Keeping a Food JournalKeeping a food journal is a great way to pinpoint mistakes that you may be making with your diet and exercise program. Things like emotional over eating, low fluid intake and infrequent exercise adherence are just a few things that a journal can bring to light and help you address. In addition, you are less likely to put something unhealthy in your mouth or skip a workout if you have to write it in your journal. Make it a point to write down EVERYTHING, not just the good stuff. Write down food quantities and prep methods, meal times, social situations and after meal feelings as well. In a few short days you'll begin to see a pattern develop. Once you see what you are doing wrong, make healthful corrections. A food journal is also useful when it comes to meal planning and grocery shopping. Pre-planning your menu and shopping list helps decrease the likelihood of making a nutritional mistake by taking the guesswork out of meal prep and selection. Make your selections in advance (daily or weekly) and just follow the plan. As far as grocery shopping goes, make lists in advance, don't shop when you're hungry, and stock up on fresh fruits and vegetables for snacking emergencies. And finally, probably the most important rule of all when it comes to grocery shopping: STICK TO THE LIST. You can't eat what's not there ya know.
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