It's That Time of Year Again...A Great Tool for Keeping You on Track

While I am not big on calorie counting, it's just a simple fact...if you want to maintain your weight, you must have a calorie balance. In other words, you must expend as many calories as you consume or you will gain weight. While eating clean foods certainly helps you keep a nice healthy metabolism, eating copious amount of superfoods will still cause weight gain if you aren't expending those calories through your daily activity. And in my situation where I am unable to workout for God only knows how long...this is going to be my greatest challenge!!!! 

What makes me feel better right now? Yep, you guessed it...FOOD! I am used to being able to maintain my weight with about 2500 calories because of my activity level. I am now doing a lot of nothing and therefore probably have to shave about 1000 calories off of my intake. OH MY GOSH!!! That is a LOT of food!! Maybe this is a good time for me to fast. 

Totally KIDDING!

For those of you who start packing on the pounds around this time of year or for those of you who are gimp like myself, it may be a good idea for you to keep track of your calorie balance. We are surrounded by empty calories this time of year and while eating a snack size piece of candy may not seem like a big deal...all the munching adds up and the pounds start creeping in. Hence the "New Years Resolutions" right?

A friend of mine (thank you Gabi!) introduced a tool to me about 6 months ago that helps you keep track of your eating habits. I absolutely LOVE it because I can actually keep up with it. Food Journaling is for the focused and organized. NOT me so much. 

Anyway it's called My Fitness Pal. You can manage it online AND there is an app for it for both the Iphone and Smartphone. You set up your profile online...like your weight and your goals, etc. You can also befriend people which helps you stay accountable and challenge each other. 

Here's what I love the most though!!! On your phone, there is a barcode. So rather than having to search for the food you are eating and the serving size and all that, you can just scan the barcode of the food you are eating and log it right in. I LOVE it. It keeps everything in a database, so eventually (if you eat a lot of the same foods) you can just enter it right in with the touch of your finger. 

The other thing I love is that it keeps track of your nutrient intake. For instance, I am anemic, so my iron intake is very important. I am able to see if I am getting enough iron in my food. I've taken iron pills before, and if you were my friend during that time...you KNOW what iron pills do to me. ;)

Anyway, I need to run. Typing on the computer is kind of a no no right now, but I missed blogging so much. There is SO much I want to share, but sitting at the computer is bad for my back. I'm really doing my best to chill and I'm trying not to turn into Jabba the Hutt in the meantime. hehe. 

Thing is...I know you all would still love me even if I did become Jabba. You guys rock. 

Check out My Fitness Pal. If you sign up...look for me. My username is C34U. 

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/