What is the benefit of 'Complete Day'?

zachiedoo

Do certain stats rely on/use it?

MikeyD

I have found several good reason for "completing" the day.

1) The act itself is a mindfulness and closure ritual that reinforces journaling. "Have I entered everything? Am I done eating and drinking for the day?"
2) Completing the day ensures that you don't inadvertently track on the wrong day, or make inadvertent edits. You can't edit unless you re-open the day.
3) If you do not consistently track, stats and reports can be run for only the complete days. This will give you an accurate picture of what typical days (or a series of days) look like in terms of calories and nutrition when you ARE tracking. (Maybe you have a "cheat day" and don't want to consider the realities of that day.) Having said that, I've forced myself to track even the challenging or mindless days. I will guess or do my best at recall.
4) FYI, reports can also include or exclude the current day, which may or may not be complete.

I hope that is helpful and let me know if I've missed something.

Mike

PositivePaula

I'm sorry I am not so sure myself. But glad you asked this question as I will be following to see what answers you get.

Good luck with all your goals health / wellness and others.

Take care,
Paula

zachiedoo

Thank you for such detail.

Because of my current health issues, I have no choice but to track everything, every day, and I do it from my phone & laptop as I make my meals and prepare my snacks. Every morsel gets weighed/measured; Most of my meals are planned/logged in the morning, and I follow the plan like a roadmap.

But, even when I have simply chosen to attack my bad eating habits, I have always been a faithful, honest tracker. After all, not being honest is only cheating myself. I do allow myself a little more latitude on weekends, but even then I'm still careful to make healthy choices.

I just made myself an oat-crust Greek-style pizza that was to die for. It was my first taste of pizza in 3 months and felt like a gourmet treat.

The 'mindfulness' of closing the day is a good point. Also, not inadvertently editing a previous day would be helpful for me because I do go back and forth a lot pasting from previous days.

I haven't been consistently closing my days, but I will from now on.

Phoenix4life

@MikeyD Love this....you are aware and supporting your mindful routines. I have completed a Mindful MBSR course and perhaps it is something you might want to investigate. I do have night time rituals that compete my day and supports my goals. Journaling is helpful and I have more than one that have different purposes.

For me, I have eliminated the concept of cheat day. If I have a day that does not support my goals, I recognize we all make mistakes and have a bump in the road and look forward to my next productive action. I've found that I quickly am able to get back on track.

I also have rituals for beginning the day...even as simple as drinking a glass of water in the am first thing to rehydrate my body. Starting your day with your program, sets the tone for day just as completing your day facilitates not only closure and reflection of your daily actions, but ensures a peaceful and restoration sleep.

I enjoyed your post and wish you much success.

MikeyD

Thank you! Great ideas. I also don't like the idea of a cheat day but I guess it can work for some people. I would probably go nuts and then feel terrible about it. I would rather plan out and balance indulgences. Good luck to you as well.