Does everyone log their food?

sfergie

Anyone out there that does NOT log food, just try to make better food decisions AND exercise?
If so, are you losing with this method? I find that if I work out hard I automatically make better food choices.
But I start to 'obsess' if I log....of course I want to do what is going to work for me so that I lose. I have about 60 lbs to lose!
Any suggestions??

christine24t

I lost 30 without logging and 12 with logging. I like logging now because I am trying to keep an eye on my protein, since some of the weight I lost was muscle mass.

delcatty

I've been logging for two weeks (on my third). I only log on weekdays, and eat "whatever I want" on the weekends. That doesn't mean I stuff my face, it means I will let myself have a donut for breakfast if I want. Kind of to see if I can make good choices when I don't count. I've lost 7lbs so far (with no exercising). Next week I start working out again.

AggieCass09

i couldn't have lost any with out logging...i cheat otherwise.

getting a scale has helped me with portions (especially peanut butter...32 g is NOT a lot!)

kylakesgal

I'm sure everyone doesn't log their food. For me, it works so I'll keep doing it. Over 210 days and still going strong! I also like to keep an eye of my fats and sodium. Good luck to you:):)

NanciKay

i log EVERY THING I EAT EVERY DAY! this is, i feel, the most important tool on this site.....it keeps me focused, in control, and consciously aware of what i'm doing. :bigsmile:

James_1954

I log mine (I've lost 42 lb). The reason I came here was that my nutritionist wanted me to keep food records and recommended MFP as a good online tool for that. That said, I don't obsess about it, nor have I logged every single thing I've consumed. I try to be consistent, and I don't miss much. But it's pretty easy, because I'm going to be logging in here at least a couple of times a day anyway so I can see what's going on with my MFP buddies. That's MFP's real "hook" ... it's a social network, as much as it is anything else! :-)

delcatty

getting a scale has helped me with portions (especially peanut butter...32 g is NOT a lot!)

It's not! After measuring food and figuring out portions, I've realized how much I used to eat, and how much I DON'T need.

For example, cheese. I love cheese. It is my downfall. Yet, 30g of shredded light cheddar has over 100 calories, and is actually almost too much when I put it on my bagel in the morning. So, I have 15g of cheese and it works!

So I would recommend a good scale and good measuring cups and spoons; you'll be using them!

kk0223

I log. I know if I don't log I will cheat. I will guesstimate my calories and I'm sure I'll go over. It helps me not eat as much, also.

If I put it in my mouth it gets logged. Sometimes I don't want to go through the hassle of logging those 3 chips. So, I don't eat them.

I've been logging on MFP for 6 days and have lost 2 lbs with no exercise.

Cassius2106

Log every day and have done for the past 20 something days..... enjoying it too!! but also cos I have a new phone and like showing off... LOL

meerkat70

If so, are you losing with this method? I find that if I work out hard I automatically make better food choices.

I find this works for me, but I need to log my food too to feel the full effect. If you feel logging your food isn't working for you, why not try a week or two without it, and see how you get on?

aim2lose

I log everything! I find that logging makes me more accountable with my choices. Logging on this site is much better than just writing down what I eat. I like to see that running total of calories, sodium, fat, etc.

kelley_lynn

Finds i have to log, that in its self, as become an obsession. It allows me...to... see where i am, and change habits... and these are long term habits.

texancountess

I log when I'm at home and can. I went on vacation about 2 weeks after starting here and didn't log, but still lost a pound while there - so the smart portion habits that I've started at home are clearly carrying with me when I go on vacation. I leave the country again next week and won't be able to log for two weeks, but I still plan on eating smart.

I recommend logging just to start realizing what appropriate portion sizes are. I was eating close to twice what I should, just because I wasn't paying attention. It was eye opening to start paying attention to the caloric content of items.

jpiper1921

Why would MFP members not log their food? Why be on MFP if you didn't use the power of logging food... I'm missing something.

CountryDevil

I log all week long, even if I end up over my calorie limit for the day. In addition I also add everything I eat, even if it is not a so wise choice. This allows me to see exactly what I am eating and holds me accountable for it.

allybub

either i log or i dont the days i do log i log everything i eat and other days i dont log at all, sometimes i am just too busy, I do find the days i excersize i log and the days i dont i dont. i also get a bit obsessive about it, I usually eat mostly the same things so i know i am not over as i am doing low fat diet.

troop1000

Log until you achive your goal. Then you will just need to be mindful of your maintance intake.

