All the Wonderful Ways to Keep Track

You've heard it before. In fact, we remind you quite often about how important it is to not only keep track of what you eat, but to actually document it.

As a health-conscious person, you probably know that it's not as difficult to lose weight as it can be to keep it off. Everyone has good times and times that are a little tougher to stay on track when it comes to being healthy.

So how do you turn yourself around during those times when it seems like you're spiraling in the wrong direction? Here's the secret. Are you ready? Because if you do it, we can almost promise it will work. Write down absolutely everything you put into your mouth. If pen and paper is way too archaic for you, try these online and mobile solutions:

• mynetdiary.com - includes mobile apps for iphone & blackberry.
• calorieking.com - calorie counters and nutrition info for popular restaurant foods.
• nutritiondata.com - compare foods side-by-side to see which foods are healthier.

Give it a try. Documenting what you eat keeps you honest and accountable. And in the long run, successful.

Be a Role Model

One of the excuses often uttered by the weary dieter is that they eat unhealthy food because "I have to have it around for my family." Says who? Maybe your family members don't struggle with their weight; however it certainly doesn't mean they don't need to be healthy.

We've said it before and we'll say it again. Getting truly healthy requires a commitment. It's not just about temporarily replacing the burgers and fries with grilled chicken and broccoli. Sharing your plan to get healthy with your loved ones shows that you are committed. That sharing can take many forms: getting rid of junk food in the house, shopping for, preparing and enjoying healthy meals together as well as being more active together (seriously - get out in that snow!).

One of the greatest gifts you can give your loved ones is the backdrop for healthy living. Another gift you can give them? A role model. Namely you.

Healthy Cures for Cabin Fever

Snowed In? Here in the Greater Dayton/Cincinnati area, the snow continues to fall fall fall. If you have the luxury to, enjoy it. Pull on those snow boots and go for a walk. Build a snowman with your kids or grab someone and have a good old fashioned snowball fight.

There's something to be aware of if you're thinking there's no way I'm going out in that. Food cravings. As the winter wears on, we have a tendency to look to the fridge as a cure for boredom and cabin fever. You know the signs of hunger. That hollow, gnarling pit in your stomach, gotta have sustenance feeling. Cravings, on the other hand, are the result of other emotions - boredom, stress, fatigue. Additionally, cravings are usually very specific. Instead of gotta have food, it's gotta have brownies.

If you find yourself craving something you know you shouldn't eat and you know it's not hunger causing that craving - they key is to distract yourself. Try these little tricks to outsmart those cravings:

• If you're at work, start a project or talk to a coworker.
• Clear the clothes off of the treadmill and go for a walk.
• Read a book or magazine article.
• Listen to soothing music and take 5 minutes just to breathe.
• Drink a glass of water.

Determine the difference between actual physical hunger and cravings and you're on the right path to giving your body what it needs to be healthy.