Can I do this

abiolaogunsola

Hi. A friend has told me that she has lost 8lb with the support of myfitnesspal so I am hoping that it will work for me. I have been wondering why I am not losing weight even though I have greatly increased my activity level by starting to run / walk for 30 minutes 3 times a week. I am working towards running 5 k in 30 minutes. I think I have not lost weight because I have not sufficiently changed what I eat. My son has suggested making a note of everything I eat ... I have been resistant!!! He told me the best way to lose my 52lb was to run. I was resistant but running has been the best thing I have done for myself for a long time. So I am hoping that myfitnesspal will be that next best thing.

Martin1946

Keeping a list of EVERYTHING you put in your mouth works s we sometimes forget through the day. Also portion sizes are important

By working out you maybe building up muscle mass which weighs more than fat

I gave up looking at the scale all the time and concentrated more on how my body feels. Not every person is a skinny winny

Hope this helps

Kelly_Wilson1990

Welcome!! Log your food and exercise. This is a great site with lots of support.

Jenscan

Yes, you CAN do this!! Log your food, exercise, drink lots of water!

morselw

I always had the mentality that if I exercised then I could eat what I want. But, it doesn't seem to really work that way. I just started using My Fitness Pal earlier this week. I have become obsessed with recording everything I eat, the amount of water I drink, and how much I excercise. The calorie calculator doesn't lie. It was a little depressing to run (well jog) for 30 minutes last night and only burn 181 calories. I have come to the realization that what you eat affects loosing weight more than the exercising. It's been a challenge to change my eating habits, but I've found the food diary helps. Good luck!

BabyDuchess

I agree....Yes, you can do this! Log everything you put in your mouth and all the exercise minutes that you do. I eat at least 1/2 to 3/4 of my exercise calories back and I haven't missed a week losing weight.....Good luck on your journey and welcome! :flowerforyou:

shonasteele

Keeping track of EVERYTHING you eat is a big help - you become very aware of how the calories add up and where they hide. I'd suggest starting out with making small changes one at a time if a major overhaul seems like too much. I started out just eating more veggies, then having slightly smaller portions of other things, then gradually cutting back on condiments (the butter & cheese I like to put on all those veggies). Then start eating healthier snacks, drinking more water, cutting back on sweets, etc.

I EARNED every pound I have because I like to eat, so every time I went on a 'diet' I immediately was hungry ALL THE TIME, so I had to ease into this gradually. I tried cutting to 1200 calories/day for the first couple of weeks, but that didn't work, so I set my calories at MAINTENANCE level for a week just to get used to it, then to 1/2 POUND LOSS for a week, now I can eat relatively comfortably at 1350 calories a day which should give me a 1 pound a week loss which I can live with.

Good luck - friend me if you want some support!

Getting_Fit_4_Life

Yes, you can do this. This site is wonderful and everyone is so supportive. Feel free to friend me if you like.

nldsmiley

You will love MFP. Feel free to add me and I can help motivate!

Soziberry

We are all here for each other, we can do it together!

abiolaogunsola

Thanks Martin that really does help particularly the bit about not weighing every day. I have been weighing every morning, before I have my first cup of water and when I come back from a run drenched with sweat. Kidding myself really.

The good thing is that at least I have managed to stablize my weight. At the rate I eat, without exercise, I wouild be putting on even more.

I have just finished doing my first food diary and it was quite sobering.

abiolaogunsola

Thanks for your support.