New to MFP

Katiedid722
Katiedid722 Posts: 17 Member
in Introduce Yourself
Just introducing myself; This is the first time I've seriously considered using MFP ... I've used sparkpeople in the past, fatsecret, etc. I'm really ready to get back in shape and feel good about myself. A couple years ago I got down to my lowest weight of 132 but have been steadily going back up since then. After getting married in October 10 lbs seemed to magically appear on me and for once in my life I'm considered overweight on the BMI scale. We are looking forward to starting a family but I am not excited about going into a pregnancy with extra weight already! That's my biggest motivator.

The most daunting task seems to be tracking all my food for me. For instance I'm going to a BBQ tonight, how on earth do I possibly track everything I eat? I plan to take tiny bites and trying everything except dessert, in order to try not going over my calories. Also -- how do others deal w/ the deficit when you are first getting into it? I feel hungry!

I'm looking forward to meeting some good people on here :)

Replies

  • futurereporter88
    futurereporter88 Posts: 71 Member
    I am a new user of MFP as well but have been on since January of this year. I have lost 15 lbs using MFP and exercsiing.

    Good for you for wanting to get back in shape!

    I know when I first started I felt hungry sometimes but have found that if I stick to foods with a good amount of protiein, that fills me. For instance I had fat free greek yogurt with blueberries and bananas this morning. Filled me right up! Then a PB2 and banana smoothie, and that filled me right up!

    I'm no expert. Just know what has been working for me. I have tons of bday parties in the spring and summer from all the family. I ususaly take it easy throughout the day and eat clean and healthy. Then at the barbeque take it easy as well but I've found if I eat, say no bread with my hamburger or hot dog, and not as much of everything else. Sometimes i eat the cake and sometimes not. AND one more thing that helps me: I'll go for a short fast-paced walk or short jog later that day if I have time. It makes me feel better and you burn a hundred or more, depending of course on your stats, calories like that!

    Hope this helps! You can add me as a friend if you'd like :)
  • futurereporter88
    futurereporter88 Posts: 71 Member
    Ooops! Forgot to finish what I was saying :)
    Then at the barbeque take it easy as well but I've found if I eat, say no bread with my hamburger or hot dog, and not as much of everything else then I'll hover around 600-1000 calories depending on that cake. :) You'll be fine if you don't eat everything in sight :) And maybe try to stick around the fruit and veggie trays.
  • michellechawner
    michellechawner Posts: 892
    I know it says my start date was years ago, I tried it then, it didn't work. I came back in March this year to lose gained weight, and i'm getting closer to goal.

    I know what works for me, and what doesn't. I have medical issues and a lot of people tell me I need to do certain things, and I simply can't. My body doesn't operate in that manner. But I must be doing something right - in 86 days I've lost 13 pounds (I purposely wanted to lose slow this time... going for more of a lifestyle change than just to drop a few pounds).

    I'm sure MFP set you to 1200 calories - DON'T DO IT. I was STARVING for the first month... I use TDEE method

    http://www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/tdee-calculator.html

    I also have a fitbit One, which tracks my steps, calories burned by my movements, and my sleep. The calorie counts for exercise on MyFitnessPal are crappy. They overestimate by a lot, so just keep that in mind.

    Eat lots of Protein and Fiber. that seems to keep me full for longer. You'll learn more as you go, what works for you and what doesn't.

    Feel free to add me, I'm here every day multiple times a day, consistent with logging too. Even if it's a bad day, I log every single bite. I can't get healthy if I don't have a good record of where my issues are!
  • Mariposa_Lily
    Mariposa_Lily Posts: 38 Member
    I just joined last week, and when it comes to eating out, I just do the best I can. I know what "a hamburger" from several different restaurants looks like, so if I'm going over to someone's house and that's what we're having, I pick the one from the available choices that fits the best. It's not perfect, but I think the point is to measure accurately when you can, and try to guess realistically when you can't. That's more than most people are doing, after all!

    Oh, and I also got married in October, and have gained a few lbs since then. Feel free to add me, if you'd like. :-)

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