Does MFP Need To Offer A Structured Plan??
Replies
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MFP does promote a plan. Count calories. That is the plan. Track your calories, eat to the goal MFP gives (including exercise calories,) and lose weight. Everything else talked about in the forums, quite frankly, are mostly irrelevant details to the average person.
Agreed. If MFP got more specific and touted a certain "plan," I probably never would have bothered with it. The beauty of plain old counting calories is that we can each tweak it to suit our individual lifestyle and goals, whether that includes getting into clean eating, becoming a weight lifter, making room for fast food 2x a week because that is what your life dictates at this time...there is room for all of us on MFP, and I think that is its strength.
not promoting a plan. call it a list of helpful tips that SHOULD be customized to your own needs explaining that some might make sense for you. some might not.
So really what you're wanting is a sticky post in the forums with a list of stuff that people can easily find via Google or a forum search?
Gotcha.0 -
What you are suggesting is basic....common sense! If people can't understand the concept behind MFP, are they really going to grasp it, if it is spelled out for them?....I think Not! What works for some does not work for others. You have to use some due diligence in anything you set out to achieve.
I have learned a lot from the forums, but just because it is there does it mean it is right? Anything I find questionable I research more ( common sense ) than I decide if it is for me!!
Common Sense!0 -
MFP does promote a plan. Count calories. That is the plan. Track your calories, eat to the goal MFP gives (including exercise calories,) and lose weight. Everything else talked about in the forums, quite frankly, are mostly irrelevant details to the average person.
Agreed. If MFP got more specific and touted a certain "plan," I probably never would have bothered with it. The beauty of plain old counting calories is that we can each tweak it to suit our individual lifestyle and goals, whether that includes getting into clean eating, becoming a weight lifter, making room for fast food 2x a week because that is what your life dictates at this time...there is room for all of us on MFP, and I think that is its strength.
not promoting a plan. call it a list of helpful tips that SHOULD be customized to your own needs explaining that some might make sense for you. some might not.
So really what you're wanting is a sticky post in the forums with a list of stuff that people can easily find via Google or a forum search?
Gotcha.
that is one possible solution I guess.
anyway, it should not be over the top and interfere with the existing MFP culture. might be hard to pull off though.0 -
What you are suggesting is basic....common sense! If people can't understand the concept behind MFP, are they really going to grasp it, if it is spelled out for them?....I think Not! What works for some does not work for others. You have to use some due diligence in anything you set out to achieve.
I have learned a lot from the forums, but just because it is there does it mean it is right? Anything I find questionable I research more ( common sense ) than I decide if it is for me!!
Common Sense!
was it common sense to you before you lost all your weight? I doubt it. open your mind to a possible solution before outright rejecting an idea.
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What I envision is some recommendations presented in the following way:
"Here are some things that many people found helpful in changing their lifestyle". And make a list of things like good foods. bad foods. exercise. the mental game. It shoud not say "this is the plan, and this is what you should do". BUT it should say "this is what we have observed as being effective for many people so you might want to consider incorporating these practices into your own plan."
I believe this is the intended purpose of the forums. Again, people need to be grownups and do research on their own. And there is no such thing as bad food and good food. There is just food. These thoughts are exactly why mfp shouldn't promote anything and just continue to provide the tools they provide.0 -
MFP does promote a plan. Count calories. That is the plan. Track your calories, eat to the goal MFP gives (including exercise calories,) and lose weight. Everything else talked about in the forums, quite frankly, are mostly irrelevant details to the average person.
Agreed. If MFP got more specific and touted a certain "plan," I probably never would have bothered with it. The beauty of plain old counting calories is that we can each tweak it to suit our individual lifestyle and goals, whether that includes getting into clean eating, becoming a weight lifter, making room for fast food 2x a week because that is what your life dictates at this time...there is room for all of us on MFP, and I think that is its strength.
not promoting a plan. call it a list of helpful tips that SHOULD be customized to your own needs explaining that some might make sense for you. some might not.
The problem with this is there is no one "plan" or even list of "helpful tips" that is agreed upon by MFP users or even by the scientific community at large.
For every person who touts a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains as the only way, there is another person who met their goals eating potato chips and cheeseburgers.
For every person who met goal eating nothing but steak and heavy cream on the Atkins diet, there is another who believes that the only way to health and well-being is an organic vegan diet.
For every weight lifter who loses on 2500 calories a day, there is someone who eats 1200 calories a day and doesn't exercise at all.
For every person who ascribes to the eat more to lose more theory, there is a post-bariatric surgery patient who couldn't eat more to save their life.
Not everyone has the same goals, so how could the same plan work for all of them? A bodybuilder has different needs than a marathon runner, and both will differ greatly from a 60-year-old sedentary woman.
