2nd day on MyFitnessPal....does it get easier?

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Replies

  • bartcal
    bartcal Posts: 40 Member
    It does get easier, just don't expect it to show right away. Remember, all this is geared toward helping you change your lifestyle - it's definitely not a sprint to the finish.

    The hardest part for me when I first started, was finding the patience to log all the foods and/or figuring out reasonable approximations. I found that after I had figured out what foods I liked to eat (and were good for me), it made my logging much quicker and easier, thus I was more likely to actually do it on a regular basis. For the exercise portion, I was using the stuff in the database, but recently got a couple gadgets to make it easier for me (heart monitor and a fitbit). Just find whatever works best for you, and do it.

    Relax, have fun, don't sweat the slip-ups and keep moving forward.
  • Jkmumma
    Jkmumma Posts: 254
    Yes, learning to manage food intake gets easier with time.
    I'm hardly ever hungry with this type of food management.
    I have lost 42 ish pounds.
    I feel a lot healthier.
    I am a lot stronger.
    I have a lot more endurance.
    AND I've learned how to manage calories in a way that lets me STILL have an occasional treat when I want one.
    At first logging is cumbersome, but toughing that out, it becomes second nature in no time.
    A combination of the phone app and the web site works out best for me, as I'm on the go a lot.
    GOOD LUCK and welcome!
  • duckieee
    duckieee Posts: 7 Member
    It gets so easy that it's ridiculous. You know why? Because it becomes habit. It becomes a habit to measure out your food. It becomes a habit to pick up the celery and the carrots instead of a cookie. It becomes a habit to eat a bowl of oatmeal in the morning topped with fruit sans brown sugar.

    And as soon as it is engrained as a habit, it becomes a lifestyle.

    I remember how hard it was when I first started. Now, I didn't start on MFP. I started on Spark People, and I honestly didn't try and stay within my calorie range for the first week. I just consumed and logged. I also recorded how I felt after meals, which was a biggy. And then the second week was my real shift. I planned out my meals and snacks for the week, and stayed within my calorie range and I recorded how I felt after my meals. And I saw the difference and that was enough motivation to keep going and keep tracking and changing my lifestyle. And now 2 years later, I can't go a day without tracking at least what I eat on MFP.

    It gets easier. You just have to work for it.
  • missjewl
    missjewl Posts: 214 Member
    Exactly!

    MFP is NOT a diet. Diets don't work!

    MFP is a lifestyle change. And you have the whole rest of your life to make it work.

    Totally AGREE~~
  • Larisonlj
    Larisonlj Posts: 426 Member
    Hi, all! I'm Mary, gonna be 41 in a few weeks, would love to lose 45 pounds, and am living in Missouri. I started this two days ago and have not been within my calories yet, but I figure I will have to get used to the idea of eating less, right??

    How long did it take you to get on board with the program and start staying within your calorie range the majority of the time? Any advice?

    Thanks.

    Hi Mary!
    I'm from the KC area myself but have now lived in the Tulsa area for about 15 months. It actually gets a little addictive not just easier.
    You'll find that you can better recognize a 'portion', that you're body will adjust to a new eating schedule and style, and you'll be on your way in no time.
    Advice;
    make your meals and snacks more protein and fiber based for a more satisfied feeling and not hungry again so soon.
    plan ahead, I'll key in the morning (or even the night before) what I'm having for dinner so that I know where I'm @ for lunch, breakfast, and snacks.
    break your meals/snacks into 5 or 6 smaller meals - I eat @ 6am, 9-9:30, noon, 3-3:30, 6 and maybe a small treat after dinner.
    plenty of fluids to stay hydrated (dehydration can also make you sleepy) and helps you adjust to lower calorie intake
    do you have a digital kitchen scale? that helps too.
    do you have MFP app on your phone? I love the ability to scan my food barcode and know the nutritional value without doing a 'search"
    Feel free to friend request me, welcome, and good luck on your journey! Show ME!
  • rooster70460
    rooster70460 Posts: 206 Member
    Mary
    Yes it gets easier. Just stick with it and before you know it your addicted! You'll be in MFP more than Facebook..lol
    Good luck.
    Colette
  • texaslonghorn42
    texaslonghorn42 Posts: 34 Member
    Welcome!!!! I don't always stay in my calories.. though I try. I am on the 1200 calorie plan... HOWEVER... usually 6 days out of the week I exercise and manage to burn at least 600 or so calories doing that. I tend to eat back at least 300 of my exercise calories so at 1500 calories a day it isn't that hard for me to stay in my range. The days I don't work out (like today because I worked a 12 hour day) I usually go over a bit because eating only 1200... I Starve. : I just watch what I eat and count tthe calories and adjust my portion size and try to eat healthier stuff than that I really want (which is pizza and other not healthy stuff). :) Good luck!
  • TheRealParisLove
    TheRealParisLove Posts: 1,907 Member
    When I first started at MFP, I took about 3 weeks just getting into the habit of recording everything I ate everyday. I tried staying in the 1200 calorie recommendation, but I just can't. Now I have my minimum calories set at my BMR, and that is much easier for me to handle.

