October SHRED #11: Track What You Eat

This is probably one of the hardest tips I’ll dish out this month, but probably the most useful as well.  The people I know who have been most successful at losing weight have all tracked their food.  Now I’ll admit, it’s a bit biased since tracking is part of Weight Watchers (I’m a lifetime member), but it’s by no means a requirement.

And yet those who track are much more successful.  They taught us that in leader training, and I’ve seen it just from interacting from other members.  Why is it so helpful?

It forces you to pay attention to what you’re eating, and it keeps you accountable later.

When most of us eat, particularly when it’s something not so healthy, we sort of forget about it later.  Or we don’t count the spoonfuls of food we eat while we’re cooking.  Or we forget the snack we had in the morning when we figure out what we’re eating for dinner.

It’s a natural thing to do.

But tracking keeps us accountable…as long as you’re honest about it.  Can you cheat and not write something down?  Sure, but the only person you’re cheating is yourself.

So I challenge you to write down everything you eat for a week.  You can do it online, on your phone, or like I do – old school paper and pencil.  And if you want to go all out, record the points (Weight Watchers) or calories if you want to keep totals, but even if you don’t, just writing down what you ate will help.  :)

Want to share your food journal?  Post them here, tweet them, blog them, whatever…I’ll link everybody up next week!  And I’ll include mine too, because I have to get back to it as well.

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Previous Super Healthy Recommendations for Excellent Diets

• SHRED #1: Don’t Buy Halloween Candy Until Just Before Halloween
• SHRED #2: Eat a Healthy Breakfast
• SHRED #3: Mixed Grain Casserole
• SHRED #4: Drink Your Water
• SHRED #5: No Late Snacking
• SHRED #6: Snack Tip – Popcorn
• SHRED #7: Get Your Rest
• SHRED #8: Cut Back on Soda
• SHRED #9: Shop Along the Perimeter
• SHRED #10: Snack Tip – Apples