Logging accuracy, consistency, and you're probably eating more than you think.

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Replies

  • bean_jean
    bean_jean Posts: 12 Member
    My digital food scale arrived yesterday. It's easy to use. I've been way off in my estimates of portion sizes. The scale is going to keep me honest. No more fooling myself.
  • Peeperpat
    Peeperpat Posts: 18 Member
    On the subject of MFP over estimating the calorie burn, I found this to be very true in my daily journaling. I bought a Polar Heart Rate Monitor, which gives me the heart rate range I should be in and calories burned. I find this HRM to be very accurate.
  • CallmeSbo
    CallmeSbo Posts: 611 Member
    Great post!! Thank you!
  • BethLiam1
    BethLiam1 Posts: 15 Member
    Sarauk2sf wrote: »
    chill9166 wrote: »
    I have a question. Being new to this mfp. The set caloric intake for my goal weight... do I need to eat less than that or as close without going over it as possible? Also when I log exercising times it adds extra calories for me to eat... should I eat those extra or stick with my originally set calories

    When you set your goals, it would have asked you how much you want to lose, and would have factored that in - so the goal is what you need to eat to (and still lose weight). You should eat those exercise calorie back, but I would recommend only eating a percentage of them (say 50 - 75%) to allow for any over-estimates in the calculations.

    See how you go and after a while, assess the trend (look at trends as water weight can confuse things) to see if your loss is at a reasonable rate.


    Question on this please.. I did NS for 3 mos where most was portioned for me and they said eat 1500 cal a day.. Did that and in 3 mos only lost 3 pounds. But I didn't work out often

    Now I am eating fresh healthy foods and mixing in what NS foods I have left over. And by doing all calorie counts and charts I came at 1400 cal a day not 1500 so I adjusted. I work out 3-4 times a week now cardio and circuits and only skip days I am super sore,

    My question is I don't weigh everything but I leave 300-400 calories in the green daily to make up for any errors. I am down in the last month 5 pounds. Is this a good way or is it going to bite me later??


  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    khanskitty wrote: »
    Sarauk2sf wrote: »
    chill9166 wrote: »
    I have a question. Being new to this mfp. The set caloric intake for my goal weight... do I need to eat less than that or as close without going over it as possible? Also when I log exercising times it adds extra calories for me to eat... should I eat those extra or stick with my originally set calories

    When you set your goals, it would have asked you how much you want to lose, and would have factored that in - so the goal is what you need to eat to (and still lose weight). You should eat those exercise calorie back, but I would recommend only eating a percentage of them (say 50 - 75%) to allow for any over-estimates in the calculations.

    See how you go and after a while, assess the trend (look at trends as water weight can confuse things) to see if your loss is at a reasonable rate.


    Question on this please.. I did NS for 3 mos where most was portioned for me and they said eat 1500 cal a day.. Did that and in 3 mos only lost 3 pounds. But I didn't work out often

    Now I am eating fresh healthy foods and mixing in what NS foods I have left over. And by doing all calorie counts and charts I came at 1400 cal a day not 1500 so I adjusted. I work out 3-4 times a week now cardio and circuits and only skip days I am super sore,

    My question is I don't weigh everything but I leave 300-400 calories in the green daily to make up for any errors. I am down in the last month 5 pounds. Is this a good way or is it going to bite me later??


    If this is a sustainable method for you and you are getting results that align well with your expectations then it's probably fine.

    The key is to observe your results and react accordingly. So for example if you end up stalling out for an extended period of time then there's a chance you need to further reduce calories.
  • BethLiam1
    BethLiam1 Posts: 15 Member
    Thank you! Teaching my self healthy eating and portions and want to make sure I am on the right path
  • UnicornAmanda
    UnicornAmanda Posts: 294 Member
    Thanks for the info! Saving the links to read later!
  • Zenexercise
    Zenexercise Posts: 14 Member
    I needed to read this today. Thanks for posting.
  • lovelypen50
    lovelypen50 Posts: 192 Member
    Great Post....Thanks :)
  • MaryDrummer
    MaryDrummer Posts: 5 Member
    I had a shock when I accidentally logged the oil I was using. I wasn't taking it in to account and was shocked at the calories in it. I'll be logging my use of coconut oil, butter and extra virgin olive oil from now on!
  • jaykal001
    jaykal001 Posts: 24 Member
    Just a note too, something a buddy and myself both do that seems to help with logging.
    I always round food up, and exercise down.

    If i eat an orange, i choose "large orange", regardless if it's small or not.
    If i swam a mile and it says that i burned 800 calories, i record it as 400.

