Plan, pre-log, don't overeat

teamAmelia
teamAmelia Posts: 1,247 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I'm surprised to still see people saying that they are over their goal mid-day or are shocked to see that when they log at the end of the day, that they went over their calories. Well, a simple suggestion (and those who follow me are probably tired of reading this) is to plan your meals and pre-log them. That way, you can map out what you're going to eat and have it fall under your goal if you actually follow your log (I'm sometimes running late for work and can't grab my planned meals). When you have errands to run, do you just get in your car and start driving around town and then realize at the end of the day that you don't have time to complete everything? I hope not. Hopefully, you planned exactly which places you'll go to and the approximate times you'll be there, so you'll have a really good idea of what you will have time for that day. Trust me, this will help you out a lot, at least w staying within your goal. It might also curb your thinking about food all day. Someone posted about thinking about food all day and I suggested that she pre-log so that she already knows what she's going to eat for the entire day and doesn't have to daydream about what sounds good to eat (I know that would make me hungry. Just like grocery shopping when you're hungry is not the best idea, deciding what you're going to eat when you're hungry probably isn't the best idea, either). Good luck to you all.

Replies

  • karlahere
    karlahere Posts: 79 Member
    I was going to say that this could be a challenge, but that part about helping you to stop thinking about food? That's it, I'm trying this one out. Thanks for the tip!
  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    Agreed.
  • LeanneGoingThin
    LeanneGoingThin Posts: 215 Member
    There are people who log at the end of the day? That seems rather stupid. First of all, it's hard to account for all of your calories if you log at the end of the day. I also wonder how you remember the weight of everything you put in your mouth. And it kind of beats the purpose of counting calories, because you'll easily go over.
  • workout_ninja
    workout_ninja Posts: 524 Member
    This is why it is recommended to download the app! I have it on my phone and my kindle so when I am out and about I put it in there and then and if my mum offers to make me tea, there I am with the app so I can measure as she cooks. Its not rocket science. This is will work if you plan, pre-log and dont overeat!
  • VeggieKidMandy
    VeggieKidMandy Posts: 575 Member
    There are people who log at the end of the day? That seems rather stupid. First of all, it's hard to account for all of your calories if you log at the end of the day. I also wonder how you remember the weight of everything you put in your mouth. And it kind of beats the purpose of counting calories, because you'll easily go over.
    i log at the end of the day because i am busy throughout at work and i dont have a smart phone, but i do however keep a careful eye on what i eat and i keep a personal journal with me then i log it when i get home.
  • SailorKnightWing
    SailorKnightWing Posts: 875 Member
    I eat in every meal during the week, so I pre-log during that time. The weekends, though, are a lot less structured. I usually make something big for breakfast both days and have a big dinner out one day, but I've noticed that pattern and plan my lunches those days accordingly. Sometimes I go over, but never up to even my maintenance so I don't worry too hard.

    Pre-logging is definitely the way to go if you can manage it at all.
  • socioseguro
    socioseguro Posts: 1,679 Member
    Many thanks for sharing your suggestions.

    I agree that pre logging is helpful because it gives me a "calorie scenario".
    Sometimes I have to replace a food item because I will go over my daily goal.
    It is also helpful with packing my lunch for the office next day.

    Last but not least, it gives you a pre view of your macros. I can replace a snack with protein instead of a snack with complex carbs, if I am running low on my daily protein goal.

    Good luck in your journey
  • Koldnomore
    Koldnomore Posts: 1,613 Member
    I pre-log breakfast/lunch so I know how long I have to walk if I intend to eat anything after I get home from work. Considering its 9:16 am and I am already 50 calories over (before I even leave work). Think of it as forced exercise..If I sit on my *kitten* all day I can't have dinner or my late night snack.
  • avskk
    avskk Posts: 1,787 Member
    I pre-log (and pre-make) my breakfast and lunch since those are my working meals; at the end of the day I know what I've got left calorically for dinner based on how active I've been and what my first two meals were. I log dinner as I go along in the kitchen rather than after I've eaten so that I know it's an accurate accounting. Oh, and I also log snacks as they occur -- some days I have no snacks, other days all I want is to graze every .26 seconds, so it's easier just to log when/if I eat them.

    This works out pretty well for me. I'm not obsessive about it; if I forget to grab my lunch for work and have a roll and some bologna instead, meh, I control my portions and switch out my log. If I'm low on groceries and don't really know what to make for breakfast I'll just wait until I'm hungry (usually mid-morning), eat whatever's handy, log it right then, and move on. But the general plan is pre-logged breakfast/lunch, log-as-you-go dinner.

    I agree that having things pre-planned helps with the constant thoughts of food. It's really reassuring to me no to be like, "OMG WHAT CAN I HAVE FOR LUNCH?" all day long.
  • lewandt
    lewandt Posts: 566 Member
    I plan my day the night before. I pack my lunch for work and log everything at that time. If i don't know what i am having for dinner i at least know what i have left for calories.

    I also know how much i need to work off with my exercise that night too.

    it takes the same amount of time to log before as it does to log after so it makes more sense for me to log before.
  • Chief_Rocka
    Chief_Rocka Posts: 4,710 Member
    I like being surprised at the end of every day, it's like Christmas.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I log as I eat. I don't prelog because I don't want to force myself to eat the 5oz of chicken I entered if I'm not hungry. I just pick a reasonable portion, weigh it, and eat that... so much easier.
  • SailorKnightWing
    SailorKnightWing Posts: 875 Member
    I log as I eat. I don't prelog because I don't want to force myself to eat the 5oz of chicken I entered if I'm not hungry. I just pick a reasonable portion, weigh it, and eat that... so much easier.
    You can always plan to eat more and change your log if you end up eating less. I usually overestimate and eat less than I planned, then shove chocolate into my face hole until I hit my calorie goal. As long as I've hit my protein macro.
  • MommyisFit
    MommyisFit Posts: 139 Member
    I always log as I go throughout the day. This works for me because I can eat whatever I feel like eating in the moment. I always come in under calorie goal. Sometimes way under. If I am hungry, I eat more. If not, I don't. It works for me.
  • brynnsmom
    brynnsmom Posts: 945 Member
    I like being surprised at the end of every day, it's like Christmas.

    OK, this^^^ made me laugh. But OP, I agree with you - I plan and log as much in advance as possible. I don't like to wing it.
  • sjsosu
    sjsosu Posts: 135 Member
    I just eat essentially the same thing every day with a little variation. It makes life so easy.

    Agree 100% with the plan ahead concept.

Categories