Journaling and Weight Loss

Subjects who are referred to the Preventive Cardiology Program for weight management will be
enrolled in the study after obtaining informed consent.

Subjects are enrolled into the program in groups of 10 to 12 every 6 weeks. Alternate
groups will be will assigned to the two types of journaling. Each group will be given
specific instructions related to the form of journaling assigned. These instructions will
be in addition to the usual care prescribed in the Lifesteps® program. In the intervention
group, patients will be introduced to gratitude journaling at the beginning of the 12 week
class series and asked to journal each day. They will turn in their gratitude journal
weekly. At the beginning of each weekly class, five minutes will be spent discussing the
journaling.

The control groups will not receive the information on gratitude journaling, but instead
will be asked to complete a neutral journal in which they will journal in a general manner
regarding their experiences participating in the Lifesteps® weight management program.
These will also be collected weekly. At the beginning of class, five minutes will be spent
discussing the journaling.

There will be one consent form for the two groups. The instruction (either gratitude
journaling or neutral journaling) that will be given to the subjects will reflect the group
to which they have been randomized. Both types of journals will be reviewed initially, at
mid-point and final by the psychologist (Robert Emmons) to verify the quality of reporting.

Routine tests- Weekly weights

Study Tests:

Pre/post depression: Beck Depression Inventory II; Pre/post Locus of Control:
Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale; Pre/post SF 36 Quality of Life
Questionnaire; Pre/post Gratitude Questionnaire