If you log

pamhardwick8899

If you log in as a habit it helps with the problem of “eating one cookie I might as well eat The Who row the whole package” mentality. At least it worked for me

LyndaBSS

I log in the food diary a few days in advance. If I want to eat something additional, I look to see if I have the calories available. If I dont, I don't eat it.

NovusDies

I am also a logging accountability person. I do not like seeing calories in my log for things I did not plan to eat. I accept mistakes but eating a whole bag of chips at ~1k calories would irritate me.

maureenkhilde

LyndaBSS wrote: »

I log in the food diary a few days in advance. If I want to eat something additional, I look to see if I have the calories available. If I dont, I don't eat it.

Doing pre-logging has been a huge help for me. Right down to I pre-log snacks. So I enjoy them and stay within my overall allotment of calories and carbs. And enjoy every bit of it.

CSARdiver

/agree

There's deep rooted psychological impact in prelogging and establishing limits beforehand.

nytrifisoul

Are you pre logging meals or calories? I can't pre log meals. I hate meal routine. I find it better to plan how many calories you are going to eat, and work a meal craving to fit that calorie allowance. Less unplanned splurging that way.

unstableunicorn

I have a couple items I usually prelog (morning OJ+iron, worknight granola bar) because I don’t deviate from them, but I pretty well never prelog actual meals any sooner than when it is made because unless it’s on my plate or in my thermos there is no guarantee that I’ll stick to that selection.

I tried prelogging in the past, and I found it really didn’t help eliminate the “Ah, just one more,” problem. The entries can easily be changed, and tbh if I’m at the point where I’m going to eat more than I logged, I probably wasn’t logging that day anyway (whether because of taking a day off, not feeling well, hubby doing the food stuff, etc).

hesn92

Agree. I can stay on track for *a while* without logging but eventually I always fall back to eating a whole sleeve of oreos in one sitting lol

cmriverside

Well, here's the thing.

I log no matter what. It's the One Thing that IMO has led to me being successful. I have years of logged data in an Excel sheet. Lots of days that ended up 1000 calories over my goal (I'm looking at you, baked goods and/or peanut butter.) I logged it. I now know without a doubt that I can relax on some things and not on others...I have the numbers to prove it. Entire boxes of Girl Scout cookies in one sitting? Yes. An entire loaf of French baguette? Uh huh.

It's a great learning tool. I even write notes to myself on those days I'm way over. Then I know if it is an emotional issue, actual hunger, compulsion, or just a craving that got me.

Jthanmyfitnesspal

I weigh every morning and if I hit the top of my weight band I start logging until I get back in range. This is a new habit starting in 2017 (when I dropped > 20lbs) and it has been working reasonably well.

(My only self-criticism is that, since creating my acceptable 5 lb band, I seem to stay in the middle of it rather than at the bottom of it. I originally assumed I'd stay near the bottom!)

NorthCascades

My scale's battery died. That's a license to eat whatever I want, right? Or get a new battery? I can't remember which.

Cats love to sit on things, if you set a piece of paper on the floor they'll get up and walk across the room to sit on it. Catch them on the scale all the time, looking pleased with themselves.

pamhardwick8899

Avoiding the scale is a sure way to pack on pounds without realizing it. I got back on the scal after over a year and while the pounds put on was bad, it gave the r the resolve to never be blind-sided again. Started reduced calorie eating but weighing every day was disappointing. So I went to weighing two times a week and I have been inspired. I have a medical scale which uses weights and I can log 1/4 lb losses and up. Has been motivational enough to help me lose 10 lbs. while that doesn’t seem like a lot, because it has taken me 2 months I don’t feel deprived or wanting to ever change what I’m doing now. Each person has to find what “lifetime/lifestyle” changes works for them.

rhtexasgal

I don't pre-log BUT 5 days a week I am firmly entrenched in routine. When I purchase snacks like beanitos or veggie straws, I portion out the entire bag in advance in little ziploc snack bags. I will pre-bag my salads for lunch ... for spontaneity, I will choose a different tuna flavor each day or a slice or two of turkey. I have both apples and oranges that are portable. So I guess what it boils down to is that I prepare in advance but then mix and match each day depending on my mood. I am very much driven by my mood when planning meals. If I can only get my son to stop baking so much, I might have better control over sugar consumption!

erjones11

I log and pre-log, I pre-log especially if I am going out to dinner. Anytime I know I am going out I plan ahead and pre-lof the calories. The good news is I almost always have a plan for eating out and know exactly what I am going to order.

pamhardwick8899

I have found it challenging to eat out. It is hit and miss whether a restaurant has nutritional information online. The more pricey the restaurant the less chance calorie counts will be available. Honestly, even with nutrition info available the food seems to take up so much of my daily allotment that it’s almost not worth it.