has anyone stopped logging calories and just eats healthily?

BeautyFromPain

Wondering if anyone has stopped logging their calories?
It is starting to seem a bit tedious, like a job, getting burnt out from it...
And I know how many cals are in pre much everything I eat anyway..

wardba4

I agree with you have been thinking of doing that buthaven't as of yet.

Jupitermermaid

sorry....double post

Jupitermermaid

I think of it every now and then, but it's the tediousness of the logging that makes me reject some food cuz it's not worth the logging. So no, I plan to keep logging to keep myself in line. Once I reach my goal weight I may stop as long as I keep the weight off.

Umpire57

I dont log anymore but I am in maintenance and have a high count as is. I still log my weigh ins and if I start to get high then I log to get back down where I want to be.

I still log on most every day to check in on my people though and get my daily kick in the butt!

If you are still actively wanting to lose though, you need to log to do it right.

sc1572

It's tedious, but it's the only thing that works for me.

flausa

In the 11 months I've been on here, I've taken 3 short breaks (a week or less) from logging. I knew that I needed the break because it was making me quite stressed, which isn't particularly healthy either. I still managed to lose weight during those breaks which helped to build my confidence in knowing that I can now be healthy without having to log everything. But I came back to logging because I appreciate the support from my MFP friends.

Run4iiiiiit

I did that over the summer and put 10lbs back on. It's too easy too slack off.

gunmetalsunrise

I just started logging earlier this month, so perhaps I'm biased, but... I don't see myself stopping logging, unless they're for stretches of time like I'm on vacation or it's the holidays, etc. I like cataloguing things (good think I'm working in a library ), so I don't find it at all tedious.

cecilia0909

Yes, me- it was hard work and I swear made me think of food all day and eat more. I know that sounds crazy is my own mind working against me. I do like to log my exercise though

Jeneba

I had this same conversation with myself last night.... I ended up asking myself 'what would make you ever stop brushing your teeth, flossing, or showering - because it was 'too tedious'???" When I stop being vigilant, I gain weight. Period. But - let's face it, there are some times in our lives when we just have to give in to the Dark Side in order to come to grips with what is "consuming" us. I am hoping we can all be a little kinder to ourselves during the Holidays... Great topic, thanks!

capriciousmoon

I took a few breaks and during those times I just maintained my weight. I guess that's a good sign for when I'm done, but I'd really like to lose some more weight now. So, back to logging for me!

stylistchik

I do that often and just come back to MFP to check in on myself periodically.

umachanxo

It's pretty simple for me... I don't find it tedious at all, to be quite honest.
It only takes a couple of minutes out of my day, and it keeps me on track.
I'm also used to tracking and calculating points because of being on WW in the past, so perhaps that's why?

MelissaGraham7

As above, just because it is tedious, doesn't mean it isn't important. I log every day, whether I have been within points or not. Here at Christmas, still logging, though not necessarily tied to the numbers for the next day or 2. Still, it does keep me accountable and responsible and, thus, from not going overboard. "If you bite it, write it" is ingrained in me now and I feel it is part of my daily routine. I like the discipline of that tedious routine as it reminds me that I don't want to be fat ever again. period.

BeautyAndStrength50

I stopped two weeks ago to see if I could maintain my weight alone and im doing a pretty good job.. Ive been on here for almost a yr and I figured if I dont have it figured out now I never will.. So far so good and it feels good not to log in everyday. I do log in my exercise to keep up with it but not food. And also my friend to inspire them to keep going as I need it too. Good luck just stay on your regular daily lifestyle eating and you will do fine.. Its just a cushion for awhile then you can get off of it..

Shelle68

I gave it up bc I came to the point that I wanted my mind OFF of food. And logging was def making me think of it often. But, also, I am at a place that I am eating very little - and losing - so it is def working for me. I won't be logging again unless I see a problem. Good luck!

cryptonyt

I find it annoying, but if you don;t measure it, it's hard to control it. I use the mobile app most of the time, and it really only takes 2 minutes to add my meals.

