Food journals help you become aware of your daily eating and activity habits, and problem areas. They give you a basis from which to plan changes and set goals, and allow you to look back and see what you’ve changed over time, which can be very motivating.
A food and activity journal will also encourage you to make conscious decisions about what you eat and do. This is one of the most useful things you can do to help you gain control your weight.
Write down everything you eat and drink as you eat them because it’s hard to remember what you’ve eaten at the end of the day, so try to record things as you go. It can also help to make a note of any thoughts or feelings linked to eating, especially if you find yourself eating for comfort or eating when you are not really hungry.
Writing down everything you eat and drink can be difficult. The more honest you are, the more it will help you. It can take a little while to get used to and sometimes it may seem like a waste of time, but it’s worth the effort. If things are going well, you may find you only need to keep it now and then, or if your weight loss goes off track.
People who successfully lose weight and keep it off monitor what they eat and how active they are. This could be in the form of a diary, or in their head. It’s a matter of finding out what works best for you.