Your Weight Loss Toolkit

An artist can't create a masterpeice without a canvas, brushes, or paint. In the same way, you as a dieter, or someone who wants to change their eating habits for life, can't create your new body without some paraphernalia.

If want to get the job done well, you're going to need the right tools to do it with. So what instruments, gadgets, and machines are important to have in your weight loss toolkit? Read on...

• A journal. This can be an old tattered leftover wirebound notebook, or it can be a fancy, decorated, elite journal that you pick up from Border's. The point is that you have somewhere sacred to write down what's going on in your mind as you lose weight. Track your mood swings from certain foods, record favorite recipes, freewrite in it instead of eating when you're craving that cookie...


• A Scale or Tape Measure. You'll need to measure your progress somehow, and you can record it in your journal!


• A food diary. Yes, this is necessary. When you record everything you eat, you are in turn more concious of the things you're eating. You'll be able to see how much you've consumed and what you can afford to eat later. It also holds you accountable.


• An Exercise Diary. Don't roll your eyes just yet! Even if you don't do any exercise, you'll be thinking about it and that's just as important! But if you've burned 400 calories at the gym today, you can celebrate it in your journal!


• Food Alternatives. Let's face it, sometimes you just eat food because you're bored. Like in the car. In front of the TV. Surfing the net. If you've got to have a hand-to-mouth action, it's much better to choose an alternative to food like tea, sugar-free gum or breath mints, or even a cinnamon stick to chew on, instead of eating an entire bag of microwave popcorn without even realizing or enjoying it.


• A Powerful Reason Why. This may be the most important utensil - without this you've got nothing. If you want something, there's a reason for it, so find out what it is and hold on tight. The next time your evil co-worker offers you a brownie, you just whip out that reason why in your mind and you'll get your motivation back.


• A Motivator. Whether its a picture of your dream body, a quote that puts you back on track, or the jeans you're dying to fit into again, you can use this tool to get to your goal. Think about the next time you're at that wedding or birthday, and the cake comes out looking perfectly iced and choclatey-licious...shoot down the appetite with your motivator.


• A Calorie Calculator. This isn't needed, but it sure helps in the beginning. Especially when you've gone out to lunch with a client and need to make some good eating choices on the fly.


• A Plan. You'll need a long term plan, but be sure to break it down into short-term goals so that you can reach them realistically and see your progress.

Hopefully this list will help you prepare for your journey to a better body. If I've left anything out or you have suggestions for this list, please leave them in the comments - if they are reasonable, I'll definitely add them!


Some of my future blogs will expand upon these items, but I'd like to hear your feedback as to which ones first...
Thanks!


-diana