pseudo-logging

aerochic42

Short version: Is there a way I can log foods without the calorie count, just mostly as a list of foods I ate?

Longer version: Numerous times I have started weighing and logging everything I eat. I'm usually ok through afternoon snack but then get frustrated because I know I won't have enough calories left for dinner or am massively modifying my eating habits to fit the calorie goal. The issue with the second item, is by virtue of recording my caloric count I'm changing how I eat, therefore my log is not a record of a normal day and can't get a good baseline and know how and what to change in the future. I want to just get in the habit of recording the food that is eaten without worrying about the calories so I can find the little things that are easier to change. Once I'm in the habit of measuring and recording my food, I plan on starting to count calories and make dietary adjustments. Is there a way I can just list my foods with 0 calories or maybe I should approach this as set my activity level to something way above my current level to get more allowed calories? Thoughts?

VeryKatie

Maybe you could try just keeping a pen-and-paper log of what you eat throughout the week, then at the end of the week enter it into MFP. That way you can keep track of what you're eating, but won't know until later the calories/nutrition info.

Yes! This is a very good idea. Or a spreadsheet on your phone

mccindy72

Short version: Is there a way I can log foods without the calorie count, just mostly as a list of foods I ate?

Longer version: Numerous times I have started weighing and logging everything I eat. I'm usually ok through afternoon snack but then get frustrated because I know I won't have enough calories left for dinner or am massively modifying my eating habits to fit the calorie goal. The issue with the second item, is by virtue of recording my caloric count I'm changing how I eat, therefore my log is not a record of a normal day and can't get a good baseline and know how and what to change in the future. I want to just get in the habit of recording the food that is eaten without worrying about the calories so I can find the little things that are easier to change. Once I'm in the habit of measuring and recording my food, I plan on starting to count calories and make dietary adjustments. Is there a way I can just list my foods with 0 calories or maybe I should approach this as set my activity level to something way above my current level to get more allowed calories? Thoughts?

What is your goal? If it's weight loss, and you are going over your calorie goal by your afternoon snack, then you need to make adjustments to your food intake in the earlier part of the day. The point of logging and getting that calorie count is to let you know what your intake is so you can make instant adjustments (or daily) to meet your goals and lose weight. By not counting calories, or knowingly going over your calorie goal on a daily basis, you will gain weight. If that's not what you want to do, you need to change what you are eating so you don't take in so many calories, or increase your activity level so you have a higher calorie goal.

Kalikel

Short version: Is there a way I can log foods without the calorie count, just mostly as a list of foods I ate?

Longer version: Numerous times I have started weighing and logging everything I eat. I'm usually ok through afternoon snack but then get frustrated because I know I won't have enough calories left for dinner or am massively modifying my eating habits to fit the calorie goal. The issue with the second item, is by virtue of recording my caloric count I'm changing how I eat, therefore my log is not a record of a normal day and can't get a good baseline and know how and what to change in the future. I want to just get in the habit of recording the food that is eaten without worrying about the calories so I can find the little things that are easier to change. Once I'm in the habit of measuring and recording my food, I plan on starting to count calories and make dietary adjustments. Is there a way I can just list my foods with 0 calories or maybe I should approach this as set my activity level to something way above my current level to get more allowed calories? Thoughts?

There is a quick add, but I don't know what that is. You could always write it down or do it in a notepad feature on an electronic gadget.

What is your goal? If it's weight loss, and you are going over your calorie goal by your afternoon snack, then you need to make adjustments to your food intake in the earlier part of the day. The point of logging and getting that calorie count is to let you know what your intake is so you can make instant adjustments (or daily) to meet your goals and lose weight. By not counting calories, or knowingly going over your calorie goal on a daily basis, you will gain weight. If that's not what you want to do, you need to change what you are eating so you don't take in so many calories, or increase your activity level so you have a higher calorie goal.

The goal, as stated, is to get an accurate representation of what the OP is eating on a day-to-day basis, without worrying about caloric content.

WalkingAlong

I agree with paper logging. Or log it in MFP after you've eaten it, and ignore the calories, totals and goals until you're ready to go back and analyze the data to make changes to your future eating habits.

I thought there'd be a way to hide the calories in the log but nope, it's a required column.

aerochic42

Short version: Is there a way I can log foods without the calorie count, just mostly as a list of foods I ate?

