How do you track your food?

Posts: 818
1/6/13 2:29 P

Track in the morning, edit in the evening if I've decided I didn't want what I had planned on making.

current weight: 144.0

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117

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Posts: 2,904
1/6/13 1:30 P

Always log in - track on...

Pounds lost: 2.6

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Posts: 163
1/6/13 8:04 A

I remember and then track on here. I make notes on my phone if I'm away from a computer all day.

Total SparkPoints: 4,528

	4,000 4,374 4,749 5,124	5,499
SparkPoints Level 7

SparkPoints: (19,605)
Fitness Minutes: (2,173)
Posts: 776
1/6/13 7:32 A

I like the idea of paper first. I am hoping to get back on the tracking wagon so i can go get in person support.

current weight: 244.2

279 259.25 239.5 219.75

200

SparkPoints: (6,157)
Fitness Minutes: (14,356)
Posts: 31
1/5/13 9:59 A

I track my foods on paper. I have a diet log and I write every little piece of food and water intake. And when I have time I transfer all info to the spark people website.

current weight: 194.8

210 198.75 187.5 176.25

165

SparkPoints: (78,802)
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Posts: 1,287
1/5/13 9:01 A

i make time after i eat

current weight: 230.0

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SparkPoints: (2,537)
Fitness Minutes: (131)
Posts: 25
1/5/13 7:49 A

Hi I'm new to SP and I'm having a hard time figuring out how to create the groupings. I can pull it up and add the foods but I cant figure out how to save the grouping.Could you offer any directions?

current weight: 281.0

300 262.5 225 187.5

150

SparkPoints: (6,690)
Fitness Minutes: (1,606)
Posts: 96
7/9/12 3:32 P

I try to meal plan as best as possible which implies I track before but sometimes at work I have an unexpected snack and I will track directly after.

I do my best to not wait too long after I eat so that I don't forget what or how much I had.

current weight: 125.0

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120

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Posts: 1,568
7/9/12 2:29 P

i usually track my food before i eat it unless i know we are going out for dinner and then i do when we get back.

SparkPoints: (24,830)
Fitness Minutes: (11,692)
Posts: 795
7/9/12 12:29 P

I usually track my food before I eat, but I check the calories, fats, carbs and proteins and will add foods to bring them up if they are not in line with the guidelines. If what I add doesn't bring them up or puts it over in another area, I'll keep choosing different things until I'm pleased with the balance and then I'll that. So I track before and during a meal or snack, especially my last snack to balance out the day.

current weight: 149.5

168 155.5 143 130.5

118

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Posts: 767
7/9/12 12:11 P

Mostly I use the SparkPeople mobile app on my iPhone when at work or out and about.

On days I'm at home, my PC is always signed into SparkPeople.com and I've mastered the shortcuts to get me through the many interfaces quickly and efficiently.

Pounds lost: 12.4

0 19.25 38.5 57.75

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SparkPoints: (29,586)
Fitness Minutes: (8,866)
Posts: 1,614
7/9/12 12:10 P

I try to track as I go. If I get too busy, I catch up as soon as I can, but always before I eat dinner. That can help me plan what I need to eat (e.g., more carbs, fat, or protein) for the rest of the day. Tracking keeps me honest, so I can't tell myself that "one little bitty piece of chocolate (which soon becomes the whole bar) won't hurt!

Pounds lost: 61.0

0 15.25 30.5 45.75

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Posts: 18
7/9/12 11:03 A

I'm home for the summer so it is easier. I have a Kindle Fire tablet that I prop up at the breakfast and lunch table ... so I record when I first sit down. Dinner I usually guess before hand (I know what we are having) and then adjust afterwards if I need to.

When school is in ... I record breakfast and whatever I packed for lunch and snack before I leave in the morning (on the kindle ... just easier to do it while I'm in the kitchen rather then go to the other room and the computer). I don't usually bring my kindle to school, but if I do I can adjust when I am there or use one of the school computers (so far they haven't blocked the site) during lunch to adjust it. And dinner is the same as the summer. I plan a dinner menu for the whole week before I go shopping on the weekend so dinner is never a guessing game ... breakfast and lunch I just make sure I have plenty of options around.

current weight: 196.6

215 198.75 182.5 166.25

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Posts: 877
7/9/12 8:54 A

I keep a scale in my kitchen and weigh almost everything that doesn't come in a package (produce, grains, etc) or is hard to eyeball (peanut butter, salad dressing, oven fries, etc). I keep a small notebook next to the scale and jot down things as I use them in meals or as I am packing my lunch for work. At the end of the day I enter everything in Spark. It's not for everyone but it has been working for me!

