Will I have to log forever?

KNoceros

I think I will. At least in some shape or form. I’ve been here for nearly 5 years and probably 3 in maintenance.

I’ve got to the point where if I’m at home, doing normal sort of things, not logging feels weird.

Also, the mere act of logging makes me think twice about reaching for that 2nd / 3rd / 8th biscuit, whether it’s “formal” logging such as here with calories counts and nutrition info, or just keeping a list of what I’ve put in my mouth.

That said, I’m also at the point where “if I’m on holiday, I’m on holiday” and not only do not log, I don’t even try to keep track. The “damage” is never that bad (<800g / 2 weeks actual gain is I think my worst) and can easily be sorted.

rheddmobile

I plan on logging for the rest of my life. I need to do it in order to track my carbs (type 2 diabetic) and it gives me peace of mind. My scale weight can vary wildly from day to day, and knowing my calories lets me know that I haven’t really gained or lost that amount of fat.

I do think it’s possible to give up logging, or to cut back on how often you weigh yourself, but very difficult for a formerly obese person to do both. If you don’t log you need to be aware of whether or not you are still within your goal range so you can take action quickly if you start regaining. It’s the people who stopped paying attention who end up here trying to lose the weight all over again.

HappyGrape

for me it's yes. It only takes few minutes a day and every time i log on it's a reminder of why is it I do what i do

jplinis

HappyGrape wrote: »

for me it's yes. It only takes few minutes a day and every time i log on it's a reminder of why is it I do what i do

Same here! I eat 80% the same meals any way so it's just a simple copy and pasta. (pun intended)

paperpudding

Forever is a long time!

I have logged for last 6 years of maitenance - but I do log loosely and I do take short periods off logging - eg when on vacation.

Will I do this forever? - who knows?

But I plan to do it for the foreseeable future and continue it indefinitely.

CupcakeCrusoe

Today, I put some peanut butter in a cup, and stuck the spoon back in the jar to get more.

Until I saw the scale underneath said I'd already hit my serving size.

This is why I'll probably have to keep logging for the forseeable future. Peanut butter (and olive oil, and butter, and honey I put in tea) lies. I'll at least have to log the high-calorie things, and monitor weight, even if I don't log everything.

FGS4

Onedaywriter wrote: »

I wanted to lose approx 113 lbs to get to top end of government published weight range for my height. I’m 6’2” tall and wanted to get to 195- started about 308. I got to 205 without logging but was stuck there for about three months. So I started logging etc and reached my 195.

Similar stats here...6'2", started at 282lbs and it took a year of very honest logging to get to 178lb (I was aiming for a few more but my BMI is healthy now rather than obese and my face was starting to look "gaunt" and "haggard" according to family). I've being on maintenance for five weeks now and currently feel like I need to log absolutely everything. Maybe once I get used to the new calorie levels/increased portion sizes I'll be able to relax a little but at the moment I'm scared of falling into old habits. I certainly feel like I'll keep logging for ever as it keeps me mindful of what I'm eating (I try to log everything before I eat it and then make a choice about whether to have it or not!). The size I got to before starting to lose weight shows that I have no self-discipline without MFP reminding me how quickly calories add up. I look on logging as a minor inconvenience with a huge benefit so I'll keep going for as long as I feel I need to. I'm sure everyone's different so go for whatever works for you – if you find it's not working you can always change. Good luck!