Longer version: Numerous times I have started weighing and logging everything I eat. I'm usually ok through afternoon snack but then get frustrated because I know I won't have enough calories left for dinner or am massively modifying my eating habits to fit the calorie goal. The issue with the second item, is by virtue of recording my caloric count I'm changing how I eat, therefore my log is not a record of a normal day and can't get a good baseline and know how and what to change in the future. I want to just get in the habit of recording the food that is eaten without worrying about the calories so I can find the little things that are easier to change. Once I'm in the habit of measuring and recording my food, I plan on starting to count calories and make dietary adjustments. Is there a way I can just list my foods with 0 calories or maybe I should approach this as set my activity level to something way above my current level to get more allowed calories? Thoughts?

What is your goal? If it's weight loss, and you are going over your calorie goal by your afternoon snack, then you need to make adjustments to your food intake in the earlier part of the day. The point of logging and getting that calorie count is to let you know what your intake is so you can make instant adjustments (or daily) to meet your goals and lose weight. By not counting calories, or knowingly going over your calorie goal on a daily basis, you will gain weight. If that's not what you want to do, you need to change what you are eating so you don't take in so many calories, or increase your activity level so you have a higher calorie goal.

My goal is weight loss. I'm not over by afternoon snack, but don't usually have the desired amount of calories left. I'm usually changing what I eat because I'm recording it. For instance, if the cereal I pour into my bowl is 1.5 of a serving size, I'll cut it down to 1 serving size so I can save the calories for later. This is not a good baseline but rather arbitrary changes that are usually not substainable largely because I don't have a real clue what is my normal calorie intake. The way I think and function, I need a realistic snapshot of the food I'm eating now and not bias the results by observing them and baby steps work better for me. I will be counting calories in a few weeks after I establish my baseline. I know enough data to not gain further wieght, just not quality data for weight loss.

penny0919

Pen and paper was my first thought

OR

Set your calorie goal to maintenance (in goals put "0 pounds a week) and continue to log. Then weigh yourself regularly and you'll know if you aren't gaining or losing then your maintenance calorie level here is correct.

NoMoreBlameGame

Short version: Is there a way I can log foods without the calorie count, just mostly as a list of foods I ate?

Longer version: Numerous times I have started weighing and logging everything I eat. I'm usually ok through afternoon snack but then get frustrated because I know I won't have enough calories left for dinner or am massively modifying my eating habits to fit the calorie goal. The issue with the second item, is by virtue of recording my caloric count I'm changing how I eat, therefore my log is not a record of a normal day and can't get a good baseline and know how and what to change in the future. I want to just get in the habit of recording the food that is eaten without worrying about the calories so I can find the little things that are easier to change. Once I'm in the habit of measuring and recording my food, I plan on starting to count calories and make dietary adjustments. Is there a way I can just list my foods with 0 calories or maybe I should approach this as set my activity level to something way above my current level to get more allowed calories? Thoughts?

You say you get frustrated because you already know that you won't have enough calories left for dinner. My suggestion would be that if you know you won't have enough consumable calories left...alter what you're doing to change that. I don't know how else to say it, and I'm not very good with words.

What I'm trying to say is that you already know you're consuming too many calories by the afternoon...so start consuming less and logging it.

Sometimes massively modifying our eating habits is what is necessary to eat at a deficit.

Recording my caloric intake also changes how I eat, too (I don't see the problem with this). It's all about a healthier lifestyle and modification is part of that.

You can also pre-enter all your food for the day...and then *stick to it* so there won't be any chance of going over your allotted amount. I've done this a couple of times, particularly when there is junk in the house that I didn't put there. If I pre-log my day, I know I won't eat it (or at least I'll only eat whatever small portion I've already allowed myself in my log).

mccindy72

sigh. If you're saying you know you won't have enough calories left for dinner after your afternoon snack, and your goal is weight loss, then obviously the solution is not going to be not logging your calories. That's turning a blind eye to the problem. You already know what the problem is when you say you have 1.5 servings of cereal. Cut down your portions earlier in the day so that you have enough calories at the end of the day left, or increase your activity level to give yourself a larger margin. Not logging your calories is just ignoring the problem and you will get more frustrated because you won't lose weight.

I_Will_End_You

Is your calorie goal too low?


I personally like to eat a lot at dinner, so most days I don't eat breakfast, have a small lunch (300-500) calories, no snacks, and then I can have a pretty calorie heavy dinner.

lolly715

You can set your own calorie goal, rather than the MFP suggestion. It's in My Home > Goals > Change Goals > Custom. You could set it ridiculously high if you wanted. Then you'll (hopefully) never reach it, and won't be adjusting your food to meet the intake.

