Logging before eating?

ChristineS_51

I find if I log first it gives me more idea of what I can eat - I also try & plan some good snacks. I also sometimes make allowances when I know there is going to be some sort of cake at work (almost every day!!) and make a spot for a little something (a la Winnie the Pooh)!

It doesn't always go as logged but at least it gives me some idea. Then I tweak and adjust as I go. The days I just eat are a bit hit and miss to be honest; I prefer to have a rough plan.

tonytoo

I plan my meals the day before and log them in advance. Then I can choose my snacks based on what I need to hit my targets

Jeneba

When I lost 25 lbs., I logged in the entire WEEK in advance and did not deviate. I know this is what I should be doing right now to lose the weight I put on during this last semester, but........

melaniecmajors

that is exactly what I do. I usually eat the same ingredients but in different combinations so it's easy to throw everything together in the food diary. I changed my settings to select from "frequent" to allow me to easily pick the foods/brands I eat the most. I log it after I've cleaned dinner up...really worth it. I also do Insanity and if you don't plan, then you are so hungry at the end of the day that it can really tank the hard work and it IS hard work. Don't throw it away for 5 mins of prep time. DIG DEEPER! LOL

tndejong

i do that a lot during the week. i am working, so its easier to be more disciplined. and it makes it easier if i decide to add something new to the line up. on the weekends is where im working on. i make up these containers with fish, brown rice, and green beans. for two weeks now, i eat that for dinner. healthy and i love it. if i plan ahead, then i know if i get that sweet tooth, i wont blow my calories. i eat light during the day so i can have a snack in the evenings. this has seemed to work when i stick to it.

melaniecmajors

that is exactly what I do. I usually eat the same ingredients but in different combinations so it's easy to throw everything together in the food diary. I changed my settings to select from "frequent" to allow me to easily pick the foods/brands I eat the most. I log it after I've cleaned dinner up...really worth it. I also do Insanity and if you don't plan, then you are so hungry at the end of the day that it can really tank the hard work and it IS hard work. Don't throw it away for 5 mins of prep time. DIG DEEPER! LOL

charliehefferon

Since January I have been logging a week in advance. I only cook for myself, so it makes it easier to prepare dinners in big batches and freeze them for days when I don't have a lot of time. I always have the same for breakfasts and lunches...
It makes it 100 times more easier for me.

Mexicanbigfoot

I try to log breakfast lunch and snacks the night before. I've noticed when I DON'T do that is when I start slipping and try to find something semi healthy and quick to grab. Planning has been my biggest ally on this journey so far!! Good luck on your journey! :flowerforyou:

twelfty

i log what i'm about to eat to make sure i'm hitting my target incase i need to add anything

Zekela

I tend to have a general idea of what the foods I'm eating contain so that they fit my macros. With that being said, I log mostly afterwards. However, when I go to restaurants, I tend to look up the foods on the menus and choose accordingly before I'm there. I then log directly afterwards (on my phone).

darrensurrey

I'm just wondering if anyone tracks their food before they eat it (deciding what to eat and how much etc) and then just sticks to that? Like meal prepping in a way. Does it work for keeping things under stricter control?

Yes, otherwise I'd forget what I've eaten!

EmmaKarney

I do the whole day's logging in the morning or the night before. I often "tweak" as I go but at least I have a theoretical basis for meeting me calories for the day without leaving it to chance.

I am never one of these people who gets to the end of the day with 300 calories to spare. Are you people mad?

rfsatar

Normally there's a little planning involved (taking batch-cooked soups out the freezer the night before, meat/fish for main meal if I need to)...
I normally log in the morning and then see what's left (normally filled with fruit, nuts or a sneaky dessert if I can fit it in.

Jancanx

I also log in each morning and tweak if I change what I'm going to have. I don't have a great deal during the day as I like to save my calories for the evening when my willpower is not great. I try to bank some calories for the weekend so I can have a drink or three. Just started this week so lets see what happens.

Great to read all of your blogs though, some really helpful ideas out there.

Jim_1960

I plan first thing in the morning.
Breakfast is pretty standard with cereal and toast.
I make my own lunch and take it to work with me (easy to control and cheaper as well!!).
Evening meal is generally easy as well as it is focused on making sure my 12 year old daughter has enough calories in her.
She is a competitive swimmer and trains 4 nights per week @ 2 hours each time so we have to plan in advance.

Hope this helps it certainly has made my journey easier on MFP.

pyrowill

Bit confused, it sounds like you are asking advice on something you've tried and tested yourself and know to work. But have simply slipped the last week or so. Do whatever works for you.

BaileyP3

i always do, but i always allow a little wiggle room. it helps with the grocery budget. i may not know in what order i have them but i plan 2 weeks ahead and shop accordingly.

^^^This ...I've actually been planning my menus for years and I cook a lot of things in advance to save time through the week. Originally I did it to help with grocery shopping and now it's helping with keeping my macros on target. In fact if I often plan my dinners on a google calendar a month at a time and transfer them onto MFP each week.

It keeps me organized and has become a sort of hobby