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How does this work

June_Heart
June_Heart Posts: 18
edited January 6 in Food and Nutrition
I'm fairly new to diet and exercise. What kind of food should I be eating? I just created my account and I'm seeing different things all over. I see a 1200 green number saying "Goal". What is that? What kind of workouts should I be doing. I like to run but its kind of cold outside nowadays.

Thank you for the help

Replies

  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Seriously? You don't know what "goal" is?

    I'm willing to help, but you gotta meet me half way.
  • _Elemenopee_
    _Elemenopee_ Posts: 2,665 Member
    Lots of good groups, good people and good advice all over MFP. Start stalking the forums and good luck!
  • June_Heart
    June_Heart Posts: 18
    Seriously? You don't know what "goal" is?

    I'm willing to help, but you gotta meet me half way.

    I am sorry. I know the meaning of goal but don't know what they're referring to in terms of goal. Is it number of minutes I have to workout? Sorry I am terribly new at this :(
  • edge_dragoncaller
    edge_dragoncaller Posts: 826 Member
    That 1200 is the Net Calorie count you should eat in order to achieve your goals.

    As far as what you should eat...if your goal is 1200, then you'll find that you need to avoid anything processed or you'll starve, :laugh: Lean meats, lots of veggies, some fruit, and very few carbs heavy items like bread or noodles. If you are excercising, make sure you keep track of that in your MFP Diary because your workouts burn calories...and you need to make sure you consume most of them back to keep yourself from starving.

    As far as what kind of workouts? That's really up to you. Do what you like, otherwise it become a chore and that's not good. Since you're a runner, I would suggest that during the cold months you either invest in treadmill or get a gym membership so that you can use the treadmills there.
  • _Elemenopee_
    _Elemenopee_ Posts: 2,665 Member
    I spoke too soon.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Seriously? You don't know what "goal" is?

    I'm willing to help, but you gotta meet me half way.

    I am sorry. I know the meaning of goal but don't know what they're referring to in terms of goal. Is it number of minutes I have to workout? Sorry I am terribly new at this :(

    It's the number of calories MFP wants you to eat each day. It will go up if/when you add your exercise, because MFP wants you to eat back the cals you burn while exercising.

    Types of workouts don't really matter unless you have more specific goals outside of simple weight loss. If you like to run, then run.
  • amann1976
    amann1976 Posts: 742 Member
    eat what you want just do it in moderation and portion control
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    I spoke too soon.

    No, you're right... there are lots of good people on this site. Who those people are depend on exactly what type of advice/interaction you're looking for. I'm fully aware not everyone likes me. I'm perfectly fine with that.
  • sanura
    sanura Posts: 459 Member
    That is a lot of questions!!
    You get a number of calories per day called your goal, that will change depending on how many calories you burn through exercise.
    you should try to eat whole, natural foods more than processed, refined foods.

    You should find a variety of activities your enjoy that meet the three main areas of fitness:
    cardio - works your heart and lungs, builds endurance, burns lots of calories,
    examples: running, swimming, skipping, indoors you can get a rebounder or stationary bike, or videos

    strength - builds muscles strength and bone density
    examples:you can use your body weight like pushups, lunges etc, or free weights, weight machines, resistance bands are cheap and easy to use at home

    stretching - maintains or improves range of motion, which can prevent injuries
    examples: basic static stretches - holding a position for 30 seconds or longer, or try yoga

    hope this helps
  • June_Heart
    June_Heart Posts: 18
    Lots of good groups, good people and good advice all over MFP. Start stalking the forums and good luck!

    Thank you! I like the site so far just very confused. I saw some posts but didn't really understood what was going on. Most talk about weight lifting and stuff. Is there any particular posts that I should be looking at?
  • bbgughj
    bbgughj Posts: 219 Member
    Lots of good groups, good people and good advice all over MFP. Start stalking the forums and good luck!

    Thank you! I like the site so far just very confused. I saw some posts but didn't really understood what was going on. Most talk about weight lifting and stuff. Is there any particular posts that I should be looking at?

