Their tracker VS MFP tracker

WeepingAngel81
WeepingAngel81 Posts: 2,232 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Eating right and exercising has become a major lifestyle change, one I'm sure you can all appreciate. My eating habits and gym time often become a topic of discussion with my friends and family and recently a friend of mine was talking about Spark. We were comparing notes on their trackers VS. MFP trackers. I know that there isn't one tried and true way of counting calories, but what got me curious was that Spark offers a range for each day with calories, carbs, protien, etc. where MFP give one set number for each day. I often see people on here upset that they went over their calorie goals where if they had a range they would probably fall within it. For example, my friend has anywhere between 1200-1500 calories a day on Spark and from what I could tell it doesn't subtract for exercise. I was wondering how many people stick to the "strict" number MFP gives or do you tend to fluctuate between a certain calorie range each day? What are the benefits of one set number compared to a range of calories?

Replies

  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    I do like the range Spark gives but the rest of their tracker is just confusing - like who needs all that stress about not getting enough Potassium?! UGH.

    I try to stick to my calorie goal, but really if I'm 100 or so over I'm not going to stress over it too much. I can definitely see the benefits of having a range rather than a set number.

    From all the 1200 calorie fans here I'd think that most people would probably just stick to the lowest number if given a range...
  • WeepingAngel81
    WeepingAngel81 Posts: 2,232 Member
    That's kind of what I wondered about. People seem to beat themselves up so much on here, where as Spark gives a wide range. I think it's ok to have a range, and it's ok to over here. Like you said though, some of the other trackers are just too much!
  • pittbullgirl
    pittbullgirl Posts: 341 Member
    I persoanlyl would love to have a range. I typically eat between 1450-1650 each day, exercise depending.
  • Searching44
    Searching44 Posts: 53
    A range would be great but a $3.99 app that has a 2.5 star rating...I'll stick with a set number.:wink::laugh:
  • F00LofaT00K
    F00LofaT00K Posts: 688 Member
    MFP suggests that I eat 1210 to to lose 1.5lbs per week. I mentally give myself a range of 1200-1500 just because 1210 every day is a bit unrealistic to me. I get that it works for some people and most days I am around my MFP suggestion... but some days I am just damn hungry and I've already met my goals! I'm in this for a lifestyle change, not just losing weight... so while it will suck to lose weight a bit slower, for me it would suck more to go to bed with a growling stomach. I'm not sure about the science between the benefits of having a range vs, a strict number though but not being hungry is always a benefit for me. I imagine if Spark doesn't track exercise, the range is there to allow for those who are more active and those who are less active.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,416 Member
    The number here is yours to use or "range" over or under. No one is keeping score. You don't get kicked off the island for creating your own custom "range."

    There is no perfect/exact number for anyone. Unless you do and eat exactly the same things day after day, you are already working your range.
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    The number here is yours to use or "range" over or under. No one is keeping score. You don't get kicked off the island for creating your own custom "range."

    There is no perfect/exact number for anyone. Unless you do and eat exactly the same things day after day, you are already working your range.

    Very well said!

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