Tracking Weight: How Logging Means Losing

Tracking Weight: How Logging Means Losing 

Tracking weight may feel like an unpleasant task, especially if you’re frustrated with your weight. Studies show, however, that by tracking your weight on a regular basis, you increase feelings of accountability and raise your awareness level. These factors combine to help you achieve your weight loss goals.

Tracking Weight to Increase Awareness

When living a busy life, it’s easy to lose track of your weight. If you’re at home with the kids and wearing sweat pants every day, you may not notice until you go to put on your jeans or your favorite evening dress that your body has undergone some changes. With life’s numerous demands, it is not always easy to stay on top of caloric intake and weight increases.

If gaining weight has become an issue for you, it is time to take some action. The simple act of tracking your weight every day will make a difference. If you don’t own a scale, buy one or make it a point to weigh yourself each day at the gym. Write down your weight every day in a journal or use FitDay.com’s tracking tool.

Detecting Patterns in Weight Gain

This first step increases your awareness on a daily basis. When you do this daily and across the months, you may start to notice patterns. For example, the holidays may be a time when weight issues become more apparent. When you detect such patterns, you can do something about them.

As the holidays are coming, you can mentally prepare yourself and think carefully about your approach to food. You can still enjoy each meal during the holidays, but make small adjustments. You might decide to really savor the flavors by eating more slowly. If large portion sizes are a problem, you might consciously choose to eat less or avoid returning to the table for seconds.

Tracking Weight and Accountability

Tracking weight on a daily basis keeps you accountable. If you know that you are going to weigh yourself the next day and have to write down the number, you may be less inclined to eat a second serving at dinner, or you might content yourself with just a few bites of cake rather than an entire piece.

Once you’re on a roll with tracking your weight, you may feel motivated to branch out into maintaining a full-fledged food journal. This is a useful practice because it alerts you to deficiencies in your diet and areas where you can cut back. You might notice, for example, that your diet is low on fruits and vegetables, pushing you to make necessary adjustments.

Tracking weight on a daily basis is a proven strategy for encouraging weight loss. It increases your awareness and keeps you accountable. To see the greatest results, be consistent. Write down your weight regularly. Use a reliable scale. Be honest with yourself. As fluctuations in your weight become apparent, think through the reasons behind this change. Take action to develop healthy eating habits. Before long, you will find yourself able to lose the pounds and maintain your weight.

For more information on how to lose weight safely and effectively please call Dr. Ashley at 630-554-9991