[SenseAndSensibility]

Let me just start by saying that this app has already made my journey so much easier and exciting. I currently use FatSecret for myself. Has an extensive food menu already in it, a barcode scanner, and I can add new foods (even pictures!) It also shows approcimates for several different kinds of work outs.

I was wondering though, if any experienced calorie counters that use apps like this had any tips??? This is what I do so far:

I enter in less time then I actually worked out cause I heard a lot of these apps overconpensate for calories burned in exercise. I feel like this gives me a more accurate count.

I set my "limit" at the bare minimum of my desired calorie intake per day (1400 of my 1400-1600 goal). That way, it's a clear sign when I'm filling up! Its so much easier for me to go over then under, and this is one way to keep me in the proper range. I go over every single day, so my app must think I'm nuts, but I feel good about it.

I try and enter in everything, even if I'm having a cheat day, just so I can see it and get an understanding of what a cheat day looks like, and so I'm less tempted to cheat again!

I plan meals ahead of time in the app so I can see my whole day, and always try and leave room for a "mystery treat" of whatever the day throws at me. I don't always end up eating the meal I planned, but it makes me prepares for those scenarios!

Anyone else do some of these tips or have other tips for using these apps? So far, I just blindly trust the counts on all the foods already entered but maybe you know of some foods to watch out for or double check.

[Sage2]

I use My Net Diary because it shows only a food bar (cals eaten and left just from food) at the top of the screen. Below it shows how many calories are left because of exercise. I enjoy seeing that number for fun but use only the food allowance. I don't consider the calories earned from exercise computation to be in any way accurate. It really can't be, there are just too many variables between people and how they burn calories. The calories burned numbers in all these types of apps are calculated based on algorithms that may or may not be true for any given individual.

I also enter every single thing, every single day and leave room for a treat or snack at night.

[PinkTaffeta]

I use MyFitnessPal to log my calories. I log my calories as I eat them. I find that when I do that I am more mindful of what I eat throughout the day. It also gives me the freedom to plan for an indulgence later in the day.

-PT

[faiora]

Originally Posted by SenseandSensibility

I enter in less time then I actually worked out cause I heard a lot of these apps overconpensate for calories burned in exercise. I feel like this gives me a more accurate count.

You can do that... probably a good idea if you're specifically eating calories back. Personally I don't enter most of my exercise. If I do an unusual amount of exercise, though, I enter it in full and eat back the calories. I think there's something to be said for eating back the calories in full (and not underestimating) because if you choose the right foods, your body can take that opportunity to rebuild lean mass.

But, to me it doesn't matter much as all how you handle exercise logging, because the diet component matters so much more. Do what you feel happy and comfortable with.

Originally Posted by SenseandSensibility

I set my "limit" at the bare minimum of my desired calorie intake per day (1400 of my 1400-1600 goal). That way, it's a clear sign when I'm filling up! Its so much easier for me to go over then under, and this is one way to keep me in the proper range. I go over every single day, so my app must think I'm nuts, but I feel good about it.

Again, what works for you is best.

I set my goal in MFP to the average calories I want to eat per day, so that wehn I look at the weekly graph I can tell right away if I'm hovering around the right number. MFP also shows a bar on the weekly graph representing my average calories per day, and shows me how many I have left for the week—so I always know how many I should aim for, since I'm aiming for an average, not a specific daily amount.

I know it's easier to go over and it doesn't look like you're setting your calories far too low or anything, so your method sounds just as good.

Originally Posted by SenseandSensibility

I try and enter in everything, even if I'm having a cheat day, just so I can see it and get an understanding of what a cheat day looks like, and so I'm less tempted to cheat again!

Same. In fact, I reward myself for how well I'm logging, not for how well I'm eating or how much weight I've lost. Logging is the one part of the equation I have complete control over, so that's what I use to evaluate my progress.

Also if I'm logging regularly, it's impossible to stay off track for long. Eventually I am disturbed by all the tall red lines on the graph, and oddly, it makes me feel a lot less hungry ^_~

Originally Posted by SenseandSensibility

I plan meals ahead of time in the app so I can see my whole day, and always try and leave room for a "mystery treat" of whatever the day throws at me. I don't always end up eating the meal I planned, but it makes me prepares for those scenarios!

I feel like every time I try to plan meals, I end up sabotaging myself (as in, purposefully). I'm incredibly stubborn and I rebel against a lot of things I'm told to do, even if I'm the one who told me to do them. It does work out well if I'm excited about things though, or if I've made it really easy for myself to follow along with, e.g. by packing my lunch the day before.

I still do log things ahead of time, even if I later change my plans. It's kind of helpful in its own way, even when I overwrite it.

Originally Posted by SenseandSensibility

Anyone else do some of these tips or have other tips for using these apps? So far, I just blindly trust the counts on all the foods already entered but maybe you know of some foods to watch out for or double check.

Tons of foods need to be double-checked in MFP. Usually I glance over all the options I'm given before making a judgement call. If there's an entry that includes macronutrients I tend to believe it's a bit more accurate, but I'll almost never pick the highest or lowest caloric estimate on the list.

Often I'll choose something similar, like if I'm out at a pub and have a burger, I'll compare it to a Denny's burger in my head if it seems similar, then look for something comparable to enter. In the long run, even if I'm 200 calories off it's not a big deal.

Basically as long as I'm doing my best and being honest with myself, I'm not too worried. There have been times when I've realized I'm basing my calorie estimates on how many calories I have left, and that's when I have to check myself and say "no, that's not how it works."

[toodles11]

I use My Fitness Pal. I set my daily calorie goal manually (currently 1600) and I don't eat back any "earned" calories for exercise. If I am consistent with sticking to my daily calorie goal then I see consistent losses. I find that their calculations are off when I use the app to calculate my goals.

The one part I struggle with is calculating serving portions for homemade meals --- and I almost always cook from scratch. It can be frustrating so I try not to focus too much on the exact numbers. If my dish has some component that I know is high calorie (cheese, cream, pasta, etc) then I try to eat smaller portions to give me a buffer in case I incorrectly estimated the portions in the recipe builder.

[frawniemae]

In the past I have used pencil and paper to track calories, etc. I'm going to try My Fitness Pal. I'm on the computer often so it will be no big deal to input my daily info.

As far as homemade from scratch food items, I'll just break it down by ingredient as best I can. I know what I can and can't eat. I know the amounts that should be eaten. doing it will be the hard part. But I am determined. This should help keep me on track.

[jigglefree]

I use my iPad like a pencil and paper. I have a tendency to.eat the same food everyday so once i count my calories for the first day of meals I don't have to think about them unless I change something. Which I rarely do for at least a week. I never add my workout calories because I don't eat them back. Mist apps I've tried will expect you to eat the calories back.

[sally007]

I used mostly free apps and all of them were pretty inaccurate. I need something that can count the calories for me, I’m not the pen and pencil type. Any recommendations?

[faiora]

Originally Posted by sally007

I used mostly free apps and all of them were pretty inaccurate. I need something that can count the calories for me, I’m not the pen and pencil type. Any recommendations?

The apps are as accurate as you make them—and you can always enter accurate calories if you can't find them from a search. I find MyFitnessPal is usually close enough, and for me, consistency is more important than accuracy. If I'm always underestimating calories I will eventually start gaining weight, which I will notice. Then I'll reduce my calories. So it's really not a big deal if things are a bit off.