20+ lbs down, looking for MFP friends!

dlopez3786812

I'm new and just started really locking in, lets stay motivated together. Still figuring out the app so any advice is welcomed.

[edited by staff]

AtanasDragulev

Hi. Great progress. Finding a way to keep motivation is definitely one of the hardest parts.

Best way I found was to have a goal that's not about loosing weight, but using it as a part of a something bigger. It can be health, finally fitting into clothes you like etc. A long term goal is better. Years ago I lost a lot of weight to get a girl and the moment I wasn't interested in her anymore I got them back. Now I am doing it for myself.

Use the app as a tool to help stay in line. Don't feel guilty if one day a week you go 20 calories over. If you are in deficit for the week its not a problem. In the beginning verify the data with the food label. If its with the green badge that it is verified no need, but user generated can be a bit off. Some people see 2.1g carbs of witch 1.6 sugars and enter carbs as 3.7 instead 2.1. Little drawback of having user entered db, but there is an option to save corrected values in your personal foods so not that big of a deal.

Be prepared that at some point you will hit a plateau. It can be short. keep going as always and it will be ok. I had one for 3 weeks.

At one point the body get used to the lower calories and stops or slows down loosing weight a lot. I personally changed 2 days on calories to hold my weight and the other 5 on bigger deficit, but didn't change my weekly calorie intake. Some people increase their workout. Find the way that feels good to you.

I am doing it now for 6 months and I am 50lbs/22kg down. In the beginning it was fast, but I stabilized my target to 2.5 kg a month. I find very helpful to educate myself about nutrition, how the body works and so on.

If you have any specific questions you may ask.

fatemehhesamizadeh

Hi there I'm new too, let's walk together ☺️