    Read this , ASAP
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12
  • June_Heart
    June_Heart Posts: 18
    That is a lot of questions!!
    You get a number of calories per day called your goal, that will change depending on how many calories you burn through exercise.
    you should try to eat whole, natural foods more than processed, refined foods.

    You should find a variety of activities your enjoy that meet the three main areas of fitness:
    cardio - works your heart and lungs, builds endurance, burns lots of calories,
    examples: running, swimming, skipping, indoors you can get a rebounder or stationary bike, or videos

    strength - builds muscles strength and bone density
    examples:you can use your body weight like pushups, lunges etc, or free weights, weight machines, resistance bands are cheap and easy to use at home

    stretching - maintains or improves range of motion, which can prevent injuries
    examples: basic static stretches - holding a position for 30 seconds or longer, or try yoga

    hope this helps

    So with this diet plan I have to eat whole foods only? What if I want a burger or a pizza slice or some cheetos?

    Also, I have never done yoga or weight machines. Yoga sounds fun but the classes for those are expensive. I don't want to weight lift since I am trying not to get big manly muscles, just maintain my weight and maybe lose 7 more lbs. Do I have to be on such a strict diet for that? What kind of exercises can girls do? I like eating too junk food and while hanging out with friends I eat outside too :(
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    The first thing to know is that people are, by in large, going to recommend what has worked for them. Does that mean it'll work for you? No. Does that mean there are NO other routes to success? No.
  • June_Heart
    June_Heart Posts: 18
    Lots of good groups, good people and good advice all over MFP. Start stalking the forums and good luck!

    Thank you! I like the site so far just very confused. I saw some posts but didn't really understood what was going on. Most talk about weight lifting and stuff. Is there any particular posts that I should be looking at?

    Read this , ASAP
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

    Wow... what the heck? I got a headache reading that. What is all of that...?
  • June_Heart
    June_Heart Posts: 18
    The first thing to know is that people are, by in large, going to recommend what has worked for them. Does that mean it'll work for you? No. Does that mean there are NO other routes to success? No.

    Thank you jack. I really appreciate you helping. So I take it that confusing thread that was linked to me is not a part of the MFP diet because that was really confusing to read

    I read in one of the replies that I can just continue to run to maintain and maybe lose some weight too? I really don't want to weight lift and give up carbs and I am addicted to chips and eating out!
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    The first thing to know is that people are, by in large, going to recommend what has worked for them. Does that mean it'll work for you? No. Does that mean there are NO other routes to success? No.

    Thank you jack. I really appreciate you helping. So I take it that confusing thread that was linked to me is not a part of the MFP diet because that was really confusing to read

    I read in one of the replies that I can just continue to run to maintain and maybe lose some weight too? I really don't want to weight lift and give up carbs and I am addicted to chips and eating out!

    It's more like the missing appendix to MFP.

    To lose weight you HAVE to consume less cals than your body burns. It doesn't matter how you accomplish that, but if you have a calorie surplus you'll never lose weight.
  • kristen6022
    kristen6022 Posts: 1,923 Member
    You can eat whatever you want but if you decide to stick to 1200 calories/daily, you will want to eat more "whole" foods only because 1200 calories of processed junk won't fill you up and in 3 days you'll be a tired, whiny bear.

    I suggest following the "road map". MFP will typically give you a 500 calorie reduction from your TDEE (www.fat2fitradio.com is a good site to read up on this) for each pound you want to lose a week. If you have lots to lose (over 75 I'd say) it's save to set it to lose 2 pounds a week. But from your profile picture I don't think you need to lose too much - so I'd stay around a 1lb or a .5 lb a week loss, for a deficit of 500 or 250 calories respectively. A lot of people will tell you not to eat below your BMR (something that can be calculated on this site but going under the APPS tab at the top of the screen).

    Unfortunately, you will have to play around with what works for you. Everyone has a calorie sweet spot or a way they know they will lose the weight (either by lots of gym time, or eating as clean as possible). I'm one of the ones that will promote healthy eating 90% of the time and 10% of the time treats (things that aren't "whole foods") because I believe to make good changes for a life time means something you can follow for lifetime, not a period of time while you are losing, then go back to what you did before, because you will gain it all back, and usually more.
  • sanura
    sanura Posts: 459 Member
    That is a lot of questions!!
    You get a number of calories per day called your goal, that will change depending on how many calories you burn through exercise.
    you should try to eat whole, natural foods more than processed, refined foods.

