miles walked) and observations (elk signs, hawks). There’s no emotional dissection—just a goal (165 pounds) and steady steps (cooking, walking, weights). Progress is tangible (2 pounds down), and the narrative moves forward without wallowing.
The marinating set shows how even a “plan of action” can be part of the cycle if it’s just more thinking, while the doing set proves forward motion comes from acting, not overanalyzing.
Set 1: Marinating
April 20, 2025
Austin, Texas, USA
27°C (81°F), sunny, humidity sticking like glue
Dear Diary,
It’s me, sweating in Austin, where the sun’s laughing at my latest diet fail. I stepped on the scale today—ugh, 5 pounds up from last month. I keep thinking about how I binged on tacos last weekend, that greasy bliss I can’t shake. Why do I do this? I’m supposed to be losing weight, but I’m a mess. I feel so heavy—not just my body, but my head. Reflecting on it, I think it’s because I’m lonely. Food’s my crutch, and I hate that about myself.
Tomorrow, I’ll start fresh—new plan. I’ll cut carbs, track every bite, maybe even journal my feelings instead of eating them. That’s it—writing will help me process this guilt and get back on track. I just need to figure out why I keep sabotaging myself. It’s a cycle, but I’ll break it this time. I have to.
T
April 21, 2025
Austin, Texas, USA
28°C (82°F), clear skies, heat radiating off everything
Dear Diary,
Day one of the “new me” in Austin, and I’m already spiraling. I stuck to my no-carb plan—grilled chicken, spinach, water—but I couldn’t stop thinking about bread. Why am I like this? I keep replaying every diet I’ve crashed: Atkins in ‘22, keto in ‘23, that juice cleanse that left me hating oranges. Each time, I start strong, then crumble. I feel so weak, like I’m wired to fail.
My plan’s solid, though: meal prep tomorrow, 1200 calories max, and I’ll write down why I want this—health, confidence, not hating mirrors. Reflecting’s supposed to clarify things, right? But the more I think about my slip-ups, the more I want to eat my feelings. I’ll dig deeper tomorrow—unravel this emotional mess so I can fix it. I’m not giving up yet.
T
April 22, 2025
Austin, Texas, USA
26°C (79°F), partly cloudy, a sticky breeze
Dear Diary,
Austin’s mocking me with food trucks on every corner, and I’m still stuck in my head. Did the meal prep—chicken, broccoli, sad little portions—but I caved at 8 p.m. Ate a granola bar. It’s only 150 calories, but I feel like I’ve ruined everything. Why can’t I stick to it? I keep thinking about how Mom used to call me “sturdy” as a kid—code for chubby. Is that why I’m obsessed with food? I’m so tired of feeling this way.
My plan’s evolving: I’ll add a walk tomorrow, 30 minutes, burn off that granola guilt. I’ll write affirmations too—“I am enough,” “I control my choices”—to rewire my brain. Reflection’s hard, but it’s how I’ll heal this self-hate. I just need to keep dissecting why I fall off track. Tomorrow’s a new day to get it right.
T
April 23, 2025
Austin, Texas, USA
25°C (77°F), muggy, clouds threatening rain
Dear Diary,
Another Austin day, another round of “why am I like this?” The walk happened—sweaty, slow, 32 minutes—but I’m still fixated on that granola bar. And lunch. I ate my prepped food, but I wanted more. Always more. I keep circling back to how I used to hide snacks in my room as a teen, scared of being judged. Is that what’s driving this? Fear? Shame? I feel so trapped in this body, in this cycle.
My plan’s still good: stick to 1200 calories, walk again, write those affirmations twice daily. I’ll reflect more tonight—really get to the root of this emotional eating. It’s not progress yet, but it will be once I understand myself better. I’m close to a breakthrough, I can feel it. Or maybe that’s just hunger. Either way, I’m not quitting.
Yours, marinating in the same old mess,
T
Set 2: Doing Without Marinating (Forward Progress)
April 20, 2025
Denver, Colorado, USA
15°C (59°F), crisp sunshine, mountain air biting
Dear Diary,
Greetings from Denver, where the altitude’s high and so’s my resolve. Today, I hit the grocery store: chicken, kale, sweet potatoes, done. Cooked up a batch for the week—simple. Scale says 180 pounds; I’m aiming for 165. No big soul-searching, just facts: I ate too much junk last month, so now I’m fixing it.
Walked a mile around the neighborhood—Rocky Mountain views are free motivation. Felt good, legs buzzing. kept moving. Tomorrow, Denver’s got trails calling my name, and I’m answering.
R
April 21, 2025
Denver, Colorado, USA
16°C (61°F), clear, a cool breeze off the peaks
Dear Diary,
Day two in Denver, and I’m rolling with it. Ate my prepped chicken and kale—and a chocolate cupcake with Italian merangue. Fact: Denver’s 5,280 feet above sea level, so my lungs are working overtime. Walked 1.5 miles today—uphill stretch near Cheesman Park. Legs burned, but I clocked it in 28 minutes. Progress, not perfection.
Spotted a elk crossing sign on the way back—city’s wilder than I thought. Drank water, skipped the soda aisle at the store. Tomorrow, I’ll push to 2 miles and grill some fish. Keeping the momentum, no overthinking. Just doing.
R
April 22, 2025
Denver, Colorado, USA
14°C (57°F), partly cloudy, air sharp and clean
Dear Diary,
Denver’s keeping me honest—clouds rolling in, but I’m still out here. Grilled that fish tonight—cod, lemon, spinach on the side. Yum! And, it was better than takeout, and my wallet’s happier. Walked 2 miles today, hit a trail near City Park. Fact: Pants feel looser already—maybe it’s the altitude, maybe it’s the hustle.
Saw a hawk circling overhead—nature’s flexing while I am too. Eat less, move more... I’m sticking with it.
R
April 23, 2025
Denver, Colorado, USA
13°C (55°F), light rain, mountains shrouded
Dear Diary,
Rain’s tapping Denver’s tune today, but I’m not slowing down. Ate my sweet potato and chicken combo. Did those weights—10 minutes, curls and squats. Then walked 2 miles despite the drizzle—trail was muddy, I felt like a kid playing in the puddles.
Scale says 178 pounds—2 down, 13 to go. Passed a bakery, smelled the donuts, they didn't even call my name today. Tomorrow, I’ll grill more fish, hike a steeper trail if the weather clears.
R