Does myfitnesspal work?

Patovader

Indeed it does, just read through some of the success stories - inspirational

cavewoman15

i'm a professional yo-yo dieter. every year for the last 10 years or so (my adult life) i have lost weight (10-35 pounds) in the spring and gained it all back (and some!) by the end of the year. this is no way to live. i have two wardrobes.

this year, i'm using MFP religiously and just trying to lose the weight slowly. i'm down 27 pounds total, 22 of those since march 19 of this year. slowly but surely.

kdeaux1959

Yes, it really can -- Of course as with anything it depends upon accurately recording your activity and your intake. Portion size is often over estimated and exercise level can often be the same way. Best wishes on your journey ... Persevere!

sh3lby03

The only thing that works is olld fashion diet and exercise which is why MFP works. I lost 17 pounds from llast March to llast October. I have maintained and fluctuated a few pounds. But all in all it works!!!

Onesnap

How does MFP work? For me:

1. Eat clean
2. Meet your calorie goals, don't fall below them
3. Set your goals to lose 1lb/week unless otherwise advised by a doctor
4. Log every bite--if you are tasting during cooking chew gum or just log each taste.
5. Keep your routine varied, try something new: Zumba, martial arts, body combat, Tai Chi, power yoga...keep your body confused and your mind from getting bored.

I reached my goals in September. I also read Everyday Food magazine (makes it easier to log--nutrition info included), www.dailygarnish.com, and Whole Living Magazine. You can get free recipes on all of their websites.

pgp90xer

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

This is so true. One of the biggest hurdles is first changing the way your mind thinks... set out a plan for yourself and then commit to it.

joannbrunton

YES, IF YOU ARE TRUTHFUL AND FAITHFUL IN YOUR FOOD AND EXERCISE DIARIES.

WhitneyT586

Yes it works as long as you work for it! No one can do it for you. I truly believe that its changing the way I look at food. I know what I'm putting into my body and its become a lifestyle instead of a diet. It definitely works. You just have to want it.

bpwparents

If used correctly, yes. I have the app on my phone and have to log everything. I officially started 5/18/12 and am down 19 lbs. Each person is different though. One tip I learned is to drink tons of water. Especially in the begining in helped me to stay full. Even now if I have a bad day (let's be honest, we all live and are human), as long as I increase my water intake, I'm good to go. I did Atkins about 7 years ago and did great with dropping 70 lbs but gained it all back plus some. Now with being a little older and I hope, smarter, I want a lifestyle change to do this the healthy way. MFP also brought to light a lot of foods that I thought were healthy but really aren't. I also use the recipe calculator a lot on here. With making meals at home mostly, this helps immensely. Good luck!!

prairiedawg2014

MFP is the best thing i have ever done. diets have always been a part of my life, but never lost more than 15 lbs.
fad diets just don't work. the support system on here is awesome, and so are the people. i find its a learning system.....how to eat smart, excercise, and you learn what works for you and what doesn't. but, like any weightloss, you have to be committed.
i don't even think of it as a diet anymore, but a whole new way of eating for life. its not hard. so many awesome recipes on here .
i think the key to it all is excercise.....you really need to excercise to get any really good results.
good luck with your weightloss journey!!!

amsohs85

One of the best things about MFP is you are not alone. I dont care how much you're real life family and friends love you they often times do things (maybe unintentional) that sabatoge your healthy lifestyle changes. Maybe its criticism or unsolicited advice. Or sometimes they have their own weight/health issue and the fact that you are doing something about your's is threatening to them. Some people in your life may be enablers...they use food for comfort and the first time you hit a bump in the road they are there holding out an icecream sundae saying "Oh come on it will make you feel sooooo much better...." :noway:

Here on MFP we share a common goal. Developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. That may mean losing weight, gaining it (yes there are people recovering from anorexia/bulemia here) or just furthering your physical fitness. We understand the struggle and want you to succeed just like we want to succeed!!

Hoakiebs

Started Dec. 13, 2011 @ 248... Now 191.

Commit! Don't cheat yourself by not logging snacks. Exercise and water consumption are keys!

Janiot

Jan 30th 2012 - lost 18-19kg so far - plateaued at this weight last 2 months but would like to lose more

Shweedog

Simple answer- yes. Log everything. Drink a lot of water. Keep your sodium under control. If you see a gain on the scale but you have been eating right then you have not gained fat, it is most likely water retention. Sodium causes this, as does working out (muscle repair requires water). Drink extra water to flush out the retention when this happens. Most importantly- give it time! It takes time to lose weight. No easy fixes. Good luck!

delonda1

It works! I have been FULLY COMMITTED since March meaning logging everyday but I have been using it since January and have lost 38lbs so far. I have the app on my phone so it makes it easier to log everything and see progress. I have become so use to logging and pre-planning that somethings that I eat on the daily basis I know all the nutritional info for it.

