At some time or another a great percentage of us will try to diet.  It's never easy, but some will tough it out and lose the weight, others will give in at some point before their goal is reached.  Handwriting gives us some good clues as to who will make it to the finish line and who will fold before the end. 

So who will go on a diet – and who will stay on that diet? 

One thing to consider is to whom it is most important to look good.  If you take the time to make your writing look attractive, you obviously find visuals important and probably do not like the look of yourself overweight.  If your writing is very messy with no real “style” at all, you are less likely to concern yourself with image for image sake. 

Pride could also be a factor here.  If it is a matter of pride to look your best, then you won’t feel good when you don’t.  Pride shows in the “t” or “d” stem being approximately twice the height of the lower case letters.  Take is further, into vanity – where the “t” or “d” stems are 2 ½ to 3 times the height of the lower case letters – and not looking your best become a major issue (unless you can use your vanity to convince yourself that you look good no matter what weight you are.)  So tall “t” and “d” stems might drive you to diet. 

But there’s more than appearance to consider.  If you are a social person, always out partying or having guests in for meals, you will have a harder time dieting.  When there’s fancy good, and drinks around much of the time it’s hard for most of us to resist.  Social inclinations show in wide lower loops ("g","y","j") and usually at least a slight right hand slant. 

Some of us don’t need others around to want to indulge.  We just enjoy good food and drink and feel something is missing in life without it.  The need to satisfy oneself with the “good things” in life shows in writing that is done with heavy pressure.  Lighter line writers find it easier to do without. 

But deciding to go on a diet, that’s the easy part!  The hard part is starting it and sticking with it. 

Self motivation shows in the t-bars.  How heavy are they in relation to the rest of the writing?  T-bars lighter than the rest of the writing show weak will power, lack of self motivation.  T-bars about the same heaviness as the rest of the writing show moderate will power – some self motivation, but not a driving force.  What will get you going fastest and strongest are heavy t-bars.  The heavier they are in relation to the rest of your writing, the more power is behind your determination to get started. 

Once you’re underway, look to your determination to keep you going.  This shows in the down strokes in your "j","y","g" where they extend below the baseline.  The longer, straighter and heavier these down strokes are, the more determination is behind your actions. 

A curvy down stroke, if it’s long, may still get you there, but expect some detours, some “falling off the wagon” en route.  If the down stroke is strong but short, you will start out like gangbusters, but if that weight does not disappear might fast, you’ll just give up. 

A weak, light down stroke is weak determination, lacking in will power.  It won’t carry you through the hard times and the temptation to give up. 

The social writer with the wider lower loops, mentioned earlier, will probably need company to succeed, so one of the diet programs that include weekly meetings could be a good choice.  Someone who has no loops, but just “stick – like” down strokes is a loner, so will probably prefer to get the necessary information, then go it along. 

And what can help, no matter what your writing is lie, when you just feel like giving up, as almost everyone on a diet does at some time or another? 

You guessed it – sit down and write! 

Write yourself a letter telling yourself why you wanted to lose the weight in the first place, and how it will feel when you’ve lost it.

 But don’t just “write.”  As you write make sure you give yourself strong, heavy t-bars, and strong, firm, long down strokes below the baseline.  And don’t forget to underline your signature – that shows self reliance. 

As you write, FEEL the strength in those strokes and know you possess that strength to use as you like.   Tell yourself you CAN do it, and give yourself the strong t-bars and down strokes to prove it.  Actions trigger feelings just as feelings trigger actions.  Write with motivation and determination and you will have motivation and determination. 

And after you’ve finished your diet, the weight is off and you are looking wonderful, KEEP writing those heavy t-bars and long firm down strokes …. They are just as beneficial to you in all other areas of your life as well. 

Here’s to your successful diet.