Why did you choose to join MFP?
Hanfordrose
Posts: 688 Member
I did a post early (Age is no excuse) about making a commitment to a food plan and keeping to it. I also expressed concern for people who exercise only to justify eating 'badly'...which was in reference to junk foods. One of the folks who responded to that post did not like my comment and replied.
"Working out to eat additional calories is how MFP works."
Initially, I thought..."What?! MFP is about working out to eat additional calories?!!! I must be in the wrong place."
You see, I didn't come to MFP to become part of an exercise group. Far from it...I am handicapped and spend most of my time sitting in a wheelchair or desk chair. I have never belonged to gym. In fact, the last time I went to gym class was more than 50 years ago in high school.
Why did I choose to join MFP? Hmm? I was already trying to stick to a food plan and had lost a bit of weight, but I really didn't know the calories for some of my food. The meal replacement shakes and bars told me the calories in them, but my doctor wanted me to include some 'real food' in my plan. Then, someone mentioned calorie counting; and I didn't know the calories for anything. That's how it started!
I went online, typed in 'calorie counter'...and there is was..."Free Calorie Counter" on Myfitnesspal. So, I logged in and went right to the food diary section. I typed in my meal for that first day and was pleased at how easily I could look up the calories. Why, it even told me other things, like the amounts of sugar, fat, protein and such. I thought, "This is great."; and then, I set a goal of 1,000 calories per day. That seemed reasonable.
(Note: Some of you will freak out at that number. My doctor is following carefully with lab work and regular appointments. If I have a problem, he or I will make changes to my food plan. Remember...I am basically a lump in a chair that does 30 minutes of upper body exercise a few times per week. So, don't panic. I am not going to keel over from lack of food.)
Back to the subject...I had found my calorie counter. Then, I set about to do my profile and even made a post in the blogs for Introductions. I was done!
Then, someone asked me to be their friend on MFP. Okay...then another...okay...and another. Wow! This is a friendly group of folks, trying to lose weight. I even discovered some old friends and family members were also on MFP; and I never knew it, until I got here.
Fortunately, no one told me that I had to join a gym or record my time on a treadmill or even account for the fact that I wasn't working out daily. They just welcomed me and encouraged me to keep come back each day to log in on my food daily and say Hi. These new friends said encouraging words for my few posts and laughed at some of the silly things that I told them about my crazy husband and his ideas of eating healthy. They learned about me...the old lady in the wheelchair...whose goal was to get new knees and be able to walk again. I will admit that I decided to do some exercise (the Sit and Fit kind), since I joined MFP; but that wasn't my reason for coming here.
When I read those words this morning..."Working out to eat additional calories is how MFP works."...they made me sad. Then, I thought about it a bit more.
That's when I realized that I am probably more like the MAJORITY of the folks who come to MFP. I came here to count calories, to lose weight, to encourage others and to be encouraged along the way. However, I never came here to focus on working out. Until today, I never thought of MFP that way.
Did you?
What actually was your thinking, when you came to MFP? Was your focus on getting control of your food or working out to get in shape? Be honest.
"Working out to eat additional calories is how MFP works."
Initially, I thought..."What?! MFP is about working out to eat additional calories?!!! I must be in the wrong place."
You see, I didn't come to MFP to become part of an exercise group. Far from it...I am handicapped and spend most of my time sitting in a wheelchair or desk chair. I have never belonged to gym. In fact, the last time I went to gym class was more than 50 years ago in high school.
Why did I choose to join MFP? Hmm? I was already trying to stick to a food plan and had lost a bit of weight, but I really didn't know the calories for some of my food. The meal replacement shakes and bars told me the calories in them, but my doctor wanted me to include some 'real food' in my plan. Then, someone mentioned calorie counting; and I didn't know the calories for anything. That's how it started!
I went online, typed in 'calorie counter'...and there is was..."Free Calorie Counter" on Myfitnesspal. So, I logged in and went right to the food diary section. I typed in my meal for that first day and was pleased at how easily I could look up the calories. Why, it even told me other things, like the amounts of sugar, fat, protein and such. I thought, "This is great."; and then, I set a goal of 1,000 calories per day. That seemed reasonable.
