Do you ever fill out your diary ahead of time?

brucedelaney
brucedelaney Posts: 433 Member
edited September 30 in Health and Weight Loss
I started out filling out as I went, then moved to filling out my lunch in the morning, then today I've filled out my breakfast, lunch, and dinner already since I know what I'm having.

For some reason I'm finding it cathartic and good for discipline. Coolest thing is it allows me to know that I have x amount of extra calories to work with through the day so when I feel 'snacky' I don't have to worry. My diary is public feel free to check it out.

So... am I nuts or does anyone else do this?

Regards,
Bruce

PS - Philly cooking creme gets 5 Stars in my book to add flavor to meats and pasta.
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Replies

  • End6ame
    End6ame Posts: 903
    I started out filling out as I went, then moved to filling out my lunch in the morning, then today I've filled out my breakfast, lunch, and dinner already since I know what I'm having.

    For some reason I'm finding it cathartic and good for discipline. Coolest thing is it allows me to know that I have x amount of extra calories to work with through the day so when I feel 'snacky' I don't have to worry. My diary is public feel free to check it out.

    So... am I nuts or does anyone else do this?

    Regards,
    Bruce

    PS - Philly cooking creme gets 5 Stars in my book to add flavor to meats and pasta.

    I do it every day and even fill in multiple days if I can. It makes it very easy to stick to your plan.
  • CaptainAmerica1970
    CaptainAmerica1970 Posts: 435
    yes, sometimes to save time others to see what I am going to eat and to make sure I eat.
  • abeachlady
    abeachlady Posts: 88
    I usually fill out my dinner right after I log in my breakfast. That really helps me to see how many calories I have to play with during the day. I never have to cut way back on dinner that way too.
  • mmildice
    mmildice Posts: 63
    I fill mine out a lot of times a head of time. I really like to know how many calories I have and sometimes it changes my mind on what i have for dinner.
  • WMG1137
    WMG1137 Posts: 8
    Agreed, I work 12 hour shifts so I often know what I am going to eat ahead of time. For me, planning helps avoid making bad decisions about my food choices; the more stressed I am (like at work) the worse the decision.
  • thetrishwarp
    thetrishwarp Posts: 838 Member
    I do it. Given, it usually means I make myself a different dinner than the rest of my family, but that's okay. I like knowing if what I planned to eat will put me over, because I can then adjust and eat something else that won't break my calorie budget.
  • cammers74
    cammers74 Posts: 45
    If I know what Im having in advance, I do this too...
  • tkb1985
    tkb1985 Posts: 146 Member
    I do this every day! I find it much easier to plan my intake in advance. That way I can plan the best workout for the evening, and not worry about having a little snack if I have the calories left over! :)
  • landorki
    landorki Posts: 93 Member
    YUP! THAT IS HOW i PLAN OUT WHAT I CAN EAT/WHAT I NEED TO EAT...
  • Dahamac
    Dahamac Posts: 213 Member
    Absolutely, for me that is one of the best features of MFP. I can enter all of the food I know that I am going to eat for the day and then know how many calories I have left for dinner. It really helps me to plan.
  • ChancyW
    ChancyW Posts: 437 Member
    I have done this a lot as well. There have been a few studies released that said you are more likely not to overeat if you plan out everything you are going to eat in advance.

    :smile: :smile: :smile:
  • peachNpunkin
    peachNpunkin Posts: 1,010 Member
    I do that all the time. I find it alot easier to stick with my plan for the day. I notice that on the days I wing it, I end up overeating, and eating stuff I shouldn't be eating.
  • Qarol
    Qarol Posts: 6,171 Member
    Absolutely! I do it almost every day. I'm really trying to focus not only on calories but on my other nutrients as well. If I log before I eat, I have time to tweak the meal(s) to meet all my nutrient goals. Once I've eaten it, it's kinda too late.
  • tbisca1
    tbisca1 Posts: 142
    I normally fill mine out for the week on Sundays that way I don't have to wonder what I will be cooking and I know in advance how my day will go for calories. It helps a lot. If I tweak things throughout the week then I will update then but at least I have a foundation for the week.
  • run_momma_run
    run_momma_run Posts: 319
    I try to always plan my day in the morning, then it's just a matter of sticking to the plan. And whenever I have time I plan 2-3 days in advance. Love being able to do it that way - makes it so easy!!
  • Chantelle160
    Chantelle160 Posts: 127
    Yes everyday makes me stay on track. :)
  • Marazene
    Marazene Posts: 97
    I do it alot. I work 12 hour swing shifts so lots of times ill log the stuff for the day, and the next day if im on nights, throw the chow in my lunch box and go to work with no worries.
  • Rikki444
    Rikki444 Posts: 326 Member
    All the time! It helps me to figure out dinner.
  • Fochizzy
    Fochizzy Posts: 505 Member
    I don't do it that far ahead of time. But I will frequently do it before I eat it. It helps with portion control. "I logged 2 fajitas and with that I can have 4 cookies, if I eat anything but what I logged I will be over, so don't!"
  • brucedelaney
    brucedelaney Posts: 433 Member
    Good to know I'm not the only one... and glad to know I'm not over obsessive!
  • kendrafallon
    kendrafallon Posts: 1,030 Member
    if I know what I'm having then yes I'll go ahead and fill in my diary :) It helps with the planning and it's not like it's set in stone :)
  • wildside79
    wildside79 Posts: 46
    for my normal monday - friday routine when I pack up all my meals and snacks for the day, yup, I have it all put in ahead of time. Helps me plan for dinner or any little treats that may come up through the day.
  • divediva2
    divediva2 Posts: 297 Member
    There is an old saying if you fail to plan then you plan to fail. By tracking ahead of time it is like planning ahead, it is written down so you have planned ahead, it is there so it is easy to follow along. I find I do so much better if I track/plan my day ahead. It takes the guess work out, I know what I need to grab to eat. No excuses for eating too much or not the right thing! I can also see if I am getting the right proportion of carbs, fats and proteins too!
  • Dtho5159
    Dtho5159 Posts: 1,054 Member
    I do!! Its 10:22am here and I logged my breakfast, lunch and afternoon and evening snacks so far.. Waiting to log dinner for a bit so I can have a good plan.. Usually I have it all logged by breakfast.
  • FriendsR4EverTreasures
    FriendsR4EverTreasures Posts: 179 Member
    I do it for my exercise and sometimes for my food if I know what I am doing. But most of the time, I have to wait for food because I don't know what I'm having until I eat! :) BTW, how do I look at someone else's diary?
  • lloydrt
    lloydrt Posts: 1,121 Member
    Im just now filling it out ahead of time as well.......its paying off, it helps me plan for that day

    also, I know what I have in the refrigerator, so I plan my meals from that.......again, I used to not plan, now I do and like it

    also, I add my exercise all together, Im working out 2 times a day for 3 days because I am now doing yoga and show up 30 mins early, so I add those work out cals and the yoga with my morning work out and really like that as well
    again, its all about having some kind of a plan.........just make a plan AND STICK WITH IT, lol

    youre going to do great...........Lloyd
  • LillysGranny
    LillysGranny Posts: 431
    I do the same thing when I already know what I'm having. Committing the plan to the log reinforces my determination to stick to it!
  • HealthyBabe74
    HealthyBabe74 Posts: 18 Member
    I've been doing too. Like you I find it to be a great way to keep me on track. :wink:
  • lablovr108
    lablovr108 Posts: 576 Member
    I prepopulate my diary as much as I can. I find it very helpful so that I don't end up hungry at the end of the day with no calories left.
  • gailosborne
    gailosborne Posts: 435
    Every day :smile:
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