Do you track everything in MFP?
kingdonle
Posts: 12 Member
I heard someone saying that they don't track fruit and veg in MFP. They eat it without limit. Does anyone else do this?
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Replies
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I log both, but I have noticed that raw vegetables in particular have very, very low calories. But fruit can be very high, so I don't understand that.
I don't always log condiments or spices if they have no calories. (I don't track sodium intake.)1 -
That would be a few hundred extra calories a day for me, so it wouldn't work at all. If you're not eating many fruits and vegetables, this might work but only because they're providing very few calories. Think about it this way: if your body can "track" the calories in fruits and vegetables (and it will), it's probably a good idea for most people to account for them when tracking their intake.3
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I track most vegetables and fruit. Maybe your someone meant WW not MFP.0
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Depends.
If I'm eating a couple of tablespoons of strawberries or blackberries in oatmeal (sliced), or a couple of leaves of lettuce and slice of tomato on my sandwich, no.
If I'm eating anything higher calorie (potatoes, avocado, banana, whatever) or eating the veg as a big part of my meal (stuffed tomato, a large salad, eating a whole piece of fruit as a snack) then I track it.
Basically if it's basically edible garnish and not one of the high cal things no. If it IS the meal yes.0 -
janejellyroll wrote: »That would be a few hundred extra calories a day for me, so it wouldn't work at all. If you're not eating many fruits and vegetables, this might work but only because they're providing very few calories. Think about it this way: if your body can "track" the calories in fruits and vegetables (and it will), it's probably a good idea for most people to account for them when tracking their intake.
Eh no. It also works if you're obese signifigantly overweight and have your deficit set at 1000 calories. At that point an extra 200-300 calories isn't going to take you out of the deficit and you're still going to lose. It's a pretty good way to change some snacking/eating habits for the better - and a good way to get into tracking (in general - ie: being loose while it becomes a habit). Eventually, yeah, you're going to need to track those things if you eat much of them, but for someone just starting with quite a bit to lose/ They have the wiggle room there to not sweat it and still have success.1 -
I just checked my dairy and see that I consumed almost 220 calories of fruits and veggies today. Not tracking those foods would result in the same calorie difference as my not tracking a candy bar. So I would say it's very much worth tracking.3
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I track everything unless it's 0 calories (certain spices, etc.)1
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I log everything except condiments (like herbs and spices), and zero calorie drinks (like Diet Coke, coffee, and similar ones).
If I'm eating out and my plate has a leaf or two of lettuce I won't bother logging it, but if I'm doing a salad at home, you bet I'm weighing it and logging it, as I'm using probably half a bag or more.
I've seen people here on MFP saying they don't log fruit and veggies. Since I eat a pretty good amount of those on a daily basis, not logging them would make a difference.0 -
wunderkindking wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »That would be a few hundred extra calories a day for me, so it wouldn't work at all. If you're not eating many fruits and vegetables, this might work but only because they're providing very few calories. Think about it this way: if your body can "track" the calories in fruits and vegetables (and it will), it's probably a good idea for most people to account for them when tracking their intake.
Eh no. It also works if you're obese signifigantly overweight and have your deficit set at 1000 calories. At that point an extra 200-300 calories isn't going to take you out of the deficit and you're still going to lose. It's a pretty good way to change some snacking/eating habits for the better - and a good way to get into tracking (in general - ie: being loose while it becomes a habit). Eventually, yeah, you're going to need to track those things if you eat much of them, but for someone just starting with quite a bit to lose/ They have the wiggle room there to not sweat it and still have success.
Not counting any type of food will work (at least in the short term) when you have a very large deficit. You could also tell someone it doesn't matter if they log their evening glass of wine if their deficit is 1,000. It "won't matter" in the sense that they'll still lose weight, but it will matter in the sense that their deficit will be smaller. It's the same with fruits and vegetables. If someone wants to use their large deficit as a buffer for any type of food, they can do that.3 -
I log everything. I’m vegetarian veering towards fully plant based so if I don’t track the veg I’m basically logging nothing! 😂
In my opinion, it’s best to log everything so you have accurate data to compare with actual results where weight loss is concerned. That way you can be more confident adjusting intake up or down when assessing real life results.