    Since I signed up I've made tiny adjustments to my diet here and there. I'm definitely eating more fruit and veg and am making a point to exercise more as well.

    Just keep plugging away. It gets easier as you go along.
  • richesandwonders
    richesandwonders Posts: 15 Member
    I've been on MFP for about 5 months tracking my food like it was my religion. Some days, it really really stinks. However, after a while it becomes second nature. I normally measure my portions. To cut back, I'd have 3/4 of a cup of something instead of the whole cup, or if I wanted to sprinkle cheese on my pasta I'd just use a tablespoon or two so I could have the flavor, but not the extra calories. Portion distortion was one of my biggest problems.

    Other tricks when I feel so hungry I think I could eat an entire horse: drinking a whole glass of water before my meal, eating a few stalks of celery before indulging in something really dense so I don't eat without thinking, and cutting down and out on my bread products. I might make a sandwich with one piece of bread, eat only one dinner roll(or skip them all together), so I can enjoy the rest of my meal(and save lots of calories)

    Now I'm normally in under my calorie goal(dangerously so lately, because I've been sick and have no appetite), because the way I eat now is second nature. Some days I splurge on special meals with friends and family, but the next meal I try to be right on track.

    I'm positive that if you want this change you'll make it work. It's hard, but when you finally get motivated accomplishing it becomes the easy part.

    Good luck!
  • gjwillia1
    gjwillia1 Posts: 3
    As I've always been a fit guy, I won't pretend to know how hard it can be to start from "0". That being said, it is not the easiest thing staying fit and roughly 7% BF all the time. I think the best thing to keep in mind is that you've started. Always keep that in the forefront and I think you'll find it's easier to stay on track. Simply put, you've already started why stop now. So don't stop now. You will make it to your goal. If I believe in you, and I'm a total stranger, then you should be able to as well. Good luck and you WILL succeed.
  • skcornett
    skcornett Posts: 169 Member
    Yes, it becomes part of your daily routine. You'll find yourself checking to see the nutritional value of a food before you eat it to see if it's worth it. It took me about a week and I haven't looked back.

    Feel free to add me.
  • mmimibeth
    mmimibeth Posts: 9
    You have done quite well! Today is my first day to make it within my calorie range, and it has been a juggle for sure. I won't be able to stay at this calorie range for ever (1200), but I suppose it's a good way to shrink my stomach. I am just so disgusted with the weight I've put on that I desperately want to get it off quickly. Thanks for your input!
  • 3foldchord
    3foldchord Posts: 2,918 Member
    I'm 40 1/2 yrs old and on Day 2, too!!!
    So I guess I don't know how it gets...LOL Hopefully better and I feel less dizzy/hungry at the end of the day!

    -Kimberly
  • kmoore02
    kmoore02 Posts: 167 Member
    It was a eye opener for me to see what the caloric value was to the food that I was eating so, I changed what I eating instead how much I ate.

