Why I'll be logging for the rest of my life

VVEXVVEX

Some of us have to live by different rules than others. Read all about why logging and vigilance are the ONLY way to overcome genetics:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/28/why-lost-pounds-come-back/

dls06

As long as there is MFP I will log. I need it to keep me honest. :drinker:

Smokey19

As long as I keep logging I know where I make my mistakes during the day and night. That way I know not to eat those foods again or eat less of them.

cherdan

Yeah, that was a good article. It was never really a conscious thing for me.. I can't see myself NOT logging for the rest of my life! I was never taught how to count calories or control my portion, how to lose weight, and I was overweight just about all my life.. from about 8 years old until 25, on and off, so this is it for me. I have obesity running on both sides of my family and my older brother passed from obesity-related complications. This is my life. This is it. I get so tired of the complaint, "It's so hard to count calories!" "It's not realistic for most people." Well, why do you think most Americans are perpetually trying to lose weight?? Cause they never learned or were resistant to trying to *maintain* it (i.e. counting calories, mild exercise)

annabellj

and the reason why is because absolutley every time i lose i gain it right back and i work so hard it isnt gonna happen this time around, havent read the articl eyet

basschick

Yeah, I've recently come to the conclusion that I'm probably going to have to continue to log my calories in some way as long as I want to keep this weight off. When I hit my goal weight, I figured I would continue to log for a year and then try things on my own and "see how it goes." Three months into maintenance, I can already tell that I'm not going to be able to do it on my own. On the rare day when I don't log, I fall right back into my old ways.

Pookylou

Really interesting article, thanks for sharing. Logging keeps me honest, feeling a bit rubbish today and considering eating everything in sight, but the knowledge I'd have to log made me sit back and rethink. I know if I stopped logging I'd creep back up very quickly.

natini

I lost over 40lbs on WW about 10 years ago. WW taught that logging is crucial to your success. I will always have to log and have been for the last 10 years. Mental logging doesn't work for me. I have to write it down. I recently started MFP and love it.

susanswan

I say Bravo and good luck to those of you who think you can handle this without future vigilance. I hope you can. When you read about a 1% success rate over time it is pretty discouraging. HOWEVER. Making lifestyle changes here and now should be the key. It wasn't clear in the article if people kept the same diet during maintenance or not.

This time in, I decided I did not want to re-learn ANYTHING! What I am doing today, I plan to continue to do until my last breath. While my plan may not include weekly or daily "treats" or 100 calorie packs, or potato chips, chocolate cake or the like, it will provide me with the absolute best nutrition on the planet. I am still learning to do better on my eating plan, but I have no problem deciding not to have ice cream every night or every week. Not saying it will never touch my lips again, just saying that fitting it in to a "regular eating schedule" is not part of the plan.

I feel so much better eating my green plants and veggies! My joints don't hurt so much, I don't have cravings, I don't feel preoccupied by food, but it does take longer to prepare and a bit more thought to plan. I am sure that over time I will be able to master it.

I also plan to continue my regular exercise and logging in food daily and continue to weigh myself daily. I believe that for me, these things are key to keeping me from kidding myself. Kidding myself and estimating got me to gain back 20 pounds pretty darn quickly.

I am much happier being just a few pounds away from my goal if that means no sugar and white flour on a regular basis rather than eating everything and gaining weight back. I can easily live this way!

Happy New Year! = D

VVEXVVEX

I also plan to continue my regular exercise and logging in food daily and continue to weigh myself daily. I believe that for me, these things are key to keeping me from kidding myself. Kidding myself and estimating got me to gain back 20 pounds pretty darn quickly.

I am much happier being just a few pounds away from my goal if that means no sugar and white flour on a regular basis rather than eating everything and gaining weight back. I can easily live this way!

Amen sister! Here's to a great 2012 and to healthy habits that last a lifetime.

neanderthin

I've never counted calories in my life and have gone from 260 down to 205 over a 3 year period which I've maintained until june 2011. Since then I dieted down to 180. I've been lifting all during this time and I also live a fairly active lifestyle.

mamitosami

I have to log, and likely always will. And I'm ok with that. My friends and my hubby, who don't log, think I'm too obsessed, but I always gain when I stop. I've accepted it as a part of my life. I enjoy it actually. And it keeps me looking and feeling great--so it can't be all bad... I really think it's amazing that people don't have to do it... lucky them!!