I'm new to MFP

ginapopcorn
ginapopcorn Posts: 3 Member
in Introduce Yourself
Hello all,

I'm a complete novice on this site and not entirely sure how it all works or where everything is.
I'm just after a bit of starting up advice.

Am i right in saying that you stick to the 1200 cals per day and you lose the weight? What the average weight loss per week? I'm looking to lose 28lb initially, and then another 14lb after that. I have no idea what kind of weight loss I can expect from MFP. any encouraging advice would be gratefully received.

I exercise regularly - usually a road run (4-5 miles) twice a week and I do an outdoor bootcamp four times a week.

You'd expect the weight to drop off me with all this, but I can't seem to get a handle on my diet.

Want to start feeling positive about myself again. I'm constantly beating myself up over my weight. I'm currently around 180lbs. I'd like to be 140lbs. Will MFP work for me?

Replies

  • rhileyschubbygranny
    rhileyschubbygranny Posts: 145 Member
    HI. I just started on MFP last week on Wed 9/11. Tomorrow if my first official weigh in but I jumped on the scale today and I lost exactly 2 pounds. I am 47 year old female trying lose a total of 50 lbs off of my 5'2" frame. So I am happy so far. I have been sticking to around 1200 calories, eating most of the same foods every day because I have tons of food allergys to vegetables. I have not been eating back my exercise calories this week but plan on starting to do so starting tomorrow as there have been a few days this past week that I have been very hungry in the evening. If I stop losing weight doing it that way then I will switch back to following just 1200 cal per day. Yesterday I got a Polar FT4 heart rate monitor which also counts my calories burned so now I can start accurately count my burned calories (i don't trust MFP figuring out for me) and the heart rate will tell me if I need to work out harder or not. If you want you are more than welcome to add me as a friend. And my food diary would be accesible for to look at to get different ideas of food to eats.
  • LisaTRM
    LisaTRM Posts: 28 Member
    I am also new to MFP. I have lost 20lbs prior to starting, but still have at least 20 to go. Please feel free to add me.
    Lisa
  • trogalicious
    trogalicious Posts: 4,584 Member
    You're probably undereating for your workouts... but here are some tips.

    Here ya go.

    1. don't trust the initial setup that MFP provides. If you put in the wrong/inaccurate information, it'll tell you to eat an amount that may not be applicable.
    2. Make sure you eat enough.
    3. Figure out what works for you and is sustainable/healthy/long term.
    4. avoid fads. don't buy in to any "Hey, try the twinkie and vodka diet"
    5. Don't cut out anything now that you don't plan on literally giving up forever.
    6. GET A FOOD SCALE. Weigh everything. No, seriously.
    7. Get an HRM with a chest strap. You'll at least have a better idea of what you're burning. It'll be more accurate than the generic info in the exercise database.. and even more than the cardio machines. This is great for steady state cardio (run/walk/etc)
    8. Don't go balls out. You'll burn out. I see 300 lb people show up here, instantly start working out and cutting their intake SEVERELY... trying to cut out all of their carbs at once.. whatever. Take it slow. Figure out how much you need to eat FIRST in order to lose.. then incorporate exercise.
    9. Don't cardio yourself to death.
    10. Take the information on the forums with a grain of salt. A lot of people that have been here for a while.. and have been successful, may seem jaded. They give out GREAT advice day after day, only to be met with people that refuse to listen.
    11. Eat real food. Not diet food. Not "low fat, sugar free, now without X." It's easier to get/find/count.
    12. don't set time restrictions.
    13. measure yourself weekly. Don't just weigh. Measure and take pictures.
    14 BE PATIENT.
    15. Avoid forum topics that have "1200" in the title. It's just full of butthurt. Lots of it.
    16. This isn't a game, it's about changing your lifestyle. Do that.

    pretty much that.

    ...and don't fall into the "1200 calorie" vertigo of suck because of:

    the typical MFP users does this:
    1. I wanna lose weight, let's try MFP.
    2. OH! Wow, it tells me I can lose 2 lbs a WEEK? AWESOME!
    3. I just sit at a desk when I'm not working out, I guess I'm sedentary.
    