Starting a Food Journal Today

I gained a few pounds over the holidays on top of the weight I already needed to lose, so I am starting a food journal today.  I hate to say that I am counting calories, but I guess I am.  I have done this in the past, and keeping a food journal is the easiest way for me to lose weight.  You tend to reconsider letting something cross your lips if you have to take the time to figure out exactly how much of a serving you are going to consume so that you can have an exact calorie count.  If you don't feel like writing something down, you just don't eat it. 

Overall, I don't expect to find too many surprises since I eat fairly healthy anyway.  But the food journal will make me cut down on snacking tremendously.  I mean really, who wants to count out pretzel sticks every time they want pretzels.  You end up just not eating them.  I guess the easier thing is to buy those 100 calorie pack snacks which are a great idea.  Last time I did this, I ended up only buying the popcorn 100 calorie packs because they really filled me up.  The other 100 calorie packs always left me wanting more. 

Of course, I am not just using a food journal to lose weight.  I also have every intention of exercising too.  I have a treadmill and an exercise bike at home in addition to Wii Fit, so I need to get moving.  I have slacked off on walking through the holidays, but I definitely plan to get back into the routine of at least walking every day. 

The good news from all this is my boyfriend, John, is on board this time.  A couple of years ago when he wanted to lose weight, he and I both counted calories and lost quite a bit of weight.  So, he knows it works.  He is a terrible eater, so counting calories will make a huge difference with him.  I am sure he will kick my butt on the scale, but that is okay, he needs to get healthier.  I am really glad that he is on board because it is hard to be on a diet when no one else around you is.  I have tried in the past to do it alone and John would sabotage me every time, sometimes intentional and sometimes not.  It is so frustrating.  Anyway, wish me luck as I start day 1.