MFP without friends

twikoff

I have been using MFP for a couple years now.. still have 0 friends. (pretty sad, eh?)
i didnt even bother filling in my profile until a couple days ago..
i pretty much was just using it for the food tracking, calorie counting, and integration with other apps (such as fitbit)..
I havent been posting status updates.. but have been wondering if Im missing out on the true MFP experience
Im in here quite a bit, every day.. so I figure its about time..

I dont want to just start randomly adding people.. but would be glad to accept any FR from people that are at least semi active, so I can get a better feel for how others use the site.


my quick story..
last year, i got up to 218 (6' tall male).. and decided it was time to do something about it.
I started hitting the gym at least 3 days a week.. and doing cardio at home daily..
dropped to 158.. with the intention of gaining back up to about 175-180 the 'right' way..
after my 6 month gym membership ran out.. I decided i wasnt thrilled with the place i had been going, and wanted to shop around for another one.. but slacked off on that.. and let myself climb up to the low 190s..
a new planet fitness opened up the road from our house.. so I joined back in january, and still didnt start going until about 3 weeks ago..
have been going 4-5 days a week, and working resistance machines (still intimidated by free weights).. and i try to make sure to hit at least 10k steps on the fitbit daily.. but havent gotten back up to running/jogging much..

This time.. I would like to get back down into the mid 170s, and greatly reduce my body fat % (my profile picture is from when i had dropped to 158.. so not recent)..

I would like to give the community aspect a shot and see about getting (and giving) tips, motivation, etc..

weather_nerd

Congrats on getting active. I know that can be the worst part (I'm struggling with it too). I am finding that I let other things get in the way, so I just push off taking care of myself. For example, there are so many times I'd rather just crawl into bed for a nap or slam back four beers rather than work out.

I'm working on getting better at these things.

L.

Nataliea87

Hey, congrats! I have no doubt you'll be able to replicate your earlier success, in a way that you feel is more beneficial for you.

I'll go ahead and send a friend request. I just got started making friends as well, previously, I was friends with just people I knew. I've found that it greatly helps to motivate me! Plus, I like helping motivate others.

jms1739

Good job on getting back to trying to get healthy. Its a one day at a time kind of thing. I just started incorporating walking 2-3 miles every other day. I would love to get back to running but I am not sure my back and knee would appreciate it.

twikoff

Ive read a ton of the posts about not putting on muscle, while on a calorie deficient diet.. and I definitely wont argue with that..
Really, Im more interested in what most people feel is the best way to go about dropping weight, while also working on the transformation process. Id like to lower body fat, while also replacing some of the fat with muscle..
I'm not looking to become a body builder or anything crazy.. just want a more defined body composition.

MizTerry

The social aspect is the main reason I'm on here all the time, the healthy stuff is simply a result of it. Congrats on your decision to break out of the mold.

aedreana

Hi there, aedreana here. I don't send friend requests but I accept friend requests sent my way. You are welcome to read my profile and if you decide you'd want me as a friend, please feel free to send a friend request to me. P.S. My profile contains valuable information as to what kind of stuff to be on guard against on the forums. There is a clique on here that thinks that they own the forums.

HardyGirl4Ever

Congrats on getting active. I know that can be the worst part (I'm struggling with it too). I am finding that I let other things get in the way, so I just push off taking care of myself. For example, there are so many times I'd rather just crawl into bed for a nap or slam back four beers rather than work out.

I'm working on getting better at these things.

L.

haha! Sounds like me!

SheBeButLittleSheisFierce

The social aspect has its pros and cons. I enjoy having friends on my list that are active and a motivation to me. Although I have been "sucked in" to the pointless chats a few times, I really do enjoy the motivation/support section.
My story is simply I allowed some minor "conditions" with digestion become my excuse for being the weight I was. I had some personal issues happen last fall that simply knocked the wind out of me. I decided to do something for me and began working out with a trainer friend of mine. It wasn't what i expected and I fell in love with it. I have, for the first time in my life, started seeing results. I don't like what I look like, or what I have allowed my body to become, but I am the only one that can change that. I have been on MFP for a little over a month and it has helped me considerably. Good luck to you in your continued journey. Feel free to add if you wish.

ew_david

The social side is a slippery slope. Some people end up ONLY socializing and not actually dieting or working out.

