Seriously considering at stopping the logging.

_Zardoz_

Just to think, logging food and keeping records is really only for beginners, I mean I really needed the information when I started 10 months ago, but these days, I just estimate what I eat, know what foods to avoid or eat less off, And I only now log everything at the end of the day and never find myself going seriously over my limit.

I think constant logging in the long-term just slows down your metabolism, keeps you feeling cold and miserable, and even unplanned weight loss.

Err how can logging food slow down metabolism? Anyway most studies show that those that continue to log even into maintenance are more likely to keep weight off long term. For something that takes a few minutes most days stopping seem to me like your going to cut your nose off to spite your face. Your choice though but consider why you made this post if you're so sure?

msboujhie

Logging in helps me to keep my carbohydrate count recorded which is very important as a new diabetic. It's motivation to see my achievements .

RabbitLost

Err how can logging food slow down metabolism? Anyway most studies show that those that continue to log even into maintenance are more likely to keep weight off long term. For something that takes a few minutes most days stopping seem to me like your going to cut your nose off to spite your face. Your choice though but consider why you made this post if you're so sure?

You, sir, are brilliant. I just got to my goal weight. Now I need to find maintenance. No chance I'm relying on instinct to do that. I've been logging, even pre MFP, for longer than I can remember. I plan to continue in maintenance. One big reason to stay on MFP for it, besides the awesome friends I have? I can track protein, fiber and sodium, all very important numbers to my personal health story.

Cranquistador

:indifferent:

gypsy_spirit

Day 788 here. I know myself. I am good at estimating now with foods that I eat often, but after losing 100 pounds, I need a safety net because I'm not going back. Ever. I still do not trust my body. It's sneaky and works in secret with my brain. Logging every day keeps the two of them in check.

If this works for you - I'm happy. There is hope out there that one day I will feel this way, too.

stumblinthrulife

I think constant logging in the long-term just slows down your metabolism, keeps you feeling cold and miserable, and even unplanned weight loss.

How would logging your food slow down your metabolism??? Or lead to an unplanned weight loss??? Assuming, of course, that you're eating to an appropriate daily surplus of calories.

A watched calorie never burns.

ianthy

I just reached my GW and will continue to log - I am not planning to stop. I worked to hard to get to my GW and don't to allow it to slip. Does my body tell me when to eat - yes sadly most of the time I am awake - I have realised over time that there are very few foods that I do not like and any time is eating time. I need to logging to keep me honest and accountable. Logging occasionally reminds that I just ate 1 hour ago so WTH am I doing looking in the fridge!

Of course folks are different and if you want to move on with out logging - you choice. You asked the question and your are getting a number of views. Maybe check in after 12 months and let us know how you are doing.

laurenpjokl

I could never seriously log for the rest of my life. I don't see how logging could have the negative effects you describe, but if you think it's time to see if you can maintain good habits without constant tracking, then do it.

Yes, a lot of people slip up when they first stop logging, or they might eventually go back into bad habits, but that doesn't mean that everyone does. I stopped logging and constantly thinking about my calorie count last time I reached my goal weight and managed to maintain for quite some time. I'm now back because stuff came up, my life changed, and I lost good habits. That happens.

If things go a bit wrong, it's not hard to come back. I would just suggest that you weigh yourself every so often to make sure you're not putting on weight without realizing.

PghPammy

Honestly, simply weighing in periodically really doesn't tell you all that much. It needs to be taken in context with what else you been doing (like Iif you are following a specific diet/exercise protocol with a certain goal in mind). For example, if you start following a keto-style die (and are logging to follow macros not calories)t, and also have your body composition measured, at the end of a year it's entirely possible that your weight might not have changed much at all, but your body composition has (e.g., if your body fat% goes down you'll lose inches but if you've maintained your muscle mass, no change will register on the scale). There are all sorts of reason to log that have nothing to do with the old calories in calories out model - an elimination diet to try to find food sensitivities is another example.

Ninkyou

There's no rule that says you absolutely have to log. If you don't want to log, then don't log.

But I disagree with your statement about slowing metabolism and unplanned weight loss. Logging is just that, recording how many calories you're consuming on a daily basis. You don't necessarily have to have a calorie goal that has a deficit. You can log maintenance calorie goals. And to that, you can have a slowed metabolism and unplanned weight loss without logging too... so I really don't think this is a valid point.

I've been logging 385 days. Sure some days it's tedious, but other days I actually quite enjoy it. It shows me how much wiggle room I have and I can fill my days with yummy foods and still have room for cookies and such. I think it's pure win, but that's just me.

Will_Thrust_For_Candy

So.....stop logging.

/end thread

bschneider5

Sounds like the first step to falling off the wagon. I'd keep logging.

Myhaloslipped

I think of it like financial accountability. I constantly have to check my bank account. Record everything. Decide priorities. I have do it with money and I have to do it with food or I lose track. It's just a fact of life for me im fine with that. Its not traumatizing at all.

