How obsessed have you become over this???
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My view on this for me is motivation, I know I need to eat healthy, I know I need to excercise etc, but left to my own devices I cant be arsed, so last time I used MFP I found logging really helped, but I was not as rigerous then, Did not weigh, used generals or guesses, but then I wanted to lose alot, over a long time, to give me chance to keep it off, I had a car crash prior, that put me loads of extra timber on, and i needed it off, my goal was 15 stone from 22.5, so was alot to go, I managed to get to 17 stone, then I stopped, after 18 months, had familty things to take care of and I slipped, then another car crash (not a good history with cars) and put a stone back on, now I have the oppertunity to go on holiday for the first time in 8 yrs, so I want to shift a stone or 2 quickly, so I came back to MFP....
This time, I started thinking right I want to lose alot quick (not my usual way of thinking , but once cant hurt) so I started weighing making sure I hit goals properly, I even go under most day to give me more chance, its from this that I have now started to analys all my intake, and realised I want to know how my system works, how my weight from day to day is affected by my eating, sleeping and working patterns, working nights, my pattern is all over from week to week, so for me I started to collect when I ate, and how much, I plan to do this for 3 to 6 months to give me data to see what and when to eat is best, rather than just eat and exsercise and not know how it affects me, I started weighting myself weekly, but then thought i want it daily, to see how I am over a week, I log it, I dont chase it, if I lose a lb in a week good, if not who gives, I want to be healthy not skinny, if I can keep it up for a few months at least, it gives me the info I need to understand how to continue this for years to come. If I continue with the spreadsheet then all well and good, more data as I get lighter and lighter....lol....I only started weighing myself twice a day this week, just to see the difference between am and pm, its interest that all, not obsessing, honestly
I do not stress over *kitten* like this at all, there are far more serious thing to worry about other than my wright, I am not that type of person, I have been 18 - 20 stone for 25 yrs, my nickname is Fatjon, to my close friends for 25 yrs, so it does not worry me, I do it for motivation an knowledge, MFP is the part that really works for me, loging and keeping goals, when friends can see keeps me on track, and so far I am enjoying it.
I am British, we have a dry sense of humour, and my post was meant to be light hearted and fun, I did not think some would think I really do need to be locked away for excel rehab.....
P.S. anyone want my spreadsheet blueprint email for a copy....lol......I will take your excercise calories in exchange I thought it was an easy one, only add a few things each day, im happy it has also recieved such praise.....maybe I need to change my engineering job to a high paid pc jockey.....
Been a great thread though, loving it so far.....0 -
I don't think using a spreadsheet tool is obsessive. If you know how to use one and it helps you to monitor trends that you want to see, but can not see using another software application, then use the spreadsheet tool.
I started a spreadsheet in October 2013 when I was still losing weight but approaching my goal weight and looking toward a strategy for maintenance. I reached my goal weight in December 2013. I wanted to know exactly how increasing my daily Calories by 100 Calories per day for a week or two was going to affect my maintenance. I also wanted to know how increasing my Calorie goal from a sedentary to a lightly active activity level would affect my maintenance. The major benefit was that I used the spreadsheet to keep a 7-day running average of Calories and Net Calories and compared that with my 7-day running average for weight, which I could not do on MFP. I maintained the spreadsheet for one year, but I haven't used it since October 2014.0 -
just in case anyone is wondering, as I see POOP has been mentioned a couple of times in this thread, just in case anyone is thinking that the brown squares in my spreadsheet are my poop weights then you are very wrong indeed......sick people....
I work in a chocolte factory, so I have started to log how many sweets I eat while at work, to see how it affects my daily goal, as they can be easy to eat and add *kitten* loads I eat all night at work (tell me you would not sample all night at work given the chance) knowing what I eat will make me think twice about eating a cho while at work, stopping me so win win....
For anyone that like SS's then the blue is liquid, green is food and orange is when I work out....logging my excercise this way lets me easily see when I am doing it, and gves me a kick up the *kitten* if i miss a few days with none, I have a plan to do something everythree days at least, more if I can, MFP only seeing a day ata time does not show me gaps as easy as my SS...0 -
Hello all
This is my second time using MFP, having used it 4 yrs ago to lose 60+ lbs I am back to try lose more, the first time round I logged religiously, but I did not weigh things, I guessed, or did the generics, I saw good gains then and I loved this site, recommend it to everyone, but this time round I have gone mad, I weigh everything, measure liquids, I'm making fruit and protein shakes, I'm weighing myself twice a day and logging everything not only in MFP but I have set up my own spreadsheet,
where I log when I eat and what type of foods I eat, to try to understand my habits in time, I know this is not a quick road, so the more info I have the better I can make decisions for what's best. nerd hat on (I am an engineer, and my mantra is data collection) nerd hat off
It is taking over my life at the moment but I am loving every minute of it, I look forward to the hunger pangs, like a trophy.
