When starting any type of diet, it’s crucial to keep track of several things. For Cycle 1 of the 17 Day Diet, it’s all about detox and rapid weight loss. It’s important to keep tabs on several key factors during this phase to help you gain momentum for starting Cycle 2.
1. Food Intake — If you keep track of the types of food you are eating as well as how much, you will become more in tune with what you’re feeding your body and may lose weight as a result. Keeping yourself fully aware not only keeps you in check during your diet, but may also help you understand why you may plateau at certain points during your diet.
I had a blog reader who experienced a plateau during Cycle 1. She didn’t quite understand why she was no longer losing weight until I asked her to review her food journal. Because she had recorded every morsel of food, she discovered she wasn’t eating enough protein and vegetables and her body was literally starving! A quick correction in her food intake, and losing weight was back in full gear.
2. Weight — Weekly or daily weigh-ins are equally important. Keeping track of your weight in sync with your food journal will help you understand how certain foods affect your weight. Remember it’s important to weigh yourself at the same time during the day as your weight fluctuates all day long. For instance, if you decide to weigh yourself daily, weigh each morning at 7am before you’ve had anything to eat and drink. This will produce consistent and more accurate results.
3. Inches — Dieting is not just about the scale. Some people don’t see a significant drop in weight, but their clothes start fitting better. This is because you’re losing inches! For those who exercise and participate in strength training routines may actually see an increase in weight– muscle weighs more than fat! In fact, you may lose fat, but gain muscle. Pay attention to your inches lost. Consider keeping track of the size of your thighs, waist and upper arms. If the scale is not moving, but the size of your thighs are getting smaller, you will have the motivation to keep going. So make sure you’re keeping track of the size of your body!
4. Emotions — For many of us, we are overweight because we are emotional eaters. We eat when we’re happy. We eat when we’re sad. Heck, we eat when we’re bored! Keeping track of your emotions as you reach for food may help you become more aware of how you’re feeling and what you can do to prevent yourself from eating based on emotions alone. Remember, we’re not “feeling” our food. Food is solely for nutrition and energy for our body. Recognizing our emotions when turning to food for comfort is the first step in correcting the issue and seeking help if needed.
Original article and pictures take 17ddblog.com site