If you commit to it, It will work for you. You also have to have your own mind because everyone will try to tell you whats the "BEST" way and calories to use but fig out for you own body.

TheFitHooker

Today will be my weigh in. I have weighed in on my scale in my bathroom but my doctor scale is more accurate. I believe it'll say about a 108lb weight loss all together. I expect I've lost 4lbs this week because of water weight. However I could have lost 5lbs this week, I'll find out soon.

I've been at this 2 years, will be 3 years in April. It's been on and off. I lost 70lbs during my pregnancy due to gestational diabetes. Gained 25.5lbs back and then September of 2011 I started to lose again because I came back here and now I've lost about 65lbs since then. My start weight was 250 got to 180 went back up to 205.5 and now about 142

Logsv

ok I feel miserable... weighed myself today and after eating the right amount of calories and working out every day I gained 5 lbs... Im about to give up!

Make sure you are keeping your sodium levels under control as well. Salt makes us retain water weight and I noticed in your diary you had Chinese food yesterday which is notorious for containing high levels of sodium and msg. Don't fret the gain, its probably all water. Watch your sodium today and you should be fine

Good luck!!!!

yksdoris

It works as long as you keep doing it.. Every Single Day. Day after day after day.

The first thing I learned from MFP was how horrible my weekend eating habits were: I'd be good all week long, then practically starve on Saturday - because of sleeping in, then not really having a proper lunch, then eating a "normal" dinner - and explode on Sunday - because obviously I didn't get enough food on Saturday.

The second thing I learned from MFP is to estimate how many calories are in what types of food. I was very pleasantly surprised by strawberries and very unpleasantly surprised by apples. The biggest shock though, that was hot dogs. egads!

The third thing I learned from MFP is how to bulk up my meals so that my tummy feels full but I'm not going crazy on calories. Did you know that 1 oz of "diet" chips has about the same amount of calories as 5 lbs of green beans? That's not to say that I'll stop having my treats, I'll just make sure I'm properly full first on things that aren't quite so calorie-intensive. For example, I can almost always afford to have a Magnum mini ice cream for dessert and I'm on a limit of 1200 kcal per day (it's 140 kcal)!

Logsv

It depends on how you use it, if you are just using it to track food and exercise and keep with in the parameters it suggests you shouldn't have any trouble.

You may want to give yourself a "cheat" meal once a week.... not a cheat day, but a cheat meal where you eat something that you have really been craving... outside of that try to eat the foods that keep you within the goal amounts given.... if you are eating to much sugar, or carbs that maybe what is keeping you from losing the weight.... I know it has done it to me!


Good luck and god speed!

For me a cheat meal was eggplant Parmesan. Instead of having it at a restaurant, which would make it high in both calories and fat I opted to make it myself. Not only was I able to cut down on the calories and fat but using all healthy ingredients but I also had a blast in the kitchen. I cranked up the music, danced around my kitchen and enjoyed the experience of making this satisfying dish exactly how i wanted it. I turned a very unhealthy "cheat meal" in a calorie burning, fun, delicious good time.

Logsv

It works as long as you keep doing it.. Every Single Day. Day after day after day.

The first thing I learned from MFP was how horrible my weekend eating habits were: I'd be good all week long, then practically starve on Saturday - because of sleeping in, then not really having a proper lunch, then eating a "normal" dinner - and explode on Sunday - because obviously I didn't get enough food on Saturday.

The second thing I learned from MFP is to estimate how many calories are in what types of food. I was very pleasantly surprised by strawberries and very unpleasantly surprised by apples. The biggest shock though, that was hot dogs. egads!

The third thing I learned from MFP is how to bulk up my meals so that my tummy feels full but I'm not going crazy on calories. Did you know that 1 oz of "diet" chips has about the same amount of calories as 5 lbs of green beans? That's not to say that I'll stop having my treats, I'll just make sure I'm properly full first on things that aren't quite so calorie-intensive. For example, I can almost always afford to have a Magnum mini ice cream for dessert and I'm on a limit of 1200 kcal per day (it's 140 kcal)!

yummmm greeen beans!!! I'm suddenly craving them after reading your post

twaltemade

ok I feel miserable... weighed myself today and after eating the right amount of calories and working out every day I gained 5 lbs... Im about to give up!

I was in the same situation as you last week. Out of frustration, I hired a personal trainer last Friday and he pointed out two big mistakes that I was making that was hindering my progress that I wanted to share. Firstly, he had me start MFP and I quickly learned how poorly that I was choosing my food. I did not eat alot or often, but when I did it was horrendous. He had me bump my meal frequency from 2x per day to 6 so that my body recognized that it did not need to go into conservation mode.

