Next, find a format that works for you. Are you a pad of paper and pen tracker? There’s nothing wrong with that—sometimes the simpler, the better. Some prefer a little more structure in the way of a spreadsheet or log form. Free websites and phone apps are available and many find these easy to use. These may have the advantage of syncing with your fitness tracker.
How often will you update your tracker? There are certainly several options and it’s important to find that one that works best for you. No matter what frequency you select, it’s important to record everything you eat, even those splurges you’d rather not record.
- One option is to plan and record your meals and snacks a week in advance. Update any variances on a daily basis. An advantage to this method is that you can have the nutrition information in advance, allowing you to make adjustments to the plan that better meet your nutrition goals. You can also think through how to fit in exercise into your week.