CyberEd312

I started logging a food journal in 2009 when I started therapy for my food addictions, and continued ever since. I joined MFP a few month ago to keep a closer eye on my caloric intake better. I now log in my hand journals and also log on here so now it is double duty. The thing of it is I don't think it is ever been an issue and especially now It is just second nature cause I don't even think about it anymore. To me it is like the old saying I am to busy to fit in exercise (I was the worst at this, heck it just didn't fit into my day) but I had plenty of time to come home and sit on my butt for 2 or 3 hours in the evening and watch t.v. or surf the net but I didn't have time for 30 minutes of cardio or exercise!! (yeah right) So for me logging is just a part of my new lifestyle and I don't see it ever changing. I may know the ins and out of almost everything I eat in my days put I do make new recipes or try new things, I have been on this journey for 29 months and I still am learning new way to better my life so this is something I can't see ever stopping myself...

CXXV

I take a break from time to time and manage to stay at the same weight, even for long periods of time but now I'm trying to lose again and this helps, but I believe in balance. If logging and obsessing over everything you eat gets you out of balance, it is time to do something else.

AnnaPixie

I haven't logged for a few months and I haven't lost weight either. I know what to eat now but I tend to stray when I'm not logging. I dont mean that I stuff my face but I tend to have one or two more snacks or glasses of wine and not think about it. I will get back to it in the new year as it does seem to work for me as a weight loss tool. But in maintenance I do ok without it.

We are all different, so give a try and see what works for you, you may find you are more disciplined.

Good luck:flowerforyou:

Articeluvsmemphis

I lost my first bit of weight without calorie counting at all just being sensible. and when counting becomes tedious I'll take one-three week hiatuses and sporadically fill out my diary when I feel the need to. but yes, you can stop if you think you can stay on track.

Rilke

I've tried a few times now to stop, but I always end up putting a few pounds back on. I have grown to really dislike logging -- it constricts my eating, makes me think about food all day, reduces enjoyment to numbers, etc.

Eating when I'm hungry, eating slowly and mindfully, eating what I'm hungry for, stopping when I'm full: that's my ultimate goal. It's called intuitive eating.

TavistockToad

i have stopped for christmas, but will be starting again next week! its easier to not eat healthy when i know i am not bothering to be accountable by logging.

pupcamper

I'm not there yet but I think when I reach my goal I will probably stop logging Monday thru Friday and just log at the weekends or on days where I know I am going to consume alot of calories just so I don't get too much of a surprise when I step on the scales! Hopefully it will help to remind me what is worth the extra calories and what is not! :drinker:

elfranzen

I still Log my food. (10 months and counting) Some days I might not log but I know what I had because I have had those same meals so many times before. If it is something new then I definitely log it because one day I ordered boneless wings from Pizza hut by mistake instead of the baked wings and I wasn't going to log it because I knew what 2 wings at Pizza hut were but I am glad I did because I now know NEVER TO ORDER THEM AGAIN. Boneless wings are crazy high in calories. But I think once you can mentally track on your own and keep your weight on track then you don't have to anymore or as often.

page68

Still logging ... since May of 2010... afraid if I stop, I'll gain. I.MUST.KEEP.LOGGING.

kaetra

My doctor told me to stop logging and just do the same thing I'm doing without recording every bite. But I've tried that before and gained weight.

I don't think I'll EVER be able to stop logging. Even (and perhaps especially) when I get to maintenance. It seems to be the key for me. Knowing the data and being able to plan. There's things I need to track other than calories too - sodium, potassium, cholesterol, protien, calcium etc. to make sure I'm getting enough or not too much. I also like the flexibility logging gives me to squeeze in treats!

With my phone, laptop and now the Ipad logging is not tedious for me at all and only takes a couple minutes. I've got My Food, My Meals, and My Recipies all set up already too. It's easy now. I actually enjoy it so I'll keep doing it as long as it stays that way.

Amy_B

Honestly, the first 100 pounds I lost, I wasn't counting calories. I think I am going to make sure I do to get the last bit off though.

katkins3

My daughter weighs herself in the morning and if she has hit the top of her desired weight range she logs until she is back in the middle or low end.
Days that she weighs in and is in her range, she doesn't bother logging her food. This has worked well for her and I will try it when I reach my weight goal.

cthoma70

Nope, if it goes in my mouth, its goes in my log. It isnt like a job for me but a way of life now. If I eat an M&M I log at M&M, just look at my log and your see one someday I'm sure of it. I small piece of pizza, the little squares, I add it.
:smokin: