Outgrowing MFP

cheeksv

Has anyone ever felt like this? I feel it sometimes and although I am no where near my goal I have often wondered how long one goes before leaving? If you an learn to track your own calories and maintain or even sometimes just loose weight on your own why stay? Has anyone else mulled the idea of logging off for good? What makes you stay?

Jadesfattorment

Often I hear that people meet their goals from this site so they think they can sort of measure what they are eating without MFP but then they're always seem to come back and be like "I gained 12lbs! back to MFP!" I hear that a lot. So unless you really know the calories of everything you eat, I'd stay. I think about leaving a lot but these stories have cured me!

~Always looking for more MFP friends.~

chatterbox3110

I don't think I could even consider leaving MFP until I'm at the end of my journey, unless I found a better programme to use.

It keeps me on the straight and narrow (most of the time LOL), and of course, its nice to be able to read the success stories and take advice from others' experiences.

whisperingdragon

No, I can't leave. I don't want to leave. But, that's me.

However, I've had a quite a few friends who have left permanently. For whatever reason it maybe. Everyone is different. One that I remember couldn't stick with it no matter what he did. He never logged his food, and rarely exercised. **shrugs**.. It is what it is.

chevy88grl

Actually? Yes. I've considered it more than once to be honest. I've been below my original goal weight for awhile now. I know all about serving sizes, portion control, etc.

I stay because I've been asked by people on my friend's list to stay. I stay because I want to support people and on my bad days, sometimes I need someone else's support too.

NyxDominique

Actually? Yes. I've considered it more than once to be honest. I've been below my original goal weight for awhile now. I know all about serving sizes, portion control, etc.

I stay because I've been asked by people on my friend's list to stay. I stay because I want to support people and on my bad days, sometimes I need someone else's support too.

We thank people like you chevy.
Its nice to see people who have completed their goals continue on the website. ^.^

At least for ppl like me it gives me hope that it no matter how long it takes that eventually I will get there.

jen_ferrante

I don't want to leave. I get "lazy" and stop tracking for days and sometimes weeks at a time. I know that logging into MFP keeps me aware of what I am stuffing in my mouth. Even when I'm not logging in, I think about how I should be logging in these calories so I can keep myself honest.

If you have the willpower to get healthy and lose weight without MFP and you don't use the support system such as blogs and message boards, more power to you! I have not seen many success stories come from those people I know who have left though unless they paid to join another program like Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig. I refuse to pay someone to help me be accountable for the food I stuff in my face.

cheeksv

Actually? Yes. I've considered it more than once to be honest. I've been below my original goal weight for awhile now. I know all about serving sizes, portion control, etc.

I stay because I've been asked by people on my friend's list to stay. I stay because I want to support people and on my bad days, sometimes I need someone else's support too.

I think that make sense. I mean like I said I am no where near my goal but, when you learn the things you need to learn and are successful why stay? I am not saying I am leaving now either I was just curious. Supporting others is a good reason. I might be interpreting wrong but, sometimes I see successful people reposing their pics over and over and it is like that is why they stay. To get the compliments and " inspire". To me unless I was asked for support I am not sure I would stick around. This site gives so many tools to get back to a healthy life but, if you can't go into life on your own...is it more of a crutch?

treesha450

I never want to leave. I love this site.I have about 15 pounds to go. I hope to stay on here or cut down to once or twice a week once I've maintained my goal weight for a while(like 3-4 months)

WeightHacker

MFP is something we either use for a life time, use temperately, or never get back on anymore.

some have really good reason, some dont.
but you know. we cant judge that.

anyways i have. and i have left but i always seem to come back. I never leave MFP for more than 1 week i believe. i think that was the longest i have left. but then i get back in and get back off and i just repeat it.

but everyone have their own motivation, their own desires, some just find this as another FB. i know i did. and i still do. only i feel i can talk about anything on here just to get out of my system. and it works.

but for me i dont think i could ever leave MFP for anything. even if i leave for a week or so. ill always return

goron59

I've been here 507 consecutive days now, at 90% of my weight loss goal, but happy with maintaining. There have been times where I thought, meh, but that's rarely anything to do with MFP.

The most important thing for achieving fitness and health is commitment - you have to want to do it. If MFP can help you keep that commitment, then stick with it. If it hinders your commitment, dump it.

