Start Tracking Your Intake

Keeping a food diary to track what you eat might be a good way to help you lose weight and stay accountable. Calorie counting can help you combat overeating by giving you a better understanding of how much you are really consuming.

One study followed the weight loss of 123 people for a year and discovered that keeping a food journal was linked to more weight loss. Another research found that participants who used a tracking system to self-monitor their diet and exercise on a regular basis lost more weight than those who did not. Similarly, a study of 220 obese women found that using a self-monitoring tool on a regular basis improved long-term weight control. Starting with your first meal of the day, try using an app or even simply a pen and paper to keep track of everything you eat and drink.