If you don’t know what the numbers actually are you’re working in the dark!2 -
janejellyroll wrote: »wunderkindking wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »That would be a few hundred extra calories a day for me, so it wouldn't work at all. If you're not eating many fruits and vegetables, this might work but only because they're providing very few calories. Think about it this way: if your body can "track" the calories in fruits and vegetables (and it will), it's probably a good idea for most people to account for them when tracking their intake.
Eh no. It also works if you're obese signifigantly overweight and have your deficit set at 1000 calories. At that point an extra 200-300 calories isn't going to take you out of the deficit and you're still going to lose. It's a pretty good way to change some snacking/eating habits for the better - and a good way to get into tracking (in general - ie: being loose while it becomes a habit). Eventually, yeah, you're going to need to track those things if you eat much of them, but for someone just starting with quite a bit to lose/ They have the wiggle room there to not sweat it and still have success.
Not counting any type of food will work (at least in the short term) when you have a very large deficit. You could also tell someone it doesn't matter if they log their evening glass of wine if their deficit is 1,000. It "won't matter" in the sense that they'll still lose weight, but it will matter in the sense that their deficit will be smaller. It's the same with fruits and vegetables. If someone wants to use their large deficit as a buffer for any type of food, they can do that.
I think I just tend to function under the belief that the best way to sustainable is to build new habits as easily and slowly as possible and that includes with tracking. Yes, the calories are still there regardless of source, but also if tracking is a pain - or weighing your food is - then eyeballing and letting the foods you want to see yourself eating more of go are valid strategies.
It's always going to be individual, though.
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When I tracked (=not currently), I didn’t track spices like salt, pepper, herbs etc. Basically the dried stuff that comes from a spice jar went completely unlogged. I logged fruit and veggies, but definitely eyeballed them instead of weighing. I usually still had a rough idea, like knowing I put in about a half a bag of spinach and knew how much the whole bag weighs, according to the label. Not the most accurate solution, but worked for me.0
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NOT tracking fruits and vegetables is a Weight Watchers gimmick.
I have always tracked all my food, everything.
But I do agree that if you're new to weight loss and have a lot of weight to lose then the tracking can be a lot looser.
Just wait till you're 15 pounds from goal and you'll even stop licking the spoon when you cook,
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cmriverside wrote: »NOT tracking fruits and vegetables is a Weight Watchers gimmick.
I have always tracked all my food, everything.
But I do agree that if you're new to weight loss and have a lot of weight to lose then the tracking can be a lot looser.
Just wait till you're 15 pounds from goal and you'll even stop licking the spoon when you cook,
I mean also this. I'm about a POUND from a healthy bmi and 11 from goal and I'm definitely tracking much closer now but MAN had I tried to go from eating the party size of M&Ms to weighing carrots I'd have BROKEN.
And even with what I'm saying here you need to know it's a STRATEGY and decision, not just. thinking they don't 'count' as food somehow.2 -
wunderkindking wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »wunderkindking wrote: »janejellyroll wrote: »That would be a few hundred extra calories a day for me, so it wouldn't work at all. If you're not eating many fruits and vegetables, this might work but only because they're providing very few calories. Think about it this way: if your body can "track" the calories in fruits and vegetables (and it will), it's probably a good idea for most people to account for them when tracking their intake.
Eh no. It also works if you're obese signifigantly overweight and have your deficit set at 1000 calories. At that point an extra 200-300 calories isn't going to take you out of the deficit and you're still going to lose. It's a pretty good way to change some snacking/eating habits for the better - and a good way to get into tracking (in general - ie: being loose while it becomes a habit). Eventually, yeah, you're going to need to track those things if you eat much of them, but for someone just starting with quite a bit to lose/ They have the wiggle room there to not sweat it and still have success.
Not counting any type of food will work (at least in the short term) when you have a very large deficit. You could also tell someone it doesn't matter if they log their evening glass of wine if their deficit is 1,000. It "won't matter" in the sense that they'll still lose weight, but it will matter in the sense that their deficit will be smaller. It's the same with fruits and vegetables. If someone wants to use their large deficit as a buffer for any type of food, they can do that.