I suspect, it's your commitment that's wavering.... work on that and keep logging it here!

DesertSunsetRain

I have actually been thinking about leaving for awhile now. I can't imagine my life a year from now, in maintenance mode, counting calories on here. There is a difference between counting calories and being aware of calories and portion sizes. I think this site is a fantastic tool for getting people on the right track. But I think there has to be a point in your life where you stop counting and start living. I feel like I can know that if I have a bigger breakfast I should keep my other meals light and stick with healthy snacks. Or that I should read labels and be aware of the portion size. Logging every piece of food I put in my mouth for years to come sounds really boring and not fun. I sort of feel like if you aren't dieting or bulking then you don't really need to count calories.

JoniBologna

That's what I thought too. So, I stopped using it. Then, I gained back all the weight I loss plus some and had to start over. I guess what keeps me motivated is the thought of feeling happy and confident. I have spent too many days, months, years being depressed because I'm overweight. Not to mention it helps to keep my haters in mind. By that I mean anyone who ever called me fat, chubby, overweight, or simply told me I couldn't do it. I want to make them eat their words. Stick with it. Have patience. You can do this.

claire_xox

I've considered it but I get so curious about what I'm eating and wondering if I guess the calories right that I have to check it

SergeantSunshine_reused

I use it because without tracking my calories, I wouldn't lose weight. I know how to eat healthy, I know portions, I know the details :] BUT accuracy is important and that is what the tool is for.

I like to be able to log and make sure my protein and fat intake are enough.

I am technically at my "goal" weight as well. I really didn't want to drop under 120 pounds. Should be going into a bulking stage here soon. And will log during that just to make sure I am hitting my macros.

The people are certainly a reason for me to stay. I have met some absolutely fantastic people that I talk to very often. I would miss them so much! And i would like to think they would miss me. Or well at least notice I was gone xD

Some tell me I inspire them, I have only posted 1 progress thread tho :] I am here to help if they need it.

cheeksv

I suspect, it's your commitment that's wavering.... work on that and keep logging it here!

I don't think that becasue I consider leaving in the future when I have met or come close to my goal that my commitment is wavering. I am very committed to fitness and health. It is more my future commitment to MFP that I am questioning. I was more curious to know if anyone else had the same thoughts, not saying that I don't want to do this for the time being.

TheBraveryLover

I don't see me leaving even when I begin to maintain and get used to it. I owe every pound, so far, to this site and the forums keep me motivated, daily.

RAFValentina

Yes I have considered it... then I realised I wasn't working hard enough or being honest enough with myself and "guessing" values too much. Took a week away from it to go on holiday and had little internet access as was expensive abroad. Came back having relaxed eating and not logging - had lost 2.5Kg... got back to logging, this time properly, and fitting in more exercise and logging it all accurately and boom. Also had a good stare at food diary and made adjustments.

If you're not losing, you're a) not doing your research properly b) not logging properly (food and exercise alike) c) Not being honest with yourself, d)not doing enough hard exercise for long enough and e) not eating enough/eating too much for your activity levels, age, gender, height, current weight.

Thing is... all the info is on here so MFP is a fab tool. You just have to use it properly like any other weight loss "tool".

AngelaeLebron1

See, I already was losing weight before joining this site, I have lost 20lbs all together so far. I am still 15lbs away from my goal (my first goal at least), I want to see how I look there and maybe go for another 10 or 15lbs So I will prob. be on here for a while. I used to have a HORRIBLE eating habit. I didn't watch what I ate at all. When I joined MFP I already was in stage 2 of the SBD so I was already eating a lot better, and I haven't had any problems with staying in my calorie range. I would hate to have seen what it would of been like to log the crap that I used to eat, prob. like thanksgiving, everyday! Yuck!
Now, since I have joined MFP, I have lost 7lbs, so that is almost half of total lost. I definitely feel that it works. I might have gave up by now, if not joining MFP. I love that this site is free, that I can look up almost any food, and track my carbs and sodium (my 2 weaknesses) also that I can track my measurements & meet new people. It is great there are so many people that I can talk to about my weight loss plans, goals, programs, struggles ect... things that my other friends and my family can't totally understand because they aren't doing the same. Things that those people who I love, get tired of hearing about and bored with.
Anyways, to answer your question, not yet, I am still fairly new, so maybe that is why..but I don't see myself leaving MFP anytime soon.

killagb

Think of it this way...this is NOT a weight loss site. It's a fitness site. Will you be into being fit and healthy and want good tools and information and peers with which to identify with? It's not about learning how to lose weight then quitting.