RachelSteeners

The social aspect is the main reason I'm on here all the time., the healthy stuff is simply a result of it. Congrats on your decision to break out of the mold.

I'm on MFP more than Facebook these days haha

chadya07

MFP... a place where you can be totally narcissistic and justify it in the name of weight loss and fitness.

yet...


something about that keeps me rather motivated.

coming from another diet plan that had an almost useless community i definitely see better results with people watching and a place to ramble on and on about the stuff my already thin friends dont care about and my overweight friends dont want to hear because it makes them feel uncomfortable.

if i dont talk about it... i lose my motivation.

i love to use the words i and me on this site. moreso than any other. i i i i i. its all about meeeeee.

spade117

The social side is a slippery slope. Some people end up ONLY socializing and not actually dieting or working out.

Dat's me.

twikoff

Sweet!
I'm a straight, white, male.. and I have LOTS of opinions

Thanks for the heads up!

PikaKnight

Hi there, aedreana here. I don't send friend requests but I accept friend requests sent my way. You are welcome to read my profile and if you decide you'd want me as a friend, please feel free to send a friend request to me. P.S. My profile contains valuable information as to what kind of stuff to be on guard against on the forums. There is a clique on here that thinks that they own the forums.

OP, a little back story on this. People do not support unsupervised VLCDs, nor do a majority of the community here appreciate when someone who eats 625 cals a day tries to encourage certain behaviours. Please do not let this person sway you from participating in the community or groups.

One group I'd recommend joining because of the great info is the Eat, Train, Progress group here on MFP.

Here's a link that might interest you. It has a lot of great info and advice and you'll end up seeing this put out a lot for those that are new

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

Welcome to the community and just know that even if people might be a bit blunt, a little snarky, jokesters, and such, that they are probably nice people who are just answering things how they do. Don't read into things too much and just take the information provided if it is what you need

:flowerforyou:

odusgolp

The social side is a slippery slope. Some people end up ONLY socializing and not actually dieting or working out.

WHO would do this?? People are SICK. Sick, I say.

QueenBishOTUniverse

The social side is a slippery slope. Some people end up ONLY socializing and not actually dieting or working out.

WHO would do this?? People are SICK. Sick, I say.

Wait..... you mean I have to actually DO something. Never-mind, I'm out.

baba_helly

The social side is a slippery slope. Some people end up ONLY socializing and not actually dieting or working out.

this place helped me socialize while I exercise. I love assisted body weight calisthenics and "zumba"!!

Mr_Bad_Example

Hi there, aedreana here. I don't send friend requests but I accept friend requests sent my way. You are welcome to read my profile and if you decide you'd want me as a friend, please feel free to send a friend request to me. P.S. My profile contains valuable information as to what kind of stuff to be on guard against on the forums. There is a clique on here that thinks that they own the forums.

Profile states that she is "the voice of reason."

FR sent!!!!!!!

5stringjeff

Sounds like you and I have very similar goals. FR sent. I'm not extremely active on the forums though.

baba_helly

Hi there, aedreana here. I don't send friend requests but I accept friend requests sent my way. You are welcome to read my profile and if you decide you'd want me as a friend, please feel free to send a friend request to me. P.S. My profile contains valuable information as to what kind of stuff to be on guard against on the forums. There is a clique on here that thinks that they own the forums.

Profile states that she is "the voice of reason."

FR sent!!!!!!!

that is a gross understatement... she is "the unofficial, self-appointed voice of reason"

Archerychickge

First, great job on getting on track to a healthier life! It's alwasy easier if you have friends to support and enmcourage you, not to mention hold you accountable.

For me, dropping the weight just took committment and a desire not to feel like crap anymore. I had gotten to the point where I was considered obese, and even though I was still fairly active, I felt like crap constantly. My health started to suffer as did my attitude and happiness.

So in order to try to get healthier, I started watching what I ate MUCH more closely. I was SHOCKED at how much I was actually eating. I had fooled myself into thinking that I wasn't eating all that much, just a bite or two of this and that, but boy did it add up!

