How to Track Your Calories and Keep a Food Log with Livestrong.com

One very simple way to lose weight or to maintain a healthy weight is to be aware of what goes into your body. Use a food log to keep track of your calories and exercise. A great online resource is livestrong.com where you have the options to do all this and more.
Livestrong.com was founded by Demand Media and The Lance Armstrong Foundation. The site is devoted to helping people improve their health, fitness and lifestyle though a wide variety of articles and tools. Livestrong.com: Dare to Change Your Life

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a computer

1. Open your computer's internet browser. Type livestrong.com into the address bar.

2. 

   Click on the Tab which reads Daily Plate (I've circled it in red)

3. 

   Calculate your calorie goal by filling out the information (Be honest!) Now click on "see my calorie goal"

4. 

   Create your free account be registering at livestrong.com. Make sure you read the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, then click "Join Now". The computer may thank you for creating your free account and offer you a deal on gold membership, simply click "No Thanks" at the bottom of the screen

5. 

   In the "Search" tab type in a food you ate, such as yogurt. Many options will come up. Pick the one closest to what you ate (you can actually filter by brands so give that a try)and click the "I ate this" link.

6. When prompted fill out the information pertaining to when and how much of the item you ate. Do this for all the foods (including beverages) you consume each day.

7. 

   View the graphs on the sidebars as well as the tables at the bottom of the page to see how your calories are distributed.

8. Log in to livestrong.com everyday to log your calories. Try to stay at or slightly under your calorie goal and don't forget to drink your water!

Tips & Warnings

• Livestrong.com also has a tool to track exercise, this could be a great help. Check it out.
• Not all the foods have their calories entered correctly, make sure you pick one closest to the actual amount of calories you consumed.

[RENorton]

on 11/30/2009 Excellent article. Very well-written and informative. Great advice for using Livestrong to keep a food log and monitor your calories. Thanks for sharing this! 5 stars and a recommendation!