    For me this err's on the side that i want to be on. The true 'accuracy' for me is not important, it's more about being near my goal and maintaining the deficit, and this seems to work.
  • ldavislamer
    ldavislamer Posts: 20
    I know my logging is not perfect although I do usually try to measure most things. BUT, because I am trying to lose weight, if I am not sure of the exact amount, I try to OVER estimate on purpose. That way, I will always stay under my calorie goal for the day. I also allow myself a splurge one in awhile (I have a weakness for Freddy's frozen custard) but I still log it honestly and tell myself it is ok to be over once in a while as long as I don't make it a habit!
  • babycakes1970
    babycakes1970 Posts: 111 Member
    I try to be as accurate as possible but what about when you eat meals that are prepared by someone else? I am talking about when my husband ( who cooks during the week) cooks a meal from scratch. This also happens when we eat at a non chain restaurant or buy baked goods from our local farmers market. I just try to find something that I think is comparable in the database and use that instead.
  • babycakes1970
    babycakes1970 Posts: 111 Member
    If It is a special occasion I will not log because we usually eat at our favorite asian buffet and the have cake or whatever afterwards. It is a big cheat meal for me, but as long as I am losing weight overall it is okay.
  • babycakes1970
    babycakes1970 Posts: 111 Member
    Peeperpat wrote: »
    On the subject of MFP over estimating the calorie burn, I found this to be very true in my daily journaling. I bought a Polar Heart Rate Monitor, which gives me the heart rate range I should be in and calories burned. I find this HRM to be very accurate.
    That is what I use too. I do not think that the calorie estimator is accurate. It is way off from what my HRM reads.
  • mdeleeann
    mdeleeann Posts: 25 Member
    I agree that this is very good information to adhere to.
  • ryanbrowning115
    ryanbrowning115 Posts: 69 Member
    This is and has been one of my biggest challenges. I think I track everything pretty well, but my measurements and weight doesn't lie. I have since invested in a scale and I am trying to weight everything, but this can be very difficult at times.
  • lise_mac
    lise_mac Posts: 2
    I wish someone would just invent an App that you could just take a picture of your plate and it would figure out all the portion sizes for you!
  • willglo223
    willglo223 Posts: 1
    MFP needs to have a log in for supplements too. I take a CLA supplement everyday and a pre-workout supplement when I workout and they both have calories, I haven't been adding them but after reading this I probably will. Maybe as a "snack"? Lol.
  • jodanna205
    jodanna205 Posts: 2
    I'm loving this, joined a while back but never used it. Sisters wedding coming up and have a dress which is crying for me to wear it. Have counted all of my calories this week accurately and haven't cheated once. Did at least 20 minutes exercise each day and have lost 3lbs this week. :D YAY! However, I am so sick of weightwatchers meals, any other ideas (and don't tell me to cook- it WILL be the end of me)! :(
  • spartridge89
    spartridge89 Posts: 12
    Kudos to you!!! I'm interested in meal ideas as well, I have started to make some recipes provided by MFP. I've found some on Pinterest also by searching MFP on there.
  • tekkiechikk
    tekkiechikk Posts: 375 Member
    As to eating out... when in doubt, I estimate higher than I think the portions/size/calories actually are. Better to eat closer to a deficit than to find I'm 200% over my calories for the day. OR... only eat half and take the other half home then try to weigh the ingredients. A real PITA but I've done that with some things.
  • mgaje
    mgaje Posts: 43 Member
    Awesome info here will have to check the sites out
  • jencultie
    jencultie Posts: 3
    Loved this post.. Most of the time I just log for the whole day in the morning.. And don't eat any other food except for what I packed..
  • saf913
    saf913 Posts: 5 Member
    ssbmacdaddy wrote: »
    I have been weighing especially when at home. MU am frustrated as I am stuck ina plataue for the last 7 months. Even adjusted calorues up and down. I have been doing a lot more excercise especially calisthenics like pullups pushups and squats as well as aerobics. I think I have lost fat and gained muscle yet the scale does not budge which is frustrating since I had lost 40 lb pretty well over the first 6 months. Any advice would be appreciated

    The scale isn't the only way to measure success. Are your clothes fitting differently? Do you see more muscle definition? Can you run faster? Longer distance? Lift more? Were you able to stop taking meds because your health has improved? Don't get frustrated and give up. Notice ALL your successes - even if it's not translating into lbs. lost yet. All the muscle you're building at the gym is raising your base metabolic rate, meaning you're burning more calories even when at rest. The weight loss will follow. Also, vary your foods and workouts - sometimes too much routine can lead to plateaus as well. Best of luck. XOXO
  • wasilko
    wasilko Posts: 5 Member
    I find its common to plateau at a certain weight. I just started dieting again but always found sometimes changing the way my macros are set up can help the weight loss start up again. Muscle always weighs more than fat so don't stress but if you have more fat to lose try switching your macro % (protein,carbs,fats) around.
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  • kalipatel102
    kalipatel102 Posts: 1 Member
    CallMeCupcakeDammit wrote: »
    In for another awesome post.

  • joepage612
    joepage612 Posts: 179 Member
    I dont care if the middle sections of bread are larger than the ends, im logging them all as 1 slice. But that having been said, i dont log cardio if i have to take 1 flight of stairs randomly aome day.

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