Once I started eating single servings of things, that were and actual serving size, not just eyeballed, I started losing weight. I got a digital scale and some measuring tools, and carefully portioned out everything I ate. Once I started doing that the weight really started coming off and I felt better quickly, which made me feel better about myself, which made me want to be more active. Vicious cycle huh? lol

I still eat the foods I love, I just eat alot less of them, and I try to make the foods I cook healthier by cutting fat, sodium, carbs,and calories wherever possible. It isn't about denying yourself everything, it's about actually living a life you can be happy with.

Now I've dropped 65+ pounds on my way to a "normal" weight for my height. I'm no longer considered obese and am closing in on a normal BMI. I'd like to be there by Christmas, but I know it takes time to take it off just like it took time to put it on. But I'm going to get there.

I have noticed MUCH more definition of the muscles in my arms and legs, as well as a significant change in my overall body shape... which definitly does NOT suck. I don't want to look like a body builder either, but definition is nice.

twikoff

OP, a little back story on this. People do not support unsupervised VLCDs, nor do a majority of the community here appreciate when someone who eats 625 cals a day tries to encourage certain behaviours. Please do not let this person sway you from participating in the community or groups.

Thanks for the heads up
I must admit, i scrolled the thread on 'avoiding sagging breasts', and had pretty much the same WTF response to this person's post.. not sure i could handle those kids of theories in my daily feed...

One group I'd recommend joining because of the great info is the Eat, Train, Progress group here on MFP.

Here's a link that might interest you. It has a lot of great info and advice and you'll end up seeing this put out a lot for those that are new

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

nice! I've been meaning to start a path to sexy pants!

JustinAnimal

I don't think it's sad that you don't have friends on here. I think it's awesome. As soon as you add some "friends," you'll find out that they post about their lives all of the time. Like ALL of the time. So many details. I came here for some encouragement and to encourage others in return, not learn every little detail about their life (isn't that what twitter and/or facebook is for? I ask b/c I don't have accounts). Seriously, I don't intend offense when I say that. But we know each other in imaginary land (the internet) and I doubt I'll ever meet one of my "friends" in real life or write them a sincere letter or have a phone conversation or go anywhere beyond sarcastic remarks about sex spreadsheets or food porn or whatever, and that doesn't really qualify as a satisfying relationship to me.

So get those friends, if you want. Don't be surprised if you start removing some of them after 3-6 months because you aren't the kind of person who is on here to be uber-social. If you are, then fill out that profile, load some humorous pictures of yourself, begin posting snarky comments on the forums and make some "friends." Works for some, not for me.

Mini-rant: why do people who are already cut and muscular and hot go on this site and flirt and post themselves shirtless or in a bikini? You've already WON! Go to facebook and do the online flirting / dating thing that I hear everyone else does there, not here. I thought this site was for fatties like me who want encouragement to get healthier, not to be social or flaunt my abs.

PikaKnight

OP, a little back story on this. People do not support unsupervised VLCDs, nor do a majority of the community here appreciate when someone who eats 625 cals a day tries to encourage certain behaviours. Please do not let this person sway you from participating in the community or groups.

Thanks for the heads up
I must admit, i scrolled the thread on 'avoiding sagging breasts', and had pretty much the same WTF response to this person's post.. not sure i could handle those kids of theories in my daily feed...

One group I'd recommend joining because of the great info is the Eat, Train, Progress group here on MFP.

Here's a link that might interest you. It has a lot of great info and advice and you'll end up seeing this put out a lot for those that are new

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

nice! I've been meaning to start a path to sexy pants!

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

odusgolp

Hi there, aedreana here. I don't send friend requests but I accept friend requests sent my way. You are welcome to read my profile and if you decide you'd want me as a friend, please feel free to send a friend request to me. P.S. My profile contains valuable information as to what kind of stuff to be on guard against on the forums. There is a clique on here that thinks that they own the forums.

Profile states that she is "the voice of reason."

FR sent!!!!!!!

that is a gross understatement... she is "the unofficial, self-appointed voice of reason"

I read the word "clique" at least 5 times in her profile and it was mentioned again in this post...

JustinAnimal

Man, should've read through the whole forum first. I've been suffering hate because I'm straight, white, and male, since before college. WTF? DO WE HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER THIS?!? Isn't that just the same kind of blind hate as hating someone because they're black or lesbian or something else people were born with?

