The title of this post is in reference to a popular quote from Peter Drucker, a management consultant and author. The idea is simple, in order to get true control of something, measuring it is key. While I may not have enjoyed all of the tracking and “journaling,” it was what I set out to do when I opted for this food tracking trial. Unfortunately, without something to work toward, I was just measuring without any goal to manage.
The Start
In the beginning of this trial, I was good with tracking every meal and snack I ate. I used the app My Fitness Pal, and the app just spit out what I needed by just looking up the food I had. With a little bit of work, I had all the metrics I could imagine.
It was interesting to see what I was eating and where I was at day after day. Unfortunately, that interest didn’t really last.
No Goal: Why Measure?
The only goal I set out for this trial was to start measuring what I was eating. In doing so, I didn’t have anything to really strive toward or compare. I lost interest in tracking my meals closely, because I never really had a reason to.
Goals can be powerful in helping us make positive progress, whether we actually attain them or not. Not having one isn’t bad, but it can make gathering data seem pointless.
In a conversation with a co-worker, I mentioned that My Fitness Pal is what I used. From that he lit up. He mentioned that he had lost over 70 pounds tracking his meals and activity with the app, shout out to you Rob! When he mentioned this, I believe I found at least one reason why it was so hard for me to get on board with meal tracking. Not having anything to work toward meant I was just doing the boring work with none of the reward. I didn’t get to watch the scale drop, or even stay the same. I just recorded what I ate and moved on.
The past week, I all but gave up on tracking. In doing so, I’ve gained some weight and lost some of the lean look I started to have going for me. I don’t think I’m unhealthy by any means, it’s just gotten me thinking about what I can do next time to make things better.
Mindful Eating and Gratitude
One thing I do appreciate about this trial is how much it’s made me think about the food I am eating. I may not be measuring every bite, but I certainly think a lot more about the miracle that is the simplicity of food. I try to not take it for granted.
It may be a coincidence, but recently learning about the book Thanks A Thousand by AJ Jacobs ties closely together. In the book, Jacobs attempts to personally thank every person involved in making his morning cup of coffee. The list of all the individuals involved is extensive. I try to keep this in mind when enjoying a meal, as many hands were involved. It helps me appreciate the unnoticed miracles of day to day life. Doing this often spills into other aspects of life as well!
This trial wraps up what I’ll be writing for 2018. I’ll be taking the next few weeks off to recoup and spend the holidays with friends and family. I hope the year has been good for you. If you want to keep up with what I’m up to, sign up for my newsletter. Every Tuesday, I send out a few things I’ve found interesting. Sometimes links for podcasts, videos, articles, quotes, songs, and whatever else I come across living my life. Either way, I’ll be back with a new post on January 9, 2019!
Trying Out Before Buying In 