Basic Pursuits

Zen Habits offers 14 "Stress-Free Ways to Kick Weight Loss in the Butt."

The article has a lot of great tips about losing weight, like focus on a gradual loss and focus on nutrition. Indeed, if you get the nutrition right, the weight loss will pretty much take care of itself.

Which brings me to Way #8 You gotta log.

This may sound difficult to those of you who hate to log stuff or who only do it for a couple days and then stop … but it’s really not that hard once you get used to it. And if you use a very easy log (and one that’s accountable — see next item), it’s even easier. The reason you need to log is because most people underestimate the amount of calories they’re taking in. They don’t think the sweet drinks or the little snacks make any difference, but they really add up. Log everything that goes into your mouth, and you’ll really see how much you’re taking in. The act of logging makes you more aware, and that awareness, that mindfulness, is what allows you to eat less and be healthier.

So as long as you are logging, get yourself the software that tracks nutrition as well. We recommend Cron-0-Meter, a free and open source application that runs on any operating system. Because if you really want to be successful, forget about losing weight and learn about nutrition. Set goals about eating nutritiously as possible and weight issues will take care of themselves. You'll get thin and stay thin as long as you pay attention to your nutritional needs.

If you don't know what your nutritional needs are or how to meet them, you are doomed to stumble around in fat city for the rest of your life looking for weight-loss tips. Pick yourself a way to log food and start learning what makes you tick.

14 Stress-Free Ways to Kick Weight Loss in the Butt

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