The beauty of MFP is that you can find people who are similar to you in background, goals and lifestyle and then find out what has helped them to be successful.0 -
Actually this works better for me than a structured plan. I used to think I needed a structured plan to lose weight, but when you get through that plan and start eating on your own, a lot of the old habits come back, but now I'm learning how to eat and what to eat on my own, still allowing myself the occasional treat.0
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MFP does promote a plan. Count calories. That is the plan. Track your calories, eat to the goal MFP gives (including exercise calories,) and lose weight. Everything else talked about in the forums, quite frankly, are mostly irrelevant details to the average person.
Agreed. If MFP got more specific and touted a certain "plan," I probably never would have bothered with it. The beauty of plain old counting calories is that we can each tweak it to suit our individual lifestyle and goals, whether that includes getting into clean eating, becoming a weight lifter, making room for fast food 2x a week because that is what your life dictates at this time...there is room for all of us on MFP, and I think that is its strength.
not promoting a plan. call it a list of helpful tips that SHOULD be customized to your own needs explaining that some might make sense for you. some might not.
So really what you're wanting is a sticky post in the forums with a list of stuff that people can easily find via Google or a forum search?
Gotcha.
that is one possible solution I guess.
anyway, it should not be over the top and interfere with the existing MFP culture. might be hard to pull off though.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/23912-links-in-mfp-you-want-to-read-again-and-again
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10665-newbies-please-read-me-2nd-edition0 -
This content has been removed.
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MFP does promote a plan. Count calories. That is the plan. Track your calories, eat to the goal MFP gives (including exercise calories,) and lose weight. Everything else talked about in the forums, quite frankly, are mostly irrelevant details to the average person.
Agreed. If MFP got more specific and touted a certain "plan," I probably never would have bothered with it. The beauty of plain old counting calories is that we can each tweak it to suit our individual lifestyle and goals, whether that includes getting into clean eating, becoming a weight lifter, making room for fast food 2x a week because that is what your life dictates at this time...there is room for all of us on MFP, and I think that is its strength.
not promoting a plan. call it a list of helpful tips that SHOULD be customized to your own needs explaining that some might make sense for you. some might not.
The problem with this is there is no one "plan" or even list of "helpful tips" that is agreed upon by MFP users or even by the scientific community at large.
For every person who touts a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains as the only way, there is another person who met their goals eating potato chips and cheeseburgers.
For every person who met goal eating nothing but steak and heavy cream on the Atkins diet, there is another who believes that the only way to health and well-being is an organic vegan diet.
For every weight lifter who loses on 2500 calories a day, there is someone who eats 1200 calories a day and doesn't exercise at all.
For every person who ascribes to the eat more to lose more theory, there is a post-bariatric surgery patient who couldn't eat more to save their life.
Not everyone has the same goals, so how could the same plan work for all of them? A bodybuilder has different needs than a marathon runner, and both will differ greatly from a 60-year-old sedentary woman.
The beauty of MFP is that you can find people who are similar to you in background, goals and lifestyle and then find out what has helped them to be successful.
I can see validity in your points. I hope you could see that set up correctly my idea could also be done and actually address a lot of your concerns.0 -
I agree stop letting other bother you, this is the world we live in, people judge because you are not doing what they are. Who cares lose weight your way whether its with MFP or not.0
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I think mfp and just counting calories is brilliant because it's so simple. I can look back and see which days I felt stronger and energized by the food I ate. Lean cuisines bulked up with veggies make me feel satisfied. Ice cream sandwiches and Cheetos do not. I know that now whereas before I thought a calorie was a calorie. I love this because I'm learning how to eat like a healthy person.0
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okay. 90% of you think it is a bad idea overall.
which means something like this would have to be done very carefully considering the current MFP culture. but I maintain it still could be done.
just sayin. 0 -
okay. 90% of you think it is a bad idea overall.
which means something like this would have to be done very carefully considering the current MFP culture. but I maintain it still could be done.
just sayin.
Um-you did see the existing sticky notes right? A pp gave you links if that's easier.0 -
MFP does promote a plan. Count calories. That is the plan. Track your calories, eat to the goal MFP gives (including exercise calories,) and lose weight. Everything else talked about in the forums, quite frankly, are mostly irrelevant details to the average person.
Agreed. If MFP got more specific and touted a certain "plan," I probably never would have bothered with it. The beauty of plain old counting calories is that we can each tweak it to suit our individual lifestyle and goals, whether that includes getting into clean eating, becoming a weight lifter, making room for fast food 2x a week because that is what your life dictates at this time...there is room for all of us on MFP, and I think that is its strength.
not promoting a plan. call it a list of helpful tips that SHOULD be customized to your own needs explaining that some might make sense for you. some might not.
So really what you're wanting is a sticky post in the forums with a list of stuff that people can easily find via Google or a forum search?
