Tactics To Success?
ObsessivelyObsessingObsessions
Posts: 116 Member
Hi guys!
Sometimes when I go to track a food, I realize it's going to put me over or it will cause me to need to skip out on something else. I'm wondering what you say to yourself or what do you do that helps prevent you from saying "F it." What pulls you back and sets you straight?
I'm thinking using Pinterest and this forum. Some thing I say to myself is, "This won't taste as good as you think it does." or "Moment on the lips, forever on your hips."
What are you tricks/phrases?
Robin
Sometimes when I go to track a food, I realize it's going to put me over or it will cause me to need to skip out on something else. I'm wondering what you say to yourself or what do you do that helps prevent you from saying "F it." What pulls you back and sets you straight?
I'm thinking using Pinterest and this forum. Some thing I say to myself is, "This won't taste as good as you think it does." or "Moment on the lips, forever on your hips."
What are you tricks/phrases?
Robin 0
Replies
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ObsessivelyObsessingObsessions wrote: »Hi guys!
Sometimes when I go to track a food, I realize it's going to put me over or it will cause me to need to skip out on something else. I'm wondering what you say to yourself or what do you do that helps prevent you from saying "F it." What pulls you back and sets you straight?
I'm thinking using Pinterest and this forum. Some thing I say to myself is, "This won't taste as good as you think it does." or "Moment on the lips, forever on your hips."
What are you tricks/phrases? Robin
I don't log anymore, but when I did I pre-logged my day...usually the evening before. That way I had my plan for the day in front of me and usually just stuck to the plan with exceptions here and there.1 -
I pre-log my meals the day before. Keeps me from having last minute surprises.0
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i try to pre log as many meals as possible. If something is going to put you over just log it and move on. its about consistency not being perfect. And not logging it while actually having it is just lying to yourself.1
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cwolfman13 wrote: »ObsessivelyObsessingObsessions wrote: »
I don't log anymore, but when I did I pre-logged my day...usually the evening before. That way I had my plan for the day in front of me and usually just stuck to the plan with exceptions here and there.
I try to prelog at the beginning of the day, but I'm having difficulty figuring out how to make the days plan... work. I'm allowing 1300 calories, which works out to around 430 calories per meal. I'm not having a ton of trouble finding ways to make this part work, but lets say... I want to have a single Oreo or a handful of fruit/yogurt after dinner. The issue is that would push me over. How did you budget your food?0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »I pre-log my meals the day before. Keeps me from having last minute surprises.
see my response to cwolfman... Can you help with this?0 -
Poisonedpawn78 wrote: »i try to pre log as many meals as possible. If something is going to put you over just log it and move on. its about consistency not being perfect. And not logging it while actually having it is just lying to yourself.
I completely agree. I tell myself that it's not the app I'm trying to be accountable too, it's my body and it knows if I lie, even if it doesn't flash a red number at my face. I wish MFP had a "weekly it happens allowance" built in like WW. I hated WW, but I liked that it figured out some extra points for me and left them to the side. If I didn't eat as much one day, it rolled over, if I ate more one day, it came out of that extra allowance they built into the system.0 -
ObsessivelyObsessingObsessions wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »I pre-log my meals the day before. Keeps me from having last minute surprises.
see my response to cwolfman... Can you help with this?
When we say pre log we mean we actually pick what is to eat for each meal ahead of time, and then just make/buy it. You can plan the calories per meal if you want, but then its harder to stick to it if you really want to have something thats a bit more and its the last meal of the day.
This is why actually planning the food you will eat and how much ahead of time has its advantages.0 -
ObsessivelyObsessingObsessions wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »I pre-log my meals the day before. Keeps me from having last minute surprises.
see my response to cwolfman... Can you help with this?
I personally log up to my default calorie goal, not counting the calories I'm going to gain from exercise. Then I use the exercise calories for any extras I want to have during the day -- a snack at work, wine with dinner, etc. If you don't consistently have exercise calories, you could try this but by leaving a buffer in your calorie goal (example: your calorie goal is 1,600, you can pre-log up to 1,400 or 1,500 and then leave the additional 100-200 calories each day for spontaneous decisions).2 -
ObsessivelyObsessingObsessions wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »I pre-log my meals the day before. Keeps me from having last minute surprises.
see my response to cwolfman... Can you help with this?
I didn't have an XXX calories per meal thing, I just pre-logged what I was intending to have on a given day. I typically eat a pretty smallish breakfast and a medium lunch and like to have a nice dinner/snacks/etc in the afternoon/evening.
A single Oreo making you go over is going to be pretty insignificant...you're still in a substantial calorie deficit.0 -
ObsessivelyObsessingObsessions wrote: »Poisonedpawn78 wrote: »i try to pre log as many meals as possible. If something is going to put you over just log it and move on. its about consistency not being perfect. And not logging it while actually having it is just lying to yourself.
