Do you log if your at goal weight????

mylast5lbs

I've been eating well for almost 7 months now and rarely cave. With the use of MFP and working out I am close to goal (Lost 20 lbs.) and thinking about giving up logging food and focusing strictly on my workout goals. Anyone get to a place that you quit logging food and maintained the weight loss? Just wondering.

majope

Yes, when I lost the majority of my weight 2 years ago, once I decided to stop losing weight I logged at maintenance for a few weeks to make sure I had the hang of how much to eat. Then I stopped logging all the time, but kept an eye on the scale. If my weight went up by more than a few pounds, I'd go back to logging for a few weeks to bring it back down and reacquaint myself with proper portion size.

That worked to keep me within a few pounds for a year and a half, until I started logging again to lose some holiday/travel pounds in January and decided to keep going.

Starlage

^^ ditto!

momzeeee

I just spot check maybe once a week, to see where I'm at for calories and macros. I do 8:16IF so that keeps me on track as well.

apothecarist

I reached my goal weight a couple months ago but still make a habit of logging in my calories. For me, it works out because I'm such a structured, OCD kind of personality, and it helps keep me within my caloric goals.

kimmymayhall

I have been at maintenance for a few months and am still logging but not as strictly. Right now I'm mainly using the diary to check my protein and iron intake but am still experiencing some dips that I think mean I should up my calories a little more. Once I am more comfortable with my diet I think I will stop logging food regularly and only use it if my weight creeps up too much or just check that I'm still eating properly.

Ely82010

I reached my goal weight a couple months ago but still make a habit of logging in my calories. For me, it works out because I'm such a structured, OCD kind of personality, and it helps keep me within my caloric goals.

Me too, and I have been on maintenance for two years.

Espressocycle

I'm not at goal, but every time I've taken a break from logging I've gained weight. It's not so much a matter of willpower as a matter of losing track of how much I've eaten and figuring I can have that snack.

mandeenicoleb

I'm at my goal pounds wise. Look wise, no. I need to put on muscle.

I love it here though. I'm afraid I'll underestimate if I don't log.


I think the above ideas about checking in with weight/measurements and if over time you see an increase, jump right back in for a "tune up."

mandeenicoleb

I'm not at goal, but every time I've taken a break from logging I've gained weight. It's not so much a matter of willpower as a matter of losing track of how much I've eaten and figuring I can have that snack.

^^^and yes.

I take longer to log on Weekends. I keep track in my head and sometimes don't log until late. This Monday I remembered I had a Zico Coconut Water Saturday I hadn't logged, as well as some chocolate(not major but still). I was already over my calories (which I tend to do, but make up for later), but I realize I forget when I snack and then overestimate what I can still enjoy.

Jxnsmma

Wouldnt know. I can't seem to get there... :sad:

csuhar

I've always been in "maintenance' since signing up. I log because I know the hassle of logging my food and exercise isn't NEARLY as annoying as trying to lose weight all over again.

I don't stress out too much. I won't freak out if I miss a day or two, or if I forget to include an item because I know that, in the grand scheme, one un-logged or poorly logged day (or, when I take a cruise, an un-logged week) won't send me over the deep end. The daily log just helps keep me aware of what I'm doing so I don't get surprised the next time I step on the scale or take my fitness test.

sempertracy

Wouldnt know. I can't seem to get there... :sad:

Me too!

jwdieter

I'm at my goal weight and I log. Also weigh every day. I like compiling the data.

QueenofScott

Still logging on most days. I have begun to let up, skipping one or both days on the weekend, though. I plan to continue consistent logging, at least during the week, otherwise, I'm afraid I will start gaining weight back.

chezjuan

I reached my goal weight a couple months ago but still make a habit of logging in my calories. For me, it works out because I'm such a structured, OCD kind of personality, and it helps keep me within my caloric goals.

This is me too. I am also trying to work on eating within my macros, so the log is helpful tracking that. I'll probably stop logging eventually - once I am certain that I am good at estimating my daily intake.

leebesstoad

I reached what I had as my goal weight and sort of celebrated by stopping logging for a couple of weeks. I felt better than I have probably in forever. I looked better than I have in forever.

