Does this App really work for you?

heidirebecca88
heidirebecca88 Posts: 4
in Getting Started
I have used this app and I wondered if you have found success. I haven't found much as I would have hoped. Any suggestions?
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Replies

  • Staniel_2013
    Staniel_2013 Posts: 120 Member
    No, it doesn't. :bigsmile:

    The website is fantastic however.

    What is it you feel that you are missing?
  • jarelary4
    jarelary4 Posts: 141 Member
    I have the App for Android and all I use it for is tracking meals away from home so I'm not tempted to not track at all. So for what I am using it for it works great.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    Yes. When I actually use it, it does. I have lost weight on it when I wanted to and controlled my weight gain during pregnancy when I log. I do tend to slack off in tracking and start thinking maybe something is wrong, then I look back and realize that the problem is me.

    What were you hoping to see that you didn't see?
  • msncush
    msncush Posts: 23 Member
    what are you looking for?
    Old saying " It works if you work it"
    Are you honest with your calories and tracking?
    Have you added exercise?
    How long have you been on the site?
    Are you doing your best?
  • bravid98
    bravid98 Posts: 80 Member
    The app is a tool, it doesn't do anything other than take what you put it and output the data in a way that you can use in whatever way you decide to use.

    If you choose not to use the data to make better decisions then that's your fault and not the apps.
  • heidirebecca88
    heidirebecca88 Posts: 4
    For me, I use it for a while, but see no results. I am honest in my calculations and exercise. Not sure if I need to change something up or not.
  • CCSavage88
    CCSavage88 Posts: 191
    Works awesome for me...2 months in and 13lbs down.
  • _Resolve_
    _Resolve_ Posts: 735 Member
    Works good for me, I enter the food I eat and it tells me how much it adds up to.

    What else is it supposed to do?
  • jkal1979
    jkal1979 Posts: 1,896 Member
    It works when I use it and I'm accurate with my logging.

    I have found that a lot of the pinned topics and frequently mentioned topics have helped me get the best use out of it.
  • perfectflightisbeingthere
    perfectflightisbeingthere Posts: 66 Member
    The app on it's own is what you make of it - the support you can get from a great collection of supportive friends - priceless!
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    For me, I use it for a while, but see no results. I am honest in my calculations and exercise. Not sure if I need to change something up or not.

    Will you open up your diary?
    How do you measure your food? Measuring cups? Weighing? Estimation?
    While I am not in the "MFP is totally wrong for exercise calories", it is difficult to estimate properly and some of the numbers need to be taken with a grain of salt.

    It is also important to realize that this is all just estimation, it should be viewed as a starting point. If you are consistent and accurate for 4-6 weeks and no results, it may be time to adjust. That doesn't mean you have to drop intake considerable but maybe move down a little.
  • markja
    markja Posts: 270 Member
    Yep, it does. I've been on since March, lost 33 lbs and will be under 300 lbs by month end. Annual membership is 0, dues are 0, special food cost is 0, and, meetings are 0. MFP is good stuff!
  • markja
    markja Posts: 270 Member
    Also, if you really want it to work, you have to log everything from salad dressing to marshmallows. If you eat a biscuit, log the biscuit , the margarine you smeared on it and the spoonful of preserves on top of that. Biscuit is 50, marg is another 50 and the peach preserves are 35. So, that one biscuit is 135 calories. You have to decide if its worth it and if your willing to exercise enough to make up for eating it. If not, better stick to egg beaters!
  • Deipneus
    Deipneus Posts: 1,861 Member
    The app doesn't work. It just measures my food intake against a goal. I do all the work.
  • rachelrb85
    rachelrb85 Posts: 579 Member
    The app doesn't work. It just measures my food intake against a goal. I do all the work.

    x1
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    For me, I use it for a while, but see no results. I am honest in my calculations and exercise. Not sure if I need to change something up or not.
    "For a while."
    Interesting phrase which might reveal the problem!

    Are your expectations realistic?
    Did you set appropriate goals?
    Are you tracking your food accurately? (If you want help with that then making your diary public would help.)

