What doesn't count??

Anything consumed on a weekend or holiday or vacation or day I just don't feel like logging.

totally agree and more important wanted to commend you on your awesome weight tracker!!!!! GO RAVENS!!!!! :laugh: :drinker: :bigsmile:

costco samples.. man that can get me.. after shopping, I think, how much did I actually eat? Last week, a guy kept giving me cookies to try. I kept throwing them away but he didn't seem to care. I know it's just a bite, but 7-10 bite size samples can really add up!

I actually looked up costco samples after a little sampling this past weekend and found out that our MFP database has a few options for logging "Costco Grazing!"

I log everything except water. I used to log that too, but now I just try to always have a glass of water going. This thread did remind me that I need to add a dash of pepper to my food log. When I started this I decided I would log everything for 6 weeks, and see where that puts me on the scale and with fitting in my clothes. This Sunday will be 6 weeks. I am still in the same size clothes, and I really haven't lost a ton. But I am still adjusting and figuring out where my calories should be (I've increased after reading I don't know how many threads). I am also trying to do more exercise, and going to give myself another 6 weeks of logging everything and exercising to see if that makes a difference. I hope it does, because although I knew that I wouldn't lose everything in a month, I was hoping to see some kind of change in my face or waist line.
I am not as good about logging exercise. I am only logging the stuff I am doing now that I didn't do regularly before (not that I did any structured regular exercise before I began).

Everything counts to me

I only don't log spices, supplements, and tea with nothing in it.

CRAP I forgot to log the dark chocolate almond bark sample at Trader Joe's yesterday! DARN YOU SAMPLE GUY!

I log everything except for water, salt and pepper.

If I get sloppy logging stuff, I'll get sloppy about keeping to the allotted calories - I know I'd 'forget' to log something sooner or later, and then I'd lose momentum.

Got to be honest, or there's no point being here. It's not a fantasy dieting league.

Pepper and/or other spices I can understand but how can you be strict about logging everything and not include salt? FOr me sodium is right behind calories in what I watch. Not flaming, just curious as to your thinking.

I only add sea salt occasionally to meals, when I do, the amount I use - about 5-6 individual flakes - is too small for my electronic scale to register (it goes to 1g increments). I only add salt right at serving, which means I use far less.

The rest of the time, I have a fairly good idea if I've had a little or a lot in a day - if it's a day involving Japanese food, I know it's going to be high, if I have processed foods, it's going to be higher. If it's a mostly vegetable and lean meat/fish day, it's low.

And, were I to have fries, I know the sodium intake would be sky high, as they require vast amounts of salt - I'm only human, after all! - but I am saving that menu item for a dire emergency that only fried potatoes and salt can solve.


Perhaps, thinking about it, you could be right. Perhaps I should start logging it, if only to see whether it's as insignificant as I thought.



You've certainly given me something to think about there. Thanks.

I try my best at logging...I may miss a few tiny bites here and there and yes, they can add up. To be quite honest I don't feel guilty missing afew things here and there as long as I am eating healthy and exercising. I don't want to have to calorie count my whole life. I'm hoping to lose weight with this method and learn portion control! That's my take

I don't log diet sweetener packets. Or diet soda or Crystal Light.

I only add sea salt occasionally to meals, when I do, the amount I use - about 5-6 individual flakes - is too small for my electronic scale to register (it goes to 1g increments). I only add salt right at serving, which means I use far less.

The rest of the time, I have a fairly good idea if I've had a little or a lot in a day - if it's a day involving Japanese food, I know it's going to be high, if I have processed foods, it's going to be higher. If it's a mostly vegetable and lean meat/fish day, it's low.

And, were I to have fries, I know the sodium intake would be sky high, as they require vast amounts of salt - I'm only human, after all! - but I am saving that menu item for a dire emergency that only fried potatoes and salt can solve.


Perhaps, thinking about it, you could be right. Perhaps I should start logging it, if only to see whether it's as insignificant as I thought.



You've certainly given me something to think about there. Thanks.

I just added salt to my logging and it's definitely an eye opener. I looked back at previous weeks and I've just shot that row into the red quite often. I was appalled to discover my Jimmy Johns pickle had 2314 grams of salt and MFP gives me 2500. I think I ended up drinking extra water as I read that. For me, it was surprising to see sodium pop up in things I didn't really think had it, or had much.

Still in the red a lot, but working on it.

Nothing? I log every sip and bite.