current weight: 153.2

153.2 144.9 136.6 128.3

120

SparkPoints: (79)
Fitness Minutes: (56)
Posts: 6
7/9/12 7:25 A

During weekdays, I'm usually so busy that it's difficult to track as I am eating my meals and by the end of the day I often forget what I've eaten. So, I started using my phone to take a photo of everything I eat during the day (including nutrition labels for foods that aren't in my favorites yet) and then at the end of the day I can use the photos to enter everything in on the Spark tracker.

current weight: 171.0

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120

Posts: 58
7/9/12 5:34 A

While losing weight I use sparks tracker. I'm now just keeping my diet mainly veggies and lean proteins. I fill in with oats and greek yogurt. Lots of water with lemon. For me when I base my diet on that, my body is satisfied with that. I've had very few cravings for sweets or junk food. If i do want something sweet ussually a square of dark chocolate fixes that.

Pounds lost: 20.0

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SparkPoints: (87,712)
Fitness Minutes: (78,155)
Posts: 3,202
7/9/12 1:47 A

Every day, either meal by meal, or before I go to bed and forget what I ate. I rely on the Spark People tracker totally. I run the report after lunch, so I can see what NUTRIENTS I still need for dinner (how much protein, etc.) and how many calories I have left.

current weight: 99.0

146 134.25 122.5 110.75

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SparkPoints: (31,129)
Fitness Minutes: (50,487)
Posts: 18
7/9/12 12:23 A

I pre-plan, thus I track 1 - 2 days prior with the things that I KNOW that I will eat and/or have prepared. If I am going out to dinner OR lunch - I track that one either immediately following or prior(as I check out the menu and nutritional information prior to going to establishments - if it's a planned outing) k, but track all others in advance.

Pounds lost: 1.6

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Posts: 38
7/8/12 11:23 P

I don't always do it the same way. It depends on my work schedule, which varies. If I have time before work, I will write down what I plan to eat so I can see what I need to change according to my nutrition plan. The past few days I have been entering it all in at night after work, and that has been kind of cool, because then I can say, oh hey, I need a little bit more protein, let me go eat a piece of cheese, or something like that.

current weight: 168.5

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SparkPoints: (58,886)
Fitness Minutes: (26,475)
Posts: 2,458
7/8/12 9:33 P

I try to track after every meal, or when I can. I have the app on my phone, which has been helpful when I'm not near a computer.

Pounds lost: 7.6

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11

Posts: 7
7/8/12 9:27 P

I keep a small notepad in my purse. No excuses. I keep track 6 days each week.

319 Days since:  sugar

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350

SparkPoints: (19,605)
Fitness Minutes: (2,173)
Posts: 776
7/8/12 7:59 P

6days a week i type it in after each meal and fill in the extra gaps before bed. On the 7th day i dont even think about plotting what i eat just try to behave and stay between the lines.

current weight: 244.2

279 259.25 239.5 219.75

200

Posts: 264
7/8/12 10:46 A

I plan our meals for the week on Thursday or Friday night, plot them into SP and then build a grocery list from there. I put a list of the meals on the fridge so that I can refer to it when pulling things out of the freezer or starting dinner. I usually stick to the same breakfast, lunch and snacks all week to make life easier.

Pounds lost: 27.0

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130

Posts: 1
7/8/12 9:35 A

I also do the same. If I am not close to a computer I jot it down and enter the information later. I also use the computer to plan my meals. I find this aspect of the program very useful.

Posts: 2,680
7/8/12 5:26 A

As soon as I finish eating I go straight to the computer and document what and how much I ate. When I finish exercising I go straight to the computer and document how much exercise I got.

Jem

current weight: 310.0

322 309 296 283

270

SparkPoints: (1,355)
Fitness Minutes: (2,330)
Posts: 15
7/8/12 4:25 A

I write my food into a notebook that I have broken up into breakfast, lunch, dinner snacks and gym. Then total my kilojoules for the day. I also write my feelings on the day too.

May Minutes: 0

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Posts: 2
7/7/12 10:16 P

I track several times a day, usually just after lunch at work and in the evening when I get home. I have entered most of my favorite meals in SP so I can add them easily. I'm combining SP with the Three Hour Diet, so I have added a 2nd Snack and a Treat to my plan. I pack my lunch and my snacks to take to work, but it is pretty easy because I have a lot of "standard" combinations.

