The Most Important Thing You Have Learned From MFP

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Replies

  • Bob314159
    Bob314159 Posts: 1,178 Member
    I learnt there is no such thing as 'Starvation mode'

    I learnt this also, as well as - there are more inane opinions about weight-loss than I ever knew
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    It is never done. When you reach a goal, get a new one.
  • manderson27
    manderson27 Posts: 3,510 Member
    Eat at a calorie deficit
    Lift Heavy
    Eat a lot of protein
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    that even whack jobs, super hyper sensitive people and total loons also want to lose weight
  • nexangelus
    nexangelus Posts: 2,080 Member
    To not spend too long on forums and online and get out there and do, live and be what I have researched...(because some of the posts just annoy and sadden the bejessus outa me)
  • Healthydiner65
    Healthydiner65 Posts: 1,552 Member
    That there are other people out there with the same ambitions as myself and it is just as important to give motivation & support as it is to receive it!
    ^THIS and volume,volume,volume!
  • samantha1242
    samantha1242 Posts: 816 Member
    And most importantly-I learned what a thigh gap is, and that's it's an actual goal for some people. Hmm.
  • NaomiJFoster
    NaomiJFoster Posts: 1,450 Member
    Treats and indulgences are OK and are very necessary for my sanity. The thing I have to remember is that I still have the same calorie goal, no matter what the food choices are. I either have to save room in my count or make room in my count if there's something extra that I want that day.

    Save room or make room.
  • to exercise does not mean you loose weight.... it is mainly diet...

    to use exercise to keep me healthy and diet to balance the weight

    weight is not directly proportional to size

    weight is immaterial body fat % is the one you have to think about

    training 6 days a week is bad, better to train 4 times a week at stupidly high intensity..

    results are not proportianal to days trained

    there are people out there who are light weight living very very unhealthy lives primarliy to keep skinny

    americans do no have "cheese" with everything
  • rizzaG
    rizzaG Posts: 110
    What's the most important thing you have learned on MFP? Mine is that you don't have to starve yourself to lose weight! Actually, it's much better if you don't!

    Exactly the truth and what's needed for fat loss.
  • marvybells
    marvybells Posts: 1,984 Member
    Well, I've only been on about a week but in that time i've learned that i don't eat quite as well as i thought i did. So no more doing the math in my head and guessing at where i'm at---now i know for sure and It's so much easier to make better decisions.
  • That it really is up to me to make this change. The pals I have on here are encouraging, but they are not physically here to push me. I have to do that myself, and I am so proud when I just get it done!
  • rotill
    rotill Posts: 244 Member
    1: That my original diet was (is) very healthy and had few calories.
    2: That my original activity level was (is) healthy, a good combination of cardio and strength.
    3: That what stopped me from losing weight despite this was illness leading to an extremely low metabolism.
    4: When my metabolism was turned up, my body worked the way it was supposed to, and a generally aknowledged healthy calorie deficit lead to weight loss.

    Without MFP I'd have kept believing I was eating insanely much, and that was why I couldn't lose weight. I was mentally flogging myself for being lazy and greedy. Logging set that straight, and I could focus more on why my body didn't work like it was supposed to.
  • Calories.Calories.Calories.Calories.
    Strength Training.Strength Training. Strength Training.
    Eat if it fits your macros.Eat if it fits your macros.Eat if it fits your macros.
  • adidrea
    adidrea Posts: 275 Member
    I learned how terrible my diet used to be before I logged my calories! I'm pretty sure I was eating around 3000 without even realizing it. I'm much more aware of what I am putting in my mouth now!
  • Molly_Maguire
    Molly_Maguire Posts: 1,103 Member
    I learned some basic HTML coding, and how to find and utilize the snarkiest gifs.
  • trud72
    trud72 Posts: 1,912 Member
    :wink: 1. if you are not truthfull on here then you will not lose weight!
    2.weigh your bloody food don't just guess it....tut tut tut shame on you all for not doing that! :wink:
  • slimcakelady
    slimcakelady Posts: 81 Member
    The importance of logging in DAILY even in maintenace.

