Over the last 8 years of trying to lose baby weight, I have learned a few things that will always be beneficial to your goals no matter the program you are using. One of the most influential tricks is to keep a food journal. Write down everything you eat and drink each day, and be sure to record the portions as well. Some programs have you also record tedious info such as calorie counts, but the most crucial things to record is really just what you ate and how much of it you ate. That's one reason why I love Nutrisystem! The program understands the need for keeping track of a food journal, but they make it a lot easier than having to count calories for every tiny thing you eat.
Keeping a food journal helps you pin point where your weight loss is lacking.
When you record what you eat each day, and the portions you had, you are better able to understand why your body might be resisting weight loss. In the past I used to think, "oh I can snitch just one pretzel. One pretzel won't make or break my day" but by the end of the day I realized I had thought the same thing about that M&M, the chip, the piece of bread, the extra apple, the extra Teaspoon of peanut butter, etc. By the end of the day it was adding up to quite a lot.
If you require yourself to write down everything you put past your lips into your body, then when You have a discouraging week, you can look back and see if it was related to your food intake and where you can adjust. Or if you happened to have a very successful week, you again can look back at your week of food and see what works really well with your body!
Nutrisystem supports keeping a food journal.
One of the things I have loved about Nutrisystem is that it also supports using a food journal and it makes keeping a food journal very easy!
The Nutrisystem Food journal helps you to track your food intake to ensure you are getting enough proteins, smart carbs, vegetables and water each day. It also helps you track your fitness, as you need 3 ten minute bouts of fitness each day, so you can easily mark off each one as you accomplish it.
The food journal also allows you to write down any extras you may have snitched. I usually just put them in the side bars, or on the same line. But as it's not very good to be snitching, I do my best to NOT do it. Yes, I'm human and I have bad days, but I am sure to mark those bad days and record just what was my weakness. It also helps so I can ensure that I don't keep those foods that are a temptation for me in the house any longer.
I've noticed a huge difference in my diligence to my eating programs when I use a food journal and when I don't. When I'm not kept to being accountable and write down everything I eat, I find I struggle to eat the correct items a lot more than when I'm writing down everything I eat. It helps keep me diligent in my commitment to losing this weight.
So let's see how this last week has treated me!
This last week, I worked really hard at being diligent with my Nutrisytem foods. Not only because I wanted the awesome weight loss, but also because it was my 10 year wedding anniversary on Friday! I knew the Husband and I were going to go out to dinner. I knew I was going to be eating off plan. I mean, it's my 10 year anniversary! We needed something special. So I knew if I was going to be having a meal off plan I needed to be extra diligent the rest of the week to ensure that the one off meal wouldn't destroy my entire week.
So, lets see how the last week treated me.
Starting weight: 185.2
Week 1: 179.4
Week 2: 176.8
Week 3: 176.8
Week 4: 174.8
Week 5: 172.0
Total weight loss: 13.2 Pounds!
But weight loss isn't just about losing weight. It's also about losing inches! Since I completed my first month, I wanted to let you know that I've lost:
- 2 inches around my bust line (this one I'm not sad about…yet.)
- 2.2 inches around my stomach/waist
- 2 inches around my hips
- and a full inch around each of my thighs.
Total of 7.2 inches in 5 weeks.
I'm hoping to finally be in the next pant size down before my birthday in September! That would be a fantastic birthday present!
I want to thank you all for all your amazing support, comments ( I LOVE the comments!) and encouragement! I love sharing my journey with you and I wish you all the best luck on your journeys as well!
I hope you will continue with me on my journey as I blog each week of my experiences and success with Nutrisystem Nation!
Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling 1-888-853-4689 or by visiting http://www.nutrisystem.com/
**I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free for my review purposes only. All opinions are 100% my own and were not influenced in any manner. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.**
9 Days Left 
Last Day! 
3 Days Left 
2 Days Left 
Contest Closed 
Contest Closed 
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Congrats on your progress! I agree about keeping a journal- just seeing what u r eating is huge- plus it makes u think twice b/c u have to write it!!!
Weight loss can be achieved if we track our eating habits effectively. The food journal helps in recording what you eat, when you eat it and how you are feeling physically and emotionally can improve your eating habits and help you to make lifelong changes. Regardless of the diet food journal can help you to stay committed and on track.
You rock! That is great weight loss for such a short time! That looks like a good system. I will check it out.
It helps keep me accountable to someone even if its only myself for sure. Love that yours is all color coordinated and pretty!
That’s great progress! Journaling really helps. I’ve been using My Fitness Pal off and on to track food and exercise just to keep me honest.
Awesome, looks like you are doing a great job! I agree, you must keep track of what you are eating so you know what’s working and what’s not.
You are doing so amazing! You are such an inspiration
I have dieted on and off so much throughout the years. I was definitely more successful when I took the time to keep a food journal. Great post!
Wow, you’re doing great so far!
You are doing fantastic and the journal is really key! Anytime I stop writing down what I eat, I go out of control – it’s funny how it can make us accountable to ourselves! Keep rocking out that weight loss!
I’ve only heard Good Things about this program. Good luck with it…you can do it.
I have tried Nutrisystem, but didn’t like the food very much. Maybe it’s better now? Congratulations on losing 13.2 pounds! I agree writing down your food intake is extremely helpful.
{ 9 trackbacks }