Edited by: MEMLINGSANGEL at: 7/7/2012 (22:21)

Pounds lost: 0.0

0 37.75 75.5 113.25

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SparkPoints: (1,355)
Fitness Minutes: (370)
Posts: 36
7/7/12 9:37 P

I Tracy on laptop, iPad , or iPhone using tracker app.......I pretty much have been adding my own foods instead of following the set meal plan

current weight: 295.0

295 258.75 222.5 186.25

150

Posts: 2,101
7/7/12 12:21 P

Most of the time I just jot stuff down in a small notebook quickly...I rarely take time to upload into SP anymore...takes so long!

May Minutes: 1,330

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1250

Posts: 7
7/7/12 12:01 P

In the evening, I plan out my meals for the next day and enter everything into the tracker. Because I am single, I cook two meals at dinner time and then the second meal becomes lunch the next day. Packing lunch is easy, and the stress is gone. I already know it's in my range because I've had it once! :-) It also helps eliminate tracking during the day at work or on the weekends. I know what I will eat at the start of each day. If something changes - I revise my day's tracking in the evening and then start on the next day.

current weight: 213.8

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SparkPoints: (693)
Fitness Minutes: (173)
Posts: 2
7/7/12 8:48 A

I usually eat the same breakfast, so after I eat, I plan my meals and snacks for the day. When I do this, I'm less likely to impulse eat unplaned snacks of opportunity (co-worker cake, chips, or other high caloric food) and then have less calories to eat at dinner.

current weight: 360.8

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SparkPoints: (358)
Fitness Minutes: (157)
Posts: 5
7/7/12 8:26 A

I am quite new to SPARK but what I have been doing is recording my meals immediently on here or sometimes even as I am preparing my meal.

My biggest shock since recording my meals is the amount of fat in my diet. I had no idea!

current weight: 161.0

166 156 146 136

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SparkPoints: (4,433)
Fitness Minutes: (733)
Posts: 30
7/6/12 11:55 P

I plan my food for the day or couple of days ahead . Then if something changes, as if I don't eat what I planned or eat something not listed, I change my daily tracker accordingly.

current weight: 160.2

160.2 157.15 154.1 151.05

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SparkPoints: (13,085)
Fitness Minutes: (13,834)
Posts: 112
7/6/12 11:11 P

This is my biggest weakness and I have been writing stuff down to add here on spark when I get home.

current weight: 357.0

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Posts: 227
7/6/12 11:09 P

I track my food as soon as I eat them.

Posts: 2,441
7/6/12 5:25 P

I track breakfast, snacks and dinner as they happen. My lunches are generally leftovers of the meat from last night paired with something else - sliced veggies, a salad, a wrap, rice, in a sandwich, so I copy whatever is applicable from yesterday into today. Weekends I am notoriously terrible about tracking at the time, but I am working on it and do always at least track my weekend on Monday morning. It gets hard to remember what happened for Friday's dinner though! I need a better method for weekends.

May Minutes: 250

0 40.75 81.5 122.25

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Posts: 117
7/6/12 2:59 P

I use spark people to keep a food journal. I keep track everyday (even my bad days). It helps me keep my bad days from being so frequent.

SparkPoints: (1,716)
Fitness Minutes: (842)
Posts: 9
7/6/12 2:55 P

Some days really well, but if I wind up drinking a few beers in the evening, my tracking pretty much ends. Then the next day I have to remember all the snacks I had the night before, and what looked like a great calorie day turns into mush.

The lesson? Don't drink so much beer.

SparkPoints: (19,133)
Fitness Minutes: (9,324)
Posts: 370
7/6/12 12:38 P

I usually track after I eat, but if I know what I'll be having, I like to pre-track it, like if I'm going out to eat. During the school year when I pack my lunch, I usually track that with my breakfast in the morning. As soon as possible is the way that I've found works best. :)

Also, I use the SP app on my phone if I'm not eating at home, so that I don't forget what I had. I also use it a lot to check calories before I order.