    You should find a variety of activities your enjoy that meet the three main areas of fitness:
    cardio - works your heart and lungs, builds endurance, burns lots of calories,
    examples: running, swimming, skipping, indoors you can get a rebounder or stationary bike, or videos

    strength - builds muscles strength and bone density
    examples:you can use your body weight like pushups, lunges etc, or free weights, weight machines, resistance bands are cheap and easy to use at home

    stretching - maintains or improves range of motion, which can prevent injuries
    examples: basic static stretches - holding a position for 30 seconds or longer, or try yoga

    hope this helps

    So with this diet plan I have to eat whole foods only? What if I want a burger or a pizza slice or some cheetos?

    Also, I have never done yoga or weight machines. Yoga sounds fun but the classes for those are expensive. I don't want to weight lift since I am trying not to get big manly muscles, just maintain my weight and maybe lose 7 more lbs. Do I have to be on such a strict diet for that? What kind of exercises can girls do? I like eating too junk food and while hanging out with friends I eat outside too :(

    sorry if I sounded so strict, I just meant whole, foods are most nutritious, regardless of trying to lose weight or not, with this site, you track calories, fat, protein, carbs, so if you want something and it fits, go ahead.
    it's almost impossible to get big manly muscles, female body builder spends many hours each day lifting heavy weights, an average strength training workout would help build a bit more functional strength and give you a toned look, that's all
    yoga is just an option that I enjoy, you don't need to do it, but if you are interested and cost is a factor, I'm sure there are some youtube videos you could try.
  • ChristyRunStarr
    ChristyRunStarr Posts: 1,600 Member

    Wow... what the heck? I got a headache reading that. What is all of that...?

    The road map isn't hard if you just read helloitsdan's post. It breaks it down and tells you what you need to do (BMR) and then to find what your calorie intake should be depending on your exercise.
  • Linli_Anne
    Linli_Anne Posts: 1,360 Member
    Every morsel that enters your mouth, and every sip of drinks other than water, has a calorie value.

    Log them in your diary, and watch as your calories increase until you reach whatever goal you have set (1200).

    Because you have so little to lose, and your profile says you would like to maintain and not have weight/obesity become an issue in your life, I would suggest that you start by telling MFP through your goals that you are looking to maintain. Log your calories at that "goal" for a few weeks to at least get used to logging. Log everything - every chip, every pretzel, every vodka cooler etc.

    If/When you exercise - run, dancing at the club, brisk walk with the dog etc. Enter it as activity/exercise. This will give you a few more calories to consume during the day.

    When you are comfortable with this, start to make some adjustments to healthier less processed foods.
  • robpett2001
    robpett2001 Posts: 320 Member
    You'll get all kinds of answers here about "Eat these things", "Don't eat these things", "Do these exercises", and "Don't do those". It's the nature of the Interwebz. For those aspects of your questions, you will need to do your own research and find out what works and what will work for you (meaning, finding practices that you can incorporate into your life).

    The critical thing to remember is to meet your nutritional needs every day, exercise regularly, and burn more calories than you consume over the course of every week until you reach your goal. MFP is a tool designed to help you track those numbers, and give you a supportive community to help you maintain your motivation and interest.

    To better understand how MFP works -- what it does and what it doesn't do -- checkout the Help section:
       http://www.myfitnesspal.com/help

    At the risk of adding another voice to the cacophony of the Interwebz, I WILL also put in a plug for fat2fitradio.com. It's a great website & podcast (sadly, they aren't creating new ones at the moment) that advocates the philosophy "Eat and exercise like the healthy and fit person you want to be, and eventually that's exactly what you will be".
  • AliciaHollywood
    AliciaHollywood Posts: 102 Member
    You can stop responding, she has deactivated her account....
This discussion has been closed.

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