Anyone feel like you're in on a big secret with MFP?
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Yes! I so agree with you. But, when people ask me "how" I'm losing weight, the majority are very disappointed I'm not doing some woo-woo plan and generally those who ask for details end up getting glassy-eyed after just a couple sentences of my details about MFP.
So, I don't say too much anymore unless someone is seriously interested.
yeah, i find that a LOT.
everyone wants a quick fix. they dont want to work for it. most of us, i would bet, have been there and learned it doesnt work.0 -
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Wiseandcurious wrote: »Judging by the amount of users who show up for a quick spell and vanish, no, I don't feel it's a secret. And there are other food journal/calorie counting apps out there as well.
The only thing that seemed secret in the sense that it felt like a revelation is that "eat less, move more" and CICO works.
Of course that secret is kept out in the open where everyone can see it
but I can't blame people for not seeing it when for years upon years I didn't either.
I agree to a point, but (as you mention) a lot of people come here, read the forums, and maybe even enjoy some success still give up. Just weighing food and logging meals is too much effort for a good chunk... why bother with all that when the lemonade detox is SO much easier?0 -
lewispwest wrote: »I think a lot of you are misreading what I'm saying. Obviously MFP isn't a secret, what I'm talking about is that is actually works and people aren't using it, instead spending a fortune on fad diets.
no, I know exactly what you mean..but I still think that most people simply do not want to do the work...they know it works, but "there's gotta be an easier way." People in general are fairly lazy and always looking for an easy out...that's why the industry at large is so profitable and that's why there have always been snake oil salesman.
Like I said in my first post...all of my friends and colleagues know exactly how I lost my 40 Lbs...they know it works...but has anyone else done it? No....it's too much work in their eyes.0 -
scottacular wrote: »tinascar2015 wrote: »I think the world is pretty aware of MFP. I thought I was doing a service to my FB friends when I posted about it, and about a dozen of them, including my stepdaughter in England, said they use it. One friend even said her doctor recommended she begin using it. Now, why didn't any of my friends tell me about it ages ago??
Last time I was in the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle-upon-Tyne they had posters up advising people to use MFP. I gave it a knowing nod, like I was part of some cool club where all the other cool kids hang out. We should have a secret handshake for when we meet other MFP users to confirm our coolness. Maybe even have secret clubhouses all over the world for various different areas. And we can wear fancy robes and hats.
I am totally down for this idea.
bennettinfinity wrote: »no one listened once they discovered it wasn't a magic pill, etc... essentially "I want to lose weight, but I don't want to put forth any effort"
I've had the same thing with every single one of my friends who has asked me about my weight loss, they want to know what specific diet I'm following or what shakes I use, what one amazing exercise I do, and how quickly I did it. When I explain CICO and that I took it slowly (335 days so far and 0.8lbs away from my goal) their interest immediately dies. They all want one miracle food, or one fat-destroying workout, or fantastical supplement that means you can still eat the way you always did and still lose. I can't understand why people are so against a method that WORKS. Seriously, it works, I've lost weight for the first time in my life and I've not deprived myself of any food I love, it's just.... science! It works! Use it, you strange little people! Gah.0 -
bennettinfinity wrote: »why bother with all that when the lemonade detox is SO much easier?
Haha, "Lemonade Detox", better copyright that quickly!
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A lot of people are put off by logging/weighing/measuring, no two ways about it.0
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Yes I agree. Echoing a lot of comments here, most people will try weird diets, food exclusions, etc. but they are unrealistic about results. A friend of mine whines a lot about how hard dieting is, and I see her 'fall off the wagon' a lot. I said to her, "Do you really want to know which diet works?" Of course she got all excited, and I said, "The one you stick to." That really is key.
All I know is the ONLY time I have ever lost a significant amount of weight is when I was patient with myself, journaled my food religiously, and added exercise into my weekly routine.
Also, I want to mention self talk. I broke my leg about ten years ago and the doc said I'd have to stay off of it for 3 MONTHS! I started to cry and I said "I'll get fat" guess what? I did. From there I had this nagging voice inside my head that said if I couldn't run I'd gain weight. Talk to yourself in a loving supportive way. It's all up to you anyway, no one can do this for you. So you might as well be your own best cheerleader. Someone said to me, if you don't like something, change your mind. Your body has to do what your mind says.0 -
Yes I agree. Echoing a lot of comments here, most people will try weird diets, food exclusions, etc. but they are unrealistic about results.
That's partly because people do want fast results, but also because we are inundated with false and misleading claims made by the diet and fitness industry.
Like what the crap is this
http://www.doctoroz.com/article/10-day-detox-diet-jump-start-guide
or this
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/weight-loss/7-day-diet
or this
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bennettinfinity wrote: »Wiseandcurious wrote: »Judging by the amount of users who show up for a quick spell and vanish, no, I don't feel it's a secret. And there are other food journal/calorie counting apps out there as well.