Pounds lost: 51.0

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Posts: 1,017
7/6/12 11:48 A

I track as I go, and weigh my portions. I, too, track all of my condiments. Something like Truvia which I would not have entered because of 0 calories, has a carb count! Who knew??

current weight: 107.0

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Posts: 169
7/6/12 11:47 A

On SparkPeople as I go, using the app.

current weight: 188.0

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SparkPoints: (1,977)
Fitness Minutes: (1,765)
Posts: 34
7/6/12 11:47 A

During the week, I usually track my breakfast and lunch when I first get to work. If I know what is for dinner, I go ahead and track it too so I know how much wiggle room or lack there of I have. If I'm going out to eat, I try to do my research before we go so I know what I'm getting myself into (it also helps me from making a bad splurge decision).

Sometimes, usually only once every other week, I give myself a track-free day. I try to keep my food choices on the healthy side, just not worry about the calories. Gives my body a good shock of extra nutrients and gives me a mental break from tracking every bite. It's not a cheat day so much as it is a "high calorie" day. By this I mean I have as much bean salad or watermelon as I want, not go out and eat a bucket of ice cream.

current weight: 148.6

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Posts: 796
7/6/12 11:41 A

I track during the day--in the morning for breakfast and lunch (I brown bag) and then in the evening.

59 Maintenance Weeks

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SparkPoints: (14,711)
Fitness Minutes: (14,344)
Posts: 1,136
7/6/12 10:33 A

track as I go.

current weight: 158.5

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145

Posts: 2,053
7/6/12 10:15 A

I track on SP as I go. I am retired so have less stress and more time to plan on the spot. I utilitze the food tracker and all it's features. I enter food labels of brands I use including condiments and baking items so that when I cook something I can add all the ingredients into the recipe tracker. I also find the "Groupings" very helpful for the foods I eat routinely. I have "cookbooks" organized by "My Recipes", SP Recipes, Desert Recipes, Low-Carb, etc.

It takes time to enter all this stuff at first, but once you get a good database of your foods, it becomes quick and easy!

PS: The new Fitness Tracker is like the Nutrition Tracker now with a place to enter your "Favorites" ! I type minutes and calories burned into the title so I can track both daily! Example: Walk Dogs 1mile 20min 93cal

current weight: 166.0

238 216 194 172

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SparkPoints: (38,631)
Fitness Minutes: (1,980)
Posts: 856
7/6/12 12:29 A

Hi there:)

Personally, I track all of my food as I eat it. On the days that I take food with me, I enter it in before I leave for the day. Also, I do my evening snack at the same time I track dinner, so that way I know what I can have in advance and it makes me stick to that.

I also find the mobile app on my phone EXTREMELY helpful! This is one the best features added to SparkPeople.

Also, I weigh and measure everything I eat. I do not guess! Also, I add all food that is not listed on the list on the tracker. I do this as I unpack my groceries on my shopping days so that everything is already listed in my favorites, etc. I have found this helps me stick to what I have and it also makes tracking much faster. Tracking, especially if you weigh and measure, is quite time consuming, but it does get easier over time.

Smiles:)

Sherri

current weight: 145.0

274 240.5 207 173.5

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SparkPoints: (251,124)
Fitness Minutes: (243,860)
Posts: 16,100
7/5/12 9:56 P

I work full time and track my meals the night before and stick to my eating plans for the next day. Hold yourself accountable and you will lose weight.

current weight: 118.0

239 208.75 178.5 148.25

118

SparkPoints: (20,700)
Fitness Minutes: (20,999)
Posts: 140
7/5/12 9:29 P

since I am a retiree, I have a less hectic life than when I was working.
I have a notebook usually in the kitchen and after weighing my self for the day, I start recording what I eat. I also have a Weight Watcher scale for food that has a lot of bells and whistles, so calculating amounts is easy. I have a lot of measuring spoons, cups, etc. so every bit of food is accounted for and I record it. (can you tell I am compulsive, organized, etc?)
When I go to the gym I pack food portioned into an insulated bag, so I can have the right things available, to prevent going bonkers from low insulin. At the end of the day, I take my journal and enter my exercises and amounts, food and amounts, all on sparkpeople's handy food and fitness tracker. I joined in 2009 I think, journaling & recording is something I must do and when I am on trips (travel a lot), I pretty much have an eye for amounts after 3 years so I just record as best I can. I also wear an Omron pedometer that records miles, steps, calories burned so when I'm traveling I can use that to at least walk 10k steps per day and get in at least 3 miles and burn at least 200 calories. That seems to do until I get into my structured living back at home base. Have gone from 261 down to 174 so it's working slow and sure.

current weight: 25.4  over

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SparkPoints: (3,474)
Fitness Minutes: (4,590)
Posts: 40
7/5/12 9:26 P

I have just started recording everything I eat this week, I record it on Sparkspeople right after I eat and sometimes realize I need to eat more.(Happy surprise)...

