Weight Loss Program - Keeping a journal Will Help

Some people have spent a lifetime trying to control their weight. Are you one of them? I am. I am always trying to lose weight, but at the same time never really trying to lose weight. If you have a weight problem, it usually means that you eat too much of the wrong foods.

In my case too many of the foods that I like are not good for me. Losing weight seems simple enough. All you have to do is find the right foods to eat, and then learn to like to eat them. One thing that I have never done is keep a weight loss journal. I have never kept a daily record of the exact amount of food that I eat.

Keeping a weight loss journal can give you important information on why you have a weight problem. Most people have no idea how much food they consume each day, or what emotional state they are in when they eat. Learning those two things, and more, can help you on your road to losing weight. What should you put in your weight loss journal?

1. Intake of Calories - It is important to know how many calories you are taking in each day. Keep track of everything you eat during the day, and then use a simple calorie counter chart, and you will know how many calories you consume each day.

2. What type of food are you eating - Keep track of all the food you eat, and what type it is. Are you eating vegetables, red meat, fried foods, and what are you drinking? Most people drink a lot of calories, and never think it could be the reason for weight gain.

3. Write down your emotional state when you are eating - People eat depending on their emotions. Do you eat more when you are depressed or stressed out. Finding out what you are feeling during the times you eat can help you with being more disciplined with your diet.

4. How often do you exercise - Exercise, or lack of exercise, plays a big part in the every day life of people. Keep track of your daily exercise. Do you walk places, do you have a set exercise routine, or do you spend your day sitting at a desk in front of a computer, or do you watch a TV? Once you have it written down, you will be able to see how to add more exercise to your day.

5. Keep track of things that happen during your day - Things happen in the lives of people. Emotional things that can cause you to eat. Do you go out to eat with friends, or family? Do you get bored, and fill up the time eating snacks?

6. Keep track of your sleep habits - Sleep is an important thing in the life of people. A lot of things happen to your body if you do not get the proper amount of sleep. Lack of sleep can cause anxiety, stress, weight gain, and many common diseases

Now that you are in the habit of keeping a journal, after a week or more, look at what you have written down. What patterns are you noticing? Why are you eating the foods you do, at the times you eat them? You may find that you are using your eating as an emotional crutch. Knowing that can help you in determining why you eat, and how to change your pattern of eating.

Your life will be better when you have control of your eating, and therefore control of you weight. Maybe it is time for you to have a weight loss journal.