Day 3 ~ Learn what you eat first.

So after yesterday's post I decided that I needed to do some research.  See, that's how I am.  I have to know "everything" there is to know about whatever it is that I plan on doing before I do it.  I don't know why, but I have been that way for years.  For example, before I started promoting my Ahni & Zoe business, I had to read all the training, take all of the webinars, take notes and start all over again.  I had to know "everything" about the business before I felt comfortable being able to share it with others. My journey to a healthier me is no different.  So I research and I read and I try to learn new things.

Well, today's installment has to do with what to do BEFORE starting a diet.  I have learned that there are certain things that I have to learn about myself FIRST before I can delve into this whole "weight loss" thing.

What follows are the things that I have to do first, before I can jump in with both feet.

• Purchase a notebook or create a "food journal".  - This is where I will begin to keep track of EVERYTHING that I eat and drink for at least a week.  This is important because if I don't know what I am currently putting in my body, how am I supposed to know what I have to change?  I remembered that I have a bunch of legal pads and steno books here at home (among all of my other issues I am an office supply hoarder....that's a post for another day) So, tomorrow, I will start recording everything that I eat & drink for the next week, only concentrating on self-discovery. 
• Use my digital food scale.  Next, I will start being conscious of my portion sizes.  Weighing and measure as much of what I eat as I can.  It's time that I really learn what appropriate servings sizes are.  I can eat that oreo - but can I eat just one???  That will be the true test. 
• While I was searching for a new steno pad to use to start to record all the food and beverages that I am putting in my body each day, I found two books: "The Biggest Loser Complete Calorie Counter" and "The Complete Food Counter" by Annette Natow, PhD and JoAnn Heslin, M.A., R.D.  Both are awesome resources for keeping track of calories, protein, fat, cholesterol, fiber, carbs & sodium. 
  
  
  
  
• At the end of the week, total up the total number of calories eaten per day.  Then, add up all of the totals and divide by 7 to get the average number of calories eaten per day.  This will help to know where to start from. 

So, tomorrow I begin. . . who's going to join me?  Until tomorrow....