Any advice?

ro74

Hey! I'm new to the site, but not the struggle of losing weight. Would love any advice about using this site to its fullest potential. :happy: Thanks!!

BrenNew

Hey! I'm new to the site, but not the struggle of losing weight. Would love any advice about using this site to its fullest potential. :happy: Thanks!!

Hi Ro, and welcome to THE best site on the web! :flowerforyou:
Between the easy to use food counter (which by the way is SUCH an eye opener!) and all the wonderfully supportive members, you WILL be able to lose the weight that you want to, AND, it'll "almost" be easy doing it!
I recommend logging ALL your foods BEFORE you have them, rather than later, as it tends to lead to better food choices. (not to mention you'll know if you've got enough numbers left to have a night time snack, like I ALWAYS try to do!) Some people also like to weigh and measure some things, such as meats, rather than just estimating and possibly being WAY off! :noway:
Don't go making the mistake that if you have LOTS of numbers left at the end of the day that you'll lose even faster, because that DOESN'T happen. Feel free to read any info about the site in the "help" section at the top of the home page. And also, under "recent forum topics", and "view all", then "general diet", and check out the first few threads. They'll really help you understand how MFP works.
Before coming here, I had tried just about EVERYTHING out there, including hypnosis, TWICE, and nothing really worked until MFP!
Also, drink LOTS of water, it REALLY DOES help! :drinker:
As far as exercise goes, it doesn't always have to be awful. For my exercise, I walk almost every day, (weather permitting!) I also dance to a fast oldies CD that my husband made up of all my favorite old songs. (Like "Love Shack", Wild, Wild West", "Mony, Mony", "Footloose", and "Gloria")
It's free, (unlike a gym!) fun, and I can even watch tv at the same time, so I never get bored! :happy:
I also have Wii Fit, and jog to that, which is a lot of fun, and easy too!
So, to make a LONG story short, make good food choices, eat in moderation, get some exercise, and you WILL lose the weight that you want to!

fitinyoga14

BrenNew did a pretty good job of explaining. Here's some more stuff i would like to add:
-Drink all of your water for the day. It helps in so many ways.
-Explore the settings on your diaries to make it work for you.
-Use up your WHOLE allowance of calories/protein/ect.
-Pre-plan your meals and measure your portions so they are counted correctly.
-Realize that you don't need to limit yourself to only a few healthy food choices. Every is fine in moderation.
-Plan ahead! (i.e If you're going to a party at night, leave some calories left over for night so you can enjoy yourself.)
-Get support from all the wonderful people right here on the site and post any questions you have.
-DON'T GIVE UP This is not a quick process and takes some time for your body to get used to your healthy new way of life. It may not seem like it at first, but your body will thank you later.

ro74

:happy: Thank you both for all your advice!!!

AnewDawn

Wow..this was great post. Thanks for all the info for some newbies! I just started last night also and am still trying to figure it all out! Good heads up there!