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    10 things I wish all new MFP members knew

    Posts: 110 Member
    edited January 26 in Health and Weight Loss
    1. Eat back workout calories. MFP adds them into your daily total for a reason! You need that energy.

    2. Eat at least 1200 every day (many, many people need more than that.)

    3. Yes, it is okay to eat XYZ in moderation.

    4. Yes, you do need to workout if only a little.

    5. Don't weigh in every day. Water and hormones make weight fluctuate wildly.

    6. Not everyone wants your unsolicited advice and judgments, even if you're only trying to help. Respect boundaries.

    7. It's okay to keep your diary closed- or open for everyone!

    8. Slow loss = good loss. It adds up.

    9. Indulging sometimes is totally okay.

    10. We're all here with a common goal, so don't be a jerk.

    BONUS: Everyone's got a different body! We are all shaped differently, we work differently. Get to know your own and don't compare it with others.

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    • Posts: 68
      Yes that sums it up very well!!!!
    • Posts: 16,356 Member
      I agree with all of the above and would like to add:

      11. There is no miracle pill, wrap or other snake oils that will lose the weight for you. Only a calorie deficit will do that (and exercise can aid in that goal).
    • Posts: 261 Member
      Great post...I would only add that it is important to add lean tissue to your body as you lose weight to maintain your weight loss, so insure you eat enough protein every day and working out is critical to weight management and health.

      You can lose a 100 lbs but if you can't keep it off what good was the experience.
    • Posts: 16,356 Member
      Great post...I would only add that it is important to add lean tissue to your body as you lose weight to maintain your weight loss, so insure you eat enough protein every day and working out is critical to weight management and health.

      You can lose a 100 lbs but if you can't keep it off what good was the experience.

      Unfortunately, you can't add lean tissue (muscle) while at a calorie deficit but you can try to maintain what you already have. In doing that, adequate protein intake along with a weight training regimen is highly recommended.
    • Posts: 10 Member
      5b. I weigh in every day, but I use Trendweight (www.trendweight.com) which uses statistical analysis to average out the curves. It helps me keep from getting cocky when I lose 5 lbs in one day or despairing when I go just as high in the other direction.
    • Posts: 4,294 Member
      i'm with ya !
    • Posts: 110 Member
      5b. I weigh in every day, but I use Trendweight (www.trendweight.com) which uses statistical analysis to average out the curves. It helps me keep from getting cocky when I lose 5 lbs in one day or despairing when I go just as high in the other direction.

      That's totally fair.
    • Posts: 455 Member
      Yep!!
    • Posts: 1,018 Member
      11. Threads telling people to be nice usually doesn't result in people being nice.
    • Posts: 13,247 Member
      12. Don't rely on only the scale. Track your progress through measurements, how clothes fit, and progress photos as well.
    • Posts: 261 Member
      show previous quotes

      Unfortunately, you can't add lean tissue (muscle) while at a calorie deficit but you can try to maintain what you already have. In doing that, adequate protein intake along with a weight training regimen is highly recommended.

      Actually I have done both in the last six month, lost 45 lbs and added 5 lbs of muscle tissue. I did it with Leangains and Intermittent Fasting. You eat a deficit on rest days and a surplus on weight training days.

      I know a lot of people at the gym who have done the same thing. I have a friend who has went from 230 to 180. She looks like she weighs ALOT less because of the muscle tissue. It all about your goals. Losing weight fast is not what its all cracked up to be and sets you up for metabolic resistance later. In other words having to live and maintain on ALOT less than your normal TDEE.

      It is not all about weight loss. If you just do a calorie deficit and you never refeed or work out you will burn your lean tissue and gain all your weight loss back in a very little time. It is the number one problem with weight loss. Not getting there, but keeping it off.

      I will also add that in six months I probably could have lost MORE weight, but muscle tissue was so important to me that I was more than willing to take my time to build muscle tissue in this process.
    • Posts: 207 Member
      Absolutely LOVE the list. SOOOO true! I know some people who are also on meds, but are limiting themselves to a 400-600 calorie diet and freak out if they go over it. I don't get it. I eat back my calories for the most part, and ya know what, sometimes I go 10 or so calories over. I don't freak out. :wink:
    • Posts: 110 Member
      Absolutely LOVE the list. SOOOO true! I know some people who are also on meds, but are limiting themselves to a 400-600 calorie diet and freak out if they go over it. I don't get it. I eat back my calories for the most part, and ya know what, sometimes I go 10 or so calories over. I don't freak out. :wink:

      That's a serious sign of an eating disorder. Please let your friend know they need to seek help!
    • Posts: 26 Member
      Love your list! With special mention of #6 and #10...play nice :)
    • Posts: 16,356 Member
      show previous quotes

      Actually I have done both in the last six month, lost 45 lbs and added 5 lbs of muscle tissue. I did it with Leangains and Intermittent Fasting. You eat a deficit on rest days and a surplus on weight training days.