This times 1000. I treat my calories like I treat my money. Sometimes I splurge, but most of the time I like to get the best value for what I am " spending."

Myhaloslipped

So.....stop logging.

/end thread

Lol I love you.

SunofaBeach14

Ok then

Jacqueline12174

Oh No!!! I DEFINITELY need the accountability, that discipline.....That way it's right there in my face. No self-delusions, no cutting those sneaky little corners, no excess "cheating," etc...I NEED STRUCTURE!!!

Good Luck to ya!

Jacqueline12174

Sounds like the first step to falling off the wagon. I'd keep logging.

cwolfman13

I don't log...haven't for over a year now save for a spot check here and there. IMO, logging is just a tool to help you live a more healthful life...if you've truly adopted that healthful lifestyle then logging really isn't necessary, at least not for maintaining weight. I've maintained quite easily for going on 14 months now without logging.

I think it's extremely valuable for losing weight and for making sure you have a reasonable surplus of calories if you're doing a bulk...but IMHO, one should be able to maintain just fine if they've truly adopted a healthful lifestyle.

Jacqueline12174

Soo right...happened to me...Thought I had it all down packed, told myself I got "bored" lol:laugh:

arl1286

Lucky you. I've always eaten well, but I'm incapable of eyeballing it and guessing correctly, or keeping myself accountable.

kelly_e_montana

I actually eat more when I log. I have a high TDEE (2500-2700) so I can easily fit whatever I like into my day. I take breaks from logging. Have had a recent re-start in my weight loss (just a few pounds) upon quitting counting several weeks ago. This was after a period of fat loss, no scale weight. (I don't really care if I lose weight because I have a healthy BF%.) I have been counting calories since grade school so there are no surprises for me. I use MFP mostly to track my macros when I do log. But like you said regarding calories, after several months of tracking my macros, I got a good feel for what a day should look like for me. I see calorie counting as a tool for people to evaluate where they are going off track and to educate themselves about food choices. I didn't get fat from not knowing about calories. Actually I got fat from years of calorie counting and then binging from overly restricting.

Give it a try without and if you gain, you can always start up again.

I should say that giving up calorie counting was an intervention I was directed to take as I began my recovery plan for BED. During this time, I read a really good book called Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole & Elyse Resch that really helped me. I have been in recovery successfully for a year after 30 years of calorie counting, binging, and purging. :drinker:

MelsAuntie

I think constant logging in the long-term just slows down your metabolism, keeps you feeling cold and miserable, and even unplanned weight loss.

How would logging your food slow down your metabolism??? Or lead to an unplanned weight loss??? Assuming, of course, that you're eating to an appropriate daily surplus of calories.

Still trying to figure out why sitting at the computer logging food "keeps you feeling cold and miserable".......Uh, it's warm and comfortable in here.............

kelly_e_montana

I think its great you can do this; also amazed at your ability to select foods which way the exact same every day, all the time. Best of luck OP, you have a great grocer providing you with nutritious fruits weighing the exact same each time.

I've never weighed a piece of fruit in my life and I've been very successful at losing weight.

Laura732

I've been logging my food since 2008. Yep, 6 years. I'm at the point where I don't really need to log all the time, but have also experienced how lack of attention contributes to losing control. On days that I don't pre-plan, I take pictures with my phone and go back at the end of the day and enter everything. Its awareness, its accountability. It keeps me accountable without tying me to a keyboard! I can at least go back and look at the pictures and do a mental tally of where I am during the course of the day.

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MaiLinna

Sometimes taking a break from the stress of logging and weighing yourself helps. I stopped logging for a a couple months. At first I lost weight after making healthy lifestyle choices. Then I plateaued. THEN I started eating bull****.

No one needs bull****. I started logging again.

crystalbluewolf13

I think it differs for each person. I used to log EVERYTHING but now i've started with a new trainer who asks me to do a written diary i don't log on here as i forget or just cba. I still log my exercise but otherwise i've basically stopped now

shancheer24

I stopped logging after 6 months of strict logging. Big mistake. While i thought i was making good choices and doing what i had been doing for the last 6 months, i clearly wasnt. I started getting relaxed about a snack here or extra french fries, ect. Since i wasnt logging, i couldnt see what extra calories were going in and ultimately led to a few pound weight gain. Granted, it wasnt a big gain ( maybe only 3-4 pounds) but it was enough of a wake up call for me to realize i needed to keep track if i wanted to stay where i am.

If you think you can do it without logging, by all means go for it. No harm in trying and if it works great, if not, MFP will still be here if you decide to start up.

Mariachicat

This could work out well for you, but it might not. My advice is if you are going to stop, check your weight in a couple of weeks to see if you've been maintaining, and this way you can catch yourself early and get back in the habit if you go over.

kbmnurse

Then stop.