Long term though... as your aim is to lose weight, you WILL need to adjust your eating to fit within the recommended amount.

MississippiMama87

sigh. If you're saying you know you won't have enough calories left for dinner after your afternoon snack, and your goal is weight loss, then obviously the solution is not going to be not logging your calories. That's turning a blind eye to the problem. You already know what the problem is when you say you have 1.5 servings of cereal. Cut down your portions earlier in the day so that you have enough calories at the end of the day left, or increase your activity level to give yourself a larger margin. Not logging your calories is just ignoring the problem and you will get more frustrated because you won't lose weight.

She isn't wanting to cut calories right now. She wants to see how much she is eating while NOT dieting, so she can make changes LATER to create a deficit that works for her.

She just wants to see what normal days look like for her before beginning a weight loss program. Get it now??

mommyrunning

2 options I see

1-just type what you ate in the notes section of your food diary
2-Log honestly even if you are going to go over or don't actually enter it until the end of the day when you've eaten

When my friends first start I suggest they eat the same as normal for 2 weeks and log honestly. Then after 2 weeks go back and see how they can improve the way they are eating without doing a "diet" but instead finding ways to cut calories such as 1 less soda, diet soda instead of regular, half a serving instead of full, light dressing instead of regular, etc.

WalkingAlong

Short version: Is there a way I can log foods without the calorie count, just mostly as a list of foods I ate?

Longer version: Numerous times I have started weighing and logging everything I eat. I'm usually ok through afternoon snack but then get frustrated because I know I won't have enough calories left for dinner or am massively modifying my eating habits to fit the calorie goal. The issue with the second item, is by virtue of recording my caloric count I'm changing how I eat, therefore my log is not a record of a normal day and can't get a good baseline and know how and what to change in the future. I want to just get in the habit of recording the food that is eaten without worrying about the calories so I can find the little things that are easier to change. Once I'm in the habit of measuring and recording my food, I plan on starting to count calories and make dietary adjustments. Is there a way I can just list my foods with 0 calories or maybe I should approach this as set my activity level to something way above my current level to get more allowed calories? Thoughts?

What is your goal? If it's weight loss, and you are going over your calorie goal by your afternoon snack, then you need to make adjustments to your food intake in the earlier part of the day. The point of logging and getting that calorie count is to let you know what your intake is so you can make instant adjustments (or daily) to meet your goals and lose weight. By not counting calories, or knowingly going over your calorie goal on a daily basis, you will gain weight. If that's not what you want to do, you need to change what you are eating so you don't take in so many calories, or increase your activity level so you have a higher calorie goal.

My goal is weight loss. I'm not over by afternoon snack, but don't usually have the desired amount of calories left. I'm usually changing what I eat because I'm recording it. For instance, if the cereal I pour into my bowl is 1.5 of a serving size, I'll cut it down to 1 serving size so I can save the calories for later. This is not a good baseline but rather arbitrary changes that are usually not substainable largely because I don't have a real clue what is my normal calorie intake. The way I think and function, I need a realistic snapshot of the food I'm eating now and not bias the results by observing them and baby steps work better for me. I will be counting calories in a few weeks after I establish my baseline. I know enough data to not gain further wieght, just not quality data for weight loss.

You can figure out a close enough estimate of what you're taking in now even if you start restricting now and losing weight now. Use MFP to an intake goal for loss, follow that plan. If you lose at the rate inherent in your goal, MFP's estimate of what you burn a day was close enough. If you're not gaining or losing now, that is roughly what you're eating per day now. Does that make sense?

mccindy72

sigh. If you're saying you know you won't have enough calories left for dinner after your afternoon snack, and your goal is weight loss, then obviously the solution is not going to be not logging your calories. That's turning a blind eye to the problem. You already know what the problem is when you say you have 1.5 servings of cereal. Cut down your portions earlier in the day so that you have enough calories at the end of the day left, or increase your activity level to give yourself a larger margin. Not logging your calories is just ignoring the problem and you will get more frustrated because you won't lose weight.

She isn't wanting to cut calories right now. She wants to see how much she is eating while NOT dieting, so she can make changes LATER to create a deficit that works for her.

She just wants to see what normal days look like for her before beginning a weight loss program. Get it now??