    The first thing I do everyday when I wake up is drink 2 cups of water then, eat a bowl of Better Oats oatmeal (100 calories).
    I usually eat fruit or fruit leathers (45 calories) from the Stretch Island Fruit CO
    I snack on almonds
    Eat about 300 - 400 calories for lunch - it can be lunch from home or I will build a sub on Subway's website
    I try to eat a balanced dinner

    If you eat the right foods, it will curtail your appetite, especially foods high in fiber. Managing your calories to me, just means you are more selective about what you eat, not how really how much you eat.
  • johnsongs1
    johnsongs1 Posts: 47 Member
    Not fair! I only get 1420 calories per day.
  • BlackPup
    BlackPup Posts: 242 Member
    Well done on being under your calorie goal. eating less energy dense foods and exercising will make it easier to stay under your goal.

    it doesn't come off quickly, but it does come off with persistence. Keep up the good work.
  • ghjklo9
    ghjklo9 Posts: 57
    It took me about 10 months and Im not joking.
  • 3Daughtersin2015
    3Daughtersin2015 Posts: 81 Member
    It does get better. Once you add exercise to it and feel that pain you'll look at food and think is it really worth it? I look at it like money. If I want a cheeseburger I have to pay with 20minutes of cardio, but it also is good to know that I CAN have a cheeseburger because all I have to do is exercise!
  • mmimibeth
    mmimibeth Posts: 9
    Aww, thanks! All of you guys on here are just what I need to make this easier. I appreciate your encouragement. :happy:
  • caseyjade88
    caseyjade88 Posts: 89 Member
    It took me about a week to get used to eating less. I still have tough days though, where my appetite is through the roof!!! I've noticed that the more you work out, the less hungry you actually are (for me anyway). And my workouts typically consist of walking for about an hour or two. Good luck! :)
  • bemott
    bemott Posts: 180
    I am usually always a bit over, but still lost 50 lbs in 6 months. The key is to record everything every single day. It will change you and change your life. Keep on trucking.
  • kylakesgal
    kylakesgal Posts: 952 Member
    Hi Mary, and yes it does get easier, just hang in there! I was like no wonder I was gaining lol....I was consuming WAY too many calories. It will take awhile to adjust and then you will be a pro at it in no time:) Feel free to add me for support if you like. I've been on here awhile now:)
  • rocsings
    rocsings Posts: 13
    For me, it was really immediately .. I was ready this time. I didn't join to play, I joined to lose weight and start living a healthier lifestyle. I didn't put much thought on eating less, I put more thought in being healthy ... I've stayed around my 1200 cals consistently for the last 5 months are so. When I joined I had already lost 10 lbs. I did that without my fitness pal. If your mind is right, you can do this easier. Weight loss is a mental thing ... you can do it if you are ready ... I've lost a little over 40 lbs and I feel great ... You got this!
  • cvthatcher
    cvthatcher Posts: 47 Member
    it's my second day too =] i hope this gets easier! my day one was awful, but i did well today. tomorrow i doubt i'll have time to work out, which sucks...

    we can do it! :happy:
  • santanagirl95
    santanagirl95 Posts: 11
    Hi! First of all, don't give up! It DOES get easier... I probably annoy everyone with my knowledge of how many calories are in EVERYTHING! lol... I have been using this app for 5 1/2 months and I have lost 46 pounds and 44 inches all over... You can do it! What I do to make it easier on myself is plan out what I am going to eat for the day , and I pack my food... I take mine to work and make sure I eat a little 100 - 200 calorie snack every 2 or 3 hours... I also have my bigger meal at lunch time and then a light dinner. If you are "snackable" in the evening, popcorn isn't really that bad... Just don't get the Extra Butter kind...lol. They have 100 calorie packs to make it easy too... and Gum... I chew gum if I'm having one of those "hungry" days...and last, but not least, DON'T take everything good away... if i want ice cream, I eat it... I just buy the skinny cow truffle bars that are 100 calories each... or the Dryers Acai Blueberry bars ( 60 calories) OR the Sugar Free Dryers Fruit bars ( 25 Calories ).. My point is, I thought I had tried Everything, and NOTHING seemed to work.... But with the help of "My Fitness Pal" and "Curves" ( I go 5 days a week) I finally did it, and So can YOU! Geez, I sound like an Infomercial...lolol. Oh well! anyway... stick to it! I know You can! :) I will go make my stuff public and you can see the kind of stuff I eat... Tonight was a big dinner, but I golfed and worked out, so I could do it... Good Luck!
  • erinxo13
    erinxo13 Posts: 892 Member
    It gets a lot easier! It just takes time, just try cutting out a bit more and more each day and you'll get there. :D Good luck!!
  • nene01pop
    nene01pop Posts: 80 Member
    YES.... definitely gets better! I was in complete shock in the first couple days. Then one day I was with my friend who's also doing this, and we just sat there putting in things we used to love... for instance:

    on a daily shopping trip-
    biscuit from Jacks= 300+ cals
    Lg Sweet tea from McD's= 270
    so that was breakfast= 570 cals

    Lunch:
    double cheese burger- 300+
    Lg Fries= 500
    (another Mcd's) sweet tea=270
    FOr lunch 1070 cals

    on the way home we would have a hot fudge sundae with nuts and chocolate chip cookies..... about another 500+ cals...

