To log or not to log?

trigden1991

Whatever works best for you and allows you to make consistent progress. Flexible dieting is more sustainable in my opinion although I have followed a few 12 week plans before.

bizgirl26

In the past when I have stopped logging weight crept back on . What I have done is create meals within my logging that I eat a lot of so that I can just select the meal rather than add things one thing at a time. This helps save time

pizzafruit

When I don't log, I eat like it's my last meal - mindless eating. Then I'm embarrassed because I can't remember everything l ate or how much. I know that's why I continue to struggle with weight loss. Logging everything and being accurate is what's best for me.

cwolfman13

When I was losing weight, I logged...I have been more or less in maintenance for 4 years and haven't logged in that time. I generally put on about 10 Lbs over the winter and take it off in the spring and I do that on my own by just cutting out some snacks and whatnot and my time in the saddle increases...I don't have any particular eating plan.

clicketykeys

I'm obviously way in the minority here, but I don't log and I've been losing consistently since the winter holidays ended, with a hiccup for the trifecta of my birthday/ spring break/ easter. Logging accurately would take a fair amount of time, because in addition to entering the info on mfp, i would have to measure and weigh stuff, and I don't.

However, I did weigh and log when I started out, and that gave me some idea of what four ounces of spinach looks like. I also read labels and I'm good at having small amounts. Serving size is 3 cookies? Ok. I don't need all 3. Bonus? Now I have more cookies left for later!

And while I don't use my food scale much right now, I do use my scale scale. So if I'm not seeing a change, generally it means I'm eating more than I need to be, or I've changed something else and need to watch the trend carefully (like I stopped losing a bit when I picked up exercise again).

BlueberryJoghurt

I dont log (anymore)

Logging helped a lot and in a way Im still mentally logging and basically just putting random stuff in here for an easier comparison when it comes to macros.

Logging helps a great deal to learn the caloric worth of food and their macros, which doesnt mean nutrition a lot of times. But it teaches you to be accurate and honest with yourself and the scale.

Its a personal preference really but definitely a great way to get used to keeping track of your day and mindfull eating Imo.

fitoverfortymom

I'm a logger, for now, and suspect I will be for a while. I'm 25lbs away from goal and have kind of mentally decided that I want to log at maintenance for at least a year after that to keep myself in check. I've worked to build some good habits, but I also know myself well enough to know it could slip out of control easily.

Logging keeps me accountable, and accountability keeps me successful.

bethanyka

I agree that if you are new to this, logging is very necessary.
My dad said he wanted to lose weight and had no concept of calories. I told him to write down every single thing he ate for one day, and we figured out the cals. Let's just say he was amazed!
After a while, and if you eat a lot of the same foods, it becomes second nature and you can pretty much do it in your head!

TxTiffani

Logging for the win! I've done every diet plan during my adult life (low carb, vegetarian, meal replacement shakes, Keto, vegan, gluten free...) all without counting calories and all failed to give any real or lasting results:( They all also left me feeling deprived from things I wanted. Now that I track my calories and stay within my limit I can make room for any of the foods I want. It does take an extra step of weigh/track, but I actually find that I can stress less because if I know I'm tracking accurately the weight loss will continue:)

inertiastrength

I find if I don't log my calories creep up over time even though I'm SURE I'm eating similarly :P
Maybe have a weight check and if you see yourself gaining 5-10 it's time to log again? Not logging is like not looking at your bank account or adhering to your budget. It's fine if you're rolling in it but if you are tight, you need to be mindful of your cash.
I have to do both lol

vanmep

I have not logged all my life and look where that has got me. So I log now. Everything. To me the log has become my "mother". That tiny voice that keeps me accountable. I honestly don't know how people do it if they don't log. As far as I'm concerned you either log every single thing or there is no point in logging anything.

FreyasRebirth

Barely related at all but I'm on a 90+ day streak and eating at maintenance now. The best part is that it reminds me to eat breakfast, which is a big thing for me because I have to eat with my medication (Zoloft) or I'm worthless for most of the day. The act of opening the app and entering breakfast on MFP has kept me more consistent than different alarms and medication trackers because I would get sidetracked by the companion meal. Many days pre-logging, I forgot to take it entirely and I'd be off balance for days afterward. It is worth the time and effort for me.

pdxwine

I log every day, usually after each meal.

It becomes very automatic and keeps me on track.

cebreisch

For me - I have to log and be a bit obsessive about it. My husband said it best when he started on his journey way back when - that once he started logging he didn't realize just how bad the stuff was that he ate - he thought he was being reasonably healthy and really wasn't. Arby's may have the meats, but it's not the sirloin and filet's that are better for you. The meats they have are a little fattier and have more salt. UNtil then, I thought having a regular roast beef wasn't that bad.

spiriteagle99

I have never before logged after losing weight. I have done it before while losing, but also just followed a low carb WOE without logging. I lost weight both ways, but always gained some of it back later. This time, I'm continuing to log in hopes of not slipping into bad habits that cause me to gain weight. It really does keep me mindful of the consequences of my food choices.

luluinca

I've been here over 3 years and for me logging has been key to losing and maintaining the loss. It really takes very little time once you've done it for awhile and I can log the day over my cup of coffee in the morning.

