Anybody else who creates their diary in advance?

Does anybody create their diary in advance? I work out what I'm going to eat all through the day then log it in my diary first thing in the morning. It guides me, also, I'll have a rough idea how many calories I'll have left at the end of the day other than being hit with a surprise. Same goes for my exercise though this can be adjusted +-

Anybody else using this method?
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Replies

  • kellehbeans
    kellehbeans Posts: 838 Member
    I sometimes create shopping lists of foods I want to add to recipes throughout the week, and then decide when I am going to eat them - and record them in my diary. Otherwise, I will plan 1-2 days ahead and add things in so I know where I stand. :-) I keeps my sanity! And I always love to know what I am going to eat - have something to look forward to, instead of thinking what to have!
  • vstraughan
    vstraughan Posts: 163 Member
    Yep, I do. Use it as a planner. It also keeps me disciplined i.e. if I log it, then it sucks to delete it, especially when other people can see my food & exercise diary
  • selina884
    selina884 Posts: 826 Member
    Atleast a week in advance.
  • GrabacrPD
    GrabacrPD Posts: 94 Member
    I plan for the day ahead, weigh and make my lunch/food and decide what I want to achieve at the gym for the day!
  • Alexandra289
    Alexandra289 Posts: 330 Member
    I often do it the night before or in the morning and plan my exercise too. I often change/add things as I go along but it gives me an idea of how much I can eat that day.
  • Montarosa456
    Montarosa456 Posts: 133
    I complete most of my diary first thing, then I have a idea for the day and what I need to burn and which meal I need to increase calories, carbs, protein etc..
  • fushouka
    fushouka Posts: 9
    I plan food the day before without fail. I'm recovering from an ED though, so it helps me not panic when I feel hungry because I know exactly what I'll eat. I leave a few hundred calories for snacks through the day so I know I have room for a few cookies or a banana or something, or if at the last minute I decide I'm eating out instead of at home it gives me a buffer to have a larger lunch or a dessert.
  • Nicolee_2014
    Nicolee_2014 Posts: 1,572 Member
    I used to when I was at work. I'd prepare everything the night before because I pretty much had to with a toddler. Now I'm at home I generally don't. Not sure why but I just don't.
  • pixtotts
    pixtotts Posts: 552 Member
    I like to get it done in advance but everytime I think yes thats it thats today/tomorrow sorted something happens and I have to change loads... lol x
  • SKAVY7178
    SKAVY7178 Posts: 165 Member
    i do every morning, input the food with weights and measure it accurately so I know what is remaining and how much I should burn...
  • QuietRain
    QuietRain Posts: 157
    I pre-log my day right before bed.
    eta:: food only.
  • FixItDuck
    FixItDuck Posts: 112 Member
    I used to when I was at work. I'd prepare everything the night before because I pretty much had to with a toddler. Now I'm at home I generally don't. Not sure why but I just don't.
    Me too. Now that I'm not working, I tend to decide at lunch time what I'm going to eat (which probably means I don't have such nutritious lunches).

    I don't log exercise until it's completed though
  • AmberleyAngel
    AmberleyAngel Posts: 160 Member
    I usually use it to plan out in advance my meals. Superb way to keep on target and get the most meal for your calories. :)
  • Rarity2013
    Rarity2013 Posts: 196 Member
    I frequently do, because I do other stuff in the evenings. I now have a huge number of my personal favourite recipes saved, and it makes it really easy to pre-log once my husband and I have decided what we want for dinner. Then I can weigh up what, if any treats I'm allowed after dinner from what I have left.

    I do make sure though, that if I eat anything extra, that I log it the following day, so I can look back and see it.
  • samr73
    samr73 Posts: 440 Member
    I log as much as possible first thing in the morning - just don't log dinner sometimes as I'm unsure as to what I'll end up eating if it's late. Helps me see that I'm eating healthily and gives me a positive vibe :) Log my exercise after I've completed it.
  • silverlining84
    silverlining84 Posts: 330 Member
    I usually do a day or two in advance. I do a lot of meal prep & have my meals packaged to go in containers for work. This helps me plan out my week & keep track of my calories. If it's already in my diary I feel like i'm less likely to cheat with bad stuff!
  • kezzak2010
    kezzak2010 Posts: 12 Member
    i like to log dinner in first and work rest day out around evening time. i also work 4-5 days in advance :D x
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member


    Anybody else using this method?

    Yes for food, no for exercise.

    I find it easier to hit my various targets by planning in advance especially when eating at set sessions. I'll mainly do it the previous night if I can.
  • bobf279
    bobf279 Posts: 342 Member
    no i record it as it happens, I fill in my lunch meals when I get to work from the contents of my lunch box
  • TheRealParisLove
    TheRealParisLove Posts: 1,907 Member
    I log the night before and try really hard to stick to my plan. Sometimes I fail. I will fail 100% of the time if I don't log, so pre-logging has gotten to be a daily habit for me.
  • confetti_blind
    confetti_blind Posts: 91 Member
    I log for the whole day in the morning (with all my good intentions) and then 'amend' at night to record where things didn't quite go to plan :tongue:
  • Juliste
    Juliste Posts: 298 Member
    I usually do a day or two in advance. I do a lot of meal prep & have my meals packaged to go in containers for work. This helps me plan out my week & keep track of my calories. If it's already in my diary I feel like i'm less likely to cheat with bad stuff!

    I do exactly the same. It saves a lot of time and helps me stay on track.
  • KentWhiteRabbit
    KentWhiteRabbit Posts: 92 Member
    I try and plan and log in advance for both myself and my OH. I make lunches the night before and portion it out 40/60 as we have big differences in our calorie needs. I'll plan a few days in advance and shop accordingly. It helps avaoid last minute panic and eating whatever is in the cupboard - usually the kids crisps and biscuits!

    I'm actually going to get my eldest son to start logging on here as he has a very un-varied diet due to his Aspergers (a real creature of habit), and at 16 I think he needs to start taking control of his own diet. Hopefully it will help him eat better once he goes to Uni. He has no weight issues, just not great on variety.
  • mazdauk
    mazdauk Posts: 1,380 Member
    I put my food in, in the morning - I take a pack lunch to work (including my snacks) to keep me away fro anyhting tempting. Today there are choc chip cookies, millionaires shortbread, brownie bites AND doughnuts in the staff room but I'm trying not to look. (I could SO eat a cookie this morning, I feel rubbish). I put in what I think I'm going to have for dinner, and tweak if I think its too high in calories, or add to it if there's a lot left over.

    I log the exercise as I do it. I try to plan my meals as far as possible within the day calories plus the "basic" activity I can't avoid(walking to work), using the "bonus" calories ("deliberate" exercise like aerobics etc.) for treats.
  • mockchoc
    mockchoc Posts: 6,573 Member
    I always recorder it the day before as much as I knew at least even further ahead also.
  • babybl00310
    babybl00310 Posts: 75 Member
    I know the key for me is to be organised so I generally work out the night before what I'm having for breakfast and lunch the next day and log that and once I know how many calories/propoints I have left I plan my dinner from there.
  • anupamaanupama
    anupamaanupama Posts: 24 Member
    Yes, I generally plan my meals a day in advance. It helps me keep a track of my calories. Sometimes when I cannot follow my meals as planned it upsets me though so I have thought of getting rid of this idea now.
  • paulperryman
    paulperryman Posts: 839 Member
    Every night i plan my breakfast and lunch for the following day except for weekends i only set my breakfast..
    Reason i do that is i can't log while at work and don't want to forget and also like to know roughly what im looking at calorie wise for when i goto the gym.
  • Lumen1505
    Lumen1505 Posts: 77 Member
    I do if I know I have a 'special' event coming up so that I can factor in a few treats without going totally awry (sometimes works, sometimes doesnt) I'm also returning to work soon after a year off on maternty leave so am going to plan on a Sunday evening to keep me on track & make sure I have my fridge well stocked with healthy foods :drinker:
  • underthecherrytree
    underthecherrytree Posts: 532 Member
    I do! I log all my food the day before and stick with it.