If You Bite It, Write It!

Thats pretty much the basis of how I've lost weight, I have always always always written everything down that I eat. I started years ago when I joined Weight Watchers, as their program involves writing down everything you eat, and staying within your "points". This is where I learned to track everything. Of course, as I mentioned in my earlier post, nobody is perfect, but writing everything you eat down allows you to accurately see exactly how many calories you are consuming, and therefore able to stay within a certain calorie limit in order to lose weight. The main reason for this post is that I've recently discovered a new iPhone app (but also available online through their website, as well as on Android/Blackberry) called MyFitnessPal. Yes, I have given up  my years and years of weight watchers and tracking points, because this app is AMAZING! There are so many reasons why I prefer this app to traditional writing down your foods on paper, starting with the fact that it is SO accurate. I feel as if I get to eat more food in comparison to Weight Watchers, as it is tracked calorie for calorie, where as with WW, a "point" can range anywhere from 15-100 calories, and the new program is even more confusing. 

With this app, all you do is type in any food that you eat. They have a massive database of foods including all brand names of every food I've ever had. Including organic, no name brands, natural foods, restaurant meals, anything! If they don't have it, you can also manually enter in the calorie information and save it for future reference! One of the best features, which I didn't even realize was there at first, is the barcode scanner. If you have any food item that has a barcode, you simply press the barcode button, hold your phone up to the barcode, and it will scan it via your phone's camera and automatically bring up all the nutrition information. It is so simple to use, you can divide portions, track your water intake, exercise (tracks how many calories you burn based on your inputted exercise information) and therefore, yep, you get to eat even more! It makes it really nice when you go out to eat,  for example when I go out for sushi, I just look up exactly what I am having, and inputs the calories- where usually I'd not have a clue how many calories are in an avocado roll, or even the pickled ginger. Tracking your weight on the app as well makes it easy to see your progress. 

Another part of this app that is great is that it shows your total daily nutrition broken down into fat, carbs, protein, iron, vitamins, and more, and shows you  how much you should have daily, and what % you have consumed in the day. For someone like myself who is trying to make sure I get enough protein and iron, it makes it nice to be able to easily see if I need more, or if I have had enough. You base your total allowed calories for the day depending on at what rate you want to lose weight at, and you can also add friends on this app for added motivation! I really can't say enough about it, there is more to the app than all that I have added, but you'll just have to go download it and see for yourself! (and did I mention, its FREE?!)

If you have any questions let me know, otherwise the website I added above should have more info, and of course if you download it you can play around with it yourself :)

Happy tracking! 

2012 Already?

I guess Im a bit late for the Happy New Years thing, but hey, it was only 3 weeks ago right? But I'll say it anyways, Happy New Years all my Low-Cal Livin' followers! :)
It always starts out with great intentions for new healthy habits and amazing goals, only to usually be a huge let down when you realize you set the bar too high. Thats definitely what happened to me with my new years resolutions, but Im not going to let that get me down!
I think the key is to set attainable goals. Short-term goals are the best because you reach each milestone sooner, which gives you more motivation to keep going. If its in regards to weight-loss or healthy eating habits, I think even setting goals as low as a few pounds at a time, or in 5 pound increments is much more realistic and motivating then looking at the larger number you'd like to lose. You have to take it one day at a time, and with each day you get closer to your goal. The key is to not give up. Everyone has moments where they cheat, or slip up, or have that extra piece of cake, but thats life. You can't let food control your life, so its all about how you deal with the "living" part. What has usually worked for me is the 90/10 rule (or 80/20) which basically is that I eat really healthy and within my calories during the week, and let myself  off the hook a bit on the weekends.
Another good motivator is to think of it not just in pounds lost, but the way you are going to feel, the clothes you'll be able to wear, or how good your going to look! If you have an upcoming event or party, it can keep you in check knowing that you want to look good for that. Usually when I know I have something coming up, I'll be extra good that week or few weeks leading up to it to make sure I feel my best. Sometimes looking through your closet at a certain clothing item that doesn't quite fit anymore, and imagining being able to wear it.
I also think its really great to have support. Most everyone knows someone who is either trying to lose weight, or perhaps struggles with eating healthy. Maybe you have a friend who is really into exercising. Whatever it is, try and use the people around you as both motivators, but also as a support for when you want to talk about your current issues, or maybe someone to help you not eat that last cookie :p
I wanted to discuss this whole thing because I definitely need to take a bit more of my own advice. Especially this post. I've had a difficult past few months (hence no blog entries) and dealing with life's issues and trying to maintain or lose weight can be difficult, but I've come to the realization that, as this quote I heard goes, "Adding calories to a bad day, will only make it worse". And I think thats so true.
When Im having a bad day, and I head for the kitchen and end up eating out of stress or boredom, I find that I feel a lot of guilt after. Having to deal with your issues as well as gaining weight really doesn't help at all. I think being in control of what you are eating, your health and weight, will only give you that extra bit of confidence to be able to deal with every day life in a more positive and healthy way.
Thanks for listening, even after my 3 month hiatus, but I have lots more to share and I hope you guys all stay tuned for new posts, new food items I've discovered, a new weight-tracking program Im using (yes, Im not doing weight-watchers anymore) as well as great new recipes I've been trying lately.
Hope your all doing great with your own new years resolutions, and your general health, and that we can all remember that its OKAY to not be perfect. Remember that no one is, we just pick up where we left off, and leave the guilt behind.