Keeping a Food Journal

When it comes to losing weight, starting a food journal proves to be an incentive for keeping you on track to a healthy diet.

Once started, the journal soon shows you when you eat, how much you eat, and your emotional state while you are eating. The food journal will key you in to some of the important aspects of your eating program that you are unaware of right now.

This food journal will also assist your doctor in deciding a good, nutritional approach to losing weight. It will show you where you need to make improvements in your weight loss program and you will see certain patterns start to emerge.

So how do you start making a food journal?

Starting a food journal is quite simple. You need a notebook, a ruler and a pen. You make your columns:
Date- Time- Location (where you are) - Are you with someone?-Activity at the moment-How’s your Mood? - What you Ate- Amount

You want to be sure and write down everything. Don’t cheat and eat something that you don’t record. This is for your benefit and no one else’s so be consistent.

Record as you go: If you eat something, write it down while you are eating it. This is important because you will start to see that certain moods you are having change as you eat. For example, when women are depressed they reach for chocolate. Chocolate elevates your mood and can quickly turn a frown into a smile.

If you can’t be specific, then estimate. You don’t have to weigh your food, unless your doctor has asked you to do so. But try to estimate to the best of your ability so the doctor can see exactly how much you do eat.

Don’t be self-conscious in this food journal as you are entering the information. Remember that your doctor’s first concern is your health and putting you on the right nutritional path. Be up-front and honest with him and with yourself and soon you will have a better guide before you to follow to lose weight.