(Note: Some of you will freak out at that number. My doctor is following carefully with lab work and regular appointments. If I have a problem, he or I will make changes to my food plan. Remember...I am basically a lump in a chair that does 30 minutes of upper body exercise a few times per week. So, don't panic. I am not going to keel over from lack of food.)
Back to the subject...I had found my calorie counter. Then, I set about to do my profile and even made a post in the blogs for Introductions. I was done!
Then, someone asked me to be their friend on MFP. Okay...then another...okay...and another. Wow! This is a friendly group of folks, trying to lose weight. I even discovered some old friends and family members were also on MFP; and I never knew it, until I got here.
Fortunately, no one told me that I had to join a gym or record my time on a treadmill or even account for the fact that I wasn't working out daily. They just welcomed me and encouraged me to keep come back each day to log in on my food daily and say Hi. These new friends said encouraging words for my few posts and laughed at some of the silly things that I told them about my crazy husband and his ideas of eating healthy. They learned about me...the old lady in the wheelchair...whose goal was to get new knees and be able to walk again. I will admit that I decided to do some exercise (the Sit and Fit kind), since I joined MFP; but that wasn't my reason for coming here.
When I read those words this morning..."Working out to eat additional calories is how MFP works."...they made me sad. Then, I thought about it a bit more.
That's when I realized that I am probably more like the MAJORITY of the folks who come to MFP. I came here to count calories, to lose weight, to encourage others and to be encouraged along the way. However, I never came here to focus on working out. Until today, I never thought of MFP that way.
Did you?
What actually was your thinking, when you came to MFP? Was your focus on getting control of your food or working out to get in shape? Be honest.
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Replies
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Everytime I would google some DVD with results MFP always came up.
I finally joined.0 -
I really like your posts. I do exercise but only three days a week. I joined to count calories, but I do eat more on the days I exercise. Not eating bad foods just more. I have maintained my weight for about 6 months. I still log in my calories but not every day. Good luck and keep logging in.0
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I'm here to get control of the food. Logging what I eat has helped curb some of the binging problem that I have. Granted, I'm "hungry" a lot now, but am not as bloaty as before. I have a LOOONG way to go, and am working really hard at this. I'm impressed you've lost 20 lbs!0
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Everytime I would google some DVD with results MFP always came up.
I finally joined.
Google can be a nag sometimes. :laugh:0 -
I joined MFP because my doctor told me to. I must lose some weight or go on blood pressure medicine, which I do not want to do. I am exercising 7.5 hours a week. I know how to eat correctly, but I seem to need some kind of accountability. She thought this site might help me. So far - 5 days- it seems to be keeping me on the straight and narrow..
I do not eat those extra calories MFP says I can from the exercise. I worked hard to burn those calories up I don't need them back!0 -
I joined because of the moving success stories. I just knew it had to be a positive influence on peoples lives and I wanted to be a part.0
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I joined MFP because my doctor told me to. I must lose some weight or go on blood pressure medicine, which I do not want to do.
Doctors...can't live 'em...can't live without them. You are avoiding medication. I am trying to qualify for new knees. The doctors are threatening you and 'holding out a carrot' for me. :grumble:0 -
To hold myself accountable. I've always been a fan of healthy foods but had never really paid attention to things like portion size or not going back for seconds or sometimes thirds. Seeing the nutritional aspect in front of me for every snack and meal really helps.0
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I joined to become healthy. I joined after committing to remove sugar, artificial sweeteners, processed foods and all meats but chicken, turkey and fish from my diet to avoid more issues with my blood pressure and the onset of diabetes (my mom has type 2 and it runs in our family). I joined to gain control of my life for the first time in my life. And after 3 1/2 weeks, I have been able to achieve goals I've never been able to achieve in all my 55 years of dieting, weight loss surgery, diet pills, liquid diets, prepackaged diets, you name it. Not only does this program allow me to keep track of my calories, carbs, etc., but in tracking my sodium intake I have also managed to lower my blood pressure so much I will most likely have my bp meds cut in half next doctor's visit. Last summer I spent two months in a wheelchair after knee surgery and was determined to do something about my expanding everything once I could walk again. Baby steps and more baby steps later, I actually look forward to exercising in spite of the fact that the thing I find the least enjoyable about MFP is trying to add more calories to my meals after my workouts. Today is a good example. I set up my 1200 calorie plan for the day starting with a large and healthy breakfast. After my morning workout I had over 400 calories to add to my meal menus and after an afternoon cleaning stint (for my job) another 300. There is simply no way I could possibly consume that many more healthy calories no matter how many small meals I could eat. I settle for 1600 to 1700 on days like this but normally more like 1300 or 1400. I've lost 10 lbs. so far with 63 to go but I'm in no hurry. It is easy to look at it as though you exercise to eat more, I don't look at it that way but it is frustrating sometimes. I look at eating now as a way to fuel the engine to keep me moving, which in turn motivates me to keep moving. I feel healthy for the first time and I intend to keep doing what I'm doing to keep feeling that way. It isn't a means to an end, it's a way of life.0
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because it was far easier keeping track of my food calories here than with that old notebook I used to use! Yeesh! That was exhausting!
