...a food diary that is!
Without question, behavior modification has proven to be paramount for long-term weight loss success. The latest infomercial, dieting craze, or fat-burner pill may provide some marginal victories in the short-term, but let's face it, a diet of grapefruit juice and bilberry extracts should waive red flags from your department of common sense with regard to you long-term health.
So place your ab-chair-thigh-buster-bun-lifter (as seen on TV) aside, and instead, pick up a pen. That's right, a food diary is the number one tool used by nutritionists and dietitians for behavior modification-specific weight control. The real questions are: Do you trust yourself to write down every morsel of sweet, salty, or fatty delight that passes through your lips on a daily basis; or more importantly, can you commit to finding the time?
Please take a moment and respond with your successes, struggles, thoughts, and/or opinions on keeping a food diary. What has worked for you?
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4 comments:
I have attempted three times in my life to stick to writing down all the food that I ate.
The first try was an utter failure, and I was too embarrassed to write down my weaknesses during the day. I continued to struggle with my usual fight for better nutrition.
The second attempt was a little better, but I failed to provide the accurate food quantities. That didn't help me either.
My third time at the diary proved a success -- I was honest, thoughtful and very real about when I ate, how much I ate, what I ate, and almost more importantly, WHY I ate. I would mark down whether my intake was dictated by hunger, emotion or stress. Sometimes it was tough looking back on my week and seeing how much I actually ate and why, but by being honest I was able to read myself a lot better in the food choices that I made.
Since that third attempt I have been able to control my eating and to be more realistic with myself. I have had a lot of success with controlling my weight and maintaining food as fuel, not a source of comfort. I highly recommend to anyone to use an HONEST food diary -- it certainly has helped me.
I have attempted three times in my life to stick to writing down all the food that I ate.
The first try was an utter failure, and I was too embarrassed to write down my weaknesses during the day. I continued to struggle with my usual fight for better nutrition.
The second attempt was a little better, but I failed to provide the accurate food quantities. That didn't help me either.
My third time at the diary proved a success -- I was honest, thoughtful and very real about when I ate, how much I ate, what I ate, and almost more importantly, WHY I ate. I would mark down whether my intake was dictated by hunger, emotion or stress. Sometimes it was tough looking back on my week and seeing how much I actually ate and why, but by being honest I was able to read myself a lot better in the food choices that I made.
Since that third attempt I have been able to control my eating and to be more realistic with myself. I have had a lot of success with controlling my weight and maintaining food as fuel, not a source of comfort. I highly recommend to anyone to use an HONEST food diary -- it certainly has helped me.
Great response and addition! Yes, it often takes a few "tries" to get comfortable with the reality that is in front of you--i.e. the quantity and quality of your diet.
The food journal has made a big impact on being mindful of my goal throughout the day. Journaling makes it easy to have a record of patterns that I may not be as aware of. I think it is the best tool yet to really stay on track!
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