I think I just tend to function under the belief that the best way to sustainable is to build new habits as easily and slowly as possible and that includes with tracking. Yes, the calories are still there regardless of source, but also if tracking is a pain - or weighing your food is - then eyeballing and letting the foods you want to see yourself eating more of go are valid strategies.
It's always going to be individual, though.
If someone wants to ease into logging that's fine. But OP's question is about eating unlogged fruits and vegetables "without limit." For a lot of people, that has the potential to interfere with consistently getting the results that one expects and that's also relevant to setting new habits. If you're logging other foods and not seeing results, that could be very discouraging to some people and then the lack the data (how many calories they're consuming) to make the necessary adjustments.
So if someone is getting the results they want without logging fruits and vegetables, I wouldn't say they need to start. It's obviously working for them. But if someone is asking for advice, I'm going to come down on the side of logging all the foods that will provide relevant data.
I see the distinction you make above about knowing they still count and I think that's an important one. There are people here sometimes who think they don't have to log fruits and vegetables because they somehow don't count the way other foods do. As long as someone knows they're being rougher in their estimates and knows they can revisit it if they stop seeing the results they want, I don't think not logging would be a problem.0 -
BarbaraHelen2013 wrote: »I log everything. I’m vegetarian veering towards fully plant based so if I don’t track the veg I’m basically logging nothing! 😂
In my opinion, it’s best to log everything so you have accurate data to compare with actual results where weight loss is concerned. That way you can be more confident adjusting intake up or down when assessing real life results.
If you don’t know what the numbers actually are you’re working in the dark!
Same here, veggie and mostly plant based. I sure do wish vegetable calories were free.......I already eat my weight in veggies every day, but just think of the amount of additional food we could eat! Lol.0 -
If I didn't log my veg I'd be undercounting by 500- 600 calories a day! About the only things I don't log are herbs and spices--but I DO log any condiments like mustard, soy sauce, bbq sauce, etc. to make sure I'm getting the sugars and salts in my macros.
The idea of "free" fruits and veg likely comes from a WW/ Weight Watchers points system where the user was given a certain number of points per day as a goal (12, 15, 20?), and then some foods like fruits and veg were either 0 or 1 point, while other foods like fried and high-fat foods were 3-4 points. I get that the plan was trying to incentivize filling up on veggies and disincentivize eating lots of saturated fats and oils to help build good lifestyle choices . . . but I always found the points to be annoyingly complicated.
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I heard someone saying that they don't track fruit and veg in MFP. They eat it without limit. Does anyone else do this?
This really depends on how zealous and "exacting" you want to be or need to be. I don't log anything anymore, but when I did I was loose with fruits and veg. I never weighed out and logged exactly X grams of carrot or cucumber or anything like that. I had "generic" entries I had created for myself for things like "garden salad" that I would use if I was having a salad and then I'd just log all of my toppings and dressing and such...and I would just eyeball whatever veggies I was having with a meal and log something and call it good. For fruit I was usually pretty loose as well and just used the entries for "medium apple" or whatever...but I did log something, I just wasn't too particular about low calorie foods.
YMMV...I have a relatively high TDEE, so even when losing weight I had quite a bit of wiggle room as losing about 1 Lb per week is still around 2300-2500 calories...I would imagine that being loose with certain things gets harder when calorie targets are very low. It is still important to keep in mind than while very good for you, fruits and veg do have calories and ultimately your body logs them just as it does with any other calorie...but really, how you determine to go about this is very much up to you. I don't think there's really a black and white right or wrong.1 -
I use MFP to easily meal plan for 1200 calories, but don't log some snacks and drinks so it's more likely around 1500. I could stand to lose 5 more pounds, but think those will come off easily as I get back to work, and go back to my precovid lifestyle. Honestly, I worry for people, especially young people, who count calories when they are at a healthy weight. Why not just weigh yourself a few times per week, and start calorie counting if you start gaining weight?