Then I looked in the mirror and realized it wasn't as good as I could look. I still could do more, so I lowered the goal another 20 pounds and off we go again. This time is to shed body fat. And then when we get there we re-evaluate and assuming I've done what I want, we will turn around and ramp it back up and try to add muscle mass, which means more logging.

That, and I've found an incredible group of friends here and logging helps me stay in touch with them. They hold me accountable as I hold them accountable.

QuilterInVA

You need to keep logging only as long as you want to keep the weight off. The National Weight Loss Registery reports that of the thousands of people on the registery, 90% report they still log daily and exercise at least 45 minutes every day. Every time I don't log, the portions creep up and the junk creeps in and the scale goes up. The other thing you want to do it get rid of every article of clothing that is too bitg.

SmartAlec03211988

If I stop logging I'll gain all the weight back I lost.

SteelySunshine

I am a long way from goal. But, I plan on logging after I reach goal for at least 3 months. I might do quick cals after that. I will always be checking on my weight to make sure I don't ever go 5 pounds beyond my goal weight and to make sure I don't continue to have my weight creeping downward which I believe can happen when you eat mostly vegan.

pkw58

Yes. I do

JenniTheVeggie

Hmmm..excellent question! I don't really know what MY goal weight is anymore but I see myself always logging. It has become a habit for me and also my best tool.

postrockandcats

I think that I will; even though I'm a much better eater now, the practice will keep me in check. It also forces me to hold myself accountable.

willywonka

Honestly, yes. I have been logging on here almost every day, even when I'm at my goal. It just helps keep me on track to see what I'm eating. I tell everyone that ever asks me that the secret to my success is this website :flowerforyou:

jill604

I am not at my goal yet but I've lost over 30 pounds and I do not log every single day. I just try to calculate in my head some days and when I think I've had too much to eat I stop. I guess you have to listen to your body but I have gotten in the habit of not relying so much on the daily task of counting but listening to my body and eating healthier foods.

tenajh

Great topic. I lost 50 # prior to joining MFP and about 10 since then - so am at my goal weight. I quit logging in over a month ago and am within a pound of goal wt almost any given day. I continue to exercise and lift wts as I did before - so I believe I have formed good habits and continue to do research and take my supplements.

jofjltncb6

Seems reasonable. Just keep an eye on your body (or even on the scale) and if things seem to start going in a bad direction, start logging again. You know how to get to goal and as long as you're paying attention, you'll only be 5-10 pounds away. Get there again, give some thought to where things went wrong, learn from it, and move on.

That said, I've been at/near GW...well, always...and yet I am still log/plan to continue logging...because I'm a data nerd...or have some OCD tendencies...or both.

fit4lifeUcan2

I surpassed my goal a few weeks ago but still track. There are times when I don't log everything because I was very busy and just forgot. If the scale starts to move upward I make it a point to keep better track of EVERYTHING. But I do cut myself a break and not worry about it so much as I did before I reached my goal.

nxd10

I've hit my goal (I know my ticker says I have 3 pounds left, but I can't get it to change even though I've hit that mark).

I need to log. It helps keep me honest with myself. I have noticed that I'm not as compulsive as I was, however, I've also noticed that when I'm not as compulsive I also eat more.

I just bought a fitbit today to help keep me focused.

---

That said, if you want to stop logging, I would suggest making a decision to log maybe 4 days a week and see how that goes first. Then do a spot check one week a month and log everything. Just to remind yourself of the decsions you're making. At some time in the future I might feel comfortable doing that.

The hard part is keeping it off, says all the research.

122ish

I have only been maintaining for 4 months and have continued logging. I took a minor break and ate way above my maintenance calls, I have no intention of giving up just yet.

mylast5lbs

Excellent feed back. I will continue to log, but I'm not going to stress out about pre-planning meals and hitting macros. Never was successful meeting macros, just not that disciplined. Happy training.