58mimi

I have tried weight watchers 3 times and 3 times I have reached my goal but as soon as I stopped I put the weight back on. With MFP I am losing weight at a healthy 1 to 2 lbs a week. I record everything and I have increased the amount of exercise I do (mainly Zumba). I try not to eat my excercise calories but they are there as a buffer. I record my net calorie consumption over the week on a separate spreadsheet and try to keep to a weekly goal rather than a daily goal. This means if I go over my goal one day can I make up for it the next day.
I have come to the realisation over the years (I am now 53) that I will probably need to record calories and weight for the rest of my life if I am to maintain a healthy weight. I just love food too much - not crisps and chocolate - just good food but if you eat too much of that you will gain weght too. I wont be leaving for some time if ever!:happy:

EDesq

Has anyone ever felt like this? I feel it sometimes and although I am no where near my goal I have often wondered how long one goes before leaving? If you an learn to track your own calories and maintain or even sometimes just loose weight on your own why stay? Has anyone else mulled the idea of logging off for good? What makes you stay?

Will you ever "out grow" good health? I think people fail because they have "Stinhkin' Thinkin" By that I mean they stop doing what works and go Back to what don't, and they expect success. And wonder what happened when they regain weight .

It makes Me sick every time somebody comes BACK saying..."I'm back, I left...now I am doing it again." I say, NO ONE MISSED YOU, nor care that You are back! AND only idiots will continue to "Motivate" people like you that leave and come back over and over, just be quiet and DO what you need to Do, and do not expect people to pick you up.

So if you leave, and come back, just try to help others who want good health. Just be a good listener and give less advice because you didn't Learn anything before.

flabulous4

I'm at goal and there are days I think about leaving MFP BUT I know I'm still learning. Now I've got into running I've picked up all sorts of tips from the forums which hopefully will keep me running through the winter. I'm also making new friends who are runners so the emphasis has shifted a bit for me.

JoniBologna

give less advice

Words to live by.

cheeksv

Has anyone ever felt like this? I feel it sometimes and although I am no where near my goal I have often wondered how long one goes before leaving? If you an learn to track your own calories and maintain or even sometimes just loose weight on your own why stay? Has anyone else mulled the idea of logging off for good? What makes you stay?

Will you ever "out grow" good health? I think people fail because they have "Stinhkin' Thinkin" By that I mean they stop doing what works and go Back to what don't, and they expect success. And wonder what happened when they regain weight .

It makes Me sick every time somebody comes BACK saying..."I'm back, I left...now I am doing it again." I say, NO ONE MISSED YOU, nor care that You are back! AND only idiots will continue to "Motivate" people like you that leave and come back over and over, just be quiet and DO what you need to Do, and do not expect people to pick you up.

So if you leave, and come back, just try to help others who want good health. Just be a good listener and give less advice because you didn't Learn anything before.

Like I have said I am not planning on leaving today, nor have I expressed wanting to leave and then come back.I am not even trying to give advice so I am not sure what that has to do with anything. I have been fortunate to have equal amounts of success both on and OFF of MFP. So I don't think it is a discussion of what works and what doesn't. It is also not a discussion about my personal commitment and I am sorry if I mistakenly worded it that way or you took it that way. I am honestly just curious to see of anyone else felt they no longer needed the site and why have they stayed or why they are planning to leave. I have gotten great comments on both sides. I will admit I agree more with the idea that one day you can live your life and not worry about logging every item you put in your mouth but, I understand that is not for everyone. If it were people wouldn't return to " what works". So I am sorry if I walked on your " ride or die" belief system but, I am trying to spurr a healthy discussion about the longevity one has on MFP and as I am more than sure everyone has thought about it at one point or another.

