The Top 5 Reasons You Really Need A Food Journal
I often wonder why people are willing to starve themselves, give up entire food groups, eat cabbage soup at every meal, or do any number of crazy things for weight loss, but when I mention a food journal they run away screaming.
What is it that sounds so difficult about keeping a food journal? It may take some getting used to, but it's not so hard to do.
Here are the top 5 reasons why, no matter what your reasons for fearing one, you really should keep a food journal:
1. To lose twice as much weight:
One study found that the most powerful predictor of participants' weight loss was how many days per week they kept their food journal. Those who kept a food journal 6 days a week lost twice as much weight. (Kaiser Permanente study, published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, August 2008)
2. To become aware of the calories in certain foods, especially restaurant foods:
If you think what you don't know can't hurt you, it's time to start checking the nutritional information on the foods you eat. A breakfast pastry can have a day's worth of calories in it. Knowledge is power, and once you know what you're eating, you'll naturally eat better.
3. So the MyFitnessTrainer.com program can track your metabolism for you:
MyFitnessTrainer.com is a unique program that allows you to measure your metabolism in order to eat just the right amount of food. This is important, because you need to fuel your metabolism while still eating a slight caloric deficit. This is the ultimate formula for healthy weight loss, and without food journaling, it's just "guess and check."
4. As tangible proof of your commitment to consistent, long-term change:
Keeping a food journal is a great way to show to yourself that you are truly committed to making a lifestyle change. It also makes a great souvenir of how far you've come. It's fun to look back at old food journals and see how your habits have changed over the weeks.
5. As a great eye opener:
If you wonder why you don't lose weight when you're eating healthily and working out, a food journal is the answer. You may find out that you're eating more than you thought you were. Or, you may discover that you aren't eating enough to fuel that fat-burning fire.
Today is the day to start your food journal. If you're already a member of MyFitnessTrainer.com, you can go to your member menu, under Daily Foods, and get started. Your calorie goal will change as needed from week to week to match your changing metabolism. Just record every food/calorie/fiber gram as accurately as you can, and enjoy the results.
If you're not yet a member of MyFitnessTrainer.com, please join us for free.
To learn more about why we track only calories and fiber, please read this.
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