Do you log when you've been "bad"?

Dootzy1

Yes, for over a 100 days. It does me no good to go into denial. Not logging, and not stepping on the scale regularly led to my re-gain. Logging for over a hundred days has been crucial in getting 20 pounds OFF.

salembambi

i dont log Christmas holidays , Halloween and my birthday

but i do log other indulgent days as best as i can

ntinkham88

I try to log my cheats because they are definitely an eye opener but sometimes it's too difficult. Like my last cheat meal I went to the Chinese buffet and literally had a little bit of everything. I was like screw it! I'm not even gonna try logging all this stuff. I knew I was bad and had to get back on track but I didn't even feel bad about it because I so needed that cheat!

SuggaD

I didn't initially, but now I do. The big red numbers don't phase me though.

Unknown

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LeahEstevez4

This isnt a diet- its a lifestyle- but if i stray i still log it- YOU NEED TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUR "BAD" TOO! i have a trainer that i need to answer to so i always stay honest, hes not stupid- your only kidding yourself really!

ninerbuff

If you saved money for a long time and knew exactly how much your balance was, then went on some spending spree and didn't account for how much you spent, you wouldn't go back and check to find out? Or would you just dismiss it an move on?

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

raymax4

I joined MFP solely for the food tracker. For me it is about self discovery. Of course I log every thing. If I'm eating out and don't have the nutritional info I look up similar dishes from other restaurants for a ball park figure.

Since I have joined I have enjoyed the goldmine of outer features of MFP completely.

Spiderkeys

It's not a great feeling on logging here for a few minutes to see how much exactly you gone over, but it's best to get it out of the way ASAP, I mean you'll feel worse if you don't, or put if off for a while.

IzzyBooNZ1

I never used to but today I have done it for the first time !!
from now on I will do it.
My settings are private anyway so no-one can see but me, which is what I want.

ephiemarie

I have tried a few times to log my naughty days, but strictly for my own entertainment. Seeing the red number doesn't alter my choices, so now I usually just skip logging on vacations and holidays. For me, personally, meeting a certain calorie goal is NOT worth missing special moments of a celebration or weekend away with my family. I've been doing this long enough to know exactly how many pounds of water weight I'll gain after a weekend of camping, for example, so I don't freak out when I step on the scale.

100df

ninerbuff wrote: »

If you saved money for a long time and knew exactly how much your balance was, then went on some spending spree and didn't account for how much you spent, you wouldn't go back and check to find out? Or would you just dismiss it an move on?

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I view my calories as currency. The exercise calories earned are an investment. I can choose to spend wisely or not each meal and day.

I hate logging over my calorie allowance. I feel ashamed. Working on that! I want to log everything so I can determine if there are any patterns that stand out. It also keeps me from eating certain foods when I see the calorie count. If it's really high I can decide it's not worth it.

rugratz2015

Also, logging still sometimes helps me make a better choice- "do I really need that Nutella Oat Cookie?" actually becomes "do I want to have to log that cookie?".

If I've just went over by a couple of hundred then I log, but try and make it up over the next few days by reducing my intake. If it is likely to be a lot more than the 1200 cals then I would input 3,000, so it's obvious why I'm not losing. However, after reading the above posts I think I will start logging properly, even on the disaster days

As per the quote above, this has stopped me having something, especially when I'm close to my daily limit

JoRocka

shadow2soul wrote: »

I log it. The bad, the good, and the so-so days all get logged.
My form of damage control would be cutting 250 calories for a couple days to help buffer it out. It happens. If I was over by 1000, then I would need to cut back for 4 days. However, this is what I will be doing at maintenance. Since I'm still in weight loss phase, I just log it and move on. The worst that could possibly happen is that I end up maintaining for the week that day falls in. Not a big deal to me.

pretty spot on.

that's kind of the point of logging- so you can see ALL the numbers- if you only log the good days- then you're going to be scratching your head when you realize you aren't losing any more- and you are going to be wondering why.

Continued logging gives you a credible track record FOR YOURSELF to go back and evaluate without bias what's going on.

aledba

I definitely do log everything now. I went a little overboard yesterday. Ate over my normal goal but under my maintenance. Still lost a little over 1 lb in the last week and half. Slowly but surely.

hugheseva

Started May 1. I will log for the rest of my life. I also weight myself every single day, no matter what. These two things became second nature like brushing my teeth. The only time I didn't log when I went on a 4-day vacation and ate out every meal. It was impossible to calculate the calories. I actually learnt logging when I was a Weight Watcher member a few years back. It really helped me stay accountable. So did the weigh-in. As I said, I will do these two activities forever.

JeylineSS

I log everything! It keeps me accountable of what I eat. If I dont log it in, I am only cheating myself!

WinoGelato

rugratz2015 wrote: »

Also, logging still sometimes helps me make a better choice- "do I really need that Nutella Oat Cookie?" actually becomes "do I want to have to log that cookie?".

Can you elaborate on these Nutella Oat Cookies? You know, for the sake of science? Is there a recipe somewhere?

