Food Journaling is a Great Tool for Weight Loss
By Virginia Laird
Have you ever heard of food journaling? Many dietitians suggest this to those with a desire to lose weight. Research suggests that most do not realize exactly how many calories are being consumed on a daily basis. Keeping a food journal can help keep track of the calories as they are consumed. A food journal can track much more than food, which is another reason it is highly recommended for those wanting to manage weight. A few things to include in your journal include:
- Beverage consumption
- Food consumption throughout the day
- Daily exercise
- Weight and measurements
Beverage Consumption
Unless you are one who only drinks plain water, you are consuming calories in your beverages. Many health and wellness gurus suggest these are wasted calories because most of the time they offer little in the way of nutrition. Nevertheless, it is best to track all the beverages you consume. It may provide a bit of a shock to see how many calories are spent in this area. Another benefit of keeping track of your beverage consumption is that it can help you know if you have consumed enough water for the day. It is recommended that you should drink at least half of your body weight in ounces daily.
Food Consumption for the Day
It is a given that in a food journal, you should include all the food eaten. However, many believe this does not include the little taste of things throughout the day. It is best to know when counting calories, everything counts -- no matter how much you consume.
Daily Exercise
Logging your daily exercise is beneficial for a couple of reasons. First, it can help you see how often you work out as well as how much work you do. Second, burning calories can add to what you are allowed to eat daily. If your goal is to consume 1,200 calories per day, and you burn 300 exercising, this allows you to technically eat 1,500 calories per day.
Weight and Measurements
While you may not want to step on the scale, it is important to do so, as well as take measurements. Health and wellness professionals advise measuring around the waist and hips. There are many other areas of the body to measure if you desire.
If you are ready to begin keeping a food journal, there are a host of apps available which make it easy to track all day long, no matter where you may be. Don’t delay any longer, get started keeping your food journal today.
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