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I try to but I really wish it would let me track Magnesium. I am on chemo, the drugs strip magnesium, potassium and calcium from me. I can track the two but my mag level is always so low they give me infusions. I know now everything shows this but for some of us it would be helpful.6
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I track at Cronometer in part because one of my motivations for tracking is seeing if I can hit 100% or more of all nutrients, so I do, or my diet would look much worse than it is. I did even when I tracked at MFP, however, for the following reasons:
(1) I eat a lot of veg and wanted the encouragement to eat even more. Sometimes you think you eat more than you do if you don't measure/weigh and track.
(2) Because I eat a lot of veg and some fruit, my total cal goal would be quite different if I didn't include them, and I'd rather have a sense of my real calorie numbers.
(3) I want to be able to compare days that are harder and easier and seeing everything I eat makes that easier.
(4) If don't find that logging veg and fruit makes my logging at all more difficult, since they are easy to log (and when cooking I just put veg on the scale after chopping). But also, if I didn't feel like weighing, veg and fruit are low enough cal that they are easy to estimate, and I will use things like "a large zucchini" or eyeball "a cup of spinach" or "a medium apple" if that happens to be somewhat more convenient. I'd only recommend weighing veg (if you are weighing) initially if you think there's any chance you might be overestimating what you are consuming.1 -
It's not essential to log veggies and fruits, if you can lose weight successfully without doing so. Having a high maintenance number (because active or currently large) makes it easier to succeed while being more approximate, of course. Not eating very many veggies/fruit makes it easier to lose weight successfully while not logging them, though I think eating very few of them is a sub-ideal plan in a nutritional sense.
I do log all veggies & fruits (and weigh them, in normal circumstances). Here are some reasons why:
* I want to hit certain nutritional goals as minimums, and that's harder when not logging veg/fruit. (Veg/fruit have protein, fiber, fats, not just micros). I even have an explicit goal for veggie/fruit servings daily. (I shoot for 5x80g servings minimum, prefer 10+ servings.)
* I quickly figured out that MFP estimates my calorie needs really inaccurately (it's way too *low*), so while losing, I wanted to log everything with calories quite meticulously, in order to get a more accurate, data-based understanding of my actual calorie needs. (Knowing that has turned out to be really valuable in maintenance, and not just to get a single maintenance number and ride with that).
* This will be untrue for many, with different cognitive strengths/weaknesses than mine, but it's literally easier for me to weigh everything, on autopilot, rather than go through some thought process about whether to weigh, what the estimate is if I don't weigh, etc. It's a reflex now: Weigh, note, log. No thinking, just doing. (Yes, occasionally I still do screw up if distracted, and it doesn't stress me. *Then* I shrug, estimate, log and go on with life.)
* Also untrue for many, but careful logging *reduces* stress for me. I love food, want to eat as much of it as possible. But after spending around 30 years obese, then the last 5+ years at a healthy weight, I know healthy weight is so much better, healthier, happier. I want *both* current Ann and future Ann to be happy. Current Ann wants to eat as much yummy food as possible, every single calorie. Future Ann needs current behavior to deliver her a healthy body of a sensible weight, and good health via adequate nutrition, or she won't be nearly as happy. Logging carefully balances current with future needs, for me.
I also agree with pretty much everything Lemur said a bit above, and recognize that some of what I said is restating with a bit different spin.
Like many in the thread, I'm also someone who commonly eats *a lot* of veggies and fruits, often over a kg per day of them, sometimes lots over. It isn't just 100-200 calories; it can easily be 400+ . . . but it isn't always (depends on which veg/fruit choices). That's a big chunk of my TDEE potentially in play. If I don't log it, I don't have even a remotely reasonable estimate of intake.
Over the past year plus, I decided to creep my weight down ultra-slowly (averaging around a quarter pound a week) to lose a few vanity pounds in maintenance. Now I'm down 12-15 pounds. It was easy and painless. Part of the reason it was so easy is that I have a really good handle on my calorie needs with or without exercise, and a weight management process that I now trust to be very reliable, after almost 6 years of practice.
These are not things that will matter to everyone. Some find logging annoying, which I don't. Some don't have the same goals I have, which is fine: We're all individuals. I'm just sharing this as things to consider, as you (OP) plan how you want to go about this. I'm a huge believer that it's really important to success to tailor our process to our individual preferences, strengths, limitations, context. What works for me doesn't necessarily work for you, and vice-versa.
