Thoughts on planning your intake in advance?

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?

Replies

  • inskydiamonds
    inskydiamonds Posts: 2,519 Member
    I always plan it. It's the only thing that really keeps me from overeating.
  • bostonboxermom
    bostonboxermom Posts: 24 Member
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    What happens when you don't pre-plan? Do you go over then, too?
  • yo_andi
    yo_andi Posts: 2,178 Member
    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
    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
    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
    Definilty prelog...otherwise its to easy for me to lose control. It also allows me more flexibility with any extra calories.
  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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: 4,007 Member
    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.
  • Himejii
    Himejii Posts: 27
    Took me a minute to realize that on MFP, ED doesn't have anything to do with male blood flow... I have no experience with eating disorders, but the thread is still relevant to me and other users.

    I just started logging about a week ago so I'm still figuring out what works for me, but it seems that logging before my meal is better than after. It's the only way I'll realize how unhealthy something is, and that prompts me to make healthier choices before it's too late.

    But pre-planning the whole day sounds dreadful. I'm sure it's great for health reasons and I might think about something similar in the future, but right now it would be too much too soon.

    Hmm... bearing in mind my total lack of experience... if someone with an ED planned on a healthy intake for the day and then actually made a point of sticking to it (either eating it all, or not binging, depending on the ED), wouldn't that be a good thing?
  • Spnneil06
    Spnneil06 Posts: 18,745 Member
    I plan every morning and adjust if I eat less or change my mind! Works for me!
  • smashley_mashley
    smashley_mashley Posts: 589 Member
    I try to plan as much as I can. My breakfast and lunch during the work week tend to be the same everyday so I generally have a good idea as to what I can have for dinner
  • missiontofitness
    missiontofitness Posts: 4,059 Member
    .
  • missiontofitness
    missiontofitness Posts: 4,059 Member
    OP...I've taken a look at your past threads, and you mentioned help with an ED. I've been responding to your posts because I thought you were trying to learn healthier habits in conjunction with professional help. Your ticker showing you still have weight to lose concerns me.

    Please get professional help if you haven't already. This website is not the place for you if you are struggling with an ED and are not working with a professional. We should not in good faith be giving you advice.
  • Lasmartchika
    Lasmartchika Posts: 3,440 Member
    I've learned to pre-log my day so I know how my day is going to be or if what I had in mind won't work for the day and I change things. It has been such great advice other here gave me.
  • twiggysunshine
    twiggysunshine Posts: 18 Member
    Most of the time I preplan my meals. That helps me to stay on track. If I decide to change what I eat I adjust the log latter.
  • divediva2
    divediva2 Posts: 297 Member
    If you are struggling with an ED you need to see a qualified counsellor who can recommend a dietician as well.

    Preplan and use MFP but use it to help you see your intake and how it affects your body. Do not use it as a weight loss tool. Use it to attain a healthy weight and maintain that healthy weight.

    I urge you to speak with your doctor so you can be healthy and happy.
  • AliceDark
    AliceDark Posts: 3,886 Member
    Hmm... bearing in mind my total lack of experience... if someone with an ED planned on a healthy intake for the day and then actually made a point of sticking to it (either eating it all, or not binging, depending on the ED), wouldn't that be a good thing?
    It really depends on the person and their individual issues. EDs are about control, even more than food, so someone's treatment team might have reason to encourage them not to log/track/weigh/etc. if that is triggering for them.

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