Chasity6

I log everything even when bad. Used to I would be frustrated and give up. I am trying to change my attitude so I log everything. Labor day weekend I was so bad but I weighed and logged meticulously. Keep up the good work and you will reach your goals.

Newsordova

I try to log as accurately as possible. To be honest, I have missed a few items, but I find that I stick closer to the plan when I log as accurately as possible, what I eat. Logging provides two key components to health. 1) Awareness of your daily consumption - that can be an eye opener for many, and 2)..... and I think more important than the first - Accountability of your actions - There is a simple check and balance when you log and not logging, becomes sort of like cheating and getting away with it. A very slippery slope indeed.

michellemybelll

yes, i try to. but, sometimes it gets so out of control i can't even guesstimate. and sometimes there's a wee bit too much alcohol involved, and i don't even remember. lol.

rugratz2015

WinoGelato wrote: »

rugratz2015 wrote: »

Also, logging still sometimes helps me make a better choice- "do I really need that Nutella Oat Cookie?" actually becomes "do I want to have to log that cookie?".

Can you elaborate on these Nutella Oat Cookies? You know, for the sake of science? Is there a recipe somewhere?

That was a quote from another poster, for some strange reason it didn't show up as a 'quote'.

Francl27

I made bad choices today and ended up too hungry as a result... ate 3200 calories. Logging it let me put it in perspective... I keep a 400 deficit most days. I still have a 300 deficit so far this week even with this bad day. So it's all good (I aim for a 1000 deficit a week, if possible, to make sure I don't end up gaining from my bad days, so I could still get it this week).

I think if I didn't log at all I'd be more likely to say 'oh whatever I've already ruined it anyway' and eat another 500-1000 calories or something (yes I still have room! hungry day I guess)...

frankiesgirlie

kristenveganvixen wrote: »

Wasn't sure how to word this but when you're taking time off your diet for whatever reason (in my case, first weekend of holiday and on my period) do you ever log it anyway to check the "damage" and to try to stay on track, or do you avoid doing this as it's just too depressing?

After seeing it written down, I've told myself I'll be doing plenty exercise and eating at loss tomorrow at least for damage limitation anyway! Feel sort of down about it now so not sure whether it's a good thing to do or not.

I have been watching my weight my whole adult life because I come from a long line of overweight women. I've managed to stay at a healthy weight all these years (other than one year I blew up 30 lbs because of an 80 hour workweek) by keeping a food/workout journal.
But after turning 50 I've been carrying 10-12 vanity lbs that for the life of me I couldn't lose.
Since starting MFP little less than a month ago I've already lost 3 lbs. Thet makes me so happy and I'm sure that it's directly related to MFP because I just can't make a mistake. I log EVERYThing on my phone immediately after eating it. The numbers are all there for you but only if you log every bite religiously. If you don't log everything then what is the point of even being here? You're only hurting yourself.

caci88

Definately log it!! Firstly, when I'm on holidays/it's the weekend/it's TTOM I just figure my macros out so I CAN eat whatever I want... Tonight I'm having cheesy meaty pizza and yogurberry covered in mnms and caramel BUT if I have gone over for whatever reason I always log it, you will be very suprised how ridiculously over your cals/macros you go.. otherwise you underestimate it "oh it was ONLY 1 chocolate bar/some gelato/some pizza etc" but then you log it and you're like omg that was three days of food!!! You learn pretty quick smart it's not worth it and next time it comes around you'll not be so quick to do it!

jennifer_417

There are times when I make a conscious decision to take a break from logging, for a set period of time because I need the mental break. When I'm just eating crappy, I log it.

GreenValli

Yes. I have have done very well logging. Not always sure of accuracy of food when I eat out though. Do the best I can. But mostly eat home cooked meals anyway.

ilovesweeties

rugratz2015 wrote: »

WinoGelato wrote: »

rugratz2015 wrote: »

Also, logging still sometimes helps me make a better choice- "do I really need that Nutella Oat Cookie?" actually becomes "do I want to have to log that cookie?".

Can you elaborate on these Nutella Oat Cookies? You know, for the sake of science? Is there a recipe somewhere?

That was a quote from another poster, for some strange reason it didn't show up as a 'quote'.

We have them in Starbucks in the UK- I love them. They are 383 calories and while they will usually fit in my maintanance calories, sometimes I just can't stretch to one! I should learn to make smaller ones myself then they would always fit! And they would probably fit my other budget better too...

velveteen7845

I log everything and I estimate calories and do a "quick add calories" if I eat out somewhere where they don't list that info. I don't see any point in only logging some of my calories.

What I don't do is share my diary. If my diary were shared, I would probably feel self conscious about days I have treats. Knowing that everybody else isn't seeing my diary makes it easier to log everything.

Edit to add: I have been doing this for 400+ days and I am still losing weight. I plan to lose another 10-20 pounds. I still plan to log in maintenance for at least a year or so, but I haven't decided yet if I will log forever.

ms_smartypants

I log everything that I eat now ...in the past I wouldn't and I was only hurting myself