    I stayed fat for 20 years but mysteriously when I started tracking calories and eating at a sensible deficit I lost my excess weight. It's not magic - just a tool that gives you power over your calorie balance.
  • lanthiriel
    lanthiriel Posts: 18
    I think I owe most of my success this time around to this app. I usually enter what I plan to eat into my diary the day before and it helps me adjust for things like snacking and balancing meals if I'm going to have a big lunch or whatever. Who knows how accurate the exercise numbers are and what not, but I'm not on a timeline for my weight loss, so as long as the scale is going down, I consider it a success.
  • ThePinkPanda
    ThePinkPanda Posts: 208 Member
    I've lost almost 100 pounds that i wouldn't have lost without it. i tried tracking my food on paper and failed miserably. the tracking convenience of the phone app combined with the support and information in the forums makes it a powerful tool, imo. it also allows me to pre-plan my meals so i can hit my goals without stressing that i've eaten too much by dinner.

    but you'll only get out of it what you put in. i.e. logging consistently and accurately, as well as being aware of exercise over-estimation.
  • KarenB927
    KarenB927 Posts: 94 Member
    Yes it does. I have lost 32 pounds and my husband has lost 31. I use it every day tracking my husband's and my calories and exercise. Without it, I'm not so good about estimating whether or not we're staying on track.
  • phil4v7
    phil4v7 Posts: 68 Member
    I lost 75 pounds in 2012, but then I came down with a case of stupid and gained it all back. This time around, I've lost 18 pounds so far and on my way to the original 75 and them some. Like most people have said, it depends on the effort you put into it, but it's an invaluable tool.
  • feralkitten1010
    feralkitten1010 Posts: 219 Member
    It does the math for me. I'm quite happy with it so far. :)
  • GardenGirlie
    GardenGirlie Posts: 241 Member
    369 days logged and 104 pounds lost. I work this app.....and I work it well!
  • vklass
    vklass Posts: 12 Member
    The biggest help that it offers, for me anyway, is provide a database I can look back on. Like right now i'm in a plateau, if I wasn't tracking everything I could easily think my efforts were pointless and there was nothing else I could do, because I exercise about 7 times a week and eat so many veggies and portion control.

    But, further looking at my data with friends from the site we determined although I have 7 cardio sessions I haven't been doing enough weight training. And my counting can be adjusted too.

    I would not be able to troubleshoot my body without that information.

    Get some friends, try to be consistent with it and see if it works for you.

    You can add me if you'd like, although I'm not always appropriate :P
  • StaciMarie1974
    StaciMarie1974 Posts: 4,138 Member
    Love the app - but its only as useful as I make it. Its not a magic wand.
  • LizLilabad
    LizLilabad Posts: 7 Member
    The app works great for me, love the bar code option!
  • dandelyon
    dandelyon Posts: 620 Member
    Yes, the app is clean, easy to use, portable (duh, it's an app, but I mean in terms of having it on 6 different devices) and has the right types of graphs etc so I can see what a day/week/month looks like.
  • cyndiee1
    cyndiee1 Posts: 24
    I think a lot of people tweak their goals from the default settings as everyone is different in what works for them. Some people use the TDEE Calculator for what they believe to be a better calorie goal and they turn off adjustment for exercise as the TDEE value takes that into account.
    http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/

    Others focus on changing the carbs/protein/fats ratio to match their method of eating. The app is very flexible and can work, but it may take some adjustment for it to be personalized for you.
  • codyboomboom
    codyboomboom Posts: 4
    I have a friend who lost nearly a 100lbs using this app, so now I am trying it. I've only been on it 14 days. I see why she lost the weight. It doesn't feel like a diet I eat what I want with proper portions. I try to put my food choices in before I eat, this helps. I try to eat all foods and not to deny myself unless I make the choice not to eat it. I am finding out its about good choices and moving a little everyday or whenever I can. Not crazy or hard exercising, because if its not fun you will stop doing it. I ride a stationary bike on my patio at night when everything is still as fast as I want or as slow only 20 min. I have not weighted but I can tell a difference in my body and my digestive system. I change the sodium to fiber. I am tracking my fiber. I need fiber. I have a 100 big ones to lose. My motto is "keep chipping away a little at a time", don't get upset if a mistake is made just start by chipping away. Good Luck ! I hope you meet your goal and keep it off. Have a losing day!:wink: :.
  • Pirate_chick
    Pirate_chick Posts: 1,216 Member
    It's all about the users dedication. If you half-*kitten* it you're going to get half-assed results.
  • Artionis
    Artionis Posts: 105 Member
    The app is a tool, it doesn't do anything other than take what you put it and output the data in a way that you can use in whatever way you decide to use.

    If you choose not to use the data to make better decisions then that's your fault and not the apps.

    QFT

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