Know thy food

One of the most effective tools in managing weight is knowing exactly what you're putting in your body. This can be accomplished by any number of methods, keeping a food journal, counting points, counting calories, etc. There is a very easy tool which I use called myfitnesspal, and you can get it on your smartphone. Once set up, myfitnesspal includes an extensive search list for foods, a bar code scanner, social networking capabilities, and ways to track progress, calories, and carb/fat/protein percentages.

When you sit down to log what you eat immediately after, or preferably right before, you start to make better choices about what you eat. Once you know your basal metabolic rate (you can get that checked from a nutritionist, doctor, or a nice gym), you can effectively track your caloric intake and calories burned, so as to proceed towards a weight loss goal. Myfitnesspal also syncs to personal fitness trackers like fitbit, and will update your calories burned based on the activity measured.

If you get friends to join, myfitnesspal can provide a great method of accountability. The desktop version also includes forums where you can share goals and motivate others on the journey. Yesterday's Scripture readings about the early Church focus on how the disciples shared much in common for the good of the Church. Sharing your daily food journal by means of an app like myfitnesspal can help yourself and others to recover and to live the abundant life God wants you to live.

If you think it's too hard to start journaling, think about how hard it is to walk up the stairs when you've gained another 10 pounds. Once you get the hang of it, myfitnesspal becomes a normal and habitual way of eating. It will become easy. So do yourself a favor and give it a try. Know thy food.