I quit...

WinnerVictorious

...logging for the rest of this month. i've been logging accurately and consistently since June 1, 2012 and i've just decided i need to take a few days break from it. i'll start again on May 1st. i've noticed a handful of my friends going through the same burnout.

so my question is, how often do you need a break? how long are your breaks?

i'm not talking about cheat days or vacations. i am talking about just feeling like you need a few days not worrying about or planning your meals. obviously, this can become a problem if you decide to do this and start eating all the food again, but i just didn't feel like logging anything since wednesday of last week (even though i have everything written down on a scrap paper still, just in case).

this will be the first break i've taken in the 11 months since i started logging.

bearkisses

i only log when i really want to see how i have been doing...so for a day when i may have eaten more i log, and i am usually on track (past couple weeks anyways). i find the logging to be too much, too addictive for me, i overwhelm myself with 'nutriiton this, fitness that, calories this'...instead of just eating healthy, being fit, and not turning it into an outrageous hobby

Cr01502

I think it's good to take breaks.

Logging is great but it can become quite obsessive.

I usually take a couple of weeks off every 6 months or so. Food is great and all but sometimes I just enjoy not thinking about my next meal and my macros.

Agate69

I have been logging my food in various ways off and on for 8 years. What stops me logging is the realization that I am no longer logging accurately, or weighing my portions. I laugh because at my heaviest, I thought I was eating 1200 cal...... liar liar pants of fire. No wonder weight loss was sporadic. The truth is when I log I lose (weight that is). But every one takes a break or gets tired of the whole thing. Gaining 2 -3 pounds is my signal to get back on board with logging. Feeling tired, get back on board with logging to make sure I am not eating too many crap foods, or not drinking enough water. Life is a ride, not a race to the finish line. Good nutrition does get easier, but there are too many temptations that surround me every day to give up logging forever. I admire those on MFP that are so dedicated and organized that they eat almost the same foods daily and know what works for them. After three years and losing half my body weight, I am getting better at only having healthy nutritious foods in the house, but it is a constant battle. DON'T QUIT, just take a couple of weeks off, watch the weight, drink the water, keep exercising ( there is no break from moving!) and be accountable to yourself. See you soon!

taunto

took a break during Ramadan. Then took a day or 2 off in between but I was just lazy. I like logging honestly. I am kinda pumped up for the results!

BeachIron

I'm finding myself doing it more often, maybe one day or so a week but still pretty much eating within calorie limitations. I think it's healthier than pushing to log all the time and then finally quitting for good. I've already lost all of my weight and am simply going through slow bulk/cut cycles anyway.

PikaKnight

Honestly, I don't take a break. And it's not because I think one week or two will derail me. It's because I have a bit of OCD. Once I get into a habit/routine it sticks. If I break it, it takes a bit for me to "get sorted" - if that makes sense. So to me, logging isn't a hassle, it's just normal. I don't know if that is sad or not..hahaha

Aedrah

I don't know you - so take my advice with a grain of salt

I suggest not taking a break unless you truly trust yourself to make wise decisions and stay on track. Consider the pain of logging versus likely outcome of you not logging.

For some people, not logging can be a slippery slope. I personally find it helps when I invest a little extra time to save time and frustration later. If I eat something fairly often, I save it as a recipe or meal so I can easily re-add that meal later. Some days I plan out my meals at the start of the day, and then adjust as needed later. I have a smartphone and use the app and barcode scanner.

Good luck!

jemimasmum

I've taken some "mini breaks" along the way. I think I sometimes lose perspective and am more bothered by the " has logged in for n days" than by the reason I was logging in.
I don't overeat on non-logging days, just give myself the freedom to eat different things without the faff of weighing/lscanning/ typing...
Like you I set a date to return to business so that I dpn't drift into the nether world.

dogo187

im currently taking a break...not sure for how long...

I lost most of my weight before I started logging and since I started I realize that I eat pretty good and really don't need to log to stay on track...just being mindful and eating real food is enough for me to feel good and keep up what ive already done (which is lost 149lbs)...

