An easier way to stay on track

diettrackerKeeping a record of everything you eat–whether you jot it down in a notebook or use a mobile app like My Fitness Pal–can be a very effective tool for improving your eating habits. Part of it is increased awareness and part of it is the accountability. Even if no one ever sees your diet log but you, you may decide to pass on that random cookie or doughnut hole if you know it’s going on your “permanent record.”

On the other hand, it’s kind of a pain. Even with the convenience of a smart phone app, logging every bite you eat every day quickly becomes tedious. Most people start to drift away from the habit after a week or two–often, when they have a day they’d just as soon be “off the record.” And the benefits of that increased awareness and accountability gradually slip way.

A simpler way to stay on track

The Nutrition GPA was developed as a solution to this dilemma–a way to get the benefits of awareness and accountability without the burden of logging every bit of food every day. The concept eventually became the core of the 30-Day Nutrition Upgrade program that I offer twice a year. (The next one starts on March 13th).

Everyone who has done this program felt that it made a positive difference in their eating habits. The biggest changes they reported? Eating more vegetables and less sugar.

“The program taught me what healthy eating should look like without being a strict diet.”

After the first 30 days, 93% of participants said they intended to keep using the Nutrition GPA on a daily basis. In fact, just a week ago I got an email from someone who has now been using it for over 6 months.

“This is the only tracking system I’ve ever kept up for longer than 2 weeks!”

And yesterday, this from another from a participant:

“Just want to thank you again for the simple approach to healthy eating. Yesterday was my red-letter day, as the scale tipped past the 10-pound loss!” 

Lately, I’ve been wondering whether I should change the name from the 30-Day Nutrition Upgrade to the Lifetime Nutrition Upgrade. Most past participants are still active in the group forum–and I have to say, they are some of the nicest (and funniest) people I’ve ever known.

Perhaps you’d like to join us?

We’re launching the next group on March 13th. All the details are here and if you have any questions, feel free to send me an email.

2 thoughts on “An easier way to stay on track

  1. Need to fix meals for two elderly women. I need recipes:( not a good cook on my own 🙂 I am one of the woman I’m 65 and the other is 93 I need to lose weight she just needs to stay healthy which is a very plain eater .

  2. Hi Monica. I have been on myfitnesspal for almost a year now and I love it. Cannot wait to check out Nutrition GPA. If you are ever bored can you add me on myfitnesspal? My screenname is vjjohnson3. I would be able to give you everything I have eaten plus main exercise info for the past year by sharing my diary. We also are curious about what you ate in the past year. 🙂

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