      I know a lot of people at the gym who have done the same thing. I have a friend who has went from 230 to 180. She looks like she weighs ALOT less because of the muscle tissue. It all about your goals. Losing weight fast is not what its all cracked up to be and sets you up for metabolic resistance later. In other words having to live and maintain on ALOT less than your normal TDEE.

      It is not all about weight loss. If you just do a calorie deficit and you never refeed or work out you will burn your lean tissue and gain all your weight loss back in a very little time. It is the number one problem with weight loss. Not getting there, but keeping it off.

      I will also add that in six months I probably could have lost MORE weight, but muscle tissue was so important to me that I was more than willing to take my time to build muscle tissue in this process.

      Then we agree. You can't add muscle at a calorie deficit. When you're adding muscle, you're at a calorie surplus.

      That said, there's no way you put on 5lbs of muscle in six months. Men who specially train and eat for a year have a hard time putting on 6 lbs of muscle over the course of a year.
    • Posts: 245
      Love this! Wonderfully put :)
    • Posts: 8,138 Member
      If I could add one more it would be "Don't panic. It's only fitness. No one is dying, especially not you."
    • Posts: 236 Member
      Well said!! I wish I woulda had this to read when I started :)
    • Posts: 13 Member
      Good list, but the only one I disagree with is weighing everyday. Studies have shown that people who weigh everyday are less likely to gain weight than people who don't because they are constantly vigilant and mindful of their weight. But like everything it's not for everybody.
    • Posts: 154 Member
      Love the list! And although I've been here almost 2 weeks now, I think I've got most of those figured out. *smiles*
    • Posts: 77 Member
      great list
    • Posts: 36 Member
      This is awesome!

      1. Eat back workout calories. MFP adds them into your daily total for a reason! You need that energy.

      2. Eat at least 1200 every day (many, many people need more than that.)

      3. Yes, it is okay to eat XYZ in moderation.

      4. Yes, you do need to workout if only a little.

      5. Don't weigh in every day. Water and hormones make weight fluctuate wildly.

      6. Not everyone wants your unsolicited advice and judgments, even if you're only trying to help. Respect boundaries.

      7. It's okay to keep your diary closed- or open for everyone!

      8. Slow loss = good loss. It adds up.

      9. Indulging sometimes is totally okay.

      10. We're all here with a common goal, so don't be a jerk.

      BONUS: Everyone's got a different body! We are all shaped differently, we work differently. Get to know your own and don't compare it with others.
    • Posts: 72 Member
      Wow! Very good! Your are kind but straightforward, honest yet gracious. Thank you!
    • Posts: 2,616 Member
      New members need to know there is a search function in the forums.
    • Posts: 72 Member
      ******sorry, I HATE the correction key! It should have read you're not your inky post!!! Yup, I am a bit of a grammar nazi! <cringe>
    • Posts: 3,195 Member
      I agree with all of the above and would like to add:

      11. There is no miracle pill, wrap or other snake oils that will lose the weight for you. Only a calorie deficit will do that (and exercise can aid in that goal).

      lifeshard.gif
    • Posts: 1,896 Member
      Great list!

      Something else to add to it:

      Weigh/Measure your portions. Get a couple sets of measuring cups and spoons and a food scale.
    • Posts: 3
      THANK YOU FussyFruitbat!! I appreciate you for running it down for the MFP crowd. I especially like #8. It has taken me a little over a year to lose my most recent 30 pounds, but I am not just losing weight, I am transforming my lifestyle and my body. Thanks again, for your list.
    • Posts: 288
      Use search button on forums. Read the sticky posts.
      Make sure to take a before picture ;)
    • Posts: 1,757 Member


      6. Not everyone wants your unsolicited advice and judgments, even if you're only trying to help. Respect boundaries.

      :huh:
    This discussion has been closed.

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