Pounds lost: 36.8

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SparkPoints: (663)
Fitness Minutes: (0)
Posts: 11
7/5/12 8:50 P

Don't be do rigid u do need variety!

Posts: 1,197
7/5/12 8:12 P

I try to plan the night before. And make any changes during the day.
I too eat about the same type of foods for all meals

current weight: 161.0

181 170.75 160.5 150.25

140

SparkPoints: (14,711)
Fitness Minutes: (14,344)
Posts: 1,136
7/5/12 8:09 P

Yes I track it online on Sparkpeople and i keep it recorded in a notebook at home for Weight watchers tracking points and calories.

current weight: 158.5

173 166 159 152

145

SparkPoints: (6,355)
Fitness Minutes: (3,789)
Posts: 47
7/5/12 7:45 P

I try to "automate" my breakfast and lunch (have it be the same every day), then I add in dinner. If I know I am going out to eat for any meal, I plan what to have by looking online and tracking that first. Then I know what I need to do for the rest of the day.

Tracking really helps me eat not only the proper amount of calories, but the proper nutrients as well.

I Love tracking. guess I'm a weirdo.

current weight: 185.0

185 176.25 167.5 158.75

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SparkPoints: (663)
Fitness Minutes: (0)
Posts: 11
7/5/12 7:45 P

Writing is best
U can record quantity and at end of day see what transpired
Also some days may be heavier than others so u can balance out light and heavier days

Calculate intake ourself
I go to a nutritionist and we analyze every month
?'s answers inquiries e mailed and replied to

Working like a charm!!

Posts: 159
7/5/12 5:31 P

I am actually starting to plan out before a meal, just to try it out. However, it is giving me a bit of anxiety.

current weight: 178.0

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Posts: 26
7/5/12 1:30 P

That's what I do too - I plan my food in advance as much as possible and enter it as I have my morning coffee. I amend it during the day if things change and if I have a late snack I'll go back and enter it to that day the following morning. If I don't plan it out and make adjustments if I deviate, I won't be aware if I've made bad choices until it's too late...so I try to log it before I eat it.

Edited by: LOST_IN_NY at: 7/5/2012 (13:31)

Posts: 236
7/5/12 12:49 P

I normally list the main foods that I plan to have the next day, the customs food section is particularly helpful, say, if I have made a casserole or similar that I am going to have for a few days. Then I will go online once or twice to add in other items, and if there is anything I have listed but not had or changed I will knock it off the list the following day. I find the tracker handy for keeping a handle on calorie intake, saturated fat and protein intake. Since I live in the UK, our food labeling info mostly only gives sodium, energy content, carbohydrates, sugars, fibre, protein, total fats, and saturated fats,(though some list monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat content). Trans fats are not used, so the only sources of these would be foods fried in reused fat, such as some takeaways, and fortunately for me I have always been too tight to pay for them! (Yorkshire lass).
When using branded foods that I have entered onto the database myself the mineral and vitamin contents are not recorded, so the tracker cannot keep a running total of those, but it gives a guidance that is very helpful.
Having the running total on calorie intake is very helpful, and being able to view a weeks' history is good, as a diet is not one meal, or one days' intake only and these help me to "budget" my foods over a period.

Posts: 94
7/5/12 12:32 P

I use the sparkpeople app on my phone and track either just before or just after eating.

current weight: 207.0

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SparkPoints: (5,849)
Fitness Minutes: (6,681)
Posts: 222
7/5/12 12:31 P

I don't track at all. I will, however, plan a weekly menu, but, more often than not, I don't stick to it. I've tried using the tracker system and have found it too confusing; so I use the quick track. I don't have internet at home (a victim of the economy) so access is sporadic and time-sensitive.