Yeah, I get it, I'm privileged. I never asked for it. I don't abuse it (that I'm aware of). Get over it and learn to live in this world. That or shut up and get out to start enacting some of the changes you'd like to see. Your ranting about injustice is about as productive as Rush Limbaugh ranting about how liberals are trying to turn everyone gay and take over the world. Just a bunch of hot wind.

Edited for spelling error.

PikaKnight

I don't think it's sad that you don't have friends on here. I think it's awesome. As soon as you add some "friends," you'll find out that they post about their lives all of the time. Like ALL of the time. So many details. I came here for some encouragement and to encourage others in return, not learn every little detail about their life (isn't that what twitter and/or facebook is for? I ask b/c I don't have accounts). Seriously, I don't intend offense when I say that. But we know each other in imaginary land (the internet) and I doubt I'll ever meet one of my "friends" in real life or write them a sincere letter or have a phone conversation or go anywhere beyond sarcastic remarks about sex spreadsheets or food porn or whatever, and that doesn't really qualify as a satisfying relationship to me.

So get those friends, if you want. Don't be surprised if you start removing some of them after 3-6 months because you aren't the kind of person who is on here to be uber-social. If you are, then fill out that profile, load some humorous pictures of yourself, begin posting snarky comments on the forums and make some "friends." Works for some, not for me.

Mini-rant: why do people who are already cut and muscular and hot go on this site and flirt and post themselves shirtless or in a bikini? You've already WON! Go to facebook and do the online flirting / dating thing that I hear everyone else does there, not here. I thought this site was for fatties like me who want encouragement to get healthier, not to be social or flaunt my abs.

You do realize this is a fitness site right? That means people other than those who are looking to lose weight are more than welcome here. Have you considered counseling? (genuinely asking because there seems to be some issues and maybe a therapist might be better suited than on this guy's thread).

hastingsmassage

Over 1.5 years here, it's my second profile..Lost nearly 100 lbs by myself, I did ad people on the begining but it was not the best idea. I am enough motivated to do it by myself. I guess we are all different. I am glad there is more 0 friends -100 lbs

ew_david

I don't think it's sad that you don't have friends on here. I think it's awesome. As soon as you add some "friends," you'll find out that they post about their lives all of the time. Like ALL of the time. So many details. I came here for some encouragement and to encourage others in return, not learn every little detail about their life (isn't that what twitter and/or facebook is for? I ask b/c I don't have accounts). Seriously, I don't intend offense when I say that. But we know each other in imaginary land (the internet) and I doubt I'll ever meet one of my "friends" in real life or write them a sincere letter or have a phone conversation or go anywhere beyond sarcastic remarks about sex spreadsheets or food porn or whatever, and that doesn't really qualify as a satisfying relationship to me.

So get those friends, if you want. Don't be surprised if you start removing some of them after 3-6 months because you aren't the kind of person who is on here to be uber-social. If you are, then fill out that profile, load some humorous pictures of yourself, begin posting snarky comments on the forums and make some "friends." Works for some, not for me.

Mini-rant: why do people who are already cut and muscular and hot go on this site and flirt and post themselves shirtless or in a bikini? You've already WON! Go to facebook and do the online flirting / dating thing that I hear everyone else does there, not here. I thought this site was for fatties like me who want encouragement to get healthier, not to be social or flaunt my abs.

This thread has it all now.

Wow.

JustinAnimal

I don't understand what about that comment makes me a candidate for psychiatry. I have considered it, but I don't know for what reason you're suggesting.

Yeah, I guess I've misunderstood the point of this site for years. Rather than social media, hourly updates, or dating (which I thought were all covered by sites specializing in those things), this was for people trying to get in shape. I thought people who were already in shape went to bodybuilding sites, running sites, cycling sits, whatever site featured the type of fitness they were already very well into. I consider this the Wii fit of web sites, so general fitness for beginners, not specialized fitness / photo forums for people with washboard abs and bikini bodies. If it's not painfully obvious, I am not the most tech or internet savvy.

Clearly, it's a misunderstanding on my part.

Get specific about why I need the counseling and I'll absolutely consider it further.