Does myfitnesspal work?

moniquepreher

I have tried EVERY diet out there. I am starting to believe that simple diet and exercise is the answer. I lost 30 lbs slowly last year. I would exercise everyday but I eat like a horse. I did it all, adkins, lemonade cleanse, juicing, diet pills, etc. But, I know realize that the best way is portion control and tracking calories (I just started this today) I am going to be serious and track EVERYTHING. So, I would like to hear stories of people who have been using myfitnesspal. When did you begin? How much have you lost?

lacensuch

I have gained and lost weight throughout my adult life. The time that I was really successful (lost 60 pounds) was when I wrote down everything I consumed. I was faithful about this and lost the weight at a consistent rate. It took me about 10 months. That was 5 years ago. I had some health problems (neck surgery) and was depressed because of the pain I was in. Eating was my solace. I gained over half of it back. I got to a point where I had to stop my bad habits and get back on the wagon of a better way of eating. I am older now and find the weight isn't coming off as fast as I want it to, but slow and steady is how I now have to look at it. I do write all things down. It keeps me honest and I am happy.

Best of luck to you on your journey.

victoriajh

YES!! but YOU have to comitt to it to- as pp said- write down everything that you eat-
people come up to me all the time as aksi me what i did- simple i say- ate less moved more- they dont seem happy with that answer becasue they want an easy fix- it took me 9 months to loose 35 pounds
- but it was worth it!!
good luck!

pinkprincess1952

How do you comitt?

billsica

Yup it works. Its not a diet. Its a lifestyle change.

Bucky2BeBetty

Yes. For me as a woman hitting menopause with a super pokey metabolism, it is slow but it is the only thing I have ever had success with. I have to log it all and keep at it day after day but it does work!

saraast

From my experience, YES! MFP definately works. It's not necessarily a diet, but more of a lifestyle change. MFP helps you by visually seeing what you are putting into your body. I struggled with my weight basically my entire life. Hate to say it, but I got to an overweight weight (167.2lbs to be exact) by the end of my freshman year of college. Once I got home, I dropped a couple just because I wasn't eating campus crap. I started MFP May 12th at 165lbs (5'7" if that helps) and as of today (2 months later), by just exercising and counting calories, I am at 153.8lbs! Sure, it's a lot of work, because you have to be conscious of what you are doing, but definately worth it (well, for me it is!). If you want to add me for motivation and support, feel free to!

Mrs_TrimWaistFatWallet

I lost 30 lb in one year for my wedding and an Ironman. It has worked for me! You just need to stay accountable!!

But I definitely needed to edit DOWN the calories burned. MFP estimated way too high for me. I got a BodyMedia FIT to actually see what I was burning.

taso42

calorie counting works. myfitnesspal is a tool to help you count calories.

MeltingCandlewax

Amen! I agree it is a lifestyle change it is not a diet.

pattyproulx

It works so long as you continue to track - that's my only problem with it.
I almost feel like you'd have to count calories for the rest of your life to remain successful.

On the plus side you do get a good idea of what you should and shouldn't eat (and what contains what), but I find for those who eat whatever they want, but hold back on calories taken in, if they stop counting, then the weight comes back on.

No doubt it works while you're doing it though.

robot_potato

I started mfp 37 pounds ago. it's the best tool i have found. It only works as hard as you do. your diary can't tell if you cheat, but your body sure can.

TeddyBear47

Anything will work as long as you stay within your calorie goal and a little exercise.

moniquepreher

That is great! 60 lbs in 10 months? That is a transformation in under a year! Thank you for sharing

BR3ANDA

It works if you use it, and use it honestly. Its not a diet, but it is a great aid, its a place where you can learn what your eating and how much you need to move to lose weight, or gain, or maintain, whatever your goal is. I've been using it 5 weeks, lost 12 lbs so far.

verdin917

this is the only thing that has ever worked for me I love it. You must track everything u eat, so u can see what goes in your body. I was shocked when I first started seeing how i was eating i see why i had gained so much weight. it's been 4 months for me and 24lbs gone!!!! I can't say enough about mfp if u trully dedicate yourself to sticking to it. Lots of luck and remember "if u bite it u write it and u never ever stop." someone wrote that and I live by that quote.

moniquepreher

You're right! It is a simple solution but not overnight. That is what I am coping with now. I want 15 lbs in a month thing but I know it is not efficient. Thank you for your advice!

mjsamee

My fitness pal is awesome and it deff works, I am hooked and a living testament!!! :bigsmile: feel free to friend me~! Its so awesome the accountability and the support!!!!!:flowerforyou:

moniquepreher

Indeed it is

ptak1sm

The question isn't really "Does myfitnesspal work?" It's more "Are you willing to commit yourself to the change you've set forth to accomplish?" If the answer is "yes", then yes, MFP works. You have to be diligent, realize that the change you're making isn't going to be a quick fix, and it will be almost impossible to go back to the old way if you want to maintain your "new" body.

