Does MFP really work?

zoejtk

If you're strictly doing MFP, what kind of success are you having? I have tried many diets in the past, but rarely calorie counting. closest thing was Weight Watchers, which was extremely slow for me. I am used to very quick weight loss diets, which I totally understand now is my problem. I am not expecting it to be quick. Just 1-2 lbs a week would thrill me. I walk 3 miles a day and recently incorporated cardio circuit training. Getting ready to add aerobivcs a few times a week. I am diabetic and on insulin so I know my loss might be a little slower. I have lost 15 pounds in 2 months just cutting back. I am really looking for a plan that is not restrictive because I go off the deep end if I have to be too restrictive. But I need something that works. If you've had success with moderate exercise, following MFP, and maybe limiting carbs (like 140 a day), I'd love to hear from you. I just get it in my stubborn head that a person can't lose weight without being super strict, super low carb, etc. But that's not how I like to eat. Thanks.

zellagrrl

MFP is merely the tool that I use to track my specific diet-- I don't really use it other than that. That said, it's a great tool

Pebble321

MFP is just a tool, with a really supportive community attached.
If you set realistic goals and follow through on them, you will almost certainly see success.

In other words, if you do the work, you will see results. That goes for whatever program you choose to follow.

PS. It has worked for me!

rainbowbow

MFP absolutely works. Eating at a small caloric deficit, eating quality nutritious foods, and keeping in mind this is a lifestyle change that you'll have to sustain for the rest of your life is the ONLY way to go in my opinion.

I remember when I first started logging how completely shocked I was at how much I was over consuming. Even "healthy foods" I was eating 3-4x the proper amount.

MFP honestly changed my life and how I think about food, exercise, and health is completely different.

Best of luck! Remember it's not going to come easy... If you look for a quick fix, you'll never sustain your success.

juicymisslucy

I started tracking my calories here April 30 2012 and have lost 11lbs. I try to stay within my calorie budget, but splurge occasionally. I also started doing 30DS 5 days a week and I try to walk daily and do pilates once in awhile.

cardbucfan

MFP totally worked for me. It's the first time in my life that I have lost weight AND KEPT IT OFF! The key for me was to learn proper portions. Nothing, and I repeat, NOTHING was off limits. I had dessert, carbs, fat, take-out, cocktails-you name it. So I never felt deprived which is a surefire way to send me to binge-land. What I did though was plan ahead for nights out-workout a little harder, eat lighter the day before and after, drink more water.

I also learned over time that some foods truly aren't calorie worthy. I really, really, really like bagels with cream cheese. But spending one fourth of my daily caloric allowance on something like that (where I will be hungry again in two hours because there isn't much protein) isn't worth it. Give me my 3 slices of turkey bacon, an egg, a slice of toast with almond butter for fewer calories and I'm good until lunchtime.

I tell friends of mine that this is both the hardest and the easiest thing I've ever done. It's the hardest because those first few weeks when you are getting your food history set are a pain. Truthfully, there is a lot of incorrect data in the food database and you have to weed through the garbage to find the correct entries. But it's the easiest because it's NOT a diet where you give up everything you've ever loved. There was no deprivation! Sure, I had to re-set what made me full because I was eating too much. But, drink a ton of water and that problem is taken care of.

MFP works for everybody because your dietary intake is what YOU want to eat. You can customize how many calories you eat, what your macros are, etc. Good luck! (and the forums can be a great place to find support, motivation and great recipes!)

CWorden04

MFP has totally worked for me! I used it for calorie counting and tracking my exercise and I have lost 21 pounds in 3 months. I haven't felt this good in 5 years

suzy50minus

I have not been able to loose weight for a very long time...and I really didnt believe I could now that I am older--knowing my metabolism has slowed down...but I started MFP on Jan 2 ,12--and followed the calorie intake very closely...for loosing 2 lbs a wk. The weight came off just like it was suppose to...I also worked out 4-5 times a week...which I feel was a very important part of it!!! I have lost 40 lbs as of the Middle of May--and working on getting the last 10 off !! It works!!! Slow and Steady -- and keep your eyes on the prize!! I feel a million times better!!!!!!!!!

EnchantedEvening

See my ticker?

It works.

jzaz903

It's been working for me! 37lbs since mid January, and I'm just getting started

jg627

MFP is the hammer, but you still have to be the carpenter. If you're ready and patient, then it will work.

TasTam

I am diabetic and also take shots, so I can relate. I feel this is a great site to keep track of your calories. I lost 80 lbs about 26 years ago and counted calories then too but didn't have anything like this and it was very difficult keeping track. I set my calories to lose about 1 1/2 lbs a week and it is pretty well on the money as to what I have lost since starting Jan 3, 2012.

hml86

Yes it works. You can track what you eat, your exercise, and also have a very supportive community here to give you motivation as well as support. But just remember MFP can't make you lose weight unless your putting forth the effort and doing whats necessary to be successful and reach your goal. I've joined MFP Jan 2, 2012 and since then have lost 48 lbs. Just stay positive and stick with it, it won't be easy but it will def be worth it!