I just hope I can keep it going for months at least if not succeed in the life change I am trying to get to for the rest of my time....
Has anyone else found this journey take over this way??? or do I need to see my doctor for some medication to calm me down before I end up in a padded room licking windows....lol
If you can't measure it, you can't manage it. More power to you.0 -
This might appeal to you. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/comment/31273175#Comment_31273175 I'm fairly obsessive with this app, but I think we have to be to be healthy. I eat the same breakfast and lunch every day to simplify my logging a bit. I got overly obsessive with quicken and had to dial it back a bit to a level I could maintain.0
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I pop on MFP on and off all day so I don't forget to log what I just ate or to read stuff. But definitely not exercise obsessed. I'm to old. I do @ 30-35 Minutes a day. Maybe if I get stronger I'll do more.0
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Not to trigger your (perceived) addiction but ... ;-). Do you have a fitbit or a Jawbone up? Now that's all the fun of data and charts, without the spreadsheet making. It will not weigh you automatically but it'll do pretty much everything else and synchs with MFP. I have a Jawbone up...And that's how i feed my data addiction.0
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Wow an entire spreadsheet. Nice!0
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isabelle596 wrote: »Not to trigger your (perceived) addiction but ... ;-). Do you have a fitbit or a Jawbone up? Now that's all the fun of data and charts, without the spreadsheet making. It will not weigh you automatically but it'll do pretty much everything else and synchs with MFP. I have a Jawbone up...And that's how i feed my data addiction.
I have been looking at them, but not with my job, I work in a chocolate factory, it has strick regulations about what you can wear, so a watch is a no no. so would have to hide it, if i get caught I could get in serious troulbe, so for now I will just look...lol, but I am interested to know what my daily activity is like, now there lies the true data.......the key to full understanding for me (my inner nerd is bubbling now).....but is it worth losing my job for......unless I can get a job at a beer facotry or as a victoria secret tit tape applicator then I will stick to chocolate making.....lol....if anyone knows if victoria secret are hiring please inbox me.....
I can have my phone on me either while in uniform.....0 -
I got very obsessive over a healthy diet and exercise a few years ago, it ended up landing me with an eating disorder that I'm still working through.
Do what ya need, just listen to your mind and body and don't punish yourself0 -
Just for all you data geeks out there, I was reading an interesting thread that got me thinking today.......it was VERY important info too, the subject - ALCOHOL.....so time for more spreadsheets.............heaven......... my next goal is to create a cookbook for all my own recipes so I can be pretty dam good with my counting......#whoneedsalifewhenyouhaveexcel
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10086274/you-have-500-calories-for-alcohol-what-do-you-get#latest0 -
here is my latest spreadsheet that is going to grow very fast in size, be fun while I sample....
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I'm starting to become very obsessive over it, which I think, is a good thing.0
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LoveLiveLife27 wrote: »I'm starting to become very obsessive over it, which I think, is a good thing.
For me it is, very much so, it keeps me interested, the more I learn the more I understand so I am less likely to fall off the wagon, or if I do at least I have the knowledge of what I am doing to myself etc.
I understand where peoples worries comes from on here, there are many people that unfortunately have anxiety issues or such when weight / looks are concerned, so as long as you can know when your over doing it, take things light hearted, but seriously then all is fine....if your the type to freak out over 1lb gained or no loss for a month then I say throw away the scales, and just enjoy life without the stress....I try to live life with the least stress as possible, I am not a nice person when stressed.....lol0 -
...I work in a chocolate factory, it has strick regulations about what you can wear, so a watch is a no no...
If you'd like a tracker that's pretty easy to hide, look into the Fitbit Zip. It's a little tiny thing (only 5 x 3 cms) that can clip to your bra (for the ladies) or anywhere on your pants. When I am in the house I just leave it showing on my hip. But when I leave the house, I put it in my pocket with just the clip over the outside of the pocket. It weighs 15 grams so you barely notice it's there. I think you could get away with such a small device at work.
