Losing weight

Hunter281982
Hunter281982 Posts: 1 Member
in Getting Started
Hi am Kelly want to understand how to record carloies easier

Replies

  • xbowhunter
    xbowhunter Posts: 1,375 Member
    MFP has made it super easy. Just log your food and don't overestimate.

    Trust the process... :)
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 38,030 Community Helper
    Easier? If you're currently using cups/spoons to measure, use a food scale instead.

    Yes, it's more accurate. It's also easier. Examples:

    * If serving some peanut butter (or whatever), put the open PB jar on the scale, zero (tare) the scale, dip out the portion you want to eat with a spoon or knife, and read the negative number on the scale. That's how much you took out - log that. No extra dishes to wash. Same thing works with cutting a piece of cheese off a chunk, taking a serving out of a serving dish, etc.

    * If making a sandwich, put the plate on the scale and zero it. Put bread on the plate, log the number of grams, zero the scale. Put the cheese on the bread, log the grams, zero. Put the meat on the cheese, . . . you get the idea. Works for sandwiches, salads, making soup in a pot, etc.

    Other than that, logging seems hard and confusing at first because it's new. It's like any other skill. If you go along do it, you learn some tricks and shortcuts, generally get more skilled and comfortable, and it becomes less effort. Be patient with yourself while you're learning: It's a time investment that will contribute to success with your weight management/health goals.

    Best wishes!
  • mtaratoot
    mtaratoot Posts: 14,935 Spam Moderator
    Hi Kelly,

    If you are brand new, it can seem daunting. It's not. Pay attention and find the foods you eat - then log 'em. When you eat them next time, they'll show up as suggestions because you've eaten them recently (or frequently if you set it to default to frequent rather than recent). It might take some up-front work to make sure the items you select from the database actually are accurate - some are certainly not. Check with labels or other sources. Better to invest the time up front rather than keeping using something that's not accurate.

    Over time it will get easier. I promise. Don't believe me? I bet you a bagel (about 225 calories or so). You're in this for the long term, I hope, so investing the time up front will pay off when you STICK TO IT!

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