You can be as snotty as you want, miss been-here-three-months, but the point is, it doesn't work that way. She already knows she's eating more calories than she is setting for herself to lose weight. It doesn't make any sense to ignore the calorie counts and look at a day's worth of food and la-la-la. She needs to start the way we all do, with her activity level set, add in her calories as she goes, and cut portion sizes down to keep her total calories below her goal for the day. That's how she will reach her overall goal, which is to lose weight. She already knows how much she is eating now while not dieting, she's been doing that regularly every day up until now. If she's wanting to lose weight, she needs to make changes now. These little games are just a way to put off making changes until later and keep doing what she's doing.

Liftng4Lis

So you don't want to see red??? But your goal is weight loss?

Kalikel

sigh. If you're saying you know you won't have enough calories left for dinner after your afternoon snack, and your goal is weight loss, then obviously the solution is not going to be not logging your calories. That's turning a blind eye to the problem. You already know what the problem is when you say you have 1.5 servings of cereal. Cut down your portions earlier in the day so that you have enough calories at the end of the day left, or increase your activity level to give yourself a larger margin. Not logging your calories is just ignoring the problem and you will get more frustrated because you won't lose weight.

She isn't wanting to cut calories right now. She wants to see how much she is eating while NOT dieting, so she can make changes LATER to create a deficit that works for her.

She just wants to see what normal days look like for her before beginning a weight loss program. Get it now??

You can be as snotty as you want, miss been-here-three-months, but the point is, it doesn't work that way. She already knows she's eating more calories than she is setting for herself to lose weight. It doesn't make any sense to ignore the calorie counts and look at a day's worth of food and la-la-la. She needs to start the way we all do, with her activity level set, add in her calories as she goes, and cut portion sizes down to keep her total calories below her goal for the day. That's how she will reach her overall goal, which is to lose weight. She already knows how much she is eating now while not dieting, she's been doing that regularly every day up until now. If she's wanting to lose weight, she needs to make changes now. These little games are just a way to put off making changes until later and keep doing what she's doing.

She may have been here for three months, but that appears to be long enough to understand the OP's question and attempt to help.

Even if "we all" started the same way (which isn't true at all), the OP is not required to fall in line. There are no rules about how one must start.

The OP is doing what she does for her reasons. And that's okay.

What she doesn't need is anyone's approval.

jrline

The calculator is a great way to make the adjustments on the fly. Log the food before you eat it and decide if it is worth it.

smarionette

1) Just write it down with a pen and paper. Be aware that the simple act of writing it down, even devoid of calorie information, does tend to result in eating less.

2) Are you gaining weight now? Not the last 2 months now, but the last year. If you are gaining weight now then any baseline you establish is liable to be rubbish as it won't be your maintenance calories.

3) Just start logging already, set the initial goal to be modest, see if you continue to gain/maintain/lose, adjust as necessary. Stop delaying, and just do it.

4) If you find you are over calories by the time you hit afternoon snack start planning better. "Not having the desired amount of calories left" is being over calories. Try to prelog lunch and dinner so you know what your snack allotment is.

nicsflyingcircus

Short version: Is there a way I can log foods without the calorie count, just mostly as a list of foods I ate?

Longer version: Numerous times I have started weighing and logging everything I eat. I'm usually ok through afternoon snack but then get frustrated because I know I won't have enough calories left for dinner or am massively modifying my eating habits to fit the calorie goal. The issue with the second item, is by virtue of recording my caloric count I'm changing how I eat, therefore my log is not a record of a normal day and can't get a good baseline and know how and what to change in the future. I want to just get in the habit of recording the food that is eaten without worrying about the calories so I can find the little things that are easier to change. Once I'm in the habit of measuring and recording my food, I plan on starting to count calories and make dietary adjustments. Is there a way I can just list my foods with 0 calories or maybe I should approach this as set my activity level to something way above my current level to get more allowed calories? Thoughts?

What is your goal? If it's weight loss, and you are going over your calorie goal by your afternoon snack, then you need to make adjustments to your food intake in the earlier part of the day. The point of logging and getting that calorie count is to let you know what your intake is so you can make instant adjustments (or daily) to meet your goals and lose weight. By not counting calories, or knowingly going over your calorie goal on a daily basis, you will gain weight. If that's not what you want to do, you need to change what you are eating so you don't take in so many calories, or increase your activity level so you have a higher calorie goal.

My goal is weight loss. I'm not over by afternoon snack, but don't usually have the desired amount of calories left. I'm usually changing what I eat because I'm recording it. For instance, if the cereal I pour into my bowl is 1.5 of a serving size, I'll cut it down to 1 serving size so I can save the calories for later. This is not a good baseline but rather arbitrary changes that are usually not substainable largely because I don't have a real clue what is my normal calorie intake. The way I think and function, I need a realistic snapshot of the food I'm eating now and not bias the results by observing them and baby steps work better for me. I will be counting calories in a few weeks after I establish my baseline. I know enough data to not gain further wieght, just not quality data for weight loss.

