I have heard for years – write it down. Everything you eat during the day, write it down. Keep a small notebook (like a 3×5 spiral) in your pocket or purse. Write down everything you eat.
Write it down.
These words have been ringing in my ears the past few days. Along with thoughts of ‘cheats’ I have been allowing myself. And the word ACCOUNTABILITY. And this was all brought on by a reader who innocently pointed out I have no pattern in my posting dates. In fact I am adding a calendar in my side bar to
remind me to post every two to three days.
Back to the subject. If we are on a journey to lose weight, we need to be accountable to ourselves. We can choose a trusted friend, a weight doctor/counselor, someone we are dieting with, or a family member. Or we can just be accountable to ourselves.
How can we do this? That dreaded daily journal.
Why do I call it dreaded? Because it will not be a true record if we are not truthful – totally truthful. And once we write down everything we eat, we can’t ignore the cheats any more. I am one who will cheat with a medium latte when I am only supposed to have a small latte. Then eat 1/2 a dough nut. At night, forgetting
my ‘cheats’, I pop some popcorn, or put a cheese sauce over the broccoli. Oh – and did I forget to mention grabbing 8 peanut M&M’s at the receptionists desk?
For me to be totally truthful with myself, I need that notebook. I need to write it down every time I put something in my mouth – what it is and how much. This needs to be a habit. To increase the help, I need to write down what I am feeling at that moment.
How does this help? It should help me to cut down the ‘cheats’ and to not treat myself 2 or 3 times a day. By putting down my feelings and what I am doing, I can find eating patterns that can be adjusted. I learn when I eat for reasons other than actually being hungry. Having a craving and being hungry are NOT the same thing.
Each day is new, each page is blank. It is up to me to fill it up. Do you keep a journal? how does it help you?
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Tags: accountability, choices, Feelings, habits, Notebook, relationship with food, True Record, Trusted Friend, Weight Loss