now, why do I stay? Because this is the only place that people truely understand, will sympathize, and wont get bored of the weightloss/fitness talk in my life. Sorry, but friend on FB just do not care. My family gets it, but doesn't want to hear about it as often as I talk about it. My friends, are supportive, but seriously, no one cares as much about my weightloss and fitness as much as I do. At least around here... that's exactly what it is for; talking about this HUGE part of my life.0 -
I joined because I have never been able to stick to tracking my calories and exercise before, but because I can do this on my Iphone, it's like a game to track everything. I love playing on my Iphone anyway so this is a great thing for me. I think it's something I'll actually stick with.0
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I joined because of the moving success stories. I just knew it had to be a positive influence on peoples lives and I wanted to be a part.
You're a positive influence on me.
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Oh, and don't rule out exercise just yet. Even though you are limited now, there will be plenty of time to exercise when you get your new knees. When I came here I thought I was doing well with my resistance bands and 3 lb. weights. After reading about so many women my age and older doing more, I started doing more. Positive thinking is inspiring to others.0
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To hold myself accountable. I've always been a fan of healthy foods but had never really paid attention to things like portion size or not going back for seconds or sometimes thirds. Seeing the nutritional aspect in front of me for every snack and meal really helps.
Accountability....That's a good word. :happy:0 -
I joined to lose a few pounds, but also due to having had an unhealthy relationship with food for decades, resulting in various eating disordered behaviour and thought processes. I am using the site to try and find a balance and to learn more about nutrition and exercise since that is a longterm interest of mine.0
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I have been counting calories and fat and carbs off and on for years. It was alot of work and the closer I would get to my goal I got lazy about it. Then my friend told me about my fitness pal and it scans food labels. That is so awesome. I started back again doing the calorie counting at the beginning of the year and this is the easiest food calculator that I have ever had and I love that it calculates other nutriton too. I did start this because of counting calories and I do workout too when I am counting the calories. I am an all or nothing kinda girl. I am more motivated to get to the gym so I can count more calories too. I love this app and I have it on my phone for free. I love this app like I love my kindle app. I even got my daughter hooked on it too.0
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I joined so I could learn more about nutrition and the balancing act of meeting those daily requirements. I love the way MFP adds in the exercise calories as you plan your foods for the day. I am planning more and making healthier choices at the grocery store.0
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I set up my 1200 calorie plan for the day starting with a large and healthy breakfast. After my morning workout I had over 400 calories to add to my meal menus and after an afternoon cleaning stint (for my job) another 300. There is simply no way I could possibly consume that many more healthy calories no matter how many small meals I could eat. I settle for 1600 to 1700 on days like this but normally more like 1300 or 1400. I've lost 10 lbs. so far with 63 to go but I'm in no hurry. It is easy to look at it as though you exercise to eat more, I don't look at it that way but it is frustrating sometimes.
I made the mistake of going onto the exercise log area. Suddenly, my food diary goal changed. I didn't like that at all. So, I went back into that exercise log and deleted everything that I could. Now, my food diary stays 'normal' and unchanged.
I do my exercises, when I want for as long as I can without bringing on pain. Knowing that I did my exercises and watching my weight go down is enough reward for me. I don't need to earn any extra snacks.0 -
because it was far easier keeping track of my food calories here than with that old notebook I used to use! Yeesh! That was exhausting!
