Perhaps in school you had been told, if you think you're going to forget something, write it down. You may recall writing down all of your homework assignments to make sure everything was done for the next day, and even today we may write lists for groceries or household chores. The list method also works well for weight management.

If you are seriously considering a weight loss program, whatever you do, it is always beneficial to keep track of your daily food intake with a diary. It need not be anything complex - a simple pocket-sized spiral notebook and pen will do. Just keep track of everything you eat from breakfast to dinner, and every snack in between. Every glass of water, every nosh from the pantry, every stick of gum - you will be surprised to see how it all adds up to a daily menu that will benefit you in the long run.

How does a food diary benefit your weight loss?

A food diary encourages discipline. The simple act of recording what you eat daily can strengthen your resolve to see a diet to the goal. As you become accustomed to making these journal entries, the discipline involved can transfer over to other aspects of your weight loss program, from better nutrition to regular exercise.

A food diary exposes the "awful truth." It's surprising how many of us live in denial when it comes to food. We may think we're not eating much, or at the very least not eating much junk, but keeping track of our intake helps to open our eyes about nutrition. As you record a day's worth of meals and discover the paltry amount of vegatables and fruits eaten, it may just help you realize that your eating patterns need to change if you are serious about taking off weight.

A food diary pinpoints success. We don't suggest you keep a food diary to make you feel bad about how you eat. Quite the contrary, the food diary should be a guide to helping you understand what foods are contributing to your weight loss. As you weigh yourself regularly and notice the pounds disappearing, you can check back to earlier menus and learn what foods aided your success. As you progress with your diary, you may find many of the junk foods you once enjoyed on a regular basis giving way to healthier snacks and entrees.

As you use a food diary with the Compuslim weight loss program, we recommend that you also record other factors important to your progress. As you take your supplements, record your daily mood - do you feel any different for having taken the fat burner or hoodia? Do you feel more energetic, or calm?

Record your exercise for the day, and see if it expands as time passes. As the pages to your diary, we hope the pounds decrease along with it, and that you keep your diary as a reminder of weight loss that works.