One of my keys is thinking long-term. I'm doing all this work now, but I'm trying to establish it as a habit as I grow older. I'm in my prime, but soon my metabolism is going to slow down, among other changes, and I want to be able to maintain this lifestyle to stay healthy (and look good :P) for my future husband, whoever he may be, and my family.

recoiljpr

Myfitnesspal is not a panacea. It is a great tool to help you with your goals. But by itself? No, it won't make you lose one ounce. It does help you keep track of things, and show you what you are eating, etc. But if you don't take what it tells you and modify your life, then it won't help.

For me, being able to really track my calories easy (via my phone) has helped me tremendously. It allows me at a glance to really see what I have eaten that day. But you have to be vigilant and track everything. If you do, I guarantee it will be a lot easier to see what you are really doing day to day.

lacensuch

I know its a cliche....but one day at a time and don't give. I think of MFP as a bank. I have so much in my bank that I can draw from per day. I look at my choices and decide what I want to spend my bank calories on. There have been many times that I have been tempted to grab that donut or cake or cookies from work, but then I stop and think....where would I rather spend my bank calories? I would rather spend on a good steak or piece of salmon and a huge portion of fresh veggies. Definitely more satisfying and so much less guilt. That is not to say that I don't treat myself. The other day I was craving a piece of pie. I mean REALLY craving. I sought out a special place to have that pie ala mode! It satisfied that craving. I didn't feel guilty. I took my time and enjoyed every last bite. But the next day I went right back eating as I had been doing, never looking back. When the cravings come on real strong, I probably will indulge again. But so far, I am good for a while.

Do what you find works for you. Believe in yourself! You can do it!

hiyomi

I would think so, I've lost 6 lbs since I started 2 months ago. But it won't work if you don't comply with it lol

WarriorMom2012

Listen to Taso. He is all knowing!!

SherryTeach

How do you commit? You want it badly enough. It's same the same way you get an education, a successful career, a quality relationship or anything else that is hard work and takes a long time to achieve. You decide it's worth it.

yelpat

I started almost a year ago. I wasn't too serious at first and didn't even know there was anything beyond tracking food until January. I have an awesome group of friends who help motivate me and vice versa. To date I have lost 48 lbs. It boils down to eating healthy food and exercise. Sounds simple, but that's it

nnylee

First off, this isn't a diet. It's a lifestyle change. If you commit, then you can do it. You just want to want it. No one is going to do this for you, YOU have to do it!

Annnd, I'll toot my own horn and show pix. This is what mfp did for me.

KeishaK89

Honestly anything will work if you have the motivation to see your goals through. MFP is a great tool which offers support and a ton of info but individual results will always vary.

side note:

DIETS DO NOT WORK. Health and fitness is a lifestyle.

best of luck !

stretch12d

Stay with it!!! I've been using MFP (after a friend highly recommended it) since the beginning of June, and have lost around 10lbs. I like it because I have begun to REALLY look at my eating habits, and make better choices... AND control portions. I have not talked to one person that hasn't absolutely loved MFP.

I'm held accountable for the food I'm eating. I want to lose some weight, feel better about myself, and develop better eating habits for a lifetime...and most importantly, I want to keep up with this to set a good example for my son (and future kiddos).

positivewaves

I love your simple "eat less move more" response. I just joined the ranks and am excited to see my progress. I know being in menopause will be a challenge, but I am motivated by not wanting the scale to get any higher.

chocolateandvodka

It's science. Lucky for us, it's simple science.

Other than the EXTREMELY rare variables such as wonky medication that can eff with your metabolism, thyroid, and other weight-impactors, it's just about infallible when used correctly. All the major areas are covered that most "diets" miss.

Psychological - diligent, honest logging of EVERY bite/sip, and exercise enables you to visualize your input vs. output.
Emotional - you have a support system out there just waiting for you to acknowledge them.
Physical - it's sustainable. The one factor that makes this plan a success is that it honestly is something you can do forever. It will always work no matter what stage of life you're in, what your abilities and handicaps are, or what the distance between your start and end points are.
Physiological - tracking your progress DILIGENTLY and CONSISTENTLY creates an inarguable defense whenever you hit a plateau, motivates you when you succeed, and alerts you of problems or bad habits you might have otherwise ignored.


Most importantly, 3500 calories = 1lb. MFP is a tool designed for those who believe in the existence of science and logic to keep a record of their calorie intake and expenditure in order to find the formula which works best for them.

Hint: This formula is ALWAYS some variation of → Calories in < Calories out.