I don't want to have to log my food for the rest of my life...I get caught up in the numbers and end up stressed and burnt out...

WinnerVictorious

I'm finding myself doing it more often, maybe one day or so a week but still pretty much eating within calorie limitations. I think it's healthier than pushing to log all the time and then finally quitting for good. I've already lost all of my weight and am simply going through slow bulk/cut cycles anyway.

it's not a quitting issue with me... i'm just a bit burned out on keeping track of it all right now. i usually can remember everything i've eaten and then i enter it all into my spreadsheet at the end of the day, but even though i have notes and can bring my spreadsheet up to date for the past few days that i haven't logged, i think about doing so and the only thought that comes to mind is... meh.

quirkytizzy

I find myself not logging as religiously, either. Partially because, after months of this, I sometimes need to just not worry about the numbers. A day or two here and there. I think if you're able to eat intuitively, knowing how you normally eat, it could be a good thing.

janimei

I track my progress with the chart feature (Nutrition Report), and the blank days look so bad to me. On days I'm not in the mood to log in, I track food/water/exercise on a scrap of paper and enter the info the next time I do log in online. Only been doing this since Feb. 25, though, so maybe in a few months, I won't feel so positive about the value of the online feedback.

lachesissss

I have a day here or there where I don't log, but usually it's like a crack habit man. I just keep coming back. Maybe I'm secretly a macros pie chart fetishest, not sure. But I like logging.

WinnerVictorious

I find myself not logging as religiously, either. Partially because, after months of this, I sometimes need to just not worry about the numbers. A day or two here and there. I think if you're able to eat intuitively, knowing how you normally eat, it could be a good thing.

after a while, it starts to feel like homework. adult homework. don't get me wrong, i am in favor of calorie counting, but i do think it can wear on you after a while of doing it day in and day out. breaks are ok i think, so long as you don't make them a couple of months in duration.

MinimalistShoeAddict

I hope you enjoy your break! I think everyone is different. While I may waste time on MFP doing other things, logging food just takes me a few minutes a day, so I never feel like I need a break.

That being said, I can see why taking a break could be beneficial for a lot of people, to relieve stress or for some other purpose.

Personally I could see myself recording every meal/exercise for the rest of my life. All the data could be interesting one day looking back to see my diet/exercise habits from decades prior.

Crankstr

I dont log the 2 weeks I go to the shore in July, and the 2 weeks of Christmas and New Year...2 nice breaks.

Aedrah

I'm finding myself doing it more often, maybe one day or so a week but still pretty much eating within calorie limitations. I think it's healthier than pushing to log all the time and then finally quitting for good. I've already lost all of my weight and am simply going through slow bulk/cut cycles anyway.

it's not a quitting issue with me... i'm just a bit burned out on keeping track of it all right now. i usually can remember everything i've eaten and then i enter it all into my spreadsheet at the end of the day, but even though i have notes and can bring my spreadsheet up to date for the past few days that i haven't logged, i think about doing so and the only thought that comes to mind is... meh.

If it's burning you out, you could also try going back to basics (logging on MFP). I like to do crazy things with data too (at work) but at times it gets overwhelming and I need to re-assess what's important (I have all this data that I might potentially need at some point versus the ease in which I can pull and manipulate the data).

BeachIron

I'm finding myself doing it more often, maybe one day or so a week but still pretty much eating within calorie limitations. I think it's healthier than pushing to log all the time and then finally quitting for good. I've already lost all of my weight and am simply going through slow bulk/cut cycles anyway.

it's not a quitting issue with me... i'm just a bit burned out on keeping track of it all right now. i usually can remember everything i've eaten and then i enter it all into my spreadsheet at the end of the day, but even though i have notes and can bring my spreadsheet up to date for the past few days that i haven't logged, i think about doing so and the only thought that comes to mind is... meh.