Best wishes for success!6 -
I do not track salad greens. So my wife's typical amazing salad is entered as 1/4 avocado and 1tbs olive oil. Thus, I've skipped the lettuce, cucumber, radish, onion, mustard, etc.
I do put something in for broccoli, cauliflower, potato, sweet potato, and all fruits.
(Note, I'm an approximate logger at this point and it mostly works out.)2 -
Yeah I have a generic "Small salad" in my MEALS. I put in it all the regular stuff I use at the approximate portions. I left out avocado and dressing because that changes frequently. Then I can just add a "Small salad" and all the ingredients will auto-populate into my FOOD diary. I can adjust portions quickly if I feel like it, but I mostly say, "Close enough" and then add the dressing and call it good.1
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Simply put, yes anything that has a calorie I add, or what's the point of calorie counting. No one can be 100% accurate all the time but there's a difference between a few extra calories and a few 100 extra calories per day.2
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It's not essential to log veggies and fruits, if you can lose weight successfully without doing so. Having a high maintenance number (because active or currently large) makes it easier to succeed while being more approximate, of course. Not eating very many veggies/fruit makes it easier to lose weight successfully while not logging them, though I think eating very few of them is a sub-ideal plan in a nutritional sense.
I do log all veggies & fruits (and weigh them, in normal circumstances). Here are some reasons why:
* I want to hit certain nutritional goals as minimums, and that's harder when not logging veg/fruit. (Veg/fruit have protein, fiber, fats, not just micros). I even have an explicit goal for veggie/fruit servings daily. (I shoot for 5x80g servings minimum, prefer 10+ servings.)
* I quickly figured out that MFP estimates my calorie needs really inaccurately (it's way too *low*), so while losing, I wanted to log everything with calories quite meticulously, in order to get a more accurate, data-based understanding of my actual calorie needs. (Knowing that has turned out to be really valuable in maintenance, and not just to get a single maintenance number and ride with that).
* This will be untrue for many, with different cognitive strengths/weaknesses than mine, but it's literally easier for me to weigh everything, on autopilot, rather than go through some thought process about whether to weigh, what the estimate is if I don't weigh, etc. It's a reflex now: Weigh, note, log. No thinking, just doing. (Yes, occasionally I still do screw up if distracted, and it doesn't stress me. *Then* I shrug, estimate, log and go on with life.)
* Also untrue for many, but careful logging *reduces* stress for me. I love food, want to eat as much of it as possible. But after spending around 30 years obese, then the last 5+ years at a healthy weight, I know healthy weight is so much better, healthier, happier. I want *both* current Ann and future Ann to be happy. Current Ann wants to eat as much yummy food as possible, every single calorie. Future Ann needs current behavior to deliver her a healthy body of a sensible weight, and good health via adequate nutrition, or she won't be nearly as happy. Logging carefully balances current with future needs, for me.
I also agree with pretty much everything Lemur said a bit above, and recognize that some of what I said is restating with a bit different spin.
Like many in the thread, I'm also someone who commonly eats *a lot* of veggies and fruits, often over a kg per day of them, sometimes lots over. It isn't just 100-200 calories; it can easily be 400+ . . . but it isn't always (depends on which veg/fruit choices). That's a big chunk of my TDEE potentially in play. If I don't log it, I don't have even a remotely reasonable estimate of intake.
Over the past year plus, I decided to creep my weight down ultra-slowly (averaging around a quarter pound a week) to lose a few vanity pounds in maintenance. Now I'm down 12-15 pounds. It was easy and painless. Part of the reason it was so easy is that I have a really good handle on my calorie needs with or without exercise, and a weight management process that I now trust to be very reliable, after almost 6 years of practice.
These are not things that will matter to everyone. Some find logging annoying, which I don't. Some don't have the same goals I have, which is fine: We're all individuals. I'm just sharing this as things to consider, as you (OP) plan how you want to go about this. I'm a huge believer that it's really important to success to tailor our process to our individual preferences, strengths, limitations, context. What works for me doesn't necessarily work for you, and vice-versa.
Best wishes for success!