TheBraveryLover

Has anyone ever felt like this? I feel it sometimes and although I am no where near my goal I have often wondered how long one goes before leaving? If you an learn to track your own calories and maintain or even sometimes just loose weight on your own why stay? Has anyone else mulled the idea of logging off for good? What makes you stay?

Will you ever "out grow" good health? I think people fail because they have "Stinhkin' Thinkin" By that I mean they stop doing what works and go Back to what don't, and they expect success. And wonder what happened when they regain weight .

It makes Me sick every time somebody comes BACK saying..."I'm back, I left...now I am doing it again." I say, NO ONE MISSED YOU, nor care that You are back! AND only idiots will continue to "Motivate" people like you that leave and come back over and over, just be quiet and DO what you need to Do, and do not expect people to pick you up.

So if you leave, and come back, just try to help others who want good health. Just be a good listener and give less advice because you didn't Learn anything before.

Like I have said I am not planning on leaving today, nor have I expressed wanting to leave and then come back.I am not even trying to give advice so I am not sure what that has to do with anything. I have been fortunate to have equal amounts of success both on and OFF of MFP. So I don't think it is a discussion of what works and what doesn't. It is also not a discussion about my personal commitment and I am sorry if I mistakenly worded it that way or you took it that way. I am honestly just curious to see of anyone else felt they no longer needed the site and why have they stayed or why they are planning to leave. I have gotten great comments on both sides. I will admit I agree more with the idea that one day you can live your life and not worry about logging every item you put in your mouth but, I understand that is not for everyone. If it were people wouldn't return to " what works". So I am sorry if I walked on your " ride or die" belief system but, I am trying to spurr a healthy discussion about the longevity one has on MFP and as I am more than sure everyone has thought about it at one point or another.

OP I understand your point and it makes sense. Please disregard that person's post as it's obvious they had one too many cups of coffee too close to bed time. Gee whiz, some people..

cheeksv

has anyone ever wanted to just use the site less in general but, were scared they would loose friends becasue of it?

LeeKetty1176

im not at my goal yet and before anyone says a thing i am more committed than i ever have been in reaching my weight and fitness goals.........

I have, in recent weeks, thought about leaving the site, and if truth be known i have a lot of friends that have been on the site around the 300 days mark also saying the same.

I am putting it down to "the end of the honeymoon"

At first its all new and exciting, learning new stuff, meeting new people etc.......but after a while the food side of things becomes 2nd nature and you tend to go on to auto pilot when shopping etc buying the right things etc.

it not about a drop in commitment to your health. its just finding that BUZZ you first had.....well thats how i feel anyway !

thankyou4thevenom

I came for the calorie counter. I stay for the forum.

To be quite honest I log on and off all the time. MFP is just a tool for me to lose weight and get fit. It doesn't always work with my life situation.

I don't want to need to count calories all the time and it's interesting to notice how depending on what's happening in my life how I respond and my weight changes. Sometimes I can log off for months and gain nothing or even lose. Other times I'll gain. For me though weight loss always runs second in my life. I'll enjoy my life first and then try to change my weight.

I really don't care that people might think I'm not committed to losing weight. I am currently healthy (although overweight), have no medical issues to speak of. My weight has been steadily decreasing for two years. It's perfect for me. I want permanent weight loss. That means a lifestyle change. That does not happen over night. Slow and steady for me.

If I do stop using it as a calorie counter, I will come back for the forums there's a vast amount of great info about getting fit. Getting fit in the end is my ultimate aim.

Only log off if it's what you need to do. The site will always be here (hopefully) for you to come back to when you need it.

meerkat70

I think the mistake is to confuse useful tools with 'crutches'. Humans are technologists - we are tool users. There's nothing wrong with using a tool to support a goal. It's what human beings do.

stubbysticks

I expect to hang around even after going into maintenance. I may not log my food daily like I do now, but I find the message boards such a valuable resource I don't expect I'll want to give that up.

I get the "end of the honeymoon" thing LeeKetty mentioned, but in my case it was a little different since I started out on a different site. By the time I came here I had already lost >70 lbs so I was beyond the initial period where many struggle to change their habits or waver in their commitment or lack motivation. I felt like I outgrew the other site & graduated to this one. I was quickly able to connect with others who are equally committed to their diet/exercise goals & I draw so much support from the group of friends I now have here.

I don't know why I would leave.