The importance of a weight loss journal.

[Vanilla]

I started Atkins on November 27, 2005. It had been a while since I read the book so it was kindof a guessing game for me. My beginning weight was 235, so from then until January 2 I didn't weigh myself because I didn't want to get discouraged if I didn't lose any weight. Anyways, when I finally did weigh myself I weighed 225. 10 pounds was good but, I expected to lose more. I asked my cousin what I was doing wrong and she asked me if I was keeping a journal of what I was eating. Of course I wasn't! So, I went out and bought a journal. As I started using the journal, I was amazed on how easy the carbs added up. For breakfast I ate 2 fried eggs and bacon. Lunch: I ate a huge salad and some chicken added and dinner chicken or fish and green beans. That took me way over the allowed 20 grams a day, not to mention coffee with sweet N low and creamer that does have some cornstarch added. No wonder I am not losing like I should be. I wasn't following Atkins correctly. It was upsetting!
So now I count everything and put it in my diet journal. It adds up quickly!

My current menu: Breakfast: Whey protein drink 3 grams of carbs
Decaf coffee with 2 sweet n lows. 2grams
Lunch: Green beans with garlic and butter sauce,
measured. 8 grams
Dinner: A meat, usually a double helping.
0 carbs
I'm on my way to losing correctly now on Atkins.

235/225/220
GW/130

[wannabethintoo]

Woo hoo for you! And you are so right. It is important to keep track of what we're eating.

[2big4mysize]

very important cause if you don't keep track the brain mysteriously thinks that snack you had at the mall was magically carb free.

[Elizellen]

LOL, 2big!!!

I always used to joke that food at parties was calorie-free and then eat as if that was true!! Got me up to 280 pounds plus in no time!!

[Analog6]

The journal really keeps me accountable. I enter all food in and all exercise done, and some notes on anything that happened that made me want to eat. You're so right that if you don't write it down 'carb creep' happens VERY easily!

[dreamof145]

Just wanted to share with you what I have given to a few very close friends who ask me sincerely what to do about losing weight. I tell them to get a journal and write down what medications they take, what foods they eat, when they eat and why. What do they eat when they are happy? When they are sad? When they are nervous? How do these foods make them feel? Then...I tell them it is important to make a plan for these times that they record that they are eating the most food and the wrong foods. It is so important to realize that things happen in our lives and we have to be prepared!! We can't make things quit happening. I believe the journal and the DANDR go hand in hand in helping us fight our obesity. Thanks for posting this thread. I think it is important to remind everyone over and over to keep journals and make plans!!