I was drawing lines on a yellow tablet. Then, I had to try and add more lines, when my doctor asked to add regular food.now, why do I stay? Because this is the only place that people truely understand, will sympathize, and wont get bored of the weightloss/fitness talk in my life. Sorry, but friend on FB just do not care. My family gets it, but doesn't want to hear about it as often as I talk about it. My friends, are supportive, but seriously, no one cares as much about my weightloss and fitness as much as I do. At least around here... that's exactly what it is for; talking about this HUGE part of my life.
Yes. That is such a good point. People who are trying to lose weight tend to bore 'regular folks'.
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The dietician that I have been working with suggested that I use mfp (I had never heard of it). It has been great to keep track of the calories. Seeing the nutritional values has really helped me make wiser food choices. Reading the success stories is also motivating.
I don't exercise so that I can eat more--I exercise to help lose weight and to tone. But I do eat some (not generally all) of my exercise calories back. I started the week before Thanksgiving (how crazy is that) and have lost 20#, so it has been a great site for me.0 -
I was searching for a recipe for something along the lines of a homemade Clif bar. Found a good recipe on this site, was intrigued by the forums, decided it looked like a community I'd like to be a part of.0
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I joined because I have never been able to stick to tracking my calories and exercise before, but because I can do this on my Iphone, it's like a game to track everything. I love playing on my Iphone anyway so this is a great thing for me. I think it's something I'll actually stick with.
I don't even own a cell phone. I am an ooooold lady who took a long time to even accept the idea of a computer. I was just thinking about this yesterday. Kids in this new generation:
- have never used a typewriter (Have they ever even seen a Smith-Corona or a Royal typewriter, or felt the power of shifting that carriage back to start a new line of type?)
- don't know how to use 'white out' to make a correction on a page of typing paper (They would be horrified by carbon paper.)
- couldn't imagine growing up in a house with only one phone that stayed in one place and was totally controlled by the parents (An egg timer to limit their time on the phone would kill them.)
- and would never consider buying a huge set of encyclopedias for their library (They have more memory in their phones than a whole library of dust catching books. Of course, I love to hold a book in my hand...especially my Bible. That doesn't get dusty.)
I am old enough to remember all those things and more.0 -
I needed a way to track certain micro nutrients for medical reasons as well as lose some weight...also medical reasons but I'm also really liking the way my new body is shaping up too. MFP fit the bill.0
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I have been counting calories and fat and carbs off and on for years. It was alot of work and the closer I would get to my goal I got lazy about it. Then my friend told me about my fitness pal and it scans food labels.
You're way ahead of me, Sis. Scanning food labels sounds like you are walking around with a special piece of equipment, but I am guessing that it must be in your phone...somehow.0 -
I started the week before Thanksgiving (how crazy is that) and have lost 20#, so it has been a great site for me.
I started right after Thanksgiving to actually work within a food plan, but I didn't join MFP until late in December.0 -
I was searching for a recipe for something along the lines of a homemade Clif bar.
What is a Clif bar?0 -
well initially I joined to count the calories. Then as I was browsing the community I liked what I read and started asking to begin friendships! I love the support and motivation. Eventually I started exercising mainly becuase the pounds weren't coming fast enough. Haven't seen steady weight loss but I am seeing changes in the way my clothes fit. Now I just enjoy the community!!0
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I only joined for the ticker. I didn't know what the site was. I had just joined a Couch to 5K forum and saw a bunch of members with MFP weight loss tickers in their sig lines, and wanted to keep track of any loss I might have. Then I discovered the rest of this site, and that the forums here were a lot more active than the C25K forum. I was a member about a week before I started using the site at all.
That was over two years ago.0 -
After having a second baby I knew I needed to get my body back and I was writing my calories down then a friend on babycenter told me about this site, and here I am. Best decision ever.
I have lost 25 pounds thanks to this site.0 -
I joined because I was not sure if I was getting enough rounded nutrition (calcium and iron) I was gaining weight without eating much. Although I still want to lose a few pounds it really make me think what I put in my mouth and the consequences My results so far are a more stable blood sugar and some weight loss plus I am losing my taste for process food
PS - I do not eat back my exercise calories.0
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