Pet Peeve - not logging dinner+

I am in 5 groups and I would have to say that MOST of my groupmates do not log after lunch or snacks. Why??? I don't even see a point to logging if you are not going to log EVERYTHING. If you don't have computer access at home perhaps write it in the next day.

Anyone feel the same - or have a good explanation?

Thu. Oct 25, 3:22am

Often I don't log in dinner b/c I don't know what I'll have and/or I don't have time to log in again. I mean it's not like anyone is actually going to go back and look at my log from the day before. I also don't log in everything I eat for the day (say snacks) since things change, etc. I really don't see what the big deal is. I think as long as ppl are sticking to their plan, even if they're not logging in everything, and being an active, supportive group member, it shouldn't be a big deal.

Thursday, October 25, 2007, 3:49 AM

... well I guess if that works fo you. for me... knowing I have to log every bite sometimes stops me from overeating and helps me be acountable to myself. I dont log until after I've eaten it - sometimes before, as a plan, but not often.

Thursday, October 25, 2007, 4:21 AM

I typically dont have time to get on the comp and log after dinner, but I do usually go back and put it in. However, OP, I dont really see how it affects YOU whether others put in their dinner or not... Like I tell my students each day, "You just worry about you."

Thursday, October 25, 2007, 7:33 AM

The dinner non-loggers tend to be the ones who bleat about not losing any weight this week and can't figure out why. Well, you're not going to get useful feedback if you don't give us the full picture, and you're not going to learn from your own mistakes or figure out your own unsupportive patterns if you don't track them. It's discouraging to be around so many uncommitted people in the one place we're supposed to focus on dieting.

Thursday, October 25, 2007, 10:16 AM

i like to see what my groupmates eat for dinner b/c it 1. gives me ideas 2. if they stumble after dinner, which many of us do, it helps me feel less alone and less like a failure and more like keeping at it.

Thursday, October 25, 2007, 10:18 AM

I log my dinner the next morning when I get on and log for the first time that day. AND I always go back to the day before and see what my group mates ate for dinner. There were a few people that weren't logging their dinners and I just gently reminded them and they do now. OP I agree though, why not log everything if you are going to log at all??

Thursday, October 25, 2007, 11:39 AM

OP - you're right. I notice this in my groups, and I am also a forgetful dinner logger. Thanks for pointing it out. I'm going to work on logging dinner everyday.

Thursday, October 25, 2007, 12:20 PM

I log in everyday first thing when I get to work (usually my workout, breakfast and my lunch plans). I always update my previous day with dinner.

Not everyone has that much time to log or access to a computer after work. Personally I'm too busy in the evening with social activities to log after dinner.

Thursday, October 25, 2007, 12:21 PM

There are several non-dinner loggers in my group, too and yes, I do look to see if they're logged dinner the day before. They also don't log at all on the weekends which seems strange to me, too. I also like reading others logs to get meal ideas, inspiration or to avoid pitfalls. I've found it helps me alot to log all my meals.

Thursday, October 25, 2007, 1:09 PM

OP here

Thanks for all the support - I knew there had to be some serious loggers out there... It helps me so much to log everything... I feel that I would be lying if I missed something. It helps keep me accountable and its one of the things I attribute to my successful weightloss. The few people in my groups that are serious as well, have been very inspirational to me, and I hope my dedication, is for others too.

Thursday, October 25, 2007, 1:35 PM

Pet Peeve-not logging dinner=

I don't log dinner, because I did not eat dinner.

Thursday, October 25, 2007, 3:06 PM

I find it to be necessary to log everything. I want to be able to look back and track my progress. If I am not losing if I am losing. To remember what I have done.
I feel like I am lying if I don't log everything. And I know that people look at my logs and I want to be a help to them, give them ideas as well as the OP said it keeps me accountable. Knowing someone is checkin me out I want to eat right.

I would think that those that don't log everything either don't need that type of support or haven't yet figured out how much it helps.

Thursday, October 25, 2007, 3:09 PM

I always go back and look at peoples' logs..

Thursday, October 25, 2007, 3:58 PM

I guess my question would be why do you care what other people do or do not do in their logs? I think your focus should be on your own log.