I completely agree. I tell myself that it's not the app I'm trying to be accountable too, it's my body and it knows if I lie, even if it doesn't flash a red number at my face. I wish MFP had a "weekly it happens allowance" built in like WW. I hated WW, but I liked that it figured out some extra points for me and left them to the side. If I didn't eat as much one day, it rolled over, if I ate more one day, it came out of that extra allowance they built into the system.
you can still do this yourself if you want to. just eat say 50 or 100 calories less each day for 5 or 6 days and then that next day you have an extra 250-500 calories for a meal if you want to have something thats calorie expensive.
but yeah it would be nice if they had this feature built into the website itself.0 -
I log my meals and use the leftover calories for snacks as I need them. If I want something that doesn't fit, I try to analyze what it is I'm actually after. Do I want sweet? salty? cold? crunchy? soft? some combination? Once I know that, I have lower-calorie options. Sweet? Fruit or Quaker Corn Squares cereal. Salty? Popcorn, string cheese, or veggie dog. Cold? Popsicle or homemade sorbet or granita. Crunchy? The corn squares or veggies, possibly with hummus or other dip. Soft? Mini-croissant or possibly a lower calorie cake (I just made one that comes in at 133 calories/portion).
I always know that I can have a snack. It may not be as calorie-dense as it would have been in the past, but it tides me over and gives me the flavor/texture I need.2 -
janejellyroll wrote: »ObsessivelyObsessingObsessions wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »I pre-log my meals the day before. Keeps me from having last minute surprises.
see my response to cwolfman... Can you help with this?
I personally log up to my default calorie goal, not counting the calories I'm going to gain from exercise. Then I use the exercise calories for any extras I want to have during the day -- a snack at work, wine with dinner, etc. If you don't consistently have exercise calories, you could try this but by leaving a buffer in your calorie goal (example: your calorie goal is 1,600, you can pre-log up to 1,400 or 1,500 and then leave the additional 100-200 calories each day for spontaneous decisions).
This may be an immortal sin, but I don't log any exercise calories...0 -
ObsessivelyObsessingObsessions wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »ObsessivelyObsessingObsessions wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »I pre-log my meals the day before. Keeps me from having last minute surprises.
see my response to cwolfman... Can you help with this?
I personally log up to my default calorie goal, not counting the calories I'm going to gain from exercise. Then I use the exercise calories for any extras I want to have during the day -- a snack at work, wine with dinner, etc. If you don't consistently have exercise calories, you could try this but by leaving a buffer in your calorie goal (example: your calorie goal is 1,600, you can pre-log up to 1,400 or 1,500 and then leave the additional 100-200 calories each day for spontaneous decisions).
This may be an immortal sin, but I don't log any exercise calories...
You should, they're the best...it was the only way I could fit in a couple of beers and still lose weight.1 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »ObsessivelyObsessingObsessions wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »I pre-log my meals the day before. Keeps me from having last minute surprises.
see my response to cwolfman... Can you help with this?
I didn't have an XXX calories per meal thing, I just pre-logged what I was intending to have on a given day. I typically eat a pretty smallish breakfast and a medium lunch and like to have a nice dinner/snacks/etc in the afternoon/evening.
A single Oreo making you go over is going to be pretty insignificant...you're still in a substantial calorie deficit.
That's a really great way to look at it. I find if I don't have one or two spontaneous decisions with meals I feel restricted. I purposely log something I'm not likely to have a substitute it. I logged butter with my breakfast this morning, but switched it with an avocado.
I do hate the XXX per meal thing, but the problem I would have, is I would have a really great breakfast of 550 calories, skip lunch, and then be starving with a 500 calorie dinner. So I've had to learn how to meter out each meal's calories for the day.0 -
ObsessivelyObsessingObsessions wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »ObsessivelyObsessingObsessions wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »I pre-log my meals the day before. Keeps me from having last minute surprises.
see my response to cwolfman... Can you help with this?
I personally log up to my default calorie goal, not counting the calories I'm going to gain from exercise. Then I use the exercise calories for any extras I want to have during the day -- a snack at work, wine with dinner, etc. If you don't consistently have exercise calories, you could try this but by leaving a buffer in your calorie goal (example: your calorie goal is 1,600, you can pre-log up to 1,400 or 1,500 and then leave the additional 100-200 calories each day for spontaneous decisions).
This may be an immortal sin, but I don't log any exercise calories...
It's not how MFP is designed to be used, but sin? Nah. It's just a whole other topic and I figure if you want my opinion on it then you'll ask.