This 100% yes on all levels. AnnPT77 also track like you and it is not only automatic but I love it! The difference is I am very small and maitenance is very low.
I track all my fruit and vegetables, otherwise I would have barely anything to track! I love veggies and my entire eating is based on vegetables.
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It's not essential to log veggies and fruits, if you can lose weight successfully without doing so. Having a high maintenance number (because active or currently large) makes it easier to succeed while being more approximate, of course. Not eating very many veggies/fruit makes it easier to lose weight successfully while not logging them, though I think eating very few of them is a sub-ideal plan in a nutritional sense.
I do log all veggies & fruits (and weigh them, in normal circumstances). Here are some reasons why:
* I want to hit certain nutritional goals as minimums, and that's harder when not logging veg/fruit. (Veg/fruit have protein, fiber, fats, not just micros). I even have an explicit goal for veggie/fruit servings daily. (I shoot for 5x80g servings minimum, prefer 10+ servings.)
* I quickly figured out that MFP estimates my calorie needs really inaccurately (it's way too *low*), so while losing, I wanted to log everything with calories quite meticulously, in order to get a more accurate, data-based understanding of my actual calorie needs. (Knowing that has turned out to be really valuable in maintenance, and not just to get a single maintenance number and ride with that).
* This will be untrue for many, with different cognitive strengths/weaknesses than mine, but it's literally easier for me to weigh everything, on autopilot, rather than go through some thought process about whether to weigh, what the estimate is if I don't weigh, etc. It's a reflex now: Weigh, note, log. No thinking, just doing. (Yes, occasionally I still do screw up if distracted, and it doesn't stress me. *Then* I shrug, estimate, log and go on with life.)
* Also untrue for many, but careful logging *reduces* stress for me. I love food, want to eat as much of it as possible. But after spending around 30 years obese, then the last 5+ years at a healthy weight, I know healthy weight is so much better, healthier, happier. I want *both* current Ann and future Ann to be happy. Current Ann wants to eat as much yummy food as possible, every single calorie. Future Ann needs current behavior to deliver her a healthy body of a sensible weight, and good health via adequate nutrition, or she won't be nearly as happy. Logging carefully balances current with future needs, for me.
I also agree with pretty much everything Lemur said a bit above, and recognize that some of what I said is restating with a bit different spin.
Like many in the thread, I'm also someone who commonly eats *a lot* of veggies and fruits, often over a kg per day of them, sometimes lots over. It isn't just 100-200 calories; it can easily be 400+ . . . but it isn't always (depends on which veg/fruit choices). That's a big chunk of my TDEE potentially in play. If I don't log it, I don't have even a remotely reasonable estimate of intake.
Over the past year plus, I decided to creep my weight down ultra-slowly (averaging around a quarter pound a week) to lose a few vanity pounds in maintenance. Now I'm down 12-15 pounds. It was easy and painless. Part of the reason it was so easy is that I have a really good handle on my calorie needs with or without exercise, and a weight management process that I now trust to be very reliable, after almost 6 years of practice.
These are not things that will matter to everyone. Some find logging annoying, which I don't. Some don't have the same goals I have, which is fine: We're all individuals. I'm just sharing this as things to consider, as you (OP) plan how you want to go about this. I'm a huge believer that it's really important to success to tailor our process to our individual preferences, strengths, limitations, context. What works for me doesn't necessarily work for you, and vice-versa.
Best wishes for success!
This 100% yes on all levels. AnnPT77 also track like you and it is not only automatic but I love it! The difference is I am very small and maitenance is very low.
I track all my fruit and vegetables, otherwise I would have barely anything to track! I love veggies and my entire eating is based on vegetables.
FWIW, while I'm not "very small", I'm not exactly a statuesque Amazon at 5'5", 125-ish pounds, age 65, sedentary outside of exercise. Admittedly, my maintenance TDEE is improbably high for some reason, for those stats, which is nice. I suspect eating lots of plants helps (both of us) a tiny, vanishingly small bit, via TEF. 😉1 -
It's not essential to log veggies and fruits, if you can lose weight successfully without doing so. Having a high maintenance number (because active or currently large) makes it easier to succeed while being more approximate, of course. Not eating very many veggies/fruit makes it easier to lose weight successfully while not logging them, though I think eating very few of them is a sub-ideal plan in a nutritional sense.
