Why Keep Using MFP?

UpEarly

So... I hit my ultimate goal weight last Saturday (yay!) My husband asked me this morning if I was still going to keep using MFP to log my food and exercise. I hadn't really thought about doing otherwise. I've formed a habit of logging in each day and entering everything I eat/do. It feels 'normal' to me. But apparently it seems kind of strange to most people. I jokingly told my doctor a few weeks ago that I could tell him every single thing I've eaten from April 10th until the present, along with what I did for every single workout. He raised his eyebrows and said 'You're kidding, right?' LOL I've also become very attached to the people here. I know I've made some friends that I can really count on to give advice and cheer me on.

It got me thinking, what keeps others coming back to MFP after they've met their goals? I see plenty of people with 'completed' tickers that have been members for years. So please share! I'd love to hear stories about how MFP has helped you continue to improve or helped you maintain.

Why do you keep coming back to MFP?

kdiamond

I've been on here for 2-3 years and have been at my goal weight...I never used MFP to lose weight. I just think it is a great site and I like to log everything to keep myself accountable, which I believe is the secret to life-long success!

BTW, congrats on reaching your goals!

HeidiMightyRawr

I must admit, knowing "everything" you've eaten since then, and all your workouts does seem a bit strange to me (even though I always log) but that's great if your memory's that good!

My reasons for staying on MFP:

1) I always want to constantly improve, build muscle mass, get stronger etc etc and I feel that tracking what I eat so closely, helps me better in achieving my goals, as it's not just about weight for me.

2) I've grown attached, like you have, to the people here (MFP is just so addicting!)

3) I LOVE seeing other success stories and even if at some point I stopped logging, I think I would still use here as a social site (because it's better than fb by far!) Everyone here has roughly the same goals, and I can talk more openly here about the gym and my workouts than I can anywhere else

UpEarly

I must admit, knowing "everything" you've eaten since then, and all your workouts does seem a bit strange to me (even though I always log) but that's great if your memory's that good!

LOL... no, I don't actually 'remember' everything, but I could pull MFP up and tell him everything I've eaten by paging through my records. That would be strange if I could actually remember everything in my brain. Some days I barely remember to put on pants!

HeidiMightyRawr

I must admit, knowing "everything" you've eaten since then, and all your workouts does seem a bit strange to me (even though I always log) but that's great if your memory's that good!

LOL... no, I don't actually 'remember' everything, but I could pull MFP up and tell him everything I've eaten by paging through my records. That would be strange if I could actually remember everything in my brain. Some days I barely remember to put on pants!

Ohh OK I get you now I did think, wow that's a damn good memory, either that or you eat mostly the same foods everyday.
Same with me and not remembering the smallest things! I use my phone to set several alarms for the most basic stuff I really should remember myself (but it's important) and they go off throughout the day.

chels1605

if you like it.... why stop??

I'm sure you'll find the habits your doctor secretly does at home eyebrow raising.... and that of your friends "abnormal".... but if you like it, and you use it in a healthy way.... keep at it!!!

UpEarly

I'm sure you'll find the habits your doctor secretly does at home eyebrow raising.

I did catch him buying donuts a couple weekends ago, and teased him about it. (although to be fully honest... I was buying donuts, too) We agreed 'all things in moderation' is the way to go. :-)

Oishii

I have lost weight WITHOUT mfp many times over. I had no idea that maintaining was something you had to TRY to do. Plus, when I did maintain I used to eat tiny, healthy meals and then binge on chocolate and ice-cream because I had no idea how high my TDEE was (2400+ kcal).

Mfp keeps me from restricting or going overboard. I love my friends here too. I take occasional breaks from certain aspects, especially logging food, for the sake of my sanity, but I seriously doubt I will ever completely leave.

We learn, live and love here. Why leave?

cbirdso

I have to weigh/measure and log what I eat or my body tells me I haven't eaten in days. I show my body the proof in black and white, my body then agrees and tells me I am not that hungry after all...

Also, I have to remember to eat 5 to 6 times a day IN SMALL PORTIONS with every snack or meal containing a good fat, good carb, and protein. I learned that eating just the one food group (like just popcorn, or just nuts, or just an apple) always left me unsatisfied and prone to overeating the next time food was within reach.

I have to keep track of what my MFP friends are doing. Especially you...never know what you may do next.