What type of people are attracted to Myfitnesspal?

rainunrefined · July 2013

I'm a geeky numbers, charts and graphs - need a list for everything, post-it queen type of person.

Faye_Anderson · July 2013

MFP was the first app of its kind that I came across, I'd never actively tried to lose weight before. It's sort of a game for me, and I like being the high scorer eg, keeping days in a row up, trying to get to macro goals etc. The weight loss has been a bonus

xmeganxtarax · July 2013

I have been using MyFitnessPal for 1 month as of today - I have lost 10 lbs!!! From the minute I started using the app, I was hooked. I have been telling everyone about the success I have had and how great the app is. Some people seem to be interested, while others tend to just give me a polite "I will have to look into that" or "I have done food logs before...."

I am curious if the concept of journaling your food and exercise only appeals to certain types of people. Personally, I am a very detailed oriented, fact based and pro and cons type guy. Math and Science are my favorite areas of study. The people that seem to have an immediate interest tend to be like me. The ones that tend to give me the polite answer, tend to be less like me.

So, I am curious if all Myfitnesspal user share a common characteristic. Is it a personality trait? Are we all good at something?

In food logging curiosity,

John

Hi John! I am the same, 100%. I am very goal oriented, very organized, I like seeing everything in lists, and I like seeing what I put into my body. I think it may be a personality trait. My favorite subjects are math and science as well! I, too, am addicted to MFP lol.....Add me, I could use more friends like yourself!

-Megz

kadorseyusa · July 2013

I am probably not that type love history reading etc. however find that this works for me keeps me on track I have lost 21 lbs so far and since my hobby is gourmet cooking being able to track what I eat and make proper substitutions is important. I am the type that has to make the decision for myself and the fitnesspal lets me do that.

notdebby · July 2013

I know I'm the type of person who has kept pen and paper food journals in the past. This makes it so much easier. I like lists, flow charts and the like. I'm pretty anal about most things so this fits right into my wheelhouse.

fuzzieme · July 2013

My sister, an accountant, joined and left immediately. I'm a rough and ready scruff who's disorganised, creative and I CAN be intelligent but generally I'm off missing somewhere in my head. So, she is like you and I'm not, so I don't know what that means...

I like it

What I don't like's the grumpy angry so and so's who looooooooove a debate

jadethief · July 2013

I'm a bean counter (and nerd) and I love math and science. And being in control.

Hannah_Banana · July 2013

<snip>

Not sure if you are familiar with the xcld comics, but that guy gets me. :ohwell:

You mean xkcd?

Yep. I always type it into google wrong. And it never fails to correct me. So I never remember. Thanks :bigsmile:

HeidiCooksSupper · July 2013

One of the best things about MFP is that there are many types of people here following many different weight control and fitness activities for many different goals. So, just as a 25 year old guy who is into weight lifting finds a community here, so does someone like me, a woman in her 60s with over 100 to lose. Primal, clean, low carb, IIFMM, 5:2, shakeology, vegan, high fat, TDEE-20%, heavy cardio, heavy weights, walkers, runners, we are all here.

I happen to be a woman in my 60s with 140 to lose who aims toward TDEE-20% with lots of tasty, homemade food aiming toward a "zone-ish" distribution of macros and the Harvard "Healthy Eating Plate," limited to 1-2 servings of fruit per day and avoiding sugars to maintain appetite control. You and I may share no common characteristics of eating choices but that doesn't mean I'm not here to support you.

A_Warrior_Princess · July 2013

I personally like to have a "plan", a list, or some sort of preparation in most things I do, so I probably fit into a similar personality type as yourself. But I think most people who are interested in the myfitnesspal app have tried various diet plans in the past and have failed, much like myself. When I first discovered this app, thanks to my sister, I couldn't believe how easy and user friendly the nutrition logging was. I liked that the food database has zillions of foods already entered, and I really like how it breaks down everything and not just your calories, since I tend to focus just on counting calories without taking anything else into consideration, like the sugar, carbs, protein intake. I've lost about 26lbs using myfitnesspal, and have logged in for 60 days straight! I LOVE the community of people who use this app and I seriously enjoy and use myfitnesspal more than facebook! There's no other place on the internet to go and meet people who deal with similar health/weight issues and struggles. The encouragement and success stories are sometimes the only thing that can keep my motivation us when I have a bad day and think about eating some crap or skipping the gym for a couch surfing session. And seeing EVERYTHING I eat really holds me accountable for it. I honestly don't see myself leaving myfitnesspal anytime soon!