I also have a Fitbit Flex, which is a wrist bracelet (another data nerd here) but have found it over-estimates what I'm burning. Probably because I use my hands a lot during the day so that style of tracker thinks I'm active. I'm guessing you use your hands a lot too at work, so maybe a pocket-style would work better for you anyway?
Nice job with the tracking!
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I use an Excel spreadsheet for my walking/running, but that's the extent of my tech savvy-ness. I'm still battling with my Fitbit Ultra. As to me being "too obsessive"...not anymore. Heck, my spouse (and mum) are just thankful I don't weigh every-fricken-thing before I eat it. I strive to find a happy medium, but eh...I think it's a "your mileage may vary" sort of thing. I do find that MFP does help me to keep on-track, at least the more involved I am, the more motivated I am to "do better." My 'crew' is of the nerd/geek variety and we aren't known for being outdoorsy or overly-healthy...but I'm trying to help my people live better too. Eventually, we'll group hike...sing nerd songs off-key and make it fun. Be good to you and keep up the good work!
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I love your spreadsheet (another engineer). I wish I could do one but I find I get too obsessed by the numbers and it throws me off. The best way for me it to avoid as many numbers as possible and save the spreadsheet for more important things like books read and bicycle speeds.0
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I love spreadsheets as I am an analyst. But don't give up gym time because of it. Both are important.0
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I love spreadsheets as I am an analyst. But don't give up gym time because of it. Both are important.
This is brain training. I am terrible at math (I'm a good with my hands not my head type of engineer) but doing formula helps me understand it more.
Training the mind in later yrs (42 approaches fast. I'm my head that's getting old) is just as important as the body. (this is my mantra every time I spend an extra half hour on the pc)
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I am 47 so I totally understand what you are saying. :0)0
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I log in a LOT each day. Its to keep me accountable. However, I do NOT measure my poops. I am dedicated, but EWWW!0
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I think your spreadsheet is awesome. Your goal is to gather information to support your health goals. You'll likely discover a lot about your own personal hunger and habits. You can discontinue your experiment at any time. It's all good! :-)0
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Ok peeps
So after a heavey weekend and a weight gain of 2 lbs in the 6 weeks since I started I have spent the last hour adding more info to my tracker spreadsheet, I have added TDEE and daily gains losses so I can track even more info, I know I should have spent the hour working out instead before you all round on me......but having gained weight it has made me even more determined to succeed and get on top of my weight, I can now prove to myself that I am not going over, and that I am not any where near what MFP says I should be, so in the 6 weeks so far I can now hopefully start to understand what I need to change to help lose it.....(looks like the weekend cheat days are out of the window now)GoPerfectHealth wrote: »Your goal is to gather information to support your health goals. You'll likely discover a lot about your own personal hunger and habits. You can discontinue your experiment at any time. It's all good! :-)
This is spot on for me....to start with its all about understanding your intake, outtake which is the number 1 priority on MFP, CICO as its stated every where on here.....so to understand this and what it does to my body weight etc then I need as much data as possible, once I understand what's what, I can then set a path to continue the work and the input to the SS will lesson once / if I get bored of it (or I get a life as some suggest...lol)
Next mission is to buy a tape measure and track my statistics as well........ see you all soon with more updates....lol
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My boyfriend caught me weighing my coffee creamer yesterday. He asked "At what point does this get a tad bit out of hand?" I said, "If I have the ability to measure it accurately, I'll do it.". That might be a bit too obsessive but I like knowing...0
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I love everything you are doing! Good luck0
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Now I feel bad because I dont have spreadsheets and graphs.
I weigh and measure everything as well to the point where my wife accuses me of bring obsesses. I've even considered takng a foodscale with when we eat so that I can disasemble what I order ad weigh it. Havent gone that far yet though but mostly I eat at places that have nutritional values of their menu items available.
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I love spreadsheets! Also an engineer.0
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I keep a handwritten journal and just began logging it all in here too. No, I don' t think its obsessive - its being accountable. When it starts consuming your every waking moment is when you need to worry. That spreadsheet seems like you are treating it as more of a hobby - which is a goal of mine too so I get it. My husband the engineer would be all over that spreadsheet.0
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That kind of accuracy would drive me NUTS! If it works for you, awesome, but I could never get that detailed. I don't want this to become something I spend hours on logging on planning and stuff. I have other things I'd rather do. Like spending time with HSpoon. And video games. XD0
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I'm not an engineer, but a fellow data nerd who loves charts and spreadsheets! I like to see how it all works, how doing this causes that to happen. Charts make me happy. That is one fine looking spreadsheet, high five to you! Whatever works for you, do it!0
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