The only thing that seemed secret in the sense that it felt like a revelation is that "eat less, move more" and CICO works.
Of course that secret is kept out in the open where everyone can see it but I can't blame people for not seeing it when for years upon years I didn't either.
I agree to a point, but (as you mention) a lot of people come here, read the forums, and maybe even enjoy some success still give up. Just weighing food and logging meals is too much effort for a good chunk... why bother with all that when the lemonade detox is SO much easier?
I see your point. In the end, as so many people have said so many times, you have to want it badly enough.
Part of the problem I think is "magical thinking" - we all have it as kids and mostly grow out of it as our reason develops, but I think some people suffer from its effects all their lives. Even when I didn't have what it took to stick to MFP, I never went on any fad - but I am a hopeless rationalist. The stronger one's (possibly subconscious) belief that a magic solution to their problems may exist, the stronger they will resist doing it the hard, old-fashioned way I guess.0 -
Nope no secret with mfp. Also no magic pills
Glad I found this site a long time ago & get back to where I want to be again. The commitment & staying focused is key 0 -
Yep. Almost every day I have the same conversation with at least one person:
"WOW you look GREAT! What are you doing?"
"Counting calories on My Fitness Pal"
"What kind of diet is My Fitness Pal?"
"... counting calories."
"What do you eat?"
"Food?"
"Like, lots of vegetables? Low carb?"
"No, just food. Whatever I feel like eating for my allotted calories."
And then they usually lose interest. I did have one person ask for a 'typical day' of eating and didn't seem to believe me when I listed my typical meals. One person decided they were going to go home and try it (I told them the phone app was broken and to use the website to figure out their calories). Came back the next day and said 'no way, the MFP app told me I only get 900 calories and then I tried to count out my cracker serving and decided it wasn't worth starving. Happy you're able to starve, but I'm not doing it!'. *facepalm*0 -
It was a complete secret to me. I signed up for Garmin Connect and it asked me if I wanted to try MFP. I'm so glad I said yes. Now that I've been using it and talking about it, it seems a lot of people know about it and have tried it, but they don't talk openly about it. I wish I had learned about this site years ago!0
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Well, MFP sure has made calorie counting a whole lot easier.0
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10 million Android downloads, who knows how many from the App Store. Not really a secret.0
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Wiseandcurious wrote: »bennettinfinity wrote: »Wiseandcurious wrote: »Judging by the amount of users who show up for a quick spell and vanish, no, I don't feel it's a secret. And there are other food journal/calorie counting apps out there as well.
The only thing that seemed secret in the sense that it felt like a revelation is that "eat less, move more" and CICO works.
Of course that secret is kept out in the open where everyone can see it but I can't blame people for not seeing it when for years upon years I didn't either.
I agree to a point, but (as you mention) a lot of people come here, read the forums, and maybe even enjoy some success still give up. Just weighing food and logging meals is too much effort for a good chunk... why bother with all that when the lemonade detox is SO much easier?
I see your point. In the end, as so many people have said so many times, you have to want it badly enough.
Part of the problem I think is "magical thinking" - we all have it as kids and mostly grow out of it as our reason develops, but I think some people suffer from its effects all their lives. Even when I didn't have what it took to stick to MFP, I never went on any fad - but I am a hopeless rationalist. The stronger one's (possibly subconscious) belief that a magic solution to their problems may exist, the stronger they will resist doing it the hard, old-fashioned way I guess.
+1
I think you're onto something with that 'magical thinking' perspective... there seems to be a lot of that permeating society today (not just MFP).
Critical thinking doesn't seem to be much in vogue these days... but that's another thread. 0 -
I love all the comments here.. what also annoys me is the people who keep coming back and then leaving. I understand a good chunk of people will sign up and never return.. but there's those people that keep wrestling with knowing its the right way and they are either too scared or have like zero self control and come back and try every few months. My heart aches for them more than the people that leave and never come back. I just wanna be like... I'm begging you commit!!!!0
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[quote="Mexicanbigfoot;
- I work in an office of primarily women and when I started losing weight, they asked me how. I told them the truth.
Not one person looked into MFP. Instead, I've watched them drop tons of cash buying pills and drops and every other crazy thing on the market to promote "quick weight loss" and guess what - no one has lost weight but me.
Hard work pays off, always
[/quote]
Same here, if and when someone ask and you tell them - I have changed my eating habits by watching what and how much I eat and by counting calories, you just get the lost deer caught in the headlight look . . . then nothing. But start talking about how you only eat foods that start with the same letters that are in your name or some other foolishness and its all good.