Hoppymom

I log usless I am out of range of the wi-fi or internet. Not unusual for the area we spend time in (Northern MN). It keeps me honest and lets me see sodium (too high) and potasium (too low). This site makes it so easy.

sfergie

Wow! I appreciate all the feedback. I KNOW I need to make a change now. I'm going to be 38 in February and I am always stressing about my weight. I'm a very outgoing person, but lately I don't know who I am. Just feeling very down. It makes me mad that I have let myself get to this point. It is very hard to get motivated. Thanks again for all the suggestions!:happy:

chapagonzo

We all have our opinion about what works so take this for what it is worth. Log every single bite you put in your mouth and weigh yourself daily. It will, if you go with the odds, keep you in check. Out of sight...out of mind. I just see it as being true to myself and being accountable. Good Luck!!

taso42_DELETED

I lost the first 25 lbs or so without any logging, I did however plan my meals a day in advance for many weeks until I got the hang of it. I didn't do the planning in terms of calories, but rather in terms of what food I was planning to eat and at what time.

I was using the "Body for Life" system of eating; 6 "meals" a day. A meal is defined as 1 serving of protein + 1 serving of complex carbs. At least 2 meals a day include a serving of vegetable. A serving is defined as a hunk of food the size of your hand or fist. This worked splendidly for me.

I still eat pretty much the same exact way, but I am keeping track of calories just to attain a higher precision in meeting my goals.

SueInAz

Why would MFP members not log their food? Why be on MFP if you didn't use the power of logging food... I'm missing something.

Yeah, I'm in this camp. Just a rhetorical question but MFP is a logging tool, why is anyone here if they weren't looking specifically for a tool to log their food? :huh:

RocketsGirl75

is that why we are here to log food? I seriously thought this was a new age dating web site.....

:noway: :grumble: :noway:

stormieweather

I log every single thing I eat.

Rachaelluvszipped

I log in to keep myself accountable..no need to blame anyone for my crazy mistakes..Plus if I didn't..I would totally forget what I ate for the day..and then later that night I'd feel horrible.. Especially my downfall would totally be that oh so very tempting, melt in your mouth, creamy tasting..Costco Cheesecake..Alright I think I just gained weight thinking about it..lol, anyways..the holidays are coming up..now's the best time to keep track of what you eat..so that you know if you can splurge alil or what not..especially if your are watching what you eat and exercising..I don't know about you, but I don't want all the hardwork I put into this to go to waste.. I hope you do log..because it is very beneficial... this site is to keep you going the right path..:flowerforyou:

SexyCook

I feel like whats the point...I can respect if you log and have your diary private or with a key for those you want to check it out..But we started off not logging foods and not monitoring our exercise so....I LOVE LOGGING....I loss 29pds with MFP logging...Make you more aware of the things in your foods...

superteetee

I log everything, personally. And yes, I do "obsess" (as you put it) about it, but that keeps me focused on my goals. If I don't obsess, I start slacking, and the next thing I know I've gained weight. Until I get down to a comfortable weight and manage to keep myself there, I won't be able to skip logging anything.

peluzuff

The research on this topic is very clear. Self monitoring (logging) leads to the greatest success with weight loss. They say tracking food intake is effective and that tracking food AND exercise AND weight is even more effective. I think that is what this whole site is based on. This article from Weight Watchers explains some of it:
http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=22811&sc=804

NovemberJune

you'd probably have more luck finding people who have successfully lost weight without logging their food on a website that wasn't mainly for logging food
the main purpose of mfp (imho) is to log food and exercise so the majority of people here do that. i do and it works great for me but i know it's not for everyone. good luck!

LTrangsrud

I lost 37 # by having a food diary. When I quit logging, I gained 10 # almost immediately. I have had a food diary ever since (10 years) and just recently found myfitnesspal and love it. I now, log food and exercise. It keeps me reminded of what I have eaten just in case I forget that I already had a treat this week. Good luck to you!