By Shirley Shelley, Mayo Clinic Health System
Are you frustrated with a lack of progress in your weight loss efforts?
Does it seem as if you’re eating all the right foods and exercising, but your weight still isn’t going down?
If you’re not keeping track of what you’re eating and what you’re doing for exercise, you need to start. Record keeping is one of the most powerful tools in weight management.
Why? Records help keep you accountable and allow you to find out what is and is not working for you. Record keeping can help you identify problem areas to work on and help you notice successful strategies worth repeating.
How do you get started?
- Choose a tracking system. Whether you prefer the old-school method of keeping notes on paper or want to use an app, the goal is to find the system that fits your style.
- Keep it simple. The main point is to keep track of what is happening. What are you eating and drinking, and what are you doing for exercise? In-the-moment recording is best, but at least do it as soon as possible. It won’t help your weight management if you’re forgetting all the mindless nibbling that occurs.
- Be honest. Your records will be a useful tool to use to determine where your successes and where your problem areas lie. No one needs to see them but you.
- Be careful of negative thinking. Focus on the positive.
Additional resources, recipes and a record tracker to help you lose weight or maintain a healthy lifestyle are all available by clicking here.
Shirley Shelley is a registered dietitian in Weight Management Services at Mayo Clinic Health System in Eau Claire.