    I had gotten down to 130, but have since gained it all back. I think that this is the key to maintaining weight loss, and I have learned from that mistake. I'm back now with a vengence. I've logged on now for 10 days straight, and its that accountability I feel will help me this time around. Now at 40, I see its not as easy maintaining a healthy weight as when I was much younger. I need the discipline and support MFP provides because I can't do this alone. This is helping me to understand that it is a lifestyle change and not just a temporary diet until I get to my goal weight. I have a lot of family members that are diabetics, and I'm all about living a healthy lifestyle and only going to the doctor for my yearly physical. I'm interested in learning from as many people as possible and building a positve network of like-minded people. Besides, I'm a stressed out 6th grade science teacher :explode: , and I could use all the help I can get!
  • Contrarian
    Contrarian Posts: 8,138 Member
    I learned that I am an above-average speller.
  • slimcakelady
    slimcakelady Posts: 81 Member
    NOTHING is off limits as long as I don't exceed my calorie budget. How liberating is that!!:happy:
    I like that too! :smile:
  • NeverGivesUp
    NeverGivesUp Posts: 960 Member
    friends on MFP inspire, care. help, keep you on track, and are the best motivator every time you log in. It is so much esier to jump back on that horse when you see people working their butts off and talking about their inspirations and struggles. I am not alone and that is the best feeling in the world!!
  • Duck_Puddle
    Duck_Puddle Posts: 3,237 Member
    I learned that I am an above-average speller.

    And that there are startling numbers of people that don't know the difference between your and you're, too and to, loose and lose, there and their and they're, etc.
  • How sometimes it better to plan your meals around the calorie counter. This also let you know how many calories you have left for you day. How much I was overeating.......
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    that when people lose any amount of weight, they also automatically become qualified marriage counselors, fitness instructors, nutritionists and are able to immediately diagnose eating disorders based on a stranger's single statement
  • EvelynBfly78
    EvelynBfly78 Posts: 240 Member
    Something so simple as calories in vs calories out.
    Starvation isn't necessary. Strict dieting is not the way to go. I can allow for treats if I make room in my daily meal plans. It's lifestyle changes that matter.
    Logging in every day is important for me so I don't guesstimate on what I'm eating.
    Practicing portion control. I had no idea about the size of some portions. I was eating twice & three times the amount of what I was eating on some foods.
    It's not only the numbers on the scale. NSV's are an important part of weight loss.
  • neverstray
    neverstray Posts: 3,845 Member
    1. Terms like twatwaffle and butthurt.
    2. The importance and overall usefulness of compound lifts.
    3. The differences of building muscle and losing fat, eating at a deficit, and eating at a surplus and how those things work.
    4. How scales are only a part if the puzzle, but that you have to measure other things to see the whole picture.
    5. How weight loss is not linear or a straight line.
    6. What a macro nutrient is and why it is important.
    7. That, to a large degree, most people really do not understand weight loss and nutrition at all. Which explains why obesity is such an issue. And, the media doesn't help because they perpetuate all the myths. It's sad.
    8. That many people over 40 think its impossible to lose weight and look good, and I can't tell you how proud I am at 47 to break into those threads and tell them to stop whining and start tracking.
    9. How awesome this community can be.
  • * Water is your friend--sodium, not so much (although you do need SOME to survive).
    * Protein is your friend--especially lean protein.
    * Just because the number on the scale isn't changing, doesn't mean that what you're doing isn't working. Losing inches matters, too!
    * Don't feel guilty about going over your calories or not exercising for one day. Tomorrow is a new day!
    * Don't define your happiness and self worth by the number on the scale. Part of changing your lifestyle is changing the way you see yourself, too!
  • KyleB65
    KyleB65 Posts: 1,196 Member
    Drink LOTS of water!
  • elisa123gal
    elisa123gal Posts: 4,324 Member
    i have yet to learn what i love most because i'm just starting to really work at losing weight. For starters,,,,

    1. i love mfp tracking system and basic set up..it is the best I've seen and i've been on spark people, six week body makeover and a few others.

    2. i've decided to trust mfp settings and ignore the many mixed ideas everyone has on losing weight in the forums. I figure the creators of the site know more.

    3. What i like most is that i think by using this tool I will come to grips with how much i can truly eat and need to exercise to maintain my goal weight. no more fads and tricks.
  • mylee69
    mylee69 Posts: 15
    Plan your meal and log it before you eat it. Shows me if I need to leave out that dressing that I thought was harmless, or reduce my portion size before I eat it. It beats regretting what I have just eaten and beating myself up over it, because trust me when I feel like that I am more inclined to "pig out'. :smile: