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I'm a cheater!

ItsSoYummy
ItsSoYummy Posts: 9 Member
edited January 8 in Health and Weight Loss
I just can't help it. I want to play the game but it's just not fair when I'm a cheater. I log things but for some reason I just can't stop logging portions at smaller amounts then they probably really were. Even exercise gets logged at probably more time then it really was. The scale is going the right direction so I tell myself it's not that big of a deal. What's strange is that I can log veggies right but when it comes to the brownies, 2 can turn into one because they were really small brownies. In the end it's still cheating even though the scale hasn't caught me yet. I'm sure it will sooner or later.

Now the question: Even if I log everything 100 percent exact, I still don't eat as much as it says I'm allowed. Is that ok? I'm guessing I'll just drop weight faster but is that good or should I really be trying to eat more?

Replies

  • IowaJen1979
    IowaJen1979 Posts: 406 Member
    You're not alone! I used to be a pro at playing that game, but I always "fell off the wagon" because I wasn't being honest with myself. My advice would be to be honest with your loggings. As you said, you're still below your goal and you'll feel better about your progress.
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    You are truly only cheating yourself, but like you said, if the scale is moving in the right direction, it's not a huge deal. Yet. As you lose weight, it WILL become a bigger deal.

    You ask if it's OK if you don't eat all your calories. That will depend on what your target is and how far below it you are. If your target is 1600 and you eat 1500, no biggie. If your target is 1200 and you eat 900? Big deal and not good for you.
  • NikkiSixGuns
    NikkiSixGuns Posts: 630 Member
    You ask if it's OK if you don't eat all your calories. That will depend on what your target is and how far below it you are. If your target is 1600 and you eat 1500, no biggie. If your target is 1200 and you eat 900? Big deal and not good for you.

    Agree!

    And as to the cheating, it sounds like you just need to kick yourself in the butt and do the right thing. You see your mistake. You want to do the right thing. Now do it. Logging your food is not a punishment that should be avoided. It's a good step toward the reward you're seeking. Doing it right will help you to get where you want to be.
  • Secret_Agent_007
    Secret_Agent_007 Posts: 1,082
    Your body will log everything. Even if you don't. :grumble:
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    If you eat less calories than you burn daily, you'll lose weight. It's that simple. Why you're lying to yourself when you're already eating under calories is beyond me, though.

    You should be eating whatever your calorie limit is. Loss may be faster for now, but you're probably not getting enough nutrients, your body probably doesn't feel as good, and your metabolism may slow down eventually due to a long period of not getting much food.
  • nturner612
    nturner612 Posts: 710 Member
    the scale will catch u.....it always does.....:glasses: cant hide from it.......
  • darkguardian419
    darkguardian419 Posts: 1,302 Member
    Responding to make my wife jump >:)

    Actually responding because I used to do the same thing when I first started. Then, I thought with exercise, I could eat 3000 calories a day (yay for lifting and long runs)...

    Now that I haven't lost any weight, I'm trying to be a bit more realistic about it, and honestly feel better healthwise.
  • elisa123gal
    elisa123gal Posts: 4,363 Member
    For me, i find if my diary is open i cheat because i don't like the idea of judgment from strangers when i have a drink or eat something bad.

    So, i close my diary and i'm more honest. I think since the scale is still moving for you how is that a bad thing.

    Think about this: are you sure you are still below your calorie goal? ..how do you know if you are not tracking them honestly? I guess what i'm getting at is maybe you are eating over your target calories and eating more is making you lose better than if you hit you current calorie goal? See what i'm saying? if i were you..I'd go back and log a few days honestly and see what the true number is. Girl..that is your sweet spot!
  • fmebear
    fmebear Posts: 172 Member
    I find myself cheating too sometimes but more often than not I am not eating the total calorie intake of just the bare minimum of 1200 calories. I also have my Fitbit making calorie adjustments since I am tracking steps/stairs/miles etc. :( I continually am under the calories because I am full before I even get close to the 1200 calories I should be eating then add in the adjustments from Fitbit and now I am crazy under my calories. I try to eat more but I can't. I drink my water all day long, try eating the healthy foods and every now and again I slip and eat something I shouldn't. I am human and try not to beat myself up over the cheating. I just need to figure out how to increase the calorie intake for myself. I also need to be honest on the logging of my foods even IF it is a small cheat.

