Planning vs Logging

I think planning is a great idea. I think about it, but then never do it. I think it's that lazy streak that comes out in me. :blushing:

In looking at your food diary, you are doing great! Just a suggestion here. Think you could cut out some of the alcohol while your trying to lose? Those calories add up and it usually winds up around the middle.

Congratulations on the weight loss!

I always do better if I pre-log the day as much as possible, and make adjustments as needed throughout the day. My breakfast is almost always the same (either oatmeal, yogurt, fruit & walnuts or eggs, toast & fruit), so once that's done I will plan and log dinner. This helps me make better choices for lunch and snacks, getting more protein if needed, etc. Sometimes this means fewer snacks, sometimes it means I have room for wine with dinner.

I've also found that if I pre-log restaurant food I do better at sticking to the plan (as in NOT eating 4 but rather just one of the piping hot dinner rolls they bring before I even order). :bigsmile:

My family plans dinners two weeks in advance, so that really helps. Eat breakfast however I want, pre-log dinner, adjust lunch accordingly. Works great for my situation.

We plan a supper schedule and base our grocery shopping on that. I generally eat the same thing for breakfast during the week so I will pre log breakfast and supper so have a better idea of how many calories I have left for lunch. I hated just logging as I went because I would get to the end of the day and have only 300-400 calories sometimes less and thats not enough for me to feel full

I plan my week on Sunday morning, grocery shop, and then cook meals for the week ahead.
I log to make myself accountable and also because it's an easy way to see where to tweak (whether I'm not in my calorie/macro range).

I've done planning since I've started here, then I update if necessary after finishing my eating for the day. Works great for me!

I'm a psycho-planner in other aspects of my life (drives me nuts- what I want is a crystal ball) so I plan meals ahead by at least one day. The only time I had to log on the fly was for two weeks in June during vacation. I don't know, I kind of get off on planning my meals ahead of time- like I get a high. Told you I was psycho. Needless to say, my diaries are 100% accurate.

Since i work outside the house and carpool with my husband i need to plan my meals everyday. That seems to work for me. I always add some extra healthy snacks in case he picks me up a little later than usual and in case i get hungrier. Not having a car a work, actually is helping with my weight loss journey

I Plan One Day In Advance, Its just 2 of us. I Like Meat & Produce as Fresh as Possible, So I can't buy in advance they go bad to fast. Especially Produce. So I end up going to the store at least 3 times a week. I don't mind I get to see all the deals & use my coupons. However I do stock up on other things that are not perishable. I do keep sweets out of my house so I am not tempted. I am still learning how to eat so I am trying something new every week. I do need to plan out my meals better, I will admit that. I usually log my meals as I go. I have actually seen where my Calories are too much at Dinner & not enough during the day. Not balanced out, so my sugar ends up dropping ( I have hypoglycemia) & I noticed its because I am not eating enough during the day. I end up way under my calorie goal at the end of the day. So My fitness pal has really helped me open my eyes & I am in process of changing this. I have been doing this for a little over a month, so I am still learning, now that I see what I am doing wrong, I am going to attempt to start planning everything out much more so I am balanced throughout the day. That is great you lost the weight like that! How much Protein are we suppose to aim for during the day? I get in about 60 to 70 a day..

I don't pre-plan my meals. I do eat about the same breakfast everyday, so lunch and supper are really the only meals I think about at all. I usually just eat a 3-4 oz portion of whatever meat or dish I make with a half cup veggies and half-one cup fruit. Usually that keeps me in the right range of calories per meal without stressing over it. If I overeat, I just exercise a bit longer to compensate (I workout at night).

Prelogging for the past few months, LOVE IT

I find if I pre-log the night before or in the morning, I almost always stay within my calorie goal. Otherwise, if I log as I go, or worse at the end of the day, I am usually over and haven't had enough protein.