Do you use your food log as a planner or as a log of what yo

gemmie_c

Sometimes I do both-I'm just wondering what everyone else does?

For me, if I have a rough plan of what I am going to eat (by programming everything in that I expect to eat), I can use my calories a bit better rather than thinking "oh no-I have overeaten with that big hunk of [insert vice here]".

LittleMissAlx

I plan each day the night before, because then I know exactly what I can eat and I'm less likely to stray off target. And sometimes I get really bored (like last night) and plan it out days in advance. I'm a bit OCD about planning, me.

TrishJimenez

I do kind of both also. I make a plan, sometimes for 2-3 days including scheduling my work outs and what I plan to eat. But I am a little flexible with it if something doesnt work out. Like if I dont make it to the gym then I adjust what I eat as the day goes on. Or if I end up being running late and dont pack my lunch then of course I have to make adjustments etc. Stuff like that So it is a planner/log

SetecAstronomy

I use it to "predict" what I'm going to eat on a given weekday, based on what I consume in the morning and what I plan to consume throughout the day (basically, what I bring to work) as I don't have internet access at work and while I like the MFP app for Android, it's not very friendly on small screens.

On weekends, since I am home, it's a log-as-you-consume scenario.

If I don't eat something, it's easier to delete it than it is to search for it and try to adjust quantity (again, the app for Android is not very friendly on small screens)

jayb0ne

I pretty much know what I'm eating for the day the night before so I just fill in my whole day first thing when I get to my PC at work. Then I know that everything I'm eating today is fine and anything which isn't on the diary is bad (even if it's good food) because it's not within my planned use of my daily calories and macro nutrients.

I'm pretty OCD though...

catcrazy

sometimes i plan sometimes i just log...i planned last night but have had to change it because I didnt fancy what i planned for breakfast which meant tweaking the other meals to get around the calorie differences

HannahPendrigh

i usually plan in advance because i know what im going to cook each night etc, it also helps me to stay on track if i follow it

MummaSue

I pretty much use it as a log, but having said that because I am logging I have to plan to cover and (try) not to go over my calories for the day. I don't just eat and log and see what damage I've done, but I don't completely plan my menu for the day ... I enjoy deciding nearer the time when I'm going to eat. :O)

jmatthews75

When I started I just logged, didn't care if I went over or not, Just wanted to see how much crap I was putting into my body. After a week or so of that, It was shocking to see what I was doing to myself. Now I use it to keep track. I always keep a running tally in my head of what I have, and yeah, I break it down to time slots for the day. I know what I can and can't eat. If I am going to have a big lunch, I know I can't eat so much for dinner. or if I am going to go over, maybe a late night jog before work just to knock the calories down. Its a cat and mouse game to be honest, but this site has helped me so much in knowing what I do to myself. I did well on WW years back when I kept a log of what I ate. I do well here the same way. I know I am here for the long haul because I know myself, if I don't keep an active log, I will cheat and get back to the old lazy me. Using the tools on the site help me stay focused and keep my drive. and all the support on here is great, even the little good jobs you get from time to time from someone you have never met helps a ton. So keep up the good work all of you and help eachother stay motivated to reach our goals.

SoftCheese

I use it to plan out a day's food, then log what I actually eat. It really helps me to keep aned track. I tend to eat the same foods for breakfast and lunch , then use the remaining calories to plan a nice evening meal which keeps in line with my nutritional goals ie fat/protein/carbs.

Elle408

I pre-plan every night, i find it's the only way that I succeed during the day, knowing what I can and can't eat. If I 'wing it' I find that one terrible choice in the morning can really screw up my mentality for the rest of the day. If I pre-plan then I can shuffle things about if need be and I know if I don't eat a certain food I can fit in another, I can also keep an eye on my macro's... it's a bit OTT for a lot of people but it's the only thing that works for me and I feel it's a reasonable price to pay to keep my diet on track.

stephyy4632

both sometimes , its hard to pre-plan meals when I`m not sure yet how much I`m going to burn in exercise ( some days I burn well over 1000 others like yesterday 245) and I don`t like to punch my exercise cal`s in early since I like to have them be as acurate as possible with my HRM

CARNAT22

100% as a planner - always have used it in this way.

I am not totally strict with myself [IE I can can change what I have pre-planned to eat LOL] but I find having a rough idea makes it so much easier.

There is no point logging something AFTER you've eating it and then seeing it is very high in calories and wishing you had made a better choice.

When I fancy something unhealthy I enter it, see all those "dead" calories - 9 times out of 10 change my mind and opt for something healthy!

stevwil41

I use it as both. I'm more of a "planner" through the week and on weekends I'm a "logger". Through the week it helps to have a better idea of where I am and I adjust it I need to. On weekends I try to eat reasonably healthy and if I happen to treat myself then so be it. I log it and move on with my life:)

sister_bear

I fill it in ahead of time if I'm likely to make a bad decision. If I have it filled in before I go to the restaurant, etc. I'm likely more successful because I already filled it out. Otherwise, it's usually after action.

veggiepug

For the sake of only going to the grocery store once a week, I try to plan all of my meals on Sunday, then track them (Meals mon-fri anyway). It helps me stay accountable and helps me make sure I'm eating all of the food that I bought. Saturdays and Sundays are more lax because I go out to eat, but I try to make a structured meal plan for work days.

chelraeb

I plan breakfast, lunch and dinner. Then, I work with in the leftover calories for snacks.