I often have people enlist my help for weight loss because they feel they are doing everything right and still not losing weight. The first question I ask is “How much are you eating?”. And almost every time, I get an answer that begins with “I think”. Rarely does someone with this problem know exactly how much they are eating.
Guess what? There is the problem.
Our bodies are well balanced machines, assuming no other health issues. We require a certain amount of fuel (calories) to function. If we eat more calories than we need, we gain weight. If we eat fewer calories than we need, we lose weight. When we’re eating just the right amount, we stay at the same weight.
Many of us underestimate how much we eat. I know I did. The first time I weighed a chicken breast, I was shocked to discover than I was eating 2 servings instead of the 1 I thought I was. It inspired me to start weighing, measuring, and tracking EVERYTHING.
The best insight you can get into your own weight loss is by keeping a food diary. There are many online sites that have huge banks of foods that you can choose from to track how much your eating. Dailyburn, Myfitnesspal, and Livestrong, to name just a few. You can’t fool yourself about how much you’re eating if you see it all in black and white. And these trackers are making it even easier for you by creating free smartphone apps that will allow you to track the calories of a meal out before you order.
Many studies have been done that shows that people who keep food diaries are much more successful with weight loss than those who don’t. In addition to keeping you honest, they also help you make healthier decisions by getting you to think ahead when shopping.
It only takes a few minutes each day, but can make all the difference in the world when trying to lose weight!
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