Having to log makes a huge difference

mylittlerainbow

I just took a road trip all alone over the holiday weekend, a time when I would normally "treat" myself. On the way down, I looked at a King-Sized Payday bar - hey, no chocolate, how many calories could it possibly have? Um - 460. More than most of my meals. So I skipped it.

Then, on the way back, I stopped at Cracker Barrel and was tempted by a Pecan Log. Hmmm - if I break it into sixths and take 6 days to eat it, that's 150 calories per day, which I could work in replacing other snacks. When normally I would scarf the whole thing down at once! Thinking of spreading small pieces over a 6-day period just didn't make it seem worthwhile, so I skipped that one, too.

I didn't realize how accountable I would feel simply by daily logging of all of my food! I'm within about 4 pounds of my goal weight now and really don't want to mess things up at this late date.

Strivingforhealth12

Awesome. Congratulations on staying strong! I did not do so well over the holidays. Time to get back on track.

queenliz99

Eye opening huh

middlehaitch

I hear you @mylittlerainbow, 470 cals be can split up in so many different tasty ways. I could get a spinach salad with grilled prawns, a glass of wine and a piece of dark chocolate for that. Much more enjoyable.
I will often look, drool then think nah, there is so many other things I prefer, then walk away.

Great to hear you are close to your goal.

Cheers, h.

Mediocrates55

I figured out how lazy I am.
"Do I want to search, weight, and log that item? Nope. Never mind then."

middlehaitch

Had to laugh at that @pincushion14. I too have passed on stuff because I don't already have it in my database.

Cheers, h.

socioseguro

Thank you for sharing.
Pre logging my meal has been very helpful. If I wish to eat something extra, I know I have to take something out from my meal list for the day, in order to meet my daily calorie net

MelaniaTrump

If you can turn down a pecan log, you can achieve anything. Way to go !

mylittlerainbow

Oooooh the pecan log was very hard to walk away from! But having to look it up, log the calories, and either let it fill up a whole day or else have a tiny portion over each of the next 6 days - didn't seem worth it. I never perceived before how truly accountable one IS with these food diaries. Is it worth "just a taste" of that cake if I have to figure out how much it weighs and how many calories it is and then log it? Nope!

afatpersonwholikesfood

Yup, some foods are not worth it in the moment. It's not always easy to put it down, but it's a lot easier knowing that I can have it another time when it's planned.

missblondi2u

Great insight! I've heard before that willpower is like a muscle that needs to be exercised to get stronger. Looks like you worked the hell out of your willpower over the holidays. Good for you!

ki4eld

mylittlerainbow wrote: »

I didn't realize how accountable I would feel simply by daily logging of all of my food! I'm within about 4 pounds of my goal weight now and really don't want to mess things up at this late date.

You just explained why I stopped eating so many of the things that I wouldn't normally think twice about eating. When I log it, does it look like it's worth it? 99% of the time, absolutely not.

kgirlhart

That really is the best thing about logging. I don't deny myself anything, but I often find that it just isn't worth it to me to waste calories on junk food.