Does Self-Monitoring Weight Loss Matter?

---

Traditional methods involved paper diaries to record what you consumed each day but more recently electronic-based tracking is being used to self-monitor weight loss with regular self-weighing and recording of daily physical activities. Researchers used numerous methods for comparing study participant’s weight loss results (from self-monitoring in traditional paper diaries to tracking using apps) but found no significant difference in weight loss between the two groups.

With the right strategies, proper guidance and resources, you can develop your skills for lifelong success with weight management that will allow you to achieve lasting results when it comes to your personal weight loss goals. Overall, self-monitoring a weight plan is an important factor in determining the success of any weight loss program. Recording your progress with truthfulness, consistency, and timeliness will go a long way toward helping to meet your goals.

How to Monitor Actionable Goals

Self-monitoring your dietary intake and accurately reporting your physical activities can help you make timely adjustments to your overall plans for living healthy. Listed below are four benefits of tracking your food, weight and daily exercise:

1) Holds You Accountable for Decisions – Self-monitoring can lead to an increased state of self-awareness regarding new habits and behaviors for making better food and exercise choices.

2) Helps You Balance Energy Intake – Observing and recording of your eating and exercise patterns can provide important feedback to help you achieve the right balance of daily consumption of energy intake and utilization.

3) Measures Actionable Goals – Self-monitoring refers to the observing and recording the progress and changes of the actionable goals you’ve set for new eating and exercise habits.

4) Gives You Better Options – Self-monitoring your daily food intake and physical activities will give you better options for enjoying yourself while improving your health and wellness.

Technology Can Reduce Time Burden of Self-Monitoring

Emerging technologies demonstrate promise for further reducing the time-burden of self-monitoring when collecting the data needed for self-regulation of your weight loss journey for better and long-lasting outcomes. Whereas all methods of self-monitoring of daily food consumption and exercise routines have challenges, the use of the latest technology to track cause and effect have been shown to better match results from devices. Although the importance of accuracy and completeness in obtaining information about your dietary intake and physical activity cannot be over-emphasized, researchers say partial self-monitoring produces better outcomes than none at all.

Establishing the right attitude and staying motivated are two areas where Metabolic Research Center's weight loss program can help. Nothing beats a cheering section to help you stay on track as well as to celebrate your milestones.