How do you motivate yourself to keep logging?
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suzicdavis
Posts: 1 Member
I have started and stopped logging my food on MFP I don't know how many times now in the last few years. I know this is the only way to be successful, I just have the hardest time and have always given up after just a few days. I begin to hate the tedious effort. I can't be the only one in this boat, and I really want to follow through this time and finally lose the 40 pounds forever. Obviously many of you here are successful - how do you motivate yourself day after day?? Please help
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Replies
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vOv I actually enjoy the process, but then again, I loved Eve Online, which is basically spreadsheets in space, so I may be partially insane.8
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I know that if I stop I will gain the weight back. Doesn't mean I don't ever go off the rails. I frequently do, but it is easier to get back on track if I have been logging all along.5
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I was the exact same way. I would be really good for a few days then completely stop logging. I did this off and on for a couple of years. This time around I'm almost 5 weeks in and I have logged every single meal. One thing that helped me was pre-logging my food. I usually make my meals for the day the night before and log at that time. By pre-planning my meals, it also helps me to not eat bad foods. This around I feel like I'm more motivated and ready for this journey. Everyday I just think about my goal and also the progress I've made so far really helps to keep me motivated. The first couple of weeks are the hardest I think and after that, for me at least, I feel like its second nature. Good luck with your journey! You CAN do this!!!4
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I have been logging my cycling since April 29, 1990.
I like data ... I work with data ... I attend university to learn more about data and databases.
So logging my food here just fits in with what I like to do. Plus MFP is so easy to use.3 -
It's just habit. I view it as something I do every day such as brushing my teeth or taking a shower. Do it long enough and it will become natural for you.8
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It's not the only way to be successful. People have lost and continue to lose weight without logging food. I do it because I like it. I see my calories and all those little micronutrients, so I know where I stand.
It gets tedious now and again, but it doesn't seem like a sacrifice because I actually want to do it.1 -
The weight loss is the motivation. Being a better more badass me is the motivation.3
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It takes only a few moments to log. 20 years ago calories were listed in a booklet and not everything was there. It's point and click, geez.4
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CoachJen71 wrote: »I know that if I stop I will gain the weight back. Doesn't mean I don't ever go off the rails. I frequently do, but it is easier to get back on track if I have been logging all along.
I like the data. And when I am paying attention, I have control. When I am not paying attention, I gain weight...and I don’t want to do that anymore.2 -
CoachJen71 wrote: »I know that if I stop I will gain the weight back. Doesn't mean I don't ever go off the rails. I frequently do, but it is easier to get back on track if I have been logging all along.
I like the data. And when I am paying attention, I have control. When I am not paying attention, I gain weight...and I don’t want to do that anymore.
Exactly! I love data. Just adore it. Gives me something concrete to work with.1 -
Play games with yourself to make it fun. Pick macro or micro to "conquer" For me, right now, that's fiber. Eating a LOT less than I used to means I, ahem, really need to hit my fiber goal. I get all excited when those green happy words pop up about fiber. I'm competitive by nature so this plays right into i . Find your motivator and it'll all fall into place.2
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lauraesh0384 wrote: »It's just habit. I view it as something I do every day such as brushing my teeth or taking a shower. Do it long enough and it will become natural for you.
This. My day doesn't feel right if I don't log now. I don't really need motivation for it. Plus I like having the numbers to crunch.0 -
Not logging just hasn't been an option since I started. Priorities.3
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I don't find it tedious...1
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I can barely recognize a spreadsheet, am disorganized as heck, but I knew the best way to lose my excess weight was logging what I ate.
I logged at the end of the day, I can't decide what I am going to eat for dinner until it is dinner time, but I was consistent in my daytime eating and knew my basic portion sizes pretty fast so it worked for me.
I am just stubborn and determined so not achieving the weigh loss wasn't an option.
Being a data geek I am sure would be helpful- but it is a simple case of addition, subtraction, and consistency.
Been happily maintaining for 6+ years.
Cheers, h.3 -
PaulaWallaDingDong wrote: »Not logging just hasn't been an option since I started. Priorities.
My sister told me recently how wonderful it is that I am so motivated. It didn't quite fit to me. Going by the strict definition of the word, okay. I just don't see it myself, I guess.
What I'm trying to get across is basically what PaulaWallaDingDong stated. It's do or die for me. It's not motivation; it's the only option. It's really my foundation. Like someone else said, even if I massively blow my calorie goal, it's logged, and that's a way for me to tie this whole process together.
I use this analogy a lot, and maybe it's not perfect, but I consider my weight problem to be something akin to a chronic disease that must be managed. How does a diabetic, for example, stay motivated to keep taking insulin?
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I find it a helpful habit. It takes me about 5 minutes to pre-log my whole day every morning.
I think it is less tedious than a lot of things I've tried. It is like brushing my teeth. I just do it.
Once you have logged for awhile it gets faster especially if you eat the same foods often.3 -
Fear of that size 50 pants.6
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afatpersonwholikesfood wrote: »PaulaWallaDingDong wrote: »Not logging just hasn't been an option since I started. Priorities.
I use this analogy a lot, and maybe it's not perfect, but I consider my weight problem to be something akin to a chronic disease that must be managed. How does a diabetic, for example, stay motivated to keep taking insulin?
This exactly. I don't feel "motivated" to brush my teeth or shower or do laundry or make my nephew lunch when I'm watching him or wipe his butt when he uses the toilet (or wipe my butt when I use the toilet, while I'm on the subject). They're just requirements. End of story.
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The thing about logging is that it's kind of a pain in the butt at first, but unless you eat completely differently for every single meal, it becomes so much quicker the more (longer) you do it.1
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