My Food Log

Once in response to my pressing her as to why she didn’t reach her goals that week, a coaching client demanded, “Have you ever been overweight?” I had to admit that while I was once about 25 pounds heavier than I am now, I have not ever been significantly overweight. But regardless of weight, we all battle the same things: a desire for instant gratification, busy lives, lack of motivation to exercise… The list of excuses we’ve all used at one time or another can go on and on.

Here’s a little about my own journey.

I love sweets. One Friday evening in about 1997, I invited a bunch of friends over for a dessert potluck. Yes, it was exactly what it sounds like–the only thing on the menu was dessert! I remember having a vague sense that I enjoyed the various “dishes” more than anyone else. Though I grew up in a vegetarian household in which eating anything from an animal source was a taboo leading surely to death, fatty, sugary desserts abounded. Really, my parents did the best they knew at the time. In our defense, it wasn’t until the ’90s that fat became a villain, and the early ’00s when carbs appeared in the spotlight. Nevertheless, even knowing the evils of fat and refined sugar, I still struggle against a sweet tooth, and sometimes I give in all too willingly. (Just ask my in-laws, who keep more sugar around their house than I do at mine, so I invariably sugar-binge whenever I’m there! Or my husband, who frequently hears me say at the end of a meal, “I want something sweet!”) I used to curl my lip in disgust when I’d go out to eat with friends and they’d order salads as their entrees. At the boarding academy where I attended high school, I served as an RA in the dorm my junior and senior year. In our nightly (late-night) meetings, the dean fed us homemade treats regular basis. From a friend I made my junior year of high school, I learned how easy it is to sit and eat a whole bag of something. I don’t recount these stories to lay blame, just to let you know where I’ve been. (And even sometimes, still am…) Needless to say, I gained some weight that year.

I’m still not perfect, by any means. But my eating habits have greatly improved over the years–it’s not unusual for me now to order a salad for my entree! So the point of sharing my journey is to show that you can change too! And to prove it, I’m going to get real detailed about my current journey…

Because lately, in the last few weeks before my wedding last April and on the honeymoon and then in the first months of settling into a new routine of married life, I’ve let my discipline slip. Preoccupied with everything else that’s been going on, I’ve given in to my sweet tooth and instant gratification much more willingly. And I have to say, my cravings for sweet stuff only intensify the more I give in!

Here’s another example of my current battle: I’ve determined that part of my “grand opening” for this blog is that I’ll keep a food log. I really think that one of the reasons (besides my fear and self-doubt) I’ve dragged my feet about getting this up and going is that I’m embarrassed to log what I’ve been eating, and I’m reluctant to change back to the healthier habits I’ve had in the past!

So, I have two reasons for posting a food log here. First, to give you ideas. As a wellness coach, clients frequently ask me, “What do you eat?” This food log will show you what I eat, and hopefully give you some ideas for yourself. I make no claims of eating perfectly, I like my ice cream and my quesadillas just as much as the next guy. But I do strive to make healthy choices every day, and to keep those treats as exceptions rather than the rule.

Secondly, this gives me someone to be accountable to! Any time you keep a record of what you’re doing, you’re more likely to be conscientious about what you’re doing. Even better, if I know you’re going to see what I’m eating, I make healthier choices! (Last time I did this I lost 5 pounds without even trying–just because I was making slightly better choices!) 

My goals are:

1. Eat at least one salad every day.
2. Eat an additional serving of fresh or cooked vegetables every day.
3. Eat 3-4 servings of fruit every day.
4. Keep my dairy (cheese, eggs, sour cream, yogurt, ice cream etc) intake to no more than twice a week.
5. Keep my refined sugar intake to no more than twice a week.

Beginning July 26, I plan to keep this food log for 4 weeks alongside an exercise log. For interest sake, I’ll be keeping track of any changes in my BMI and waist size as well. Watch for corresponding recipes, too.

After the initial 4 weeks, I’ll continue blogging meals I thought were particularly good and healthy, things my husband especially liked, or traditional meals for special occasions which I made healthier than usual (like Thanksgiving or Christmas).