Tracking Eating For Weight Loss

As a personal trainer it can be difficult to convince clients to fill out a food diary and to do so honestly. People find it difficult (I know I have in the past). They can feel embarrassed or ashamed of what/ the amount that they are eating. Firstly, before I even talk about tracking, I’m going to go ahead and say ditch the shame and embarrassment. I’ve never found it to be particularly helpful when it comes to my body or food and although it’s often easier said than done change feels so much nicer when it comes from a place of self- respect. On that note...

A good personal trainer is not going to judge your choice of foods or how much you’re eating but that information makes it easier for us to support you to make the choices and changes you want to make. Not only does keeping a food diary help you as the client recall and asses what you have eaten in a day or over a week but research has also shown that recalling previous meals makes us less inclined to snack (Higgs, S. 2018). In that sense the food diary itself is supporting you in your weight management!

I’m not advocating the use of food diaries longer term (unless it’s something you particularly enjoy) and I believe as trainers we need to be aware of compulsive tracking and weight loss which could lead to food related issues. However, if you do want to lose weight and you’re struggling to see results a food diary or tracking app might help you cut down on cravings and if nothing else it gives you a good insight into your daily eating habits so you can make change from there.

Happy training this week team!

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References:

Higgs, S & Spetter, M. (2018) Cognitive Control of Eating: the Role of Memory in Appetite and Weight Gain.

Ariely, D (2018): How to change habits: An interview with Dan Ariely [Available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiqPkMVSA-E]