    Does anyone have suggestions for getting closer to getting all of my necessary calories???
  • sjbuescher
    sjbuescher Posts: 45 Member
    Your body will log everything. Even if you don't. :grumble:

    This. Plus - think of it this way, when you log everything accurately you're truly holding yourself accountable, and when you feel guilty about having to log something it can help encourage you the next time. (IE - Do I really need 2 brownies this time?)

    I know it helps me because if I maintain or see a small loss (or only a small gain) after a rough eating week it reinforces that I'm human, and even when I indulge or eat things I know aren't great for me, i can still stay on track and not all hope is lost.

    For eating under your calories, there are so many other factors involved. My daily goal is 1600 - on days I run or lift I know I need to try and eat all of my calories (not that I don't on a normal day either - I'm not one to struggle with eating my allotted calories :)) But if there are days I'm just not that hungry and I'm only at 1300? no big deal.
  • KenosFeoh
    KenosFeoh Posts: 1,837 Member
    I really don't see the point in that. Sometimes I don't log, but when I go to the trouble of logging, I want it to be accurate. I can't see doing it otherwise.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    I just can't help it. I want to play the game but it's just not fair when I'm a cheater. I log things but for some reason I just can't stop logging portions at smaller amounts then they probably really were. Even exercise gets logged at probably more time then it really was. The scale is going the right direction so I tell myself it's not that big of a deal. What's strange is that I can log veggies right but when it comes to the brownies, 2 can turn into one because they were really small brownies. In the end it's still cheating even though the scale hasn't caught me yet. I'm sure it will sooner or later.

    Now the question: Even if I log everything 100 percent exact, I still don't eat as much as it says I'm allowed. Is that ok? I'm guessing I'll just drop weight faster but is that good or should I really be trying to eat more?
    Well, that's why you're getting away with it then, because you're not eating enough. Hey - if it works for you, each to their own, but I'd rather know how much I'm consuming/burning so I know if I'm on track to reach my goals. You're just playing mind games with yourself. And no, dropping weight as fast as possible is not really the best idea. Not for health, strength, fitness, looking good... those kinds of things.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    I find myself cheating too sometimes but more often than not I am not eating the total calorie intake of just the bare minimum of 1200 calories. I also have my Fitbit making calorie adjustments since I am tracking steps/stairs/miles etc. :( I continually am under the calories because I am full before I even get close to the 1200 calories I should be eating then add in the adjustments from Fitbit and now I am crazy under my calories. I try to eat more but I can't. I drink my water all day long, try eating the healthy foods and every now and again I slip and eat something I shouldn't. I am human and try not to beat myself up over the cheating. I just need to figure out how to increase the calorie intake for myself. I also need to be honest on the logging of my foods even IF it is a small cheat.

    Does anyone have suggestions for getting closer to getting all of my necessary calories???
    Eat more food, or eat more calorie-dense foods (avocados, cheese, nuts, nut butters, full fat dairy products etc). Stop polarising foods as "good" or "bad". Parent yourself like you would parent your children. I doubt you would let them get away with undereating.
  • norrisski
    norrisski Posts: 1,217 Member
    You are only cheating yourself. Can you look yourself in the mirror and smile or wish you looked different? Log everything to reach your goals.
  • fmebear
    fmebear Posts: 172 Member
    I find myself cheating too sometimes but more often than not I am not eating the total calorie intake of just the bare minimum of 1200 calories. I also have my Fitbit making calorie adjustments since I am tracking steps/stairs/miles etc. :( I continually am under the calories because I am full before I even get close to the 1200 calories I should be eating then add in the adjustments from Fitbit and now I am crazy under my calories. I try to eat more but I can't. I drink my water all day long, try eating the healthy foods and every now and again I slip and eat something I shouldn't. I am human and try not to beat myself up over the cheating. I just need to figure out how to increase the calorie intake for myself. I also need to be honest on the logging of my foods even IF it is a small cheat.

    Does anyone have suggestions for getting closer to getting all of my necessary calories???
    Eat more food, or eat more calorie-dense foods (avocados, cheese, nuts, nut butters, full fat dairy products etc). Stop polarising foods as "good" or "bad". Parent yourself like you would parent your children. I doubt you would let them get away with undereating.

    That is so very true! I will have to work on eating more calorie dense foods.
  • Kitkat_58
    Kitkat_58 Posts: 35 Member
    You are only cheating yourself, and making yourself look good to others online will not really help you loose weight as you should. I have wanted to do the same thing but realized I was not doing myself any favors. Honesty is the best. Close your diary if it is more important to look good then it is to be honest.
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