Gotcha.
that is one possible solution I guess.
anyway, it should not be over the top and interfere with the existing MFP culture. might be hard to pull off though.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/23912-links-in-mfp-you-want-to-read-again-and-again
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10665-newbies-please-read-me-2nd-edition
yes, something like this might work. BUT not created by a member. MFP staff should create this with input from some key MFP members.0 -
MFP shouldn't have to change. It is what it is and if you don't like it there are plenty of other resources available to you as a consumer. MFP is a free site and application, and for what we get I think it already goes above and beyond. I would NOT be a member here if it provided a plan, I would have gone somewhere else if that's what I wanted. I came here because of how it works, and I get out of it exactly what I want.0
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okay. 90% of you think it is a bad idea overall.
which means something like this would have to be done very carefully considering the current MFP culture. but I maintain it still could be done.
just sayin.
Um-you did see the existing sticky notes right? A pp gave you links if that's easier.
yeah, its a step in the right direction.0 -
MFP shouldn't have to change. It is what it is and if you don't like it there are plenty of other resources available to you as a consumer. MFP is a free site and application, and for what we get I think it already goes above and beyond. I would NOT be a member here if it provided a plan, I would have gone somewhere else if that's what I wanted. I came here because of how it works, and I get out of it exactly what I want.
not calling for a plan. I agree this site is wonderful because it does not offer a plan. Most people failed on all those plans. This aspect of the site should not be taken away either. again, this would have to be presented just right. I think a smart team of people from MFP and key MFP member could pull something like this off nicely without changing the site.0 -
I agree stop letting other bother you, this is the world we live in, people judge because you are not doing what they are. Who cares lose weight your way whether its with MFP or not.
agreed that MFP is an awesome tool. LIke all good tools improvements can be made.0 -
Stickys (as listed above)
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/23912-links-in-mfp-you-want-to-read-again-and-again
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10665-newbies-please-read-me-2nd-edition
The "links" one is one I started five years ago, and if you scroll through the 18 or so pages, I continued to add resources all the way through. There is a lot of wisdom in those posts...all I did was gather them together.0 -
I like MFP for what it is and how it is...plenty of other places to go if you want to be on a plan and don't want to actually worry about counting calories. This is just a tool...if people don't know how/can't figure out how/can't read directions on how to use said tool, it's no skin off my back. If they can't take responsibility for themselves, their weight loss, their health, nutrtion, and fitness it is also no skin off my back.0
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I like MFP for what it is and how it is...plenty of other places to go if you want to be on a plan and don't want to actually worry about counting calories. This is just a tool...if people don't know how/can't figure out how/can't read directions on how to use said tool, it's no skin off my back. If they can't take responsibility for themselves, their weight loss, their health, nutrtion, and fitness it is also no skin off my back.
most tools come with instructions.0 -
"I think it would be good if MFP promoted a plan though since a lot of people just “want to lose the weight” and not think about how to change their lifestyle. "
Problem is.....with a 'plan' you're going to have to stick with it forever to make the 'success' stick. And we all know how hard humans have it sticking to plans longterm.
With a 'lifestyle change' you've changed how you approach food, exercise and the like....it becomes part of you.0 -
Stickys (as listed above)
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/23912-links-in-mfp-you-want-to-read-again-and-again
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10665-newbies-please-read-me-2nd-edition
The "links" one is one I started five years ago, and if you scroll through the 18 or so pages, I continued to add resources all the way through. There is a lot of wisdom in those posts...all I did was gather them together.
this is great, and probably the best you can get unless MFP does something more formal.0 -
"I think it would be good if MFP promoted a plan though since a lot of people just “want to lose the weight” and not think about how to change their lifestyle. "
Problem is.....with a 'plan' you're going to have to stick with it forever to make the 'success' stick. And we all know how hard humans have it sticking to plans longterm.
With a 'lifestyle change' you've changed how you approach food, exercise and the like....it becomes part of you.
and that would be the point of the recommendations. promoting lifestyle change. a list of ideas.0 -
The thing I like about MFP is that it is a tool that I can use in anyway I want.
I can do my own research and decide the way I want to eat. If I wanted more than that I would have joined Weight Watchers or Spark People.0 -
No plan needed. It is already there. It is all about counting calories and exercise.0
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MFP does promote a plan. Count calories. That is the plan. Track your calories, eat to the goal MFP gives (including exercise calories,) and lose weight. Everything else talked about in the forums, quite frankly, are mostly irrelevant details to the average person.
Yep. And enough people have arguments with just that. The more specific you get the more people complain it doesn't work for them.
That's true. I would not like a specific plan I'm not a plan person the minute someone says I have to follow this plan is when I rebel. I'm determined to do this with simple portion control, logging food, and excersise.
I joined MFP originally because all I wanted was an extensive food database with application options to track my food and connect it to FB. The other options are just bonus on MFP.0
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