    And then Lord, we would rush home to fix supper for our families... and I can't even begin to calculate those... but just in a shopping trip I would eat up over 2000 calories and not think twice... so tipping the scale at 222 I had to do something... It's scary when you start loggin some of your NORMAL stuff and makes you think about your choices....

    Sorry this was so long, but thought might suggest you just log a typical day and see what you WERE eating...
  • iwork4pepsi
    iwork4pepsi Posts: 44
    You have come to the right place if you are looking for help to change your lifestyle. There are many members here that have been , or are in your shoes. DO NOT GIVE UP! Trust me, it gets easier, much easier. You might not lose weight right away, but who cares, eating healthy and watching your calories is not a diet. It's a lifestyle change! If you eat right and burn more calories than you take in, you will lose weight. Not eating right and not burning more calories than you take in, makes you gain weight, right? I'm living proof of it.
    Don't get discouraged if you don't see a weight difference over the first couple of weeks. Believe me, it's easy to get discouraged when you are doing everything right and the scale doesn't budge. Today was my 75th day here on MFP and the first day I changed my eating habits. The first 10 days, I LOST NOTHING!!!! Really, not even 2/10ths of a pound!!! My body was probably in shock with all of that healthy, low calorie stuff being put in it..lol...
    It gets easier, and when that scale starts showing a loss, it's so worth it! So, take a look at my "ticker", see that 53lbs lost? Remember, it's only been 65 days since I first showed any weight loss. YOU can do it! I know you can because you have taken the first step. Just take it one day at a time, and you will do great! I'm rooting for you! Steve
  • mmimibeth
    mmimibeth Posts: 9
    Hi--and yes, it DOES get easier as long as you stay motivated. Believe me, I know! In '97 I weighed over 320 (I don't know how much over-I got so scared I jumped off the scale!). In a little less than 18 mos., I went down to 148. But being twice-widowed AND losing my first born just after he turned 23--all in 10 yrs.-- took all the fight out of me and over the last 10 yrs, I got back up to 215. I recently went home to the midwest on a short trip and the pix taken then--well, let's say the motivation is BACK! I wanna live to be 101 and a half (Between my 2 great grandmothers) and the gal who's so beat up she has to use a cane and has thighs the size of basketballs won't make THAT goal. But I KNOW I can do it--and so can you. Just remember your motivation and that it's a LIFESTYLE CHANGE, not a "DIET"!

    Deej
    It looks like we both are starting near the same area and want to lose close to the same weight......and we joined the same month. You've got a lot of optimism. Thanks for your positive input.
  • mmimibeth
    mmimibeth Posts: 9
    You have come to the right place if you are looking for help to change your lifestyle. There are many members here that have been , or are in your shoes. DO NOT GIVE UP! Trust me, it gets easier, much easier. You might not lose weight right away, but who cares, eating healthy and watching your calories is not a diet. It's a lifestyle change! If you eat right and burn more calories than you take in, you will lose weight. Not eating right and not burning more calories than you take in, makes you gain weight, right? I'm living proof of it.
    Don't get discouraged if you don't see a weight difference over the first couple of weeks. Believe me, it's easy to get discouraged when you are doing everything right and the scale doesn't budge. Today was my 75th day here on MFP and the first day I changed my eating habits. The first 10 days, I LOST NOTHING!!!! Really, not even 2/10ths of a pound!!! My body was probably in shock with all of that healthy, low calorie stuff being put in it..lol...
    It gets easier, and when that scale starts showing a loss, it's so worth it! So, take a look at my "ticker", see that 53lbs lost? Remember, it's only been 65 days since I first showed any weight loss. YOU can do it! I know you can because you have taken the first step. Just take it one day at a time, and you will do great! I'm rooting for you! Steve

    Wow, Steve! What a great weight loss in under three months. I bet you feel amazingly confident now. Thanks. You all on these message boards are a huge help to me.

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