New to MyFitnessPal and looking for tips!

coachscully

I have just joined this website and am looking for some tips. I have tried to lose weight before and was actually successful. I lost 50lbs but then a sudden death in the family set me back. Not only did I gain the weight I lost but then packed even more on. I am now ready to kick back in to high gear and lose this weight again. If anyone has tips for this website and just general weight loss tips I'd really appreciate it.

trogalicious

1. don't trust the initial setup that MFP provides. If you put in the wrong/inaccurate information, it'll tell you to eat an amount that may not be applicable.
2. Make sure you eat enough.
3. Figure out what works for you and is sustainable/healthy/long term.
4. avoid fads. don't buy in to any "Hey, try the twinkie and vodka diet"
5. Don't cut out anything now that you don't plan on literally giving up forever.
6. GET A FOOD SCALE. Weigh everything. No, seriously.
7. Get an HRM with a chest strap. You'll at least have a better idea of what you're burning. It'll be more accurate than the generic info in the exercise database.. and even more than the cardio machines. This is great for steady state cardio (run/walk/etc)
8. Don't go balls out. You'll burn out. I see 300 lb people show up here, instantly start working out and cutting their intake SEVERELY... trying to cut out all of their carbs at once.. whatever. Take it slow. Figure out how much you need to eat FIRST in order to lose.. then incorporate exercise.
9. Don't cardio yourself to death.
10. Take the information on the forums with a grain of salt. A lot of people that have been here for a while.. and have been successful, may seem jaded. They give out GREAT advice day after day, only to be met with people that refuse to listen.
11. Eat real food. Not diet food. Not "low fat, sugar free, now without X." It's easier to get/find/count.
12. don't set time restrictions.
13. measure yourself weekly. Don't just weigh. Measure and take pictures.
14 BE PATIENT.
15. Avoid forum topics that have "1200" in the title. It's just full of butthurt. Lots of it.
16. If you ask a question on the forum, give as much information as you can ("yes, I have a food scale and weigh my food" is worlds better than "I eat a palm full of miscellaneous boiled chicken parts..sometimes.")
17. Be honest with yourself and honest with us.
18. This isn't a game, it's about changing your lifestyle. Do that.

pretty much that.

...and don't fall into the "1200 calorie" vertigo of suck because of:

the typical MFP users does this:
1. I wanna lose weight, let's try MFP.
2. OH! Wow, it tells me I can lose 2 lbs a WEEK? AWESOME!
3. I just sit at a desk when I'm not working out, I guess I'm sedentary.
4. MFP tells them 1200 calories, and they don't even eat that.. then they work out on top of it.. creating an even bigger deficit.
5. Lose a lot, fast, brag about 1200 calorie success.
6. Come back in a few months trying to figure out why they're dizzy, tired, not losing weight.
7. Get on the forums, ask why they aren't losing.
8. Get two responses (I eat 1200 and lose) (I eat 2200 and lose)
9. Argument ensues about who is right.

Now. That being said. These threads happen hundreds of times per day. Most times, and I mean really.. seriously.. 95% of the time.. people get the 1200 number because they don't put the right information in when they set up the account. There are a great number of people that are trying to help. I'm one of 'em.

I'm a hardcore advocate of actually finding out what works for the individual.. by means of other calculators, averages, time, practice, and patience.

Blanket prescriptions of 1200 calories "because it worked for me" is more harmful to the generic new user than the "figure out what you need to eat." Unfortunately, one is a LOT easier to type.

Find out what you need: http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/

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

...and here's another approach.

Block off 6 weeks. log EXACTLY what you eat for those six weeks, weigh at the beginning, weight at the end. If you've lost, you're eating under your TDEE. If you haven't lost, congrats.. you found your TDEE, if you've gained... then you're above TDEE.

From there, look at how much you lost or gained and you have a rough estimate of how to shift your intake to balance it out.

Online calculators are great, but they're just estimates. They give you decent ideas for starting points. From there, it's on you to fine tune it.

thegreatcanook

Welcome to MFP! If you are looking for friends, add me!

fifty6ford

Though I've had it for quite some time, I am new to actually using MFP. Thanks trogalicious for the tips.

When I went to post this, I saw when I actually registered on the site. If I would have gotten serious then, I would have met my goal long ago.

Better late than never!

rachelrb85

Read the sexypants post and add some awesome friends to have fun and keep you motivated.

hastingsmassage

Eat the right foods, move more, log in, buy a digital scale...good luck

jstavix

Just have to say trog said it all and did a great job. There are a few people here who troll the boards and just want to stir the ****pot, don't let them get you down. Grab a few people who are like minded like you and use them as support, friends can be lifesavers!

Slow and steady wins this race Good Luck!!

seltzermint555

8. Don't go balls out. You'll burn out. I see 300 lb people show up here, instantly start working out and cutting their intake SEVERELY... trying to cut out all of their carbs at once.. whatever. Take it slow. Figure out how much you need to eat FIRST in order to lose.. then incorporate exercise.

I think this is the #1 advice I'd give a newcomer.

Also, being PATIENT is great advice. Whether you need to lose 20 lb or 120 lb...there's no need to lose more than 2 lb each week, if you lose even 1 lb per week you'll be down 52 lb in a year's time...be patient and go with a realistic goal that is pretty comfortable for you. You will keep that up much more easily than a super aggressive weight loss goal with a specific timeframe. I never really understand the urgency most new members express. I've lost 130 lb (with and without MFP) and it's taken me five and a half years. Would it somehow be better if I lost it all in 9 months? Nope.

raylo1313

There are alot of "diets" out there and everyone of them work to some extent. The best one is the one that you will stick with. Also, make it a Way of Life instead of a "diet" (which implies "temporary"). No one should have to "diet" for the rest of their lives - this is not living.

Personally, I have been on every fad diet under the sun, and have found that I do best on low carb. My weight loss has been steady and I intend to eat like this for life...not just until I lose the weight. Just as I put it on, so it goes off - slowly. But I am not going to tell you that this is what you should do. You need to decide for yourself what YOUR Way of Life will be.

There are quite a few "bullies" (not-helpful-at-all-pushy-know-it-alls) on MFP and you just have to take what they say with a grain of salt. But there is also lots of good advice from people who have "been there". (Check out the Before and After pics - what incentive!). Have patience - good luck and God bless!