Ooooooooooooop! Forgot to ask, I tried putting the 3 Fat Chicks on my desktop and it doesn't seem to work. Any suggestions on doing this?

I started using Fitday in October, and I think I will try to continue counting calories even when I hit maintenance mode, it's made such a huge difference to me. That said, I try not to obsess over it - I don't worry too much about accuracy on foods that are lowcal, but I do try to be very accurate on the items that can really swing numbers. For example, I don't worry if I'm off a little on the lettuce or veggies in my salad, but I make sure that I measure the salad dressing carefully. If I'm eating out, I will just try to estimate quantities and ingredients, and I will try to overestimate to make up for the unknowns.

I started Feb 2006 and yes, I am a bit compulsive about it.
It really does help me know what servings look like.
I bought a mini scale that I use occasionally but I feel so darn weird using it!
I feel guilty if I get "caught" by DH or one of the kids!
What's with that?????

I do see myself getting a bit more relaxed about fitday, like I don't record my salad dressing because it's the squirt type that has maybe 15 calories.
And sugar free gum.
But I started retaining water like crazy so I started really keeping an eye on my sodium and water intake. I was shocked!
I was going WAY over my suggested sodium amounts and WAY under my water and herbal tea amounts!
So, it really has been wonderful to be accountable to fitday.
Not to mention the thought of other people seeing my food!
I sent a link to my friend and she also used to nag at me! lol!

well...it happened

I had exactly the scenario he original poster mentioned

I ended in the ER and then over night in the hospital with my baby. I did end up making the decision to record everything. I didnt worry about whether I was sticking to plan or if the food was perfect, but I did record it, and it did help me make better choices.

for example, we got checked in right before the dinner trays came around. at that point I hadnt eaten since breakfast and since I was nusing him I got a tray, but I didnt get any choices. I ate what was given to me. But, they offer nursing moms an unlimited array of snacks, sodas and desserts. I had dh bring me almonds, light cheese and apples from home. I probably ate more almonds than I would normally, but I felt that as long as I was not setting myself on the bloodsugar rollercoaster, I didnt care if the calories were wrong (as it ended up I was low for the day). dh also stuck in a baggies of xmas cookies and I ignored them.

I think for breakfast is when recording was key. By then lack of sleep was making me famished. I ate the omelet and oatmeal and milk (higher fat than normal, but close to my normal breakfast), but was able to toss the muffin and juice and save the banana for dd (I cant eat fruit with breakfast or I crash). I think if I wasnt recording I would have eaten every speck of food on my tray.

I've been at it a full week, always err on the side of caution, and plan to get my eye to know what four ounces looks like so that I can do this forever and not have to depend on my digital scale and measuring cups/spoons so much.