THIS for me!!!

reggie2run · July 2013

I'm a planner. I like graph, maps, lists. I have piles of lists. Calorie counting appealed to me because it leaves no guess work. It organizes my diet for me so I don't have a mountain of half filled notebooks lying around.
I'm am also in the best shape of my life because of the upperhand it gives me.

This!

harphy · July 2013

I'm a techie freak, open source lover, organizer and planner personally and professionaly. Logging food, water and exercise is like a game

This topic made me think...I believe not everybody can make success with MFP. Regular users and specially those who post success stories are enough mature/organized/determined/motivated or all together to reach their goal. Those who lack these traits sooner or later quit logging. Several of my friends did just that and I feel really sorry for them. Maybe they will be able find support in their social circles.

Phildog47 · July 2013

The commonality traits are dependent on which forum you are posting in.

kennethmgreen · July 2013

So, I am curious if all Myfitnesspal user share a common characteristic. Is it a personality trait? Are we all good at something?

Few of us are short on opinion.

Congrats on losing 10 pounds.

I wanted a tool to track calories. MFP is one of many. The mobile app works pretty good - it's at least in the top three of the calorie counting apps. There is a significant number of users who only use the mobile app, many who don't even know about the community that exists.

Ahhh.. the community. At once repellent and comforting, like your own fart.

I'm likely stuck using MFP for awhile. Maybe forever. Even if a better app and a better website exists (I'm sure it does), the relationships I've made here would make it hard to leave. How much can you really improve looking up food and tracking nutrients? There's just not that much room to leap-frog what's here now. And my friends here.. well, I don't hate them.

Also, this:

I like the large food database

And the forums make me feel like a genius

russbittles · July 2013

I don't know about others, but I am a video game player, and a computer programmer. I think in terms of completing tasks, tracking data, meeting goals, and competing against myself. MFP allows me to apply these traits to my weight loss and strength building goals.

I look at my food log, and think, how can I get the best tasting, most nutritious meal, and stay under my calorie goal for the day? Then I game the system. I add exercise to the mix, because it allows me some flexibility with my meal choices, and even some dessert options. I make healthier food choices, because I get to eat more, stay full longer, and still lose weight.

Seeing the weight drop off some weeks, and not during others, lets me know what works and what doesn't. I then apply this knowledge to the game. Also, seeing the number of days logged in a row go up is like a "score" for me, so I know I'm constantly improving, because my "score" goes up.

Then there are the non scale victories. I need to buy a new shirt for a job interview. I need new pants. I can see lines in my calves and triceps. I can walk 6.2 miles in 100 minutes. These are all measurements of success for me.

Life is a game, and I plan on winning.

cristileigh · July 2013

Executive Assistant... that loves to Socialize about a common interest. Accountablity here.

jenilla1 · July 2013

I'm goal-oriented, like to plan, strategize and analyze. Once I develop habits and systems I like, I tend to stick with them. I'm not a fad type of person at all.

Myhaloslipped · July 2013

I'm an English teacher and a writer. I'm a totally creative type of person, but I also enjoy planning everything.

curly1986 · July 2013

I'm a planner. When ever I'm driving somewhere I've never been before I look at the route on google maps, I even look at it on streetview. I write lists for everything, if I dont things just swim round and round in my head. I do a household budget every month. I keep a diary so I know when all my daughters school holidays are, and what activities she does and appointments we have etc. I like to be organised and prepared. For me MFP falls into that category, its another way of being in control and knowing whats going on.

CooperSprings · July 2013

I have a very freethinking, artistic personality.
I'm also fat and enjoy budgeting.
This worked out for one side of me, at least. ;]

cityjaneLondon · July 2013

I am an MFP addict , but I have NEVER logged a single meal. I just tot it all up in my head. Before you all shout I have lost 47 lbs in total and am now normal BMI. Only a few lbs to go now.

