The Importance of Tracking


In the final analysis, The Ultimate Accountability Challenge is all about SELF-AWARENESS;
OWNING the choices you made to eat / not eat something, or be intentionally active / intentionally inactive.

And (this is the important bit!) coming to recognize your individual, unique PERSONAL PATTERNS. Those common, recurring elements that are there when things go right, and also what seems to always be around when you are triggered to repeat some not-so-right choices.

What did you do well today, that you can repeat tomorrow?
What did you do not-so-well today that you could TRY A NEW APPROACH on tomorrow?


How will you even know what those patterns ARE?

(hint: see image above )

That’s why we ask that you track / report.

So that you are collecting data. So that you have something concrete to look back at (once you have some emotional distance) and analyze for recurring patterns.

Once you spot a pattern, you can tap into or add to the collective wealth of experience here.

Tell us that “This kind of thing often sets me off – what helped others when faced with something similar?” Adapt any suggestion that appeals, to make an (even) better match to your own circumstances / tastes / personality.

If someone else posts a question, and YOU have faced that in the past.... throw out the lifeline! It might be the very tweak someone else needs to spark an adaptation that best fits their own circumstance.

Try / track / analyze / adjust / repeat (as often as needed).

Until you hit “Succeeds for me!” Then just keep repeating “what worked for YOU” over and over .

@BMcC9 - great opener. Sometimes I wonder how long it’s going to take me and how old I’ll be before I have this figured out and under control. Yesterday was a classic fail that could have been disastrous but fortunately I was able to stop before it became so. Rather than go into the long story, I’ll just say I was frustrated, a little angry, and grabbed some crackers and cheese as a snack instead of a multitude of healthier and lower calorie options. I did manage to end the day with 10 calories to spare, not including whatever I burned on my 5 mile walk that morning. The win was that driving home from a concert (our first since the pandemic) hubs said he wanted to treat me to ice cream and I said no-thanks because I knew I didn’t need it, and I knew it would put me over on calories. I think he couldn’t believe what he’d heard because I NEVER turn down ice cream! It feels really good waking up this morning knowing that what could have been disastrous, I was able to contain.

I am reposting a picture I put in yesterday ... I want you to reeeeeeeealy LOOK at the dips in the Reality Map. Notice that (apart from the first one) the dips are actually higher up the total slope than the starting point. And that each one requires a different kind of strategy to get past.

This is why tracking is important.

• It is concrete proof of how far you have already come.
• Getting through each mini-goal - just to that one next flag -gives you a SERIES of successes that help populate your personal tool-chest of Success Support Strategies.
• It reminds you that "this kind of strategy worked for me on THAT problem / how can I apply that personal strength in a different way to THIS problem?"
• The final flag ISN'T the top of the hill. There is More To Life than this one Main-For-The-Moment goal.

Go forth and Live Your Best (for YOU - nobody else but YOU) Life!

✅✅✅. Great post @bmcc9. Very insightful.

04/12/2021

Today was nearly a pass. I went to my daughters for lunch – which meant nearly 4 hours driving. So my exercise was 5 minutes cardio in the morning, another 15 minutes in the evening and a short walk. Lunch was difficult to estimate but I did my best. Calories were OK as I had quite a good “bank balance” of calories.
I’m going to try to get a few more minutes light walking exercise before I go to bed as my step count is under 9,000.

We had a good time – my DIL was there with her two children (and her mum on a visit from USA) and I took my mum – it was the last time we will all be together for a while now as DIL is going home for an extended visit from December 20th to mid-April.
My daughter got her Xmas tree up and the children decorated it! Sorry, I don't seem to be able to post pictures.

Saturday 4 December
Exercise ❌
Calories ❌
Tracked ❌
Well today was a great big fat fail! 🤣
December is going to be a nightmare for using up passes quickly and I know I will get through them within the first week of December but I will continue to post, continue to try & continue on my weight loss journey.
I refuse to give up but also refuse to beat myself up because of this time of year is full of festivities, catch ups, eating & drinking!
2/3 pass days used

Exercise -walked 30 minutes
Under calorie budget (1650)? Yes 1632
Tracked everything I ate and drank? Yes

December 4.
Yes to all 3. My Fitbit said I had 34 minutes of activity. Between house work and shopping I will count it. All of my Christmas decorations are upstairs so tomorrow I will be getting a little more activity.