Converting from Weight Watchers to Myfitnesspal...

wdella2

I was on WW for about 2 years, lost 50lbs and never lifted a finger to exercise. After hitting my plateau, I decided to try something new - myfitnesspal.com, and exercise. I was allocated 1200 calories after logging in the system my weight loss goal of trying to lose another 10+ lbs. I also incorporated exercises which include either spinning, walking on treadmill or zumba, each for at least 30 mins per day, 6 days a week. However with myfitnesspal, you are supposed to consume all the calories you just burned....

I have been doing this for 5 weeks straight with only 1lb lost.

I went back to my WW program and converted all my points to calories. I averaged anywhere from 1110 - 1300 per day. Again with zero exercise. I lost 50lbs.

So myfitnesspal starts me out at 1200. Work out and eat back the burned calories... I'm essentially doing nothing different than when I was on WW (ie: equivalent to ~1200 calories with no exercise)!!

Is that why I'm still seeing no weight loss? I think in order to beat out my plataeu, I need to eat the 1200 calories and THAT'S IT. Don't consume the calories I just burned through working out. Of course myfitnesspal doesn't have the logic to know my prior history of calories (which btw should be brought to their attention btw

But would love to hear thoughts. Thanks!

llbennett74

I hear you. I was on WW and lost almost 15 pounds but put about 10 back on when I got lazy and quit tracking. I cancelled my online subscription and decided to do MPF instead since it's free. Well, it's been a struggle ever since. I haven't found the magic number of calories I should be eating yet. Just for the heck of it, I figured out what my points were for the past few weeks (someone gave me a handy calculator awhile ago) and discovered that if I were counting points, I average anywhere from 36 - 40 per day. Granted this is slightly exaggerated because I forgot to discount the free fruits and veggies but still, I am definitely above the 28 allowable points so for the next week I plan on continuing to track on here but write down points on the side and sticking close to what would be my 28 points to see if I can begin to lose again. One of my co workers who was also on WW and switched to MPF is in the same boat as me. We gripe about it daily. LOL!

Mokey41

If you only have 10 lbs left to lose it will come off slow and you've probably been under eating for a long time so your body has gotten used to living on those calories. It sounds stupid but you may need to eat more, not less, to lose weight. I would be that you're eating under your BMR right now and that isn't going to be good for your health in the long run.

llbennett74

I tried that approach too and it hasn't been working.

CaptCathryn

I also, just recently actually, switched from WW to MFP. I did lose 25 lbs on WW (Started in June of this year) but found I was craving foods like crazy. I decided to try this site and found that if I tracked my 1500 calories compared to my WW points (27) I go over points every single day.

I'm tracking both at the moment but I'm starting to favor MFP just due to the fact that I (so far) haven't noticed the intense cravings. I do have a hard time most days eating all my 1500 allotted calories but thats a tale for a different post.

silken555

MFP has a habit of overestimating calories burned. So if you're eating all of them back chances are that you're over consuming.

I am guessing that you put a 2lb a week goal for yourself. Unless you still have over 50lbs to lose that's actually a very high goal. If you set it to 1lb a week you may have better results. Also only eat 50-75% of your exercise calories back. I would also recommend getting a good heart rate monitor. The kind that has a chest strap.

Another method that many people, including me, calculate by is the TDEE method. You can find more info on how to calculate your TDEE here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/975025-in-place-of-a-road-map-short-n-sweet

Both methods work and remember that regardless of the method you choose to go with, weighting your food properly with a scale is essential. Avoid using cups for solid foods as they tend to be inaccurate.

Good luck to you!

SezxyStef

If you only have 10 lbs left to lose it will come off slow and you've probably been under eating for a long time so your body has gotten used to living on those calories. It sounds stupid but you may need to eat more, not less, to lose weight. I would be that you're eating under your BMR right now and that isn't going to be good for your health in the long run.

this...

to the OP along with the change in how you "count" you have started exercising? IF so you can expect some water retention in there as well.

MFP is set so you do eat exercise calories back...if you are eating 1200...then exercising off 300 you are now netting 900 which is not healthy.

WW gives free fruit, which has significant calories...

Quick question about intake...do you use a kitchen scale? I know WW sells them and says to use them...often times if you are not losing on your deficet you are over estimating burns and/or underestimating intake due to lack of the use of proper equipment. IE HRM and Kitchen scales.

aoneil17

I think it is very difficult for you to compare both plans as when switching back to WW you appear to be doing no exercise, so you may actually be the same when you add exercise into the equation with WW. WW is the same and recommends that you eat your exercise points, although they say it is trial and error as to whether to eat them all - again a bit like here.

I should say I am in the same boat as you in that I lost 50lbs with WW online, along with exercise. I havent been able to exercise due to illness and have put on about a stone. I have been trying to use MFP for about a year and am finding it hard to get the balance of how many exercise calories I should eat.

Luwright321

I think it is very difficult for you to compare both plans as when switching back to WW you appear to be doing no exercise, so you may actually be the same when you add exercise into the equation with WW. WW is the same and recommends that you eat your exercise points, although they say it is trial and error as to whether to eat them all - again a bit like here

This.. I was also on WW for a while, quit because I just couldn't afford to pay for it anymore. Someone in a support group we have at my job recommended MFP. It's working for me just as well if not better than WW. I lost 54 pounds on WW in about 2 years and 36 lbs. in 10 months with MFP. With both programs it's about making better food choices, and tracking what you eat. Stick with it a little longer and you'll start to see results.