Thoughts on planning your intake in advance?

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joshuaperson
joshuaperson Posts: 50
in Getting Started
Do any of you do this? Whenever I plan out what I am going to eat fro the day I AlWAYS end up eating more than I planned. Thoughts?
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  • inskydiamonds
    inskydiamonds Posts: 2,519 Member
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    I always plan it. It's the only thing that really keeps me from overeating.
  • bostonboxermom
    bostonboxermom Posts: 24 Member
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    I plan and log my day when I get up in the morning. It's just easier that way (for me). I also log my exercise in the morning if I know what I'm going to do. Sometimes I will change a few things, but not too often.
  • drumsrevolver
    drumsrevolver Posts: 57
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    Yes I definitely do this in advance and just change on the day if I've not had my planned dinner or change of lunch, different snacks etc. That way at least I know roughly what I have to play with. if I ate it all first and then totted it up - I'd mostly be in the red!
  • yo_andi
    yo_andi Posts: 2,178 Member
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    I prelog almost every day. It makes it easier to hit my calorie and macro goals. It also allows me to make informed decisions when eating out. Highly recommend it.
  • thismamarox
    thismamarox Posts: 105 Member
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    I plan in advance. I print it off and highlight it as I go. If I have extra calories to spare, I treat myself to something small, but realization is, I usually don't. This shows me my calories in advance so that I don't overeat.
  • mariagaro1986
    mariagaro1986 Posts: 13 Member
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    For me it's the contrary! If I plan my calories before going to the kitchen, then I already know what ingredients - and above all in which portions - I should take..Instead if I first cook a meal and then I track the calories, it's very often more than I wanted to allow myself for that meal
  • AskTracyAnnK28
    AskTracyAnnK28 Posts: 2,817 Member
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    I usually plan my food intake the evening before - that way I know what to bring with me for lunch when I go to work and don't have to think about it. Also helps me know exactly what I'm going to make for dinner when I get home. Sometimes I make a few modifications here and there, but for me it really keeps me on track.
  • kaspatore
    kaspatore Posts: 95 Member
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    What happens when you don't pre-plan? Do you go over then, too?
  • yo_andi
    yo_andi Posts: 2,178 Member
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    I prelog almost every day. It makes it easier to hit my calorie and macro goals. It also allows me to make informed decisions when eating out. Highly recommend it.

    Just looked at some of your other posts. Given your struggles with ED, I would recommend discussing food logging practices with a qualified counselor, specifically one who has experience dealing with ED recovery.

    Good luck on your path to recovery!
  • ruffnstuff
    ruffnstuff Posts: 400 Member
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    OP - your other thread today is about how you are currently recovering form an ED and eat b/w 1200-15500 cals and still think 1500 is too much. I think you already know that there is no *good* (read: psychologically healthy) reason for you to start this particular thread. You are a 19 y.o. male who probably needs to be eating around 2500-3000 if you are also an avid runner. Much luck to you with your struggles. I mean that in all sincerity. :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:
  • MyMalfunction7
    MyMalfunction7 Posts: 61 Member
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    I recently started prelogging, and I find that it gives me a better feeling of control over my day. If I know what I absolutely want to eat (planned dinner, special snacks I'm excited about) I can rough out my day around them. As long as I stay flexible, I don't have trouble. I did, at first, have some trouble when I would resolutely eat the things I'd prelogged and then add a snack, and I'd go over.

    I've found that as long as I'm willing to give up some things I've logged in advance when I want a different snack, it works very well :)
  • handyrunner
    handyrunner Posts: 32,662 Member
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    Definilty prelog...otherwise its to easy for me to lose control. It also allows me more flexibility with any extra calories.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,626 Member
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    I don't plan. A turkey sandwich for lunch tomorrow might sound good now, but when it arrives, I might want cottage cheese and peaches.

    I tend to eat what I feel like eating.
  • jenny24012014
    jenny24012014 Posts: 83 Member
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    I always plan at least the day, but mainly because I have the same thing for breakfast, either one of a few things for lunch which are all about the same calories so once I decide what I'm having for dinner I'll know how many calories I have left for snacks and whether I can have one or two.
  • Luuv2teech
    Luuv2teech Posts: 4 Member
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    I pre log. I find it helps keep me on track on my calorie count and I know what I plan on eating for the day. Also, if I want to add a food, I can see what calories I have left over if I have exercised etc and it helps me make better choices. Still allows for indulgences but smaller ones. If I log my food at the end of the day I find I eat about 500 extra calories because I haven't been keeping track and over eat.
  • legless11
    legless11 Posts: 21 Member
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    I plan my meals each day and pre-log breakfast, lunch and dinner. I always take a packed lunch to work. I then know how many calories I have left for snacks and extras, and how much of a detour I have to take on my walk home if it looks like I don't have enough calories!
  • pmowers
    pmowers Posts: 10
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    I find myself pre-planning, as then I know how many calories I can afford to spend. If, for example, I am planning a high-calorie supper, then I will have a lighter lunch than normal. On the other hand, if I know that I am only going to be able to grab a protein bar or shake, then I might have a heavier breakfast, to keep me going.

    Normally, I am taking lunch to work with me, or I will select something out of my "store" (desk-drawer). These items will normally run between 250-400 calories (I am on about 1700).

    If I know that I am going to be eating dinner later than normal, I will pre-plan an afternoon snack.
  • AskTracyAnnK28
    AskTracyAnnK28 Posts: 2,817 Member
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    I prelog almost every day. It makes it easier to hit my calorie and macro goals. It also allows me to make informed decisions when eating out. Highly recommend it.

    Just looked at some of your other posts. Given your struggles with ED, I would recommend discussing food logging practices with a qualified counselor, specifically one who has experience dealing with ED recovery.

    I hadn't realized the OP had a serious ED. Even posting on this message board is a bad thing for someone with an eating disorder because it just feeds the addiction. (Trust me - I have experience with this)

    OP - get yourself some help. A psychiatrist who can put you on the proper medication, a nutricionist and a licensed thearpist with a specilaity in eating disorders.
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
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    Let's see ... we're now at two threads started by the OP today and both feature guidance to seek professional help from a specialist in treating eating disorders. The question is if the OP takes the advice or not.
  • CindyMarcuzAdams
    CindyMarcuzAdams Posts: 4,006 Member
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    I plan ahead to a certain extent. I grocery shop almost every day so I need a plan at the store. I will buy what ever fresh ingredients I may need and prelog it when I get home.

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