for the most part..

Stacimfit

Is every one weighing there food for every gram, ounce, lb or just roughly counting, say I had roughly 8 when it said serving size was 10. If you are not down to an exact science, are you still losing weight by eating healthy foods, no fast food, drinking water and counting calories?? Some times I click on general* in the list... Instead of knowing exact brand... Will I lose weight like this? Plus I'm working out and it adds calories for me to consume... If losing weight was this easy, why would people pay for.. Say weight watchers points??

A little confused and new to this.. If anyone has a story, or tips, please share!

After about a eek, I do feel great tho but not sure if I'm losing quite yet.

Duck_Puddle

In order to lose weight, you need to consume fewer calories than you use. Mfp gives you a goal number of calories to consume (plus exercise calories) that is less than you use (eg a number of calories that will allow you to lose weight) or you can calculate it yourself if you're into all kinds of math. However you arrive at the number, you need to consume less than you use.

To hold up your end of the bargain, you need to know how much you consume. If you're "winging it" - It's highly likely that what you think you are consuming is not what you are consuming. I don't necessarily weigh every morsel of food to the milligram, but you need to be logging things as accurately as you can-otherwise you really don't know what you're eating and while your diary may say you're under your calorie goal-what you actually ate is way over (or under).

It's highly likely that over time, you'll need to change things up a bit (or you'll just want to), and if you're "winging it"-you'll have no idea what you might need to change.

Really-you don't need to be a obsessive about it, but accuracy is very much your friend in this fight. Winging it is not really a good idea.

MaxsMomTN

I don't weigh my food, that's too much trouble for me! I basically use my hand to judge portion sizes, as I do this when I cook. A cup is about the size of my fist, a 3oz piece of meat like poultry fits in my palm, a teaspoon is roughly the size of the tip of my index finger etc. I've found these have been good guidelines for me, and help me watch my portions to make sure I'm not eating a lot more than I 'think' I am. You can find websites that will help you with these type of guidelines, which can be helpful also when you are eating out. But if weighing your food works for you, then keep at it.

I try to stay within my calorie range, and sometimes I will use the extra calories I have earned from exercising, but not often. That's just what is working for me however. You'll have to monitor your progress and decide what works best for you. I think the biggest things that have helped me....drinking water instead of soda and eating only fresh foods, nothing processed and I've cut out fast food.

Weight watchers works for many people, but for me MFP is exactly what I need. Having to track everything I put into my mouth, and how much exercise I get and having friends to be accountable for is extremely helpful. Hope you find it helpful for you as well.

Built_Strong

I weigh my food. It was a surprise to me when I did it. I used to think I didnt eat a lot until I started weighing and measuring.

People will pay for WW or other groups because they benefit from that support. I think having a face-face group is a great idea. I wouldn't pay for it, but it's a great idea to meet with people face to face and share the struggles.

melsinct

If you are not down to an exact science, are you still losing weight by eating healthy foods, no fast food, drinking water and counting calories??

The answer is: maybe. In order to definitively make this work, you do have to be as accurate as possible in your logging. I would say the bulk of the people who post "Why can't I lose any weight I am so discouraged" threads aren't accurately logging. So, if you are just eyeballing it and happen to be estimating it where you are in a calorie deficit, then you will lose weight. If you are eyeballing it and inadvertently eating too many calories, you won't lose weight. I would recommend *accurately* logging, preferably by weight (grams, ounces) but by volume (cups) if you must until you really know what one cup looks like. This will become second nature after a while.

If you truly use MFP the way it is designed, yes, it is that easy to lose weight. The biggest obstacle is your head: digging deep for that willpower and actually following through with eating the recommended calories. A coworker of mine has been successful with Weight Watchers, mainly because she needs the meetings and weigh-ins are what she needs. Some people need more of the group support, some people like me were fine going it alone. There isn't a right or wrong way but it always helps to try the free way first before paying for a program!

Stacimfit

Wow thank you each of you. That helped me feel better about what I'm doing. I do kind of eye ball it mostly, and I know for a fact I've cut down and do log everything this past week. I am fine doing it on my own, I weight in on my Wii. I love this, I feel healthier and great. Im 'winging' it but feel like I will get better once my stomach shrinks! LOL. Wow each of you gave me great info and based on your weigh loses, you were the best ones to know how it works!! If anyone feels they want to add me, go ahead, if your looking for another friend anyway