I started my food diary today. First step before I "start" dieting.
I won't bore any one with the details of what I ate for breakfast, but suffice to say that writing it down is a big deal.
If I have to write down cookies and cakes and candies (hmm, note how they all start with C) it will have an impact, I can see that now.
I am 3 weeks binge free tomorrow!
wahoo.
Also, my technowizard oldest daughter is visiting, and this is 20 days since I joined, so I am hoping to get signature going and a ticker, maybe even a blog going this weekend.
thanks all
fatmad

from rural Eastern Ontario. You have enough posts but need to have been registered for 20 days for a ticker. Be patient. Holler if you need help setting things up!

I kept a food diary for a while. It does hurt to write down the cookies, cakes, and pies, but when you have days without those things, it also feels good to NOt write them. Keeping a diary also helped me identify trigger foods, and times of day that I should not eat them (example: cereal after work = cravings til bedtime)
good luck with yours

I am in awe of anyone who can keep a food diary. I tried it one day and things did not turn out well. All it did was make me hungry- or at least I thought I was hungry. I just kept thinking about all the delicious food I was writing down and it only fueled me to want to eat more. But those are my issues. Maybe one day I can overcome them. For now I will be amazed that people can actually do it and not go crazy. 10 kudos to you.

yeah I agree it's hard to write down what you ate , I tried to do that for three days I did write down everything that I ate but it became tedious to write down everything and my writing is terrible so that didn't work out for me I guess I couldve just typed it on the computer on a spread sheet or something. that is a thought for myself.

I also journal my food. It's the only way for me to really see what I'm taking in and where all my calories are going. It does get extremely tedious and there are days that I start tracking my calories but by lunch time I've gone of course and have to start over the next day. I've done this for a long time. I use a little notebook and scribble everything I eat and the calorie content so that I can see my daily total. I found certain patterns in my habits that were causing big problems and that has been helpful. The days that I don't write my calories are the days that I'm probably not in a good mindset with food, or I'm feeling a bit lazy. And I do have those days, sometimes a couple days a week. But, it's been a great tool for me. It can make you obsessive though, so watch out for that, lol.

hmm thanks for the comments and insights. I had a good day yesterday. I had reasonable servings, but some foods were high cal, with the kids around we had pizza for supper, but i kept it to 2 slices.
I am going to make a nice brekkie for everyone for sunday brunch.
Keep me going in healthy directions.
fatmad

I have completed my food diary for 2 days. I think you all are right that keeping the diary really helps a person look at their intake. I decided to also keep a log of my exercise.
The food is ok. I am not always eating the way I would if I were "on a diet"
but the portions are certainly reasonable.
But I really don't exercise enough. I guess I knew this before, but the log verifies it. I can't lie to myself.
Revelations huh?
fatmad

The concept of writitng down everything in a food diary or journal is really supposed to help focus you on what you're putting in your mouth. That's what the experts and those who have done it say, anyway. I probably should start one. I am thinking about starting a blog about my daily drama. I might, but I don't know how well I could keep it up! But good for you!! Way to go!

I have an idea for those who do not like to write down what you eat all day every day... well this is what I plan to do anyways...
I don't know about you guys, but I almost always/always have my cellphone on me... My plan is to take a picture of everything i eat or drink. that way I don't have to carry around a little book or write anything down. It also has time and date, so you don't need to figure out what time it is or w.e

awesome idea ace. I sometimes have to write things down on any piece of paper I have handy and add it in at the end of the day, I don't have the diary with me all the time if I am on the move....
It does seem to be working however,,,,

I have kept food diaries since 1971...and I still have them all. It is one of the primary reasons I've kept my 200 pounds off since I reached goal. It's a great tool. I write down every BLT, even if it's not what I should be having.

Wow Susan, maintaining so well for so long, looks like you have made lifelong changes! thats pretty neat. how inspiring. I'm still writing. also keep my exercise in there. Thats helpful too.

Keeping a food/calorie journal is the main thing that has helped me lose weight. If I don't write things down - and measure them correctly when I do - then I have a tendency to eat "a little" of this and "a little" of that and not think about how it's impacting my weight or my diet.

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