I'm not obese, nor have I ever been model thin. I'm just your average American who has spent a large part of her post-adolescent years wanting to lose those last immovable 10 pounds. Even though I've embraced exercise and I know how amazing it feels to be physically fit, my addiction to sugar has always been my uncontrollable vice. Genetically pre-disposed and a die-hard sweet-tooth, I am a prime candidate for Type 2 Diabetes.
My father has struggled with diabetes since the late 1990's, taking regularly increasing dosages in his medication for some time. Late last year, our family doctor warned that if my father couldn't control his eating, he'd be on insulin shots by his next visit.
This was my catalyst. I've always wanted to create a journal that I could utilize at the gym, something that could easily be integrated into my active lifestyle. But, it wasn't until I heard the warning from my father's doctor that I realized that there were other people who could really use this journal as well.
Through the years, I made a habit of tracking my jaunts to the gym. Whatever number the cardio machine spit out, I dutifully logged on whatever melange of stationary was at my immediate disposal. Somewhere though, I was misguided into believing that exercise was more important than the foods I ingested. Perhaps it was a lack of personal restraint or an unwillingness to implement self-discipline, but I became a pro at telling myself, "No biggie, I can burn it off!" Unfortunately, when you have the capacity to consume more calories than an NFL player during pre-season and your favorite college meal was a Coffee Bean Ice Blended Mocha and a Double Chocolate Muffin, *yum* the reality was that any amount of gym time never ever came close to burning those 10 pounds.
Experts say 80% of weight loss is diet. I'd venture to guess that it's probably true, because it wasn't until I understood the caloric content of the foods I consumed and consistently logged what I ate and burned that I really saw results.
Keeping track of your caloric activity, keeps you conscious and accountable. You might not always see positive results, but it shows you where you screwed up and also where you've progressed.
Does it really work? My answer is "Yes."
