Calorie Counting Chart – As Easy as Using a Checkbook
By Colleen Langenfeld
Do you use a checkbook? Are you comfortable with addition and subtraction?
Are you tired of following every new diet tip or ‘secret’ that pops up?
Then maybe you are ready for the real deal.
Maybe
you are ready to take control of your body management. Doing so is
often easier than jumping from fad to fad. Taking control for yourself
means coming to an appreciation of your body and its particular needs.
Then using simple tools to get the results you want.
I’ll give
you an example from my own experience. I have used a calorie counting
chart to lose twenty pounds. What I have discovered by doing so, is
that what I *actually* eat each day and what I *need* to eat for good
health and satisfaction are two different things.
And sorting out that difference is very much like using a checkbook to keep track of my family’s monthly finances.
What about you? Do you…
- keep track of money that goes into your bank account?
- keep track of money that goes out of your bank account?
- understand you need money *in* your account before money can come *out*?
If
you can successfully tackle those concepts with your money, I feel
confidant in your ability to use those same skills to get the body
weight results you want using a calorie counting chart.
Here’s the deal. Using a calorie counting chart (just like a checkbook register), you
- keep track of the calories you take in each day.
- decide how many calories you need to use each day for good health.
- make adjustments in the amounts of calories available to you, through food choices and exercise.
The
great thing is, it’s all in black and white. No confusion. Just like
with your money, if you know you want to purchase a new pair of shoes,
then you make a satisfying choice to put your money towards those new
shoes instead of buying a new cd. Or you choose watching a video at
home instead of going to the movies, knowing you are going to be
wearing those new shoes very, very soon.
A similar principle is
in effect when using your calorie counting chart. (For a free calorie
counting chart, see the author’s resource box at the end of this
article.) Using your chart, you can see what calories you have banked
upfront. You know (or can learn) what types and amounts of calories you
need to be healthy and happy. Now you can examine your food and
movement (exercise) choices and make intelligent, guilt-free decisions.
Easy decisions like
- using low-fat sour cream and cheeses
instead of their high-fat counterparts. Especially when mixed with
other foods, you won’t even notice the difference.
- drinking a glass of water before you eat. Every time.
- chatting with a friend on your cell phone while you walk (choosing movement) instead of while you watch TV.
The
bottom line here is that if tracking your body management is looking
complicated to you, you can make it simple again. As simple as adding
and subtracting numbers in a checkbook register. Only for this game
you’ll use a calorie counting chart.
As simple as that.
Colleen Langenfeld has been parenting for over 25 years and helps other moms enjoy mothering more at http://www.paintedgold.com . Get a free calorie counting chart here.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Colleen_Langenfeld
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**2 great places to track your calories are fitday.com and sparkspeople.com and they are both FREE!
