New to Tracking Food....tips please.

klynn81
klynn81 Posts: 178 Member
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Since May 2011 I have lost almost 40lbs, just from eating less crap, and starting a new job where I'm on my feet on the go for the steady 8hrs. I've been pretty happy with the progress I've made considering I haven't felt like I've had to do too much to get to this point. With that said, I'm more motivated than ever to keep going and step up my game. I want to add in more cardio and strength training, and because it's about calories in/calories out I want to start tracking my foods.

Tracking the foods is the part that I find the most intimidating, and I thought I'd turn to all of you who track your foods to give me some pointers on what I can do to try and make it easier, so it doesn't feel so daunting at first ??

Replies

  • UponThisRock
    UponThisRock Posts: 4,519 Member
    A digital food scale is the best investment you can make. Weighing things in grams or ounces is a lot more accurate than trying to determine what a "tablespoon" or a "cup" of a solid food is.
  • Nicola0000
    Nicola0000 Posts: 531 Member
    Log EVERYTHING you eat, makes you realise exactly what you put in your mouth.

    Im at goal weight, but I still log. Just got into the habit I suppose.
  • ldeveau13
    ldeveau13 Posts: 5
    Definately get a food scale!!
  • BackwoodsMom
    BackwoodsMom Posts: 227 Member
    A digital food scale is the best investment you can make. Weighing things in grams or ounces is a lot more accurate than trying to determine what a "tablespoon" or a "cup" of a solid food is.

    I found a good scale on Amazon and love how I can be so much more accurate. It takes work to log everything but I tend to think twice about eating if I know I'm going to be logging it! :tongue:
  • SteveTries
    SteveTries Posts: 723 Member
    It's gets really easy after a week or so as you tend to find you eat the same things over and over, so once you've added them the first time they are there in your recent foods list, or recipies list etc.

    Pretty soon it takes less than 10 seconds to log a meal
  • rainunrefined
    rainunrefined Posts: 850 Member
    A digital food scale is the best investment you can make. Weighing things in grams or ounces is a lot more accurate than trying to determine what a "tablespoon" or a "cup" of a solid food is.

    EXACTLY.
  • amuhlou
    amuhlou Posts: 693 Member
    A digital food scale is the best investment you can make. Weighing things in grams or ounces is a lot more accurate than trying to determine what a "tablespoon" or a "cup" of a solid food is.

    Agreed.

    I think a lot of folks don't see the results they want at first because without a scale, they way overestimate portion sizes. When I weigh things, I know I'm getting as accurate as possible in my calorie counts.

    Smaller dishes help too. When we got married our first set of dishes had something like 12" plates and huge bowls, and the visual will really cause you to eat more. A standard serving of cereal in our old bowls looked tiny. Look for cereal/ice cream bowls, which tend to be a more appropriate size.
  • lizzyp0301
    lizzyp0301 Posts: 1
    Yes, it is very frightening in the beginning because you have to be accountable for everything you eat or drink. After a while, logging becomes part of your everyday routine. I have the smartphone application and it is easier for me to continually log throughout the day. Also, when you are at a restaurant you can check before you order what is the best/lowest calorie option.

    I work out with a trainer and it has made all of the difference in the world. Not only does he check what I am eating, he also pushes me to workout harder. I am almost to my goal weight. I have dropped my body fat from 29% to 21.5%. i have only lost 22 lbs but I look much smaller and I feel great!

    Best of luck!
  • klynn81
    klynn81 Posts: 178 Member
    Thanks for the tips so far!!! Much appreciated.

    The husband and I did in fact ditch our first set of dishes as they were huge. The bowls and plates we use now are much smaller so I know that's one step in the right direction.

    As for the food scale. i was wondering. I have a Royal digital postal scale that measures pounds, ounces, and grams. Will this accurately measure food the same? I'm on a really tight budget for the next few months, just wondering if I could get by with using this until then.

    The husband is going away for 10wks, and my meals are going to be pretty simple, so I figured this would be the best time to start tracking. :)
  • BackwoodsMom
    BackwoodsMom Posts: 227 Member
    That should be accurate. Might's well use what you've got!
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