Keeping a Food Journal

[DisDee]

Need opinions here. Is journaling what you eat one of the keys to your weight loss success? I have such a hard time doing that. Give me some tips to make it work. Thanks!

 

[nativetxn]

I don't journal but I should. I do keep a journal of weekly weigh ins and measurements but not a daily journal. When I start adding more carbohydrates to my eating plan I will have to do that.

 

[Liz]

I keep a food journal only because its the only way I know of to accurately keep track of my points (I'm on WW). If I didn't have to do it because of that I probably wouldn't be disciplined enough to do it faithfully either. I think if you can do it, its a good thing. Good luck!

 

[Kelsie]

I have started doing this for the first time. It really does help me to see what I am eating and when. I'm also journaling my feelings each day.

 

[disneychrista]

Keeping a journal is a big help. It helps me to keep on track. I keep my "journal" in an excel spreedsheet. I have it tally the calories I have eaten and then subtract from my daily "allotment." That way I know how much I still have left to eat at any given time of the day.

 

[tiggerlover]

I attempted to start a journal at the beginning of the new year, but I didn't last very long. Then last week when I started to get serious about losing some weight and when I started WW again I got committed to journaling what I eat. What I do is keep some scrap paper and pen in the kitchen, this way when I am planning my meal I scribble down what I have and the amount of points, then later in the day I transfer the information to my journal. I also keep track of my thoughts for the day (whether I was hungry at certain times) and my exercise efforts or lack of them. I also keep a running total of my banked points for the week. I have found that journaling what I eat keeps me on track and it gives me a reference, if I don't have time to plan what I want to eat for a day I can just refer back to another day and copy what I had.

 

[glo]

I love fitday.com...it really can't get any easier than this for jouranling...and you can custom anything into it. I use it to do exercise and food journals...it also keeps track of your weight, and best of all...it is FREE!!!!!


Good luck!!!

 

[Debbie]

I agree that journalling your food is a great thing to keep you on track AND motivated. I followed glo's advice about Fit Day and I love it. I can keep it up on the computer all day, click and go.

 

[KathyTX]

I have to faithfully use my journal. Otherwise, I just drift and use "selective memory"!

Some days I don't get all my milks in, other days I don't do enough vegetables. (I'm on WW.) With my journal, I'm able to look back over the past few days and easily see where I came up short and try to make up for it. It's also a really good way to find days where I did a good job sticking to the program, and then I can duplicate the menus from that day.

I carry my little WW kit with me all the time, with my journal, the points counter, and the food guides. I take it to work, to the grocery store, and anytime we eat out. I try to figure the points and write everything down before I eat it.

Journaling is really the only way I can honestly and objectively see how well I'm adhering to the program.

 

[AWilliams]

I have my journal and point counter on my Palm Pilot and I take it every where I go. When I know I have to include something in my journal (and add the points) it makes me a little less likely to eat it!!! I know it has cut down on my constant snacking.

 

[beansmom]

i love fitday as well. I also have a journal at lowcarbeating.com

The best part about that is that the lovely companions on the boards will come in and peruse your food and thoughts and offer suggestions, love and support. I love that board.

 

[DisDee]

Thanks so much for your suggestions and encouragement. I will give journaling a try. It might just be the key to my success. Denise

 

[dizneenut]

I use a program called DietPower that keeps track of everything I eat everyday and keeps track of calories burned from exercise. I really like it.