Edited by: PROVINCETOWN at: 7/5/2012 (12:33)

current weight: 259.4

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SparkPoints: (35,757)
Fitness Minutes: (21,982)
Posts: 1,416
7/5/12 11:39 A

If I eats it, I tracks it

current weight: 191.0

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Posts: 88
7/5/12 11:37 A

I have to track as I eat or it won't get done for the most part. Exception is if I go out, then I track when I get back. I have to see where I am throughout the day so I can make adjustments as needed. It helps me during my trouble time, which is at night, when I know that I have had all I can have when the muchies come, and they do.

current weight: 214.0

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Posts: 173
7/5/12 11:26 A

I do it a couple of ways. First I read what the tracker says I should eat and I kinda use that as a bench mark, changing the food I do not like or have in the house. This lets me make the choices of the foods I eat and helps me learn about the calorie intake.
Then I track in the evening after I have eaten the foods all day,I get my reports and I go from there.

current weight: 263.0

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Posts: 209
7/5/12 10:19 A

I track my menu for the week on Monday or Sunday then as I go along I put in or take out what was eaten. I do it like this because I want to be more emotionally involved in my choice/planning. Then I can eval how close I have come to following through (my weak point).

May SparkPoints: 0

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SparkPoints: (259)
Fitness Minutes: (60)
Posts: 5
7/5/12 10:11 A

I don't really track, I read Paul McKennas 'I can make you thin' and using his four rules I lost 4 stone. I put 2 stone back on after I had my baby daughter as I stopped following his golden rules, I found being tired was what made me eat. Although I don't track every little thing I always look at the calories/fat etc of what I choose to eat so I can make healthier choices. Since joining SP and to help me get back on track I have been using the tracker to see my rough calorie intake everyday. I'm using SP to track my fitness too, to help me stay motivated and show that I can do it.

Pounds lost: 0.0

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Posts: 209
7/5/12 10:09 A

I track my menu for the week on Monday or Sunday then as I go along I put in or take out what was eaten. I do it like this because I want to be more emotionally involved in my choice/planning. Then I can eval how close I have come to following through (my weak point).

May SparkPoints: 0

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SparkPoints: (28,724)
Fitness Minutes: (19,787)
Posts: 255
7/5/12 8:42 A

I track throughout the day as I eat. I like spontaneity when it comes to my meals, and I can't leave everything until the end of the day because I'll forget what I've eaten. I just leave sparkpeople open in a tab on my computer all day so it's easy to continuously track. The only time I plan in advance is when I know I'm going out to eat-- then I'll look up nutritional information and plan for a higher calorie meal than I'd make at home. But usually I have a couple different options and don't make a decision until I'm actually ordering.

Pounds lost: 45.3

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Posts: 74
7/5/12 8:30 A

Measure everything in fat grams.

current weight: 138.4

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Posts: 3
7/5/12 7:16 A

My computer is right near the kitchen, so I add my food after every meal. It helps to see what the calorie counts and nutritionals are, and what i have left for the balance of the day. If i'm going out to eat, I look up the restaurant's menu online beforehand to see what I can order (without a guilty conscience!)

current weight: 141.0

148 144.75 141.5 138.25

135

SparkPoints: (9,079)
Fitness Minutes: (12,803)
Posts: 251
7/5/12 6:35 A

My food for breakfast, lunch, and snacks is generally logged before breakfast. I log in again around supper time to see what is left for the day and complete my entries for the day.

If I know we will be dining out, I try to find the restaurant's on-line menu ahead of time. My meal is usually planned ahead of time.

May Minutes: 270

0 750 1500 2250

3000

Posts: 418
7/5/12 5:54 A

I measure everything on a food scale, so I write down measurments as I am making it, then track it in SP once in the afternoon, then again in the late evening.

Pounds lost: 34.0

0 13 26 39

52

Posts: 2,118
7/5/12 2:49 A

At the end of the day, before dinner. However I plan for the day what I am going to eat in the morning. Tracking before dinner allows me to adjust what I'm eating to stay on track - mostly!

Pounds lost: 33.0

0 31.5 63 94.5

126

SparkPoints: (25,229)
Fitness Minutes: (19,429)
Posts: 984
7/5/12 1:54 A

I track in the morning right after breakfast for the whole day. I find it is easier to stay on track if the choices are already made for the day. At the end of the day if I haven't eaten something already on the tracker I just delete it.

current weight: 169.0

208 188.5 169 149.5

130

Posts: 454
7/4/12 11:24 P

I track as I eat throughout the day. I don't like following a plan that's prescribed, or meals chosen in advance. I prefer to choose what suits me at the moment. Tracking as I go allows me to budget on the fly, so if I splurged on a meal, I can see where I need to compensate and make healthier choices in the next meal in order to have a well balanced intake each day. I find that I'm also more accurate in my tracking if I record it each time I eat. I'm usually near my computer during the day, but even when I'm on the go the SP mobile app makes it easy to track anytime and anywhere. I usually enter foods in the SP tracker right after I've eaten them, but sometimes if I'm debating what to have I'll enter it before eating to see what the "damage" will be, and choose accordingly.

