One of the best things you can do to support your weight loss effort is to write down what you eat. This can be a lifesaver and great eye opener because we all underestimate how much we eat.
Keeping a weight-loss journal costs little time and it is very easy, unless you get writer's cramp, but even then you don't have to write much.
So, what do you need to start a journal? All you need is a pen and a notebook. There are also numerous apps and programs on the web to help you keep track of your food intake.
No matter what format you choose, whether it is a small spiral notebook, a phone app or an online diary, make sure you can have it at hand at all times.
What do you need to keep track of? Record what you eat, how many calories you've consumed and how much you exercise every day. Here are 5 tips on what to include into your journal.
1. Record all of the food you eat. That includes regular meals, snacks and quick bites. Nuts are great for you, but even a handful of them can have an impact on your diet.
2. Keep track of what you drink. You might consume a huge amount of extra calories in the form of sodas, coffee drinks and juices and never know how much damage they do to your weight loss effort. You will be surprised by how quickly the calories add up!
3. Always include portion sizes. There is a difference between a small serving and a meal portion. And don't forget condiments like butter, salad dressing, ketchup, etc.
4. Take note of where, when and how you eat. Do you like snacking? Do you overeat while watching TV? Do you drink too many beers with certain friends? Write it down.
5. Along with writing down your meals and snacks, you may want to comment on hunger, mood, stress, energy level, etc. In fact, the more information you provide, the better you can understand how you can lose weight.
Important is not to get obsessive about counting and calculating every calorie, and end up feeling bad about it. You should never beat yourself up over what you eat - instead, learn from what you eat now, so that you can begin to make changes. Positive results won't happen overnight, but the first step is being honest.
Keep in mind, having an accurate count of calories and a record of the hours you exercise will help you to become consistent over time. You will know what and when you can eat and how much you need to exercise to burn the extra calories.
Angela Joy writes about two subjects: diets that help to lose weight in a healthy way and foods that help to speed up the metabolism. Angela herself lost 20 pounds and manages to stay slim ever since. To find out how she did it, visit MetabolismJolt.com.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angela_Joy
No comments:
Post a Comment