So true Kathryn! Thanks for the thought provoking post :)

I’ve found that really, REALLY taking down everything I eat is making the difference with weight loss this time around, rather than my vague notions of ‘healthy eating’ that I’ve done in the past.

It was quite a shock when I started but it has actually made it easier, especially knowing calorie values of everything as well.

I’ll own up to sitting here in Koko Black – www.kokoblack.com eating two chocolates along with my (skinny) cappuccino. It was my “reward” for getting a medical test over and done with, but fortunately I pre-program it in to my food diary so I feel no guilt at all!

I feel a great sense of control using an online food diary/calorie counter and like to try and program most of my food for the day. It helps me to keep an eye on my fat/protein/carb split and it’s useful to look back on what I’ve eaten on a day when I’ve noticed a change in my hunger levels or emotions. Plus when I have a treat I can really enjoy it.

My meals are usually pretty good, but I eat a lot of snacks. I’ve been eating more nuts since I read your post on afternoon snacks, but there’s still room for improvement.

I’ve started keeping a written food diary again, and am putting down everything (including the chickpea blondies I’ve been gorging on!) but finds it keeps me on the straight and narrow..

I agree, writing your food down, or tracking it in some way online, is the only way to really know what you’re doing. It helps with motivation and helps give you a sense of your patterns.

But you have to write everything single thing down, a lot of people fib and fudge their food diaries.

And within any way of eating, even when you are trying to lose weight, there is space for a few treats, chickpea “blondies” and chocolates included.

Excellent post. It’s important to do this every once in a while – even when you’ve already gone through the process – to re-evaluate those foods that might have snuck back into your routine.

When I first got my diabetes diagnosis I became a food nazi, examining everything that went into my mouth, re-inventing my food lifestyle and cutting out the bad stuff. After a while you get used to it, it becomes second nature, and you slack off. In crept the occasional hot dog. And high-fat ice cream. Not good, not good at all.

Great post. So true. My dietry routine has totally slipped recently because David moved in with me. He loves his sweets and sugary drinks. They were never in my house before! Though I’m not particularly fond of either I find myself nibbling occasionally when I never would have before.

Ah, yes, that imaginary diet. The one where I eat like a saint but still manage to not lose any weight, feel more energetic…

I started keeping a food diary after reading Bridget Jones’ Diary years ago. At the time it was mostly to keep track of cigarettes, but it really came into its own when I was giving up the smokes themselves. Shocking amounts of food went in as compensation.

I’ve not kept one for a while. Winter’s coming (I can feel her this morning!) and I would like more energy. Shall do. I can own up to my actions. I think.

Amanda, I agree that it’s something you need to re-do. I regularly keep a food diary in some form – either online, written, or just checking off the food groups as I have them. I do it for about a week, to keep an eye on what I’m doing.

Wendy – there’s a whole chunk of research and information about how our food habits change when we move in with a partner. And what’s generally found is the man’s diet improves, while the woman’s diet worsens. A situation you find yourself in. Try to think about whether you really want the sweets and sugary foods. Or is there something better that you could have instead?

Lucy, the imaginary diet – yes that’s something I come up against a lot! Winter is a good time to do this exercise, because extra foods do start creeping into the diet.

Excellent post, Kathryn. I agree (based on personal & observed experience) “the first step to change is owning up to what you are eating.”

Great post…I really must start a food diary! Yes, that is a tough question to answer honestly at first. And really taking things down becomes quite shocking, heehee :) Mine would say: Coffee. Yikes!

This is exactly what has led to me having a real breakthough with my eating over this last week. I started to track exactly what I was eating; I realised how much nonsense was in my diet and I’m finding it so empowering to be in control. I’m going to reread this post everytime I lose track of my eating!

Emma – well done for having a break through with your eating. It’s not an easy thing to do, so you should be proud of yourself. It really is only through paying attention and often writing it down, that we actually know what’s going into our mouth. Otherwise, so much of what we do is mindless. And if you’re not paying attention it’s easy to over-eat. Keep up the good work!