So you can just leave a buffer in your calories -- the amount of which is up to you. Like in my example above, if you want 200 calories a day to "play with," you can pre-log to 200 calories under your goal and then have the room to add those things that are causing you issues in a more spontaneous way.0 -
estherdragonbat wrote: »I log my meals and use the leftover calories for snacks as I need them. If I want something that doesn't fit, I try to analyze what it is I'm actually after. Do I want sweet? salty? cold? crunchy? soft? some combination? Once I know that, I have lower-calorie options. Sweet? Fruit or Quaker Corn Squares cereal. Salty? Popcorn, string cheese, or veggie dog. Cold? Popsicle or homemade sorbet or granita. Crunchy? The corn squares or veggies, possibly with hummus or other dip. Soft? Mini-croissant or possibly a lower calorie cake (I just made one that comes in at 133 calories/portion).
I always know that I can have a snack. It may not be as calorie-dense as it would have been in the past, but it tides me over and gives me the flavor/texture I need.
I like the thought of trying to assess my goal! I think the issue I've run into is I crave something liquidy and cold after dinner. Without fail. So maybe I should search healthy options for that!0 -
cwolfman13 wrote: »ObsessivelyObsessingObsessions wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »ObsessivelyObsessingObsessions wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »I pre-log my meals the day before. Keeps me from having last minute surprises.
see my response to cwolfman... Can you help with this?
I personally log up to my default calorie goal, not counting the calories I'm going to gain from exercise. Then I use the exercise calories for any extras I want to have during the day -- a snack at work, wine with dinner, etc. If you don't consistently have exercise calories, you could try this but by leaving a buffer in your calorie goal (example: your calorie goal is 1,600, you can pre-log up to 1,400 or 1,500 and then leave the additional 100-200 calories each day for spontaneous decisions).
This may be an immortal sin, but I don't log any exercise calories...
You should, they're the best...it was the only way I could fit in a couple of beers and still lose weight.
Ah the infamous beer and boys! My boyfriend cut out beer and lost 50lbs in 3.5 months. I envy you all! I'm always worried my exercise calories are incorrect. lol0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »ObsessivelyObsessingObsessions wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »ObsessivelyObsessingObsessions wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »I pre-log my meals the day before. Keeps me from having last minute surprises.
see my response to cwolfman... Can you help with this?
I personally log up to my default calorie goal, not counting the calories I'm going to gain from exercise. Then I use the exercise calories for any extras I want to have during the day -- a snack at work, wine with dinner, etc. If you don't consistently have exercise calories, you could try this but by leaving a buffer in your calorie goal (example: your calorie goal is 1,600, you can pre-log up to 1,400 or 1,500 and then leave the additional 100-200 calories each day for spontaneous decisions).
This may be an immortal sin, but I don't log any exercise calories...
It's not how MFP is designed to be used, but sin? Nah. It's just a whole other topic and I figure if you want my opinion on it then you'll ask.
So you can just leave a buffer in your calories -- the amount of which is up to you. Like in my example above, if you want 200 calories a day to "play with," you can pre-log to 200 calories under your goal and then have the room to add those things that are causing you issues in a more spontaneous way.
I should probably do that. I might drop my calories per meal down a bit. That actually makes a lot more sense!
The issue I have with counting my exercise calories is, I always feel like I've been lied to about how much I've burned lol.0 -
I try to pre-log my actual meals (and snacks as meals), and only log things by adding meals. This also means I have a ready supply of healthy pre-set snack "meals" that I can choose from (and I try to keep around the house). So instead of eating some random cookies I see lying around, if that's not on my pre-set options, I won't eat it. Dunno if this is helpful for others, but I feel like this rule of only logging meals helps me.1
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I try to pre-log my actual meals (and snacks as meals), and only log things by adding meals. This also means I have a ready supply of healthy pre-set snack "meals" that I can choose from (and I try to keep around the house). So instead of eating some random cookies I see lying around, if that's not on my pre-set options, I won't eat it. Dunno if this is helpful for others, but I feel like this rule of only logging meals helps me.
I definitely think it's helpful to make sure you know what you're going to mainly eat. I'm talking about those times when something pops up. I hate having restricted foods. I feel like it creates a failure spot to me. If I have that one Oreo on a Sunday, I don't want to be upset because I'm now 50 calories over.0 -
I don't pre-log because I would never remember which meal I was on! (I prefer to eat smaller meals throughout the day - personal preference only; no real reason.)
I do look things up and decide whether or not to have them, though. My mindset is that I have a calorie limit and if the item is going to make me go over, I just can't have it. Or if it's going to leave me with too few calories so that I end up hungry, I just can't have it.0 -
OP,
I don't know how pre-logging or any logging helps in the moment that you just want to say "F it" and eat everything in sight. Logging won't do crap to control my temptation.
What helps me is do things that prevent me from getting to that moment in the first place. If you have identified that you tend to get out of control around 5pm, perhaps preemptively eat healthy, non eating inducing foods around 4pm?
Maybe keep low calorie foods around and eat those instead?
Maybe Identify that hunger for a low energy feeling or thirst, and have a vitamin, energy drink? Sometimes I suddenly feel so hungry that I could eat for 3 people but I just turn to a handful of almond nut and an EmergenC drink and feel great again for many hours.1
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