I love it for the forums, the success stories, which I find so inspiring, and I love to log my weight and measurements. I am the kind of person who keeps a running total of everything in their head, OCD, and I know all the .calorie values off by heart. I cook all my own delicious meals.

I love that definition, Muscles, Fatties and Pervs. I used to be a fatty, now I am getting to be a muscle!:laugh: . I have also found a great thread that really encourages me every day. I could not have done it without the help I get on there from some wonderful women.

I am so fit I could bust! (I am 63)

CGraceEat · July 2013

Yes! I agree with the earlier poster that XKCD is an awesome comic and that guy "gets me" too! haha!

I agree - I think people who respond more to data, logic, facts and assessments will be motivated by MFP. Others might find all the stats a little daunting...

That said, I think it's a great tool to really identify areas that may be problematic in one's diet and stay on top of activity. I find the food log really helpful in terms of identifying how much sugar/sodium I'm using. Tools like this could be really helpful for someone trying to keep track of those items in particular.

alwaysgreen17 · July 2013

I have a chemistry background. I like MFP because I like numbers and charts. I am obsessed with looking at the graphs under the reports tab, haha.

AndiGirl70 · July 2013

I'm a visual learner, a planner, I love sticky notes and a good checklist can get me off! lol I like the huge database of food, I like the reports you can generate, I like that its tied to my fitbit, I like that it has a mobile app, I like the forums for when I need information, motivation, or just want to yuck it up. The food journaling has become ingrained into my life. I love MFP to keep me on track and dropping pounds.

SkinnyBubbaGaar · July 2013

Fat kids, Skinny Kids, Kids who climb on rocks.

Tough kids, sissy kids...

even kids with chicken-pox.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fQwJdXFQlU

Fithealthyforlife · July 2013

I LOVE working out, and I love having supportive people to converse with, as well as a convenient way to keep track of what I eat. This site rocks!

.

Bridget28152723 · July 2013

The other day somebody defined MFP as standing for "Muscles, Fatties, and Pervs." True enough to be hilarious. All kidding aside, it's a great place to get the structure ( keeping track of calories and exercise) to make the job much easier.

wow that is funny! i guess im a muscle/fatty..jk......i was really into the numbers thing and lost 10 in the first month too. Its been 2 yrs. now and i dont log food as i know whats what but now i have the best FL on mfp and consider them my friends! im more into losing inches and building muscle now. Its for all different kinds of people i think.

ktliu · July 2013

Architect and 3D artist. technical and artistic blend. I like the friendships I developed here,

kimi131 · July 2013

"Oh, MFP, you're so pretty"

:laugh:

I am the creative, visual, English teacher type. I write poetry, draw, sing. I love to scrapbook and create visuals on the computer. And I steer clear from math, science, forms, data, and pretty much anything else that would make me sound "smart." MFP works for me because I work well with clear rules and expectations. I'm a rule follower ("oh no, I only have 15 calories left? guess I can't have that chocolate cake." Plus I love the social aspect of MFP. I love having friendly faces who are in this with me.

I think we have all types here. Whether someone sticks around or not just depends on motivation and circumstances.

wendyrap2 · July 2013

I'm very organized and a big control freak and I love all forms of technology, I'm also very visual, the fact that I can log everything on my phone really appeals to me. Everyone has asked my secret so I tell them and so far no one gets it, they say it's too much work or they logged before and it didn't help. Seriously I have a full time job and two kids who are very active and in sports and a husband who works 2 jobs so I do it all on my own a lot, if I have time most people should be able to do this too. Honestly I think they're not motivated and that's their business/loss I guess, I just wish I knew about this about 50 pounds ago!

casi me vi en un espejo!!!! definitivamente creo que todos los que somos atraidos a este sitio es por el control y la disciplina que tenemos. no es facil que todos se enganchen pero el que lo hace seguramente obtendra buenos resultados!

What type of people are attracted to Myfitnesspal?

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