Journaling beats apps and technology for health and fitness goals

It appears putting down your tablet or phone and picking up a pen and paper can help with health and fitness goals.

"Most people think that apps are the greatest thing but whenever you think about health and fitness or goals in general it's really about what works," said creator and owner of Fitlosophy, Angela Mader.

For Mader what works is all about writing things down.

"There's so much research out that apps are not as good as pen and paper. It's actually the cognitive connection between your hand and your mind when you're writing things down which actually processes differently than going key stroke," said Mader.

Mader suffered from eating disorders early in life and has faced other personal challenges. But she found so much success in putting thoughts to paper, that she created Fitlosophy, a company that makes journals for different needs.

Many who journal start this because they want to eat a little better, lose a little weight, build a better body, but after journaling for some time they realize it's not about that at all and instead they're learning something far more important.

"It turned from wanting to look a certain way to wanting to feel a certain way over time," said Cristal Rodriguez, who has been journaling for years.

Rodriguez wanted to lose a few and gain a six pack. She did well journaling but got something extra out of it: gratitude.

"I love the 'today I am grateful for ' section because we have so many things to be grateful for and it's nice to be able to take a pen and write it down," said Rodriguez regarding her Fitlosophy gratitude journal.

Journaling can be done by those of any age, but it's especially great for those in their golden years who might find technology a little confusing.

"A study was released by Kaiser Permanente and they found that over a 12-week period of time people that wrote down their goals, their food and their fitness, lost more than average. Double the amount of weight in the same amount of time," said Mader.

Not just that, but keeping a daily diary helps chart food allergies and medication efficacy. Plus it's been shown to help anxiety and depression.

Mader said your struggle can become your strength. "If this can help me it can help other people," she said.