In all of my years as a Personal Trainer and Boot Camp Instructor in Long Beach and elsewhere I’ve always encouraged my clients to keep a food journal as a part of their health and fitness program.
Why Should You Keep a Food Journal?
So, what exactly is a food journal? Simple: use an app on your phone or write down every single crumb of food you eat each day and every drink, including water. You don’t need to be fancy about it. Any basic notebook will do just fine. Sure, you can use something designed for this purpose and there are plenty of apps available for iPhone and Android but it really doesn’t matter what format you use as long as you do it.
Food Journal App
Top Rated Food Journal App: My Fitness Pal, totally free app and I don’t make a dime for promoting it so try it out and if you don’t love it try another one. “Love this app!” -Lea G.
If you’re working hard at Boot Camp, with a Personal Trainer or on your own to reshape your body and the nutrition side of your program isn’t on point a food journal could make a huge difference. It not only helps me, or any personal trainer, to find the flaws in your eating habits but it will actually help you to avoid the wrong foods before it’s too late. This is all about accountability. You’ll know that as good as that piece of chocolate cake looks if you have to write it down in your food journal you’ll have a second thought. Writing things down just makes it more real and it helps us make better decisions.
Keeping a food journal shouldn’t feel like a chore. Think of it as a tool that will help you stay on track. Make your food journal a part of your life and integrate it into your daily routine and patterns.
Food Journal Details Are Everything
The more detailed you are the better you’ll understand your own habits, cravings and times you eat. You may want to track calories, carbs, protein and fat in each meal or snack which can seem like a lot of work but this could make all the difference in speeding up your progress in reaching your fitness goals. Some people use their food log as a stepping stone for eating healthy forever. They’ll make a decision to keep a food diary for 90 days, for example, and then reevaluate their habits and control over their nutritional intake. If they’re 100% sure they can stay on track without the journal they’ll let it go. You’ll always have the option to go back to keeping a food diary down the line if you feel the need.
Make Changes Based on Your Food Journal
Sometimes the smallest changes like replacing certain foods or just eating some foods at a different time of day or in different quantities can make a huge difference in your results.
Contrary to what some people think a food journal can be useful for all types of goals, not just weight loss. Most pro athletes keep some sort of food diary. No matter what your fitness goals are this could make a huge difference.