Edited by: LAURALITE at: 7/4/2012 (23:31)

SparkPoints: (14,116)
Fitness Minutes: (17,246)
Posts: 121
7/4/12 11:08 P

I like to make big batches of food, so I will add some of the things that I make to the recipes to be able to add them to my log quickly. I also have the same breakfast and lunch menu everyday that only varies a little bit, so I will make groupings for that and switch out whatever I need to. I log my breakfast as I'm eating it and what my snacks and lunch will be since I have them packed already. I find that if I don't plan that out, I often go way over the calories that I should. It's almost like I feel accountable since they are already logged. Once I get home, I'll see how many calories I have left and plug in what I want to eat to see how I need to modify my plans. On the weekends, I log them as I eat them. It really helps to keep a little notebook and pen with you so that you can log things in (including how hungry you feel and your mood) so that you do not lose track of your food for later. Department luncheons can be difficult, but you can find out what is being served and plan ahead that way.

Pounds lost: 10.0

0 3.75 7.5 11.25

15

SparkPoints: (17,074)
Fitness Minutes: (3,285)
Posts: 22
7/4/12 10:40 P

I track as I go, otherwise I tend to lose track.

current weight: 169.5

181 165.75 150.5 135.25

120

SparkPoints: (93,923)
Fitness Minutes: (73,232)
Posts: 4,834
7/4/12 6:49 P

My main priority is to track fruits & veggies. If I hit 10 in a day, I'm on the right track!

Pounds lost: 0.0

0 5 10 15

20

SparkPoints: (2,915)
Fitness Minutes: (2,100)
Posts: 218
7/4/12 6:16 P

I use fitday

Posts: 631
7/4/12 6:09 P

I pack my breakfast and lunch most days so I record as I pack it. Otherwise, I record as I go even at work. I also have the Android app to record literally on the fly.

current weight: 136.6

138 134.75 131.5 128.25

125

Posts: 6,716
7/4/12 5:11 P

I keep a note pad and record each meal and then enter it into the Spark People nutrition tracker. I usually do it after each meal if I am at home.

SparkPoints: (7,451)
Fitness Minutes: (4,028)
Posts: 62
7/4/12 4:51 P

I track in the evening also.It is easier to see how many calories you have left. And I also have the same problem when making salads. I just track each thing individually.

current weight: 191.0

203 187 171 155

139

SparkPoints: (38,911)
Fitness Minutes: (51,134)
Posts: 1,183
7/4/12 2:51 P

During the week, I record my food in the morning, since I've already eaten breakfast as well as packed my lunch and snacks. On the weekends or when I'm on vacation, I'll record as I go, and if I'm out, I'll make sure I have a notepad and a pen, so I can write down what I ate, and it makes life a lot easier for me to record on the site when I get home. Although I'm always making sure to eat healthy at least 95% of the time, sometimes you need a little flexibility, which has been what works for me.

SparkPoints: (37,070)
Fitness Minutes: (12,873)
Posts: 2,514
7/4/12 2:12 P

If I'm away from my computer, i use the Spark apps on my iPhone or iPad.

current weight: 218.2

218.2 215.4 212.6 209.8

207

Posts: 164
7/4/12 1:14 P

I usually tack breakfast and lunch after breakfast. I usually pack my lunch so I usually have everything I will be eating at work. I plan my calories left for dinner and I make my dinner to what is left that I can eat calorie wise. I find if I dont track to the end of the day, I am usually over my range.

Pounds lost: 47.6

0 29.75 59.5 89.25

119

SparkPoints: (1,132)
Fitness Minutes: (2,924)
Posts: 8
7/4/12 11:06 A

I usually track in the evening before dinner so I can see what I have left to work with. Then I add dinner. I also dump almost everything into "favorites" because I tend to eat the same thing frequently and it makes it easier. (I track the day's fitness in the evenings, too - I tend to just log on once a day or every other day.)

The hard part is putting together "groupings" - for example if I make a big salad with lots of stuff on it, I have to either enter everything separately - romaine lettuce, tomatoes, hard boiled egg, hard cheese, cashews or almonds, raisins or dried cranberries, balsalmic vinagrette dressing - or create a grouping (which often changes, since my dinner salads are based on what's in the fridge).

