6 tracking tips and tricks

Research shows that tracking helps you lose weight. (It also helps you maintain the weight you lose, which is why we encourage you to do it even if you’re at a weight you’re happy with.)

Tracking makes you more aware of:

1. What you’re eating

2. How much you’re eating

3. How many SmartPoints® values you’re using, so you can decide…

4. Whether those foods are “worth it” to you

Along the way, you’ll start to recognize healthier choices, too. You can do it in the WW app, on WW.com, or with plain ol' paper and pen.

You don’t have to track ZeroPoint™ foods, but it is important to track foods that have Points® values.

Did we mention that every day that you track healthy behaviours you'll earn Wins that you can redeem for real-life rewards? That's a pretty good reason to do it, too.

1. Studies show that if something feels like a chore, we probably won’t stick with it. Saving tracking for the end of the day when you’re tired, or stressing about tracking perfectly can make it feel like a lot of work.

2. Based on research, tracking works because it makes us more aware of our actions and the changes we want to make—not because it “scores” how we’re doing. Thinking about it as a tool that helps us learn and increase awareness can be more satisfying and encourage us to continue.

3. Tracking’s most beneficial when we do it consistently, not when we try to be perfect. It’s about finding flexibility and what works best for each of us.

We asked our WW Coaches around the globe for the inside scoop on how members can make tracking easier. Turns out, no matter where in the world Coaches are, the same useful tips emerged. Try one of these tried-and-true strategies—and share how it goes during your next Workshop!

1. Make your best guess. If you can’t locate in the WW app the exact food or recipe you’re eating, choose the most similar item you can find.

2. Take advantage of your app. Debating what to buy? Use the barcode scanner. Or enable the microphone on your phone for on-the-go tracking.

3. Plan ahead. If you’re excited for an upcoming meal, track it early to see how you can fit it into your daily and weekly Budget—and how many rollovers you may need.

4. Stay curious when you track. It’s OK to have a high-Points® day or use more weeklies than you’d planned. You’ll get an idea of what you want to change or what should stay the same next time.

5. Take a picture. If you can’t track in the moment, snap a photo to remind you what to enter later.

6. Spot habits. Look for patterns in your tracking over time to learn what you want to keep doing—and what you might want to do differently.