Custom set your calorie goal. That's what I did. Set it to whatever you want so that you don't go over and get frustrated, and go from there.

jpapp13

A few things:
It doesn't sound like you have a baseline, like most have said try logging honestly for about two-three weeks just to get an idea of what you are eating .. also are you weighing your food with a scale? cups, etc? I found that helps a lot when understand what a portion size looks like vs a serving size.

Some people are anti-scale/weighing as it can cause some OCD issues and an unhealthy relationship food, but I found the following helpful when not eating at home.

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/portion-size-guide

Also what is your activity level set to? Are you currently exercising? Folks sometimes tend to underestimate their activity which can make your daily intake lower.. also some find the NICE method that MFP uses to be frustrating.. you can try to find TDEE which will allow you to eat a set amount daily without worrying about logging exercise or you can log it as 1 cal, etc.

Most people will suggest:
http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/

Also consider pre-logging some of your meals if possible. Some jobs / situations don't allow for that or as others have suggest write it down and log at the end of the day.

Not logging or quick adding calories is not going to give you a valid starting point.
If you're struggling with finding the calories, what is your diet like currently?

This is a journey, and not always an enjoyable one but if you're willing to make small changes and be patient you'll be surprised at what you can do..

Good Luck!

hellodangergirl

How good is your memory? Maybe try logging the day after or at the end of the day, that way there's no immediate pressure to eat less during the day. Also try manually adjusting the calorie goal to something so high you're unlikely to reach it (10,000?) so there's no looming end of calories to mess with your head.

KarenJanine

Try just listing what you've eaten in the Food Notes sections of the food diary. You'll have a log without the numbers.

MelRC117

I don't really understand why you wouldn't just log everything but not care if you go over if you want to see how many calories you've been taking in. Eat the 1.5 servings and then just not pay attention. You say you aren't cutting calories but then you say you don't have enough calories left after afternoon snack...that doesn't make sense.

I also just read that you want to just record food so you can see where to make changes by baby steps. How will you know if you don't know how many calories those foods contain?

mccindy72

I don't really understand why you wouldn't just log everything but not care if you go over if you want to see how many calories you've been taking in. Eat the 1.5 servings and then just not pay attention. You say you aren't cutting calories but then you say you don't have enough calories left after afternoon snack...that doesn't make sense.

I also just read that you want to just record food so you can see where to make changes by baby steps. How will you know if you don't know how many calories those foods contain?

see.... Mel gets it. :drinker:

mccindy72

Maybe this will help:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here

mommyrunning

I could be wrong but I think OP was saying she wants to get an honest baseline of what her eating habits are now but when she sees the calories she changes her habits and so she isn't getting an accurate baseline. From what I read her goal is weight loss but she wants to establish what her eating is now so she has a starting point.

MississippiMama87

I could be wrong but I think OP was saying she wants to get an honest baseline of what her eating habits are now but when she sees the calories she changes her habits and so she isn't getting an accurate baseline. From what I read her goal is weight loss but she wants to establish what her eating is now so she has a starting point.

No you aren't wrong.. along with everyone else who actually understands what the OP is trying to do.

aerochic42

Not that anyone cares, but I'm replying anyways as an update. Yep I went for the baby steps plan and yes I know this will take longer, but I'm hoping I can stick with it longer.

Last week I used pen and paper just to list all the food I'm eating in general without concern of measuring and counting calories just to get the habit of logging in any form. This week I'm still using pen and paper but am measuring it all as I would eat it normally and still not counting calories (developing the measuring habit). If things are going well towards the end of the week I'll start entering it digitally to get my calorie counts on my baseline diet if not then next week. By then I will have developed an idea of where I can start cutting calories easily without starving or depriving myself.

Even pen and paper logging without measuring or counting calories has helped my eating habits, as I'm to lazy to pull out the notebook to log a cookie or extra food between meals so I just don't eat it. I'm not depriving myself ( i still ate cookies, just only when I had room and desire to log); I'm just being smarter regarding the sheer amount of food entering my mouth. These are substainable changes.

MississippiMama87

Awesome of you to give us a quick update! I'm so glad you are getting into the swing of logging. That habit alone takes a good bit of time to master, so I think you're smart for doing everything in stages!

Good luck and I wish you continued success!

jrline

Good Luck hope you have success