Pounds lost: 2.6

0 7.5 15 22.5

30

SparkPoints: (11,517)
Fitness Minutes: (12,857)
Posts: 30
7/4/12 10:42 A

I try my best to track as I eat, although there are some evenings that I don't mess around with it until the next morning. One thing I've found is that if I track foods I haven't eaten, I'm less likely to eat them ... and then go off my plan to eat something high in calories. I guess I'm wired kinda weird that way ...

Pounds lost: 17.8

0 31.5 63 94.5

126

SparkPoints: (32,395)
Fitness Minutes: (25,840)
Posts: 244
7/4/12 10:20 A

I track on sparkpeople after every time I eat. Sometimes if I know I'm getting close to my calorie goal I will do it before dinner just so I know exactly what I can eat.

Pounds lost: 71.9

0 32.5 65 97.5

130

Posts: 166
7/4/12 9:07 A

i track after i eat for breakfast and lunch and plan [and track] before dinner to arrive at the correct tally

current weight: 139.6

166 152 138 124

110

Posts: 1,128
7/4/12 8:34 A

I track in the morning, then stick to what I have logged (mostly . . . ).

Pounds lost: 10.0

0 7 14 21

28

SparkPoints: (5,225)
Fitness Minutes: (1,492)
Posts: 100
7/4/12 7:06 A

I track everytime I eat. I track on SP and I have the App on my cell phone and tablet so I can do it easily whenever I want to...

current weight: 158.0

185 171.75 158.5 145.25

132

Posts: 3,360
7/4/12 6:25 A

In morning I log breakfast, lunch, dinner.
I note snacks as they happen.
I have a calender I use specific for tracking, but make notes in phone if were out and
about.

current weight: 154.0

179 169.25 159.5 149.75

140

Posts: 24
7/3/12 10:09 P

I love tracking, but I don't consistently use one method. Sometimes I track as I go (mostly on weekends) and other times I track at the end of the day. That's sometimes a little tricky because I have to go through my day sequentially to remember everything. I try to be consistent about measuring and weighing food so at the end of the day when I track my salad or sandwich I had for lunch and my snacks, I know what the portions were.

Edited by: AKIRAA at: 7/3/2012 (22:09)

current weight: 160.0

175 170.75 166.5 162.25

158

SparkPoints: (799)
Fitness Minutes: (1,569)
Posts: 5
7/3/12 9:11 P

I track breakfast ,lunch and snacks the night before. Whatever is left is dinner.

current weight: 157.0

158 152.75 147.5 142.25

137

SparkPoints: (2,998)
Fitness Minutes: (1,910)
Posts: 96
7/3/12 4:30 P

I track in the evening

Pounds lost: 22.0

0 30.25 60.5 90.75

121

Posts: 1,111
7/3/12 4:21 P

I plan my meals on a notepad the day before - always for work and probably 60% of the time on my days off. When I work nights I usually enter all the foods on Spark ahead of time. I keep track of my meal timings on a note function on my phone. If I am out all day and concerned of my intake (an unplanned errand day can wreak havoc!) I will use the app to "keep score" and adjust as necessary when I get home.

current weight: 152.5

155 151.25 147.5 143.75

140

SparkPoints: (909)
Fitness Minutes: (67)
Posts: 4
7/3/12 2:34 P

I track after my dinner ,still learning each food ,eat the same breakfast & lunch find the Saturdays the hardest as I'm usually out and Sundays best for trying out new recipes usually enough for 4 those we like ( my husband as the same) we can then have for dinner during the week.

Pounds lost: 21.0

0 12 24 36

48

Posts: 854
7/3/12 2:15 P

I track my breakfast, lunch, and snacks while at work. I usually put in my dinner the next morning b/c after a day of sitting at my computer, the last thing I want to do is get BACK on at home.

May Minutes: 525

0 250 500 750

1000

SparkPoints: (19,424)
Fitness Minutes: (14,658)
Posts: 445
7/3/12 2:11 P

I pack my breakfast, lunch, and snack to take to work with me, so I log that as I am packing. Since I do all of the cooking, I usually know what I'm making for dinner that night so I also plug that in and adjust the quantities to fit what I have left. If there's room for an evening snack I'll have one, if not I don't. I don't put a bite in my mouth without my tracker telling me I have room for it. The app on my phone is a lifesaver if we are at friends or a restaurant. Last time we were at a cookout, I didn't want to be rude and take the time to plug in my food so I took a picture of my plate with my phone so that I could remember what I had and log it later.

current weight: 218.8

304 266.5 229 191.5

154