if you know your going to go over-do you log?

mimi2kk

Yes, I log everything even when I have a splurge meal. Helps keep me accountable.

ZebraHead

Yes everything. Just do it!!

lizziebeth1028

I log everything good or bad. Sunday's are my 'eat whatever the hell I want day'....sometimes it's positively painful to look at my log on those day LOL

yente

I'd like to say I log everything but...I don't. If I only go a little over I do but if I go a lot over I don't. Sometimes when I go over its because I don't know the calories so I use that as an excuse to not log. I think it's useful to log everything even if over.

sblair77

I always log unless I am unable to get to a computer for a few days but even then I do my best to go back and enter everything

Bluestar083

I do... think of it as if you don't log something, you're taking the first step toward falling back into old habits.... a bad day is a bad day.... nothing more, nothing less... but if you don't log it to remind yourself, it may become the first in many.

I don't really have bad habits. I have always eaten healthy food at lest 90% of the time and exercised. I just ate (umm drunk?!) a bit too much while on holiday and gained 4kg.

But yeah I suppose I agree with the posters who say it is a good incentive to keep ultra healthy the rest of the week.
I just dont like the thought of thinking, must log the scone, cupcake, tart, quiche etc rather than just enjoying the food and knowing it's a one off.

Happy0326

I DO....even if my numbers are in BIG BOLD RED!!! it just helps me keep track of MY days, how often it occurs & I try not to do it too often. But when it happens it's still part of my journey. I know every day can't be perfect.

aab2011

I used to only log when I behaved. And then I went on vacation to laughlin for a weekend and I didn't log at all, I came back and had lost 2.5 lbs. So now I log everything that way if you see you have lost you know what you can do the next time to not mess with the scale!

Edestiny7

I log everything no matter what. Even if it is just my best estimate.

Bankman1989

When you don't log you are only cheating yourself. If you eat bad one day you don't throw the baby out with the bath water. If I wanna eat something that's not as healthy I make sure I burn the calories before hand so they don't count towards my daily.

LOG IT!!

Bluestar083

I used to only log when I behaved. And then I went on vacation to laughlin for a weekend and I didn't log at all, I came back and had lost 2.5 lbs. So now I log everything that way if you see you have lost you know what you can do the next time to not mess with the scale!

Oh great point! So if I see thats I am 500 over once a fortnight and still losing weight it will be an incentive to keep the diet and allow a treat meal here and there. But if I don't lose weight then I can try not having treat meal and see if that makes a difference?

TavistockToad

yes, i generally log all the time, except if i am away for a weekend or something, and its not practical! i am off to an all you can eat buffet on saturday, so will be logging that as roughly 1000 cals for my dinner! Maybe 1500, as they have a dessert section.....

cedarhurst2006

Definitely log. I will usually write in the notes why the overage and then move on. If you end up being over, try to compensate with a little exercise. Head to the gym before your celebrating begins or after a large meal, head outside for a walk.

engineman312

The purpose of keeping a food log, is to track what you eat. Even if you are going to go over, it helps you see what you have consumed, and you can use it for reference in the future.

I saw a helpful little hint on someones post " If you BITE it, you WRITE it".

i'm going to have to remember that.

i always log, even if i go over, or if i don't know something exactly i over-guesstimate it. helps you keep track. and going over once in a while, isn't bad. it's when you do it very very often that will affect you.

last week i went over by 1000 calories because i was at a bbq. i didn't really care because it was mostly healthy-ish food and the first time that it happened in three weeks.

khk2010

Sometimes a busy day or a vacation day makes it more difficult to log, but If I have time I log no matter how much I consumed. It has helped me to actually see how calories add up and to be accountable for exactly why I did or didn't lose weight that week. Being accountable has encouraged me do an extra work out or eat a little less on the days around the big splurge. If I know I have an event coming up where I want to splurge I go in and log ahead. That way I go in knowing exactly what to expect regarding calories. This has actually helped me stay closer to goal for holidays and parties and enjoy my treats.

futurefitgirl88

i do log when i go over!! and i feel **** about it!!! but thats what keeps me from eating crap the day after....

Banks01

I try to, but I was at 3 parties sun/mon/tues and I KNOW I didn't track all the alcohol


On the upside, I only gained 1.4 lbs and could only work out once briefly.

RunHardBeStrong

Absolutely. I like to know what my weekly average is (even if it includes a 4000+ day), then I know exactly why I am NOT losing (and I don't have to ask the board ).

This ^ for me as well. I can keep an average for the week and can usually tweak with exercise and being slightly under other days then still average out at the end of the week. Lost 80 lbs doing this so if you're diligent it does work Enjoy your day!

jmruef

I try to log everything. I don't always succeed, but if I want a perfect food journal, then it's up to me to eat that way.

I don't feel guilty about days when I go over, though. Tuesday, for example, I was over by something like 800 calories. The *ONLY* thing that bothers me about being over by that much is the reason that I planned on going over my calories (I was in a really crappy mood all day and completely used food/drink to medicate. Not exactly a healthy frame of mind, that.)

nikkif87

Always! I log everything. It's expected to have bad days, so don't beat yourself up about it, but be honest.

morriusmfp

Log everything. You'll be shocked at how much you eat when you let yourself go crazy. I was at a party recently at my Grandparents and managed to eat over 1100 calories in a single buffet meal. And I was holding back!

kapeluza

I log everything!

bcattoes

For me it depends. If I know what I ate then I usually log it. But if someone else prepared the food and I really have no idea of the exact ingredients or calories I don't see the point in guessing.

Bluestar083

For me it depends. If I know what I ate then I usually log it. But if someone else prepared the food and I really have no idea of the exact ingredients or calories I don't see the point in guessing.

Yes this was a concern too. I will be eating a variety of finger foods, prepared by lots of guests. So while I know roughly how many calories a scone with jam and cream is, a lot of the things I will have no idea.

NicolaJane1313

Log it!! You never know, you may still be within your calorie intake for the day! Knowledge is Power!

Lozzy_82

I log everything. I have to stay accountable. As someone on my MFP friends list pointed out the other day, your body is going to keep an accurate log whether or not you do!

knittnponder

I log everything. My motto is, "you bite it, you write it!" Keeps me honest and sometimes it helps me make better choices.

vanessaclarkgbr

I log everything - one of your friends might be in the same circumstances as you and using your diary as a rough guide.

lp0007

I log everything. Sometimes I am under my daily goal so I eat more on the weekends lol! I always try to get to my weekly goal and don't worry about going over. My body needs it's calories!:happy:

baisleac

Of course.