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Hi everyone

cinr11
cinr11 Posts: 1 Member
in Introduce Yourself
Hi everyone ,

I’m new here and very excited that I joined! I just started the Free 1 Month Premium. Is that worth it ? I’m feeling overwhelmed, I’m not sure where to start. I’m petite and need to loose 30 :( ! I want to track my calories but not sure how much protein , calorie , fat a day I should be eating to loose weight . Can someone please advise . Also is step tracked
accurate ? Is everyone counting calories ? Any advice will help! Thank you ! Love to meet people others!

Replies

  • Arawra90
    Arawra90 Posts: 70 Member
    I did like the premium for a few of the perks (like scanning barcodes lol) and tracking macros, but I manage without it. It is up to you. I am looking to lose about 30lb myself. I track calories and have cut back on things like sugary drinks and alcohol. Making sure to get at least 30 minutes of activity a day (outside of normal things like shopping, chores, work). You are here and asking questions so that is a start. Feel free to add me if you would like some support.
  • annliz23
    annliz23 Posts: 3,886 Member
    keep logging and exercising use a,monitor ie, garmin amazfit etc there are lots available
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 35,497 Member
    Hello and welcome!

    Whether premium is worth it or not is kind of individual: If you absolutely need features that only premium has (bar code scanning, fine-grained control of nutrient goals, more predefined "plans", net carb calculations, intermittent fasting support, etc.), then premium is worth it. I have it, like some of the features, but lost weight and maintained weight fine with just the free app. I usually suggest folks try the free version to start, see if it's adequate, unless they're the type of person who's more committed if they're paying.

    If you set yourself up in MFP (via your profile), MFP will give you a starting calorie estimate, and starting nutritional goals. Those are a decent starting point for most people (as long as you don't pick a weight loss rate too aggressive for your current size). I'd suggest that you shouldn't pick a loss rate higher than 1 pound (half a kg) a week, with only 30 pounds to lose.

    I get that we all want to drop weight fast, but - even if going fast - losing any meaningful total amount of weight (like 30 pounds) is going to take at least many weeks to months. That puts a premium on choosing tactics we can live with for that amount of time, while carrying on with normal life activities alongside.

    On top of that, most of us want to stay at that new healthy weight. For people like me, with a tendency toward overweight, that's a forever endeavor. It helps, IMO, to use weight loss as a time to experiment and find new eating habits that are relatively enjoyable (at least tolerable) so that we can keep them up almost on autopilot forever . . . because other parts of life will eventually demand more attention. Losing weight more gradually helps with finding those habits, and practicing them. Then, when you get to goal weight, you add a few calories and keep going about the same way.

    The "lose weight fast then go back to normal" approach that many people adopt is a recipe for yo-yo dieting, which is probably the least healthy option, worse health-wise than being/staying somewhat into the overweight range.

    Once you get set up in MFP, follow its calorie goal (on average) for 4-6 weeks (whole menstrual cycles if that applies), then compare your loss rate to expectations. Use your results to adjust your calorie goal, using the assumption that 500 calories a day is roughly a pound a week. Along the way, I suggest focusing first on finding the foods and eating timing that keep you full and happy most of the time, then start chipping away at hitting macronutrient goals, especially at getting enough protein.

    As you do that, you can figure out whether you should tweak your macronutrient goals - some of that decision making is personal, about what keeps you full and happy, some of it is learning about nutrition, which you can do as you go along and have the mental bandwidth to devote to it. You won't become instantly undernourished as long as you are healthy to start (no serious diagnosed deficiencies) and don't cut calories punitively far. (No one can get adequate nutrition on too few calories.)

    Don't let any of this overwhelm you: You can do it. Just be patient, keep chipping away at your goals, and you'll get there.

    I'm cheering for you!

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