Self-monitoring is the observation of target behaviors - like eating patterns, how and when urges to eat appear, weight recording, food records, calorie records, calorie expenditure records, and nutrient component recording that records the carbohydrate and fat consumption.  Self-monitoring serves many purposes.  It gives a baseline against which to evaluate the improvement of any actions taken.  It creates an awareness which is essential for motivation.  Further some findings at his stage may help complete other behavior modification techniques like stimulus control.