Athijade

It is a wonderful tool to assist you in your journey. That said, YOU have to be ready and willing as well. Some other things to remember:

1) This should be a lifestyle change, not just a diet. Luckily MFP really seems to support that as well.

2) Use the community. As long as you are not asking about the last Dr. Oz show or some dangerous weight loss method, it is a wonderful place. LOTS of smart people here... but sometimes it can be hard to find the real science amongst the broscience.

3) You have to do some work as well. MFP is set to help a majority of users. Sometimes what it suggests may not work for YOU. For example, it dropped my calories at one point and I stalled totally for 5 weeks (nothing else changed btw). I upped my calories manually and started to lose again. MFP still HELPS me, but I also had to make it work for me.

4) Get friends that actually give a damn about you. Don't fill your friends list with just anyone! Be picky!

stephanie1133

MFP is just a way to count calories, track exercise, and of you choose to you can also gain support from other members.

It comes down to what you eat and how much of it. I've used several sites similar to this, as well as counting calories with plain ol pen and paper -- I like MFP the best, but my results are the same regardless of what tool I use to count the calories; if I'm in a calorie deficit I lose weight.

Nathc79

Works for me. MFP is a great way to count calories and track your macros. Healthy eating and exercise is actually quite addictive, which can only really be a good thing I guess!!!

Railr0aderTony

MFP is the hammer, but you still have to be the carpenter. If you're ready and patient, then it will work.

QFT

eldamiano

MFP is a guideline. It is not a scheme which is dictated to you by your diet of Weight Conners pro-points.

Generally, eating less than your calorie allowance will work, MFP or not.

zeal26

I was just looking at my weight graph this morning. It's very obvious where I started logging on MFP properly because my weight goes steadily down week by week after that. I am losing around 1.5 - 2 lb a week. Portion control and exercise, and logging *everything*. The best part is I don't feel deprived. I've lost 3 lb in the past 2 weeks and I've eaten ice cream every night, plus I've had dessert severel nights. MFP works really well for me, I can't imagine using any other method to be honest.

Lost_Zen

I'm about to find out :happy:

I'll get back with you in a year.:laugh:

jennifer_417

It works if you do the work. There are a few on here who have lost a few lbs...

vlatkodimitrov

It works .

It makes you aware of how much calories you're ingesting, and approximates how much you're spending each day, so you cannot feign ignorance of your actions - whether by over eating (or under eating).

And truly, that's all that it takes. Try it, and you'll see

Slim_strategy

I've had great success with it , as long as you're honest and consistent
I don't even bother to track carbs, I love them so I know I probably eat like 200g+ some days XD

Deipneus

I am not expecting it to be quick. Just 1-2 lbs a week would thrill me.

Good! That will serve you well. The most common problem is unsustainable goals that leads to discouragement.

Counting calories, whether with Weight Watchers of MFP, is pretty hard to argue with. If we burn more than we consume, we lose weight. It has surely worked for me. I'm in my second year of maintenance.

Good luck.

SezxyStef

MFP is the hammer, but you still have to be the carpenter. If you're ready and patient, then it will work.

Yes and you can't use the hammer as a saw...you have to use it correctly.

It's not a diet....that's the first thing.

Set reasonable goals...2lbs a week is for those who have over 100lbs to lose...and it will leave you with a small number of calories.

Don't expect this weight to come off quickly...be patient.

Don't cut out foods and food groups it is not necessary. Eat the same way you plan on eating for the rest of your life just eating smaller portions.

Weigh your food otherwise you are guessing on how much you have on your plate/bowl.

s1rens0ng

it really works.. i wasnt into calorie counting but mfp does it for me anyway, i just type in what ive had to eat and what exercise ive done for how long and its works it all out for me Awsome tool.

hastingsmassage

It's a tool, won't do miracles, you need to do it yourself.
MFP works because its not a diet, it's a life style.
DIETS DON'T WORK. Good luck

Lives2Travel

MFP is a great framework to design an eating plan that is SUSTAINABLE for you. It's not magic, but it is a powerful tool. Use it well.

BoxerBrawler

Yes. It works, if you use it as a weight loss aid. There is no magic... you have to do the work.

ndj1979

MFP is a tool for creating a calorie deficit…if you are honest about your logging and use it to create a deficit then yes, you will lose weight…

scubasuenc

I too am a type 2 diabetic. When I started MFP I needed a daily insulin shot. With MFP I have lost weight and balanced my macro nutrients so that I no longer take insulin. I have lost every week for the last 5 months, even through the holidays.

You can make MFP work for you, but you have to be honest with yourself. You need to commit to weighing and logging everything that goes into your mouth. At first that seems cumbersome, but after a while it becomes automatic. Accurate logging is where you collect the data you need to figure out what works best for you. I have also committed myself to daily exercise. My doctor once said 30 minutes per day is like taking 5 units of insulin. So I make sure I get at least 30 minutes in each day.

Find friends and join groups. There is a group for Type 2 diabetics that I recommend. It has a lot of great information and people who will be able to provide specific advice on what has worked for them. Remember everyone's diabetes is different so you will need to figure out what works for you.