Yes, using common sense can sometimes make you feel like you are part of some secret society 0 -
I pretty much do feel that way, because accurately counting calories, which MFP is a good tool for, reduces weight loss to simple math and that is amazing, considering how many people seem to think it's some magical, supernatural process. I know it's just estimation and there's no way to be 100% correct down to the calorie, but it is kind of incredible that I can eat (X) number of calories and do (Y) amount of exercise and I can have a predictable outcome of (Z) amount of weight per week (or maintenance or whatever.)
It takes literally 98% of the guesswork out of weight loss, and every time one of my Facebook friends starts posting about Shakeology or Whole30 or whatever stupid plan they're currently trying to lose weight on I just want to scream "BUT IF YOU JUST COUNT WHAT'S GOING INTO YOUR MOUTH...!!" Because it is literally that easy.
I don't mean to belittle anyone's struggles with it and maybe I'm too flippant because I've never been technically "overweight" and only lost vanity pounds, but still. I did the calculation, I ate that many calories, and it just happened, because it's actual science and not woo-woo.0 -
I stumbled on MFP a couple of years ago when I was curious about calorie count in a restaurant meal I had eaten. I googled calorie counts, XYZ restaurant, and MFP was the first listing. I had been thinking about losing weight, but had never before really tried anything concentrated. I had no idea how many calories were in different foods, what was an appropriate calorie deficit, etc. I set up a profile, and I have logged in for 760 consecutive days since.
The other day at work I had this conversation:
Lady in cafeteria - "wow you look great, almost unrecognizable. What are you doing?"
Me - "it's crazy really, eating less, moving more".
Lady - "oh that never works for me, I try for a while and just can't stick with it"
Me - "well I use an app called My Fitness Pal, and I have a FitBit, both of which make it really simple, you just have to commit to it"
Lady - "ok, well, that's great, but I don't think it will work for me. I don't have time for that sort of thing"
Me - (internally) - "I'm bored with your excuses, I'm going to go eat my lunch, walk for 20 minutes, and follow it up with girl scout cookies because it fits in my day".
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I do feel the same way as everyone.. but what makes matters worse is I zombified a good portion of my family and friends by going on the Atkins diet in high school and having success. I lost 40 pounds.. but then, like nearly all dieters, gained it back and more. It was 11 years ago but I went thru a lot of, "Wow you look great, what are you doing?" and I gave them the crap they wanted to hear about how low carb is so amazing and stuff. **Rolls eyes** I feel like I am to blame for conditioning their weird looks and questions now. I am so glad I'm no longer a diet zombie :-)0
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Lol yup and even when my friends tell me they wanna lose weight they think I'm insane for counting calories and refuse to do so! We will see who's laughing when I reach my goal!0
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spoonyspork wrote: »and then I tried to count out my cracker serving and decided it wasn't worth starving.
yes to all of it but i will say - i dont know what the heck is in crackers that make them have so many freaking calories! LOLOLOLOLOL
those are one of the few foods I generally avoid just for that reason ( i mean, who only eats 5 crackers????), and there's really NOT many foods i avoid! LOLOL0 -
Secret for me because I've frankly not really told anyone about it. I tell people that I count calories, but I don't want them to think that I'm obsessive because I weigh my food and log everything in a diary (plus let's be honest... I'm not sure I want people to read my posts here LOL).0
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Probably because most people tend to want quick solutions, and never mind that it doesn't work in the future. MFP is not a quick solution by any means, even though it has the potential to help you for the rest of your life.0
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lewispwest wrote: »
I feel like I'm in on a big secret that the rest of the world doesn't know about, otherwise why would they go on all these daft fad diets and spend a fortune on crazy pills from the internet?
Diet fads and crazy pills bank on people being generally dumb.0 -
lewispwest wrote: »I think a lot of you are misreading what I'm saying. Obviously MFP isn't a secret, what I'm talking about is that is actually works and people aren't using it, instead spending a fortune on fad diets.
I got what you meant OP. They don't use it because it's too much "work". It the same reason why people sign up for Weight Watchers and then quit. For some people it's too much work to track every. single. thing. you. eat. People are looking for a quick fix. I don't think they understand that then need to invest time and effort to change habits and lose weight. It's really kind of sad.0 -
Oh hell yeeeaaah.
18 years of binge eating and obesity. Only thing that works is MFP.
People on facebook say "wow, how did you do it?" And then act like my reply sucks as it wasn't a magic pill or fad diet.0 -
I'd never heard of it until two weeks ago when doctor recommended it.0
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I don't think it's a secret but I think it takes a certain type of person to commit to counting calories and having the attention to detail that you need to be successful.
I joined mfp a few years ago but I just 'couldn't be bothered' with all the counting and checking before I ate anything. I went on to loose almost 4 stone with slimming world. I stopped the diet after being unable to attend the meetings and lost focus. Luckily I was working out so the weight didn't go on too quickly and I caught it in time. I gained a stone.
This time my head is totally in mfp. I am obcessed and for me, that's the only way to do it. I train hard, I diet hard and I celebrate my achievements.0
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