Any one who knows me knows that despite being an instructor since I was 20 years old, I have always struggled with my weight.  I have always been one of the biggest instructors on the schedule at any gym I taught at.  I compensated with a lot of personality and a huge smile, and I got by.

I know my nutrition.  I know all about macronutrients, micronutrients, calories, fat grams, the pros and cons of a high protein diet.  I know about the dangers of commercial dairy products, and which vegatables are best to buy organic and which are OK to buy off the regular shelf.  The problem is that I am an emotional eater.  I love comfort food, and I always make my way back to it.

Last year my Mom had triple bypass surgery at 55 years old.  My Mom and my Dad have apple shape body types, as do I.  This puts me at high risk for heart disease. 

In an effort to take control I have started logging my diet at http://www.fitday.com/; you can keep a food journal for free on that site.  The website even analyzes your calories and tells you what comes from fat/protien/carbs.  I am keeping an honest journal for the first 2 weeks without changing how I eat, just so I can evaluate what I have been doing, right or wrong.  I am learning a lot about where my calories come from, and what foods I can be eating a lot more of to get the same amount of satisfaction for less calories.  I have also noticed that I don't get close to enough protein or iron in my diet.

It is starting to become like a game - what can I eat today that will keep that pie chart looking a certain way...

I also discovered a great website that has nutrition information on tons of foods - even fast foods and (ehhhm....) Dairy Queen.  It's http://www.nutritiondata.com/. 

So I wanted to write today to get the names of those 2 websites.  I will keep you updated on my progress.  Please feel free to leave comments and give the names of your favorite nutrition data resources.