I do log all veggies & fruits (and weigh them, in normal circumstances). Here are some reasons why:
* I want to hit certain nutritional goals as minimums, and that's harder when not logging veg/fruit. (Veg/fruit have protein, fiber, fats, not just micros). I even have an explicit goal for veggie/fruit servings daily. (I shoot for 5x80g servings minimum, prefer 10+ servings.)
* I quickly figured out that MFP estimates my calorie needs really inaccurately (it's way too *low*), so while losing, I wanted to log everything with calories quite meticulously, in order to get a more accurate, data-based understanding of my actual calorie needs. (Knowing that has turned out to be really valuable in maintenance, and not just to get a single maintenance number and ride with that).
* This will be untrue for many, with different cognitive strengths/weaknesses than mine, but it's literally easier for me to weigh everything, on autopilot, rather than go through some thought process about whether to weigh, what the estimate is if I don't weigh, etc. It's a reflex now: Weigh, note, log. No thinking, just doing. (Yes, occasionally I still do screw up if distracted, and it doesn't stress me. *Then* I shrug, estimate, log and go on with life.)
* Also untrue for many, but careful logging *reduces* stress for me. I love food, want to eat as much of it as possible. But after spending around 30 years obese, then the last 5+ years at a healthy weight, I know healthy weight is so much better, healthier, happier. I want *both* current Ann and future Ann to be happy. Current Ann wants to eat as much yummy food as possible, every single calorie. Future Ann needs current behavior to deliver her a healthy body of a sensible weight, and good health via adequate nutrition, or she won't be nearly as happy. Logging carefully balances current with future needs, for me.
I also agree with pretty much everything Lemur said a bit above, and recognize that some of what I said is restating with a bit different spin.
Like many in the thread, I'm also someone who commonly eats *a lot* of veggies and fruits, often over a kg per day of them, sometimes lots over. It isn't just 100-200 calories; it can easily be 400+ . . . but it isn't always (depends on which veg/fruit choices). That's a big chunk of my TDEE potentially in play. If I don't log it, I don't have even a remotely reasonable estimate of intake.
Over the past year plus, I decided to creep my weight down ultra-slowly (averaging around a quarter pound a week) to lose a few vanity pounds in maintenance. Now I'm down 12-15 pounds. It was easy and painless. Part of the reason it was so easy is that I have a really good handle on my calorie needs with or without exercise, and a weight management process that I now trust to be very reliable, after almost 6 years of practice.
These are not things that will matter to everyone. Some find logging annoying, which I don't. Some don't have the same goals I have, which is fine: We're all individuals. I'm just sharing this as things to consider, as you (OP) plan how you want to go about this. I'm a huge believer that it's really important to success to tailor our process to our individual preferences, strengths, limitations, context. What works for me doesn't necessarily work for you, and vice-versa.
Best wishes for success!
This 100% yes on all levels. AnnPT77 also track like you and it is not only automatic but I love it! The difference is I am very small and maitenance is very low.
I track all my fruit and vegetables, otherwise I would have barely anything to track! I love veggies and my entire eating is based on vegetables.
FWIW, while I'm not "very small", I'm not exactly a statuesque Amazon at 5'5", 125-ish pounds, age 65, sedentary outside of exercise. Admittedly, my maintenance TDEE is improbably high for some reason, for those stats, which is nice. I suspect eating lots of plants helps (both of us) a tiny, vanishingly small bit, via TEF. 😉
You are super ! I'm 5' 5 but a little more than several .pounds less ...lol. I'm vegan so vegetables are LIFE! 😋😋😋0 -
There are a few things I don't weigh but do count. A medium carrot is about 40 calories - 100g. I just log it. Same for Romaine. A plateful of Romaine is about 15 calories. Log it. But, when it comes to oil at 9 calories per gram, I weigh every drop. Not literally, of course. I weigh the bottle, pour the oil and weigh it again and subtract. None of this nonsense about teaspoons and tablespoons and 1/4 cup eyeballed which are inaccurate due to surface tension and oil retained on the measuring spoon.2
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