The quitting thing was me projecting. I know if I let my self obsess over anything too much, the swing will eventually happen. And personally, I just get sick of thinking about food. At the end of the day, if it works for you, and you need the break, take it.

etoiles_argentees

me too.

Hazel9999

I had a 2 week break it helped a lot, I still lost a pound or two, didnt exercise but I didnt obsess about every calorie and just ate sensibly with no snacks.

BeachGingerOnTheRocks

Currently on a break. I can't do this all the time. It starts to take over my life and interferes with my ability to make judgments on feeling full. I find myself at the end of the day looking at my micros and macros and having odd-combination snacks to try to meet anything that is missing. To the point where if I am 97% on calcium, I will measure out an ounce of milk and drink it. Or I will eat cantaloupe that I don't want to hit Vitamin A. Or trying to get in 10 or 20 more calories to hit a specific number target when it doesn't really matter at all.

Take the break, guilt-free. I'm really glad I decided to do it.

_SABOTEUR_

I would just think of it as a deload week where you are giving yourself a break from something that is taxing. Completely acceptable.

KaleidoscopeEyes1056

I hope you enjoy your break! I think everyone is different. While I may waste time on MFP doing other things, logging food just takes me a few minutes a day, so I never feel like I need a break.

That being said, I can see why taking a break could be beneficial for a lot of people, to relieve stress or for some other purpose.

Personally I could see myself recording every meal/exercise for the rest of my life. All the data could be interesting one day looking back to see my diet/exercise habits from decades prior.

Agreed! I almost never take a break for a full day or week but I do sometimes say "F--- it, I'm not going to log everything" but I have advised some of my friends to take breaks. For some, it's beneficial to not have to stress about it. It hasn't gotten to that point yet for me.

Leslietheriot

It's too late for me. Been logging for 2 years now and I believe I'm obsessed. I just cant stop!

Cindyinpg

Wha???

You, sir, are dead to me.

:laugh: Awesome.

hawaii86442

I just cantt quit/ I am so happy with losing the extra weight I figure that since I have reached a reasonalble goal more than once I will try for another. This one is the lowest adult weight I have ever been. I am going to hawaii for a month but my daughter and granddaughter are avid MFP dieters. I will check in with your progress when I return as you can check on mine.

I have logged for 391 consecutive days.

KML617

I kinda like the planning ahead... helps me with my grocery shopping too =P But I think taking a break from logging every once in a while is good for you. Eventually, we should all be able to eat healthy without the logging system. Isn't that kinda the point of all this? Training yourself to live a healthy life naturally? As long as you are still making the right kinds of choices, I say more power to ya! Just don't disappear... you'd be missed!

mmddwechanged

I haven't taken a break. I tend to just log what I eat without planning or even checking micros most days, ( except protein because its not high enough unless I pay attention). I like to look at trends and graphs over time:)

changeyourlimits

I guess i would ask why are you logging. For the past 11 months you logged your meals and workouts?? What is the purpose behind that. Locate exactly why you want to log and it probably won't feel like a chore. Did someone tell you to log. Then determine what your vision is with what makes you happy. Review what you accomplished in the past 11 months. Then determine what you want the next 11 months. See if logging is needed and once you know then your break should be over too. Keep Going.. breaks should just be the time where you reevaluate. Once that is done. GO!

parys1

I find myself not logging as religiously, either. Partially because, after months of this, I sometimes need to just not worry about the numbers. A day or two here and there. I think if you're able to eat intuitively, knowing how you normally eat, it could be a good thing.

after a while, it starts to feel like homework. adult homework. don't get me wrong, i am in favor of calorie counting, but i do think it can wear on you after a while of doing it day in and day out. breaks are ok i think, so long as you don't make them a couple of months in duration.

I find I get burnt out and taking occasional breaks really helps. When I go on holidays in the summer, there are three or four weeks of no logging. Mind you, while camping, I am very active as well and it seems to even out any excess in calorie intake. I am currently trying to get out of a bit of a winter slump and find the the light of spring is helping immeasurably.