One part of our system in helping a client is looking at a food log. We have the individual track all food and beverage intake in an app called my Fitness Pal for a few weeks.
We want to see what a client is currently doing and based on their individual goal, provide recommendations.
This tool is helpful for most but not all. (I’ll explain more later)
One of the biggest things that happens without us even saying a word is awareness. A client may see that they were underestimating how many calories they were consuming.
Or they may say that food item was not worth it, etc.
I know even for myself when I was getting down to my lowest body fat, I tracked everything and found what I needed to do see my ultimate results. (I had a little popcorn fix each night that was keeping me from getting to 16% body fat – cut it and boom!)
By looking at log we can take a bird’s eye approach and see the whole day and then a whole week.
I never expect it to be perfect and it doesn’t need to be to see results.
Most of the time it is very small tweaks, focusing on this vs that.
Or we can see behaviors and we ask questions, were you stressed, were you working late, are you willing to cook, if not here are some options.
Its never a one size fits all approach.
One spot that has helped a few clients recently is reducing sugar intake. Please note the word is reduce.
It is unrealistic to say you are never going to consume sugar again.
It is in EVERYTHING!
Even the baby yogurts I thought would be a good thing for Lyvia have 7 added sugar grams no wonder she devoured it!
My take on sugar is to be mindful and reduce. Not eliminate.
Also look at it from an added sugar vs naturally occurring.
If there is added sugar it is processed.
Before anyone goes off the deep end, sugar is a complex molecule that we need in our diets and it is not the sole reason for disease or obesity. But it is important to take a look at consumption and for most of us reducing is helpful.
As with everything, food logging is not a one size fits all approach. For some clients it’s a stressor and one more thing to do.
Or it is not a true picture of what is being consumed.
Again, I never want someone to think it is an end all be all approach, it can be helpful for most for a certain amount of time.
Awareness, seeing the overall picture and making small tweaks!
Let me know if you need help!
We are here for you.
Dedicated to your success,
Arin
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