Secondly, For the most effective weight loss with cardio, he instructed me to keep my heart rate at 115...120 max!! I had been doing intervals to get my heart rate up o 170-180. At the lower heart rate, the body starts to burn excess fat. At the higher heart rate, it is looking to burn sugars. I started following his advice last Friday and dropped 7 pounds this week. At that lower heart rate, an hour on the treadmill is easy, whereas I was lucky to pull off 20-30 minutes when I was trying to sprint. I put a movie on the ipad and found that 2 hours of cardio was actually quite easy when you target that lower rate.

He has me on strength training MWF and cardio Tuesday and Thursday.

I am no expert...just sharing what seems to have turned things around for me. Good luck!!

Mrsbrandnewmeslimandtrim

:drinker:

_HeartsOnFire_

It does work. Studies show you are 3x more likely to lose weight when you are tracking your food intake. However, it's not a diet. It's just an aid. You have to work and be committed (and I'm not saying you aren't). You also need to be doing the right kinds of exercise, like cardio and resistance training. I've lost 23.5 lbs since May 1st using Just Dance 3, The Biggest Loser Challenge for WII, quitting soda, alcohol, crap and fast food, eating much better and tracking what I eat.

McLifterPants

I truly believe that myfitnesspal is about starting a new lifestyle, not dieting. My basic story is in my profile, or on this thread http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/659342-my-journey-with-pics-and-why-i-don-t-believe-in-after but I would say yes, it works, if you're willing to stick with it.

lily_bell

This method does work but only if you are diligent about it. You have to do it everyday and log everything! I have the app on my iPhone which makes it very easy for me to log foods because I can just enter my foods on the spot. The app even has a barcode scanning feature which is awesome because I can just scan my granola bar or anything like that instead of searching for it in the system. If you have a smart phone I recommend you get the app.

yksdoris

ok I feel miserable... weighed myself today and after eating the right amount of calories and working out every day I gained 5 lbs... Im about to give up!

I was in the same situation as you last week. Out of frustration, I hired a personal trainer last Friday and he pointed out two big mistakes that I was making that was hindering my progress that I wanted to share. Firstly, he had me start MFP and I quickly learned how poorly that I was choosing my food. I did not eat alot or often, but when I did it was horrendous. He had me bump my meal frequency from 2x per day to 6 so that my body recognized that it did not need to go into conservation mode.

Secondly, For the most effective weight loss with cardio, he instructed me to keep my heart rate at 115...120 max!! I had been doing intervals to get my heart rate up o 170-180. At the lower heart rate, the body starts to burn excess fat. At the higher heart rate, it is looking to burn sugars. I started following his advice last Friday and dropped 7 pounds this week. At that lower heart rate, an hour on the treadmill is easy, whereas I was lucky to pull off 20-30 minutes when I was trying to sprint. I put a movie on the ipad and found that 2 hours of cardio was actually quite easy when you target that lower rate.

He has me on strength training MWF and cardio Tuesday and Thursday.

I am no expert...just sharing what seems to have turned things around for me. Good luck!!

There are all sorts of reasons why you'd be heavier. Do your muscles hurt from the workout? If yes, then they're holding water. Give it a day or two rest and you'll see the difference. Personally, I always go up about 1-4 lb right after a gym-workout, plateau for a couple of days, then drop up to 5 lb in one go. Some people see an up-swing around their period (again, that's water).

Make sure you weigh yourself regularly. Now, I'm an obsessive weigher. I sometimes weigh myself before and after going to the bathroom for crying out loud. But, the trick is to acknowledge that the numbers on the scale are not actually indicative of where you are in your weight. The scale will go up and down and up again,then down again. If the up bothers you, I'd suggest weighing only on one day of the week.

As for the types of workout; honestly, it doesn't matter what you're doing so long as you keep on going it and you're not over-eating on the calories (because "I've been so good today, went to the gym" Seriously, I used to do that All The Time). Me, I do resistance and weight training mostly. I'm looking to tone myself so that as I lose the weight I don't end up with saggy skin all over the place

dbrightwell1270

Yes it works. Bump for later.

yokurio

I tend to come and go to MFP, everytime i come back i lose a little more and then i fall off the bandwagon for awhile but the lessons learned from MFP make it easy to maintain. I have lost every one of my 50lbs with MFP, but knowing what I should eat in one day to maintain has helped me keep it off. So, i'd say that it is a tool to help train yourself so you understand what it takes to eat right, well, maybe not eat right, but to eat less wrong. lol..

SharitaWray

I started February of this year. Tracking food has helped me tremendously! You'll never realize how much you consume until you tally it. Adding calories burned during exercise has been tremdous also. It has truly helped me compare how much I eat vs how much I burn off.

12 pounds lost, but so much more gained!

stacymama5

Ok, I want in on this. YES it works if your honest with yourself!!! I started January 5, 2012. I have lost 29 pounds and reached my goal!! I sometimes think it is time to quit MFP but the help and encouragement, and the people I have met on here are awesome!! I have been on here 180+ days and want to be on here forever.

BTW, I have been on maintenance for 2 months and have not gained nor lost a pound. Yeah!!