If you've been here any time at all you may have noticed all the posts that begin with "Back Again" or "Gained the Weight Back and More", or "Starting Over"...........most of those people rested on their weight loss laurels and quit logging.

Miss_Hattie

Years ago on another site I never logged online. It just took too much time for me and I felt it was a duplication of what I already had down on paper. I use a regular 8 1/2 x 11 wire bound tablet and write down and measure everything that goes into my mouth. I even measure my catsup and salad dressing. I also write down the time that I eat and at the far right I log my fat, carbs, protein and calories. I keep the tablet handy with a pen or pencil at all times. I would also use the mini-meal method spreading out the food throughout the day. It helps increase your metabolism that way. I just joined here a few days ago and I still do everything the same, EXCEPT I am trying to learn the online logging system, too. Logging, whether in a tablet or online, just helps you stay focused on what is important to you. Good luck!!

Therealobi1

I don't log anymore I did to lose weight though, however
If my holiday shorts don't fit I will be on it again
I checked last week and all good.

Therealobi1

luluinca wrote: »

I've been here over 3 years and for me logging has been key to losing and maintaining the loss. It really takes very little time once you've done it for awhile and I can log the day over my cup of coffee in the morning.

If you've been here any time at all you may have noticed all the posts that begin with "Back Again" or "Gained the Weight Back and More", or "Starting Over"...........most of those people rested on their weight loss laurels and quit logging.

That's because they stopped being mindful
I stopped logging but I still log on here everyday and force myself to exercise when I can
Plenty of people in life are slim who have never logged

Seffell

I disagree with your cons for logging.
Takes me only a couple of minutes a day to log. Usually on the evening before.

It is as obsessive as brushing my teeth twice a day is. Or showering. Just a routine healthy habit.

Not sure what you mean by the all or nothing bit.

daneejela

Wow, thank you guys for an awesome feedback!

Sorry, I was not clear when I said "meal plan" - I didn't have in mind fixed menu, I was thinking rather a strategy plan, like, for example:
- eat 3 meals a day, no snack between or 1 small snack
- eat one serving per meal
- fill half a plate with veggies
(something like that)

But, in any case, your wonderful feedback made me think that logging is a way to go and that it helps obtaining mindfulness.

Therealobi1

gebeziseva wrote: »

I disagree with your cons for logging.
Takes me only a couple of minutes a day to log. Usually on the evening before.

It is as obsessive as brushing my teeth twice a day is. Or showering. Just a routine healthy habit.

Not sure what you mean by the all or nothing bit.

Not quite the same but understand the concept
Brushing teeth and washing is hygienic and stops upsetting colleagues at work
Logging is a really useful method but not essential for everyone

clicketykeys

Eating 3 meals a day and 1 serving per meal is a good idea, but it may not be as effective as you'd like... a LOT will depend on what you're eating and how big your "serving" is! This is where logging can be incredibly helpful and informative.

MaddMaestro

Why be here and NOT log your food/exercise? It's a great tool no matter what your goals are.

Me personally, I log to make sure I don't eat an excess of calories. I've had a lot of weight to lose, and I'm still going.

bbell1985

Nothing works best for me. So I don't know. During my initial weight loss when I had drive and self-control, yes logging was king.

Traveler120

I've never logged on a daily basis and I've never used a food scale. Labels are enough. I simply needed to learn how much food I eat on a typical day. Did that for a week or so and after that I would just count the total calories of my weekly food shop and divide by 7.

After several weeks of once-a-week count, I took the average and it came to 1700-2000/day. I lost 35 lbs and I've been maintaining 120 +/-5 for 2 years.

If my weight loss slowed down, I would simply increase my exercise or eat less(like skipping one of my junk foods that week) without having to know the exact calories day to day.

The idea of daily weighing food on a scale for months or years is not something I would strive for or encourage as a long term habit. The goal is awareness of calorie density of various foods, quantities and types of food that one needs to meet their caloric needs, feel full and have energy for their activity level while promoting weightloss or maintenance.

Once that is learned in the initial stages and sporadically over time, what would be the point of weighing a slice of bread every single time?

MelanieCN77

I'm a month into maintenance and still logging everything. I love to eat so I need to be mindful. I do still have that internal conversation with myself that goes "well you're going over so just whatever, forget the rest right?" and I have to tell myself no, you still need to know how much you ate if you're going to make sense of anything.

nicolepburgess91

I used to log religiously, then stopped. I thought I had it handled, so why not. But I'm back up in weight and starting to log again. It turned out that I was intaking more calories than I thought. I need to calorie count. I see that now. But it's different for everybody. Some people need it, others dont.

cross2bear

Logging keeps me on track toward my weight loss goals and honest with myself. I think I read somewhere that those who log or otherwise keep a food diary lose more weight over time than those who dont. It does help me focus on my journey and I like the visual cue that I get from the numbers that tell me that I am on track and within budget. Its helped me lose over 100lbs. I recently saw a friend that I have been out of touch with for quite some time and when she saw me she exclaimed "Oh my god you're tiny!" Well I dont think I am actually TINY but certainly I look lot different - just by following MFP guidelines, including logging.

shans34

Logging isn't for everybody else. I log but keep my diary private. I find it helps he to be able to go back and look over my choices to understand weight loss vs weight gain etc.