Importance of Food Journaling

kaleas
kaleas Posts: 200
edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I found this summer that keeping a record on MFP really was the reason I had lost all my weight.

Between February and May, I had gone from 140 to 125 and was working out daily. I was a bit more Yo-Yo on my calories, but maintained a normal 1200-1500 a day with some extra on the weekends.

Over the summer I fell into some health issues, stopped logging my food, and couldn't exercise for months. Once my clothes were fitting tight again, I finally faced the scale. 136. I wanted to cry. All the work I had done was gone.

Being back this week to journaling my food has felt great. Its hard getting back down to eating that calorie amount a day, especially being 22 and living with two boys that drink a lot, but it helps me realize how many calories I was really taking in. No wonder I gained weight.

So really. Keep at it. Even if you're on maintenance, or you feel like you know your portion sizes and calorie counts. Sometimes just SEEING how many calories you're eating can help make you eat less.

Replies

  • hbrittingham
    hbrittingham Posts: 2,518 Member
    I agree. Journeling not only helps you stay on track, it helps keep you honest with yourself. There were many times before I started logging that I would tell myself, oh you can have that, it doesn't have that many calories. But if I log it or look it up, I realize just how wrong I was!
  • StarGeezer
    StarGeezer Posts: 351
    You are so right! The logging has kept me accountable...not only to myself, but my friends and peers here. It's one aspect of why I think this community works so well, at least from my perspective. It's also easy to allow oneself to "drift" back into bad habits. Excellent post! :happy:
  • lynheff
    lynheff Posts: 393 Member
    Amen! Every medical study I have ever read backs you up totally. Study after study has stressed importance of keeping a food journal. Makes sense. If you don't keep up with your checking account you will eventually have an overdraft. Same with your food "account". Good luck.
  • groomchick
    groomchick Posts: 610 Member
    I have been journaling for 15 tears. Every time I stop journaling I put weight back on. My goal is to never stop journaling again. All the statitics show journaling is the key to permanant weight management. Some people don'y have to do it foreverbut... I Do!
  • rtmama
    rtmama Posts: 403 Member
    I agree, I've been a faithful logger to MFP keeping track of my calories and exercise for over 2 years. I've been in maintenance for months and still log all my food. I know it is what keeps the weight off!
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