Thursday, October 25, 2007, 8:06 PM

I'm not the OP but I care because I care about the people in my groups. I like PT because people get to check up on me and I check up on them. For me that's the whole point. Otherwise I would just write it in a journal at home. It the accountability. I want to be there to support my groups. :)

Thursday, October 25, 2007, 8:15 PM

i'm in 3 diff groups where ppl don't log for a whole week, then they put in something like coffee and toast for bfst -- nothing else -- then nothing again for another week

each group has 4 ppl & i'm the only 1 logging everything everyday

Thursday, October 25, 2007, 8:56 PM

If I'm doing good I always log everything but if i skip logging dinner you can bet it was not a healthy meal. For me logging every bite is what keeps me motivated.

Thursday, October 25, 2007, 9:41 PM

I definitely think it's important to log everything consistently because it shows me that others are serious about weight loss and that I'm not the only one. Aren't we here to support each other and encourage other? One way we do that is by example. When others log consistently it encourages me log in consistently. I would absolutely love to comment and encourage others, but i can't always do that when they haven't logged anything in.

Thursday, October 25, 2007, 9:55 PM

Not logging dinner

I notice that sometimes in my groupst, too. I seem to be the most detailed logger, and I am logging EVERYTHING I put in my mouth. So, it looks like alot some times, but it's real and it's balanced and nutricious. I am clearly eating much less than I was before I was in PT and logging. Knowing that I have to log it in if I eat it is really a deterrent at times. It definitely helps me. What groups have the detailed loggers in them? I'd like to join one of them.

Thursday, October 25, 2007, 9:55 PM

If i don't log my dinner it's because I was too busy to get on the internet again or my internet was down or something. I don't think everyone who doesn't log dinner is trying to slack off or won't lose weight because of it. I've managed to lose a lot of weight and there are plenty of days I can't get on here at the end of the day. I keep a mental list in my head to keep my on track.

Friday, October 26, 2007, 2:09 PM

I understand not logging that night or on the weekend, I am not infront of a computer- rather be active. but I write it down and log it later. I joined groups that said that they log daily but they dont. It is frusturating! I'm on my own again...

Tuesday, October 30, 2007, 3:09 PM

i used to log everytime i put something in my mouth no matter what time of day. it helped keep me accountable and see what i ate for a daily perspective not a meal perspective. i've been slacking lately, with my logging and eating and my numbers haven't moved at all... so, from now on i'm back in the habit of logging everything including dinner!

Tuesday, October 30, 2007, 3:27 PM

i'm guilty of not logging dinner or anything after snack. when i get home, my priorities are my children and my husband, not making sure i didn't tick anyone at Peertrainer off because I didn't log my dinners. sorry, just my opinion.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007, 4:38 PM

we have children and husbands and work and all of it as well..we take the extra minute it takes to type in a dinner..

Tuesday, October 30, 2007, 6:03 PM

I am a better wife and mother when I am healthy and eating well, and I do that better when I consistently log EVERY bite that I eat. It takes me approx. 2 min. to log my supper, but it makes me more accountable and more successful at weight loss.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007, 6:37 PM

Look, guys--we're not all the same. Even having kids or jobs or whatever doesn't make us all the same.

I don't log dinner much of the time, because here in the Westernmost US time zone, by the time I eat dinner PT has moved on to the next day. So for a while I was exasperated because, logging late, I would log today's dinner on tomorrow's log and not realize it until I was ready to log tomorrow's dinner.

Logging every bite is clearly what works for a lot of people, but it's not the key for me. For me, exercise is the key. If I get into the habit of working out, my diet naturally changes without much effort. I lose cravings for sweets; my preferences for fresh, whole foods increase.

So when I want to get fit or healthy or even lose weight, I focus on the workouts. Logging everything I eat is an inefficient use of my time. I try, and I log unhealthy things--but if I can't get on the computer at night or again until 4 in the afternoon (as often happens, since I'm an on-call teacher), I don't try to fill in what's behind me food-wise. Only the workouts, because those are what help.

I belong to three groups. Two in particular are very helpful, and in neither of those groups is the focus on counseling each other regarding our food choices, because all seven of us already know the principles of good nutrition. One group is focusing on mildly competitive fitness challenges. The other is a sort of emotional support system and cheer section, where good choices are noticed and bad ones pretty much ignored. These are much more beneficial to me than a group where the main focus was logging everything and giving each other advice about our diets. In fact, I left a group like that because it wasn't working for me.

See? There's room for all styles here. It can take a while to find a group that supports your personal needs, whatever they are, but it's clear just from this thread that however you think about this weight-loss or fitness venture, there are people out there who think the same way. The key isn't to convert people to your style; rather, to find those for whom your style is also the best way.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007, 11:46 PM

11:46 you make a good point. I log every bite for ME. because it works for me. I also know it helps my groupmates. if you were my groupmate and i didnt see you log dinner, I would assume that you had a hard time and didnt want to put down the nasty details.... but if you exlpained to the group (what you just explained here) it wouldnt bother me because i know the situation and know that it works for YOU. I DO feel that being in a group gives us the responsibility to be accountable to others as well. we are in it to help them too... if its too much, then we shouldnt be in a group with others, just keep a food diary. we have to do what we need for us and others as well.

Wednesday, October 31, 2007, 5:42 AM

well put 11:46.

If you don't like members of your team or group not logging dinners, start another group for people who log dinners. We're all different and i don't appreciate being attacked because i don't log dinners. What makes one way right and one way wrong? it's all a matter of opinion.

Wednesday, October 31, 2007, 9:17 AM

bump

Tuesday, June 17, 2008, 1:47 PM

for me it's generally because I'm not sitting at my computer looking for any excuse not to do work that i log everything during the day but not evening or weekends... I should keep being accountable though...

Tuesday, August 12, 2008, 5:59 PM

why do you care what others are doing or not doing? You should worry only about yourself.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008, 7:57 PM

Thank you Oct 30-11:46PM

I totally agree - the point of having groups and teams in PT is so you find people who are like you. It may take time though. I still can't say I've found the perfect group for me yet either. I'm more like like Oct 31-5:42AM and log every bite (and all the calories too) because I'm only 1 month into this and need to totally see what I'm doing.
OP-I agree that it can be annoying when you are hoping that they post (I'm always encouraging my groupmates to), but maybe it's time to move on and find another group.

Some of you may think that no one goes back and looks but we do. I was away on vacation for 10 days, and kept a paper log the whole time. When I got back I typed it all up - now it's permanently in my log so even I can go back and look at it. I'm always back checking on groupmates logs, getting ideas and just showing interest - showing I care is what PT is all about!

Because of this post I've decided to look up and find teams for active posters so here are some (I've decided to join a couple myself)
Enthusiastic Exclamationaholics Unite!
Daily Commenters!
Active PT members

Tuesday, August 12, 2008, 8:08 PM

I would also recommend looking for a different group or starting a new one that fits your needs. We are all different and have different ideas of what works for us.
Have you asked your teammates why they dont log in their dinners? It may be worthwhile to see their responses.
Since I am also in the western time zone I dicovered late night logging doesnt always work. I did discover the little button to click back to the day before but sometimes I have been so tired (couldnt always remember what I ate) and just wanted to get to sleep. Several times I logged in to record my food or exersize only to discover that yesterdays stuff was on todays log. Rather then erase and start over, I leave it and go on.
A lot of people keep handwritten journals, things that they can carry around in their purse or pocket or leave on top of their counter or desk. Its much easier to grab a pencil and jot in your details. Some of them even transfer it over to the pt logs, but not all of them do as it is repetitive and time consuming. Why spend all day writing out your logs?
In our household, we only have one computer. This summer I have been getting up early to get a son to work and find this a good time to log in, but the rest of the day we get busy and the kids take their turns at the computer and I am lucky if I get a chance to get back to it. When school starts I will be bumped back to logging after work and again trying to find time to get onto the computer.
Very rarely do I find the time to check on others logs. It interests me to know what other people find to eat so it gives me ideas, plus I enjoy reading any comments made at the top of their logs. It can be an insight as to how their day went and what they may be dealing with in life. But there is just so much going on here, that I just dont have the time for it on any kind of a regular basis. If someone doesnt have their dinner logged in, I grin to myself and think "oh good, someone else runs out of time for these things, too!"

Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 10:04 AM

Speaking generally, I think there's no point logging at all if you're not going to log everything you eat. The point is that other people can see exactly what you're eating; it makes you accountable for what you eat, which makes you consider the effects before you put something in your mouth. Personally, I think you should log everything, or not at all. Otherwise what's the point? You could just log the healthy things you eat; or log the first 1500 calories and then stop. It's like keeping a calorie diary; only works if you log it all. IMHO.

Thursday, August 14, 2008, 6:34 AM

everybody has busy lives, but when you commit to something, like logging and posting in a group, then you should do it. it is part of the group experience. if you want to do it haphazard, then join your own private group where you can log and post when you feel like it. dont make excuses!!!!!!
i cant tell you how many groups i started that said "active posters only". people joined and then, bingo what happened where did they go?no posting, no logging. consider the group folks!! there are people out there who want and need group motivation, whence, the pt site. that is what this site is all about. i for one belong to 3 groups that occasionally post, i am the only one who post and log everyday. and guess what, i am the only one losing weight!!!! there are some people who are on this site over a year and have not lost anything, only because of that one reason. weight watchers states that to have a successful weight loss, you must write down what you eat. what more can i say. see how important it is to post and log.

Thursday, August 14, 2008, 7:36 AM

Some people keep seperate logs that they can carry around with them and add to them as needed. They dont always get around to transferring everything to the pt log. For some it is a personal goal and dont find the need to publicize it to everyone else. Who cares what others do? Do what works for you. If they dont want to tell the world that they ate a whole bag of cookies today, then it is their problem and their lack of weight loss. We are all in this together but if some use a different set of rules, let it go.

Thursday, August 14, 2008, 11:18 PM

i'm sorry pp but i disagree. it is one thing not to log the junk you ate. fine...if you dont want to log, start your own private group. the group experience is for everyone, it motivates and gives support. if you dont log and post, what is the sense of having a group? this is especially important when your group is advertised as active poster and you have a bunch of deadheads. get with it, either become active or leave the group for another that is not so active. it ruins a group experience when people dont care about their teammates.

Friday, August 15, 2008, 5:48 PM

Hi, this is Tuesday, Aug 12, 8:08 PM again here.

I'm really serious about finding other PT members who log and communicate with each other as much as I do (I log numerous times a day and am always checking up on my groupmates, and leaving comments on the message board). Some of you here say you can't find a group where people actually do log everything and every day, so I'm going to start one... or more.
I'm starting a group called "Daily Active Loggers"
If any of you want to be a part of this search for my group and join me. If that group fills up then I'll start "Daily Active Loggers2" etc. until everyone who wants to join is a part of it (hopefully not wishful thinking that I need open numerous groups). Hope to see you there - but please don't waste the space and join unless you do log EVERY day!
Cheers,
Christine

Friday, August 15, 2008, 8:04 PM

Christine here again,

If you do a search for the "Daily Active Loggers" group, hit the "D" at the bottom to bring the names up alphabetically, because otherwise too many groups come up when you do a general search.

Friday, August 15, 2008, 8:11 PM

5;48 the OP did not specify active groups. She just asked why people dont log after lunch and if it bothered others. While (I would asume) everyone is here to lose weight or to at least attain a healthier lifestyle, not everyone needs to do it in the same exact manner. So some people dont have the need to log absolutely everything they eat, it doesnt mean they also dont want the moral support or added comments from the posts. Some people keep seperate handwritten logs which they discuss with a dr or personal trainer. Why is it so important for you to analyze and perhaps criticize what they eat anyway? While I personally log my daily food, I have noticed that there are others that just want the moral support, the friendship, the discussions and whatever else it is that pt provides. How nice that we can each come here and follow the path that helps us the most without others picking at it.

Saturday, August 16, 2008, 3:04 PM

I find it interesting that some people here insist that their logs are only for themselves, while others think logs are meant to be read. The groups that have worked for me have been those in which we read each others' logs.

I definitely write my log to be read. Drives me crazy when I write pages about my vacation and then someone asks in the comments, "How was your vacation?" Conversely, I see some very minimalist logs in which virtually no information is given. All I can say about those is please don't ask me why you're not losing weight, I have no data....

Sunday, August 17, 2008, 5:21 PM

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