I love to write things down. You might call me a list person. I like to see in writing what I have to do and to check each item off the list as I get it done. It gives me a feeling of accomplishment and a sense that a goal has been achieved. Besides keeping a to-do list, I also jot down my diet and fitness activities every day.
For the past three years, I’ve logged my daily food intake and workouts. I also help my husband keep track of his. This way, we can quickly and easily go back and see exactly what we were doing at any point in time. Of course, I’ve taken a week or two off here and there. But I’ve noticed that when I stop journaling, I miss it, and I end up eagerly starting again.
There’s something about having to write down what you’re eating that makes you feel accountable for what you’re putting in your body. It makes you think twice about grabbing a cookie or nibbling food from your child’s plate (I say this from past experience!). Mindless eating seems to occur less when you’re writing everything down.
Keeping a journal is also helpful when you’ve realized that you’re not making progress with your diet and workouts. You can review your recent entries to see where adjustments might need to be made. Maybe you’ve been eating too many carbs or fats, or maybe you’re not eating enough protein. Maybe you’ve been stuck doing the same workout, with the same number of reps and amount of weight. Your journal will show you that it’s time to change things up and challenge yourself!
I recommend the Memory Minder Journals Diet Minder Personal Food And Fitness Journal and a Memory Minder Journals Body Minder Workout And Exercise Journal. The best place to keep it is right on your kitchen counter, so it’s in plain sight””that way there’s no excuse for not to jotting down each meal or workout. Remember, no one else has to see it””so you don’t have to feel guilty or embarrassed.
Start keeping track, and you’ll gain good insight into your diet and workouts.
Southern States Championships top contender Melissa Transou, a figure competitor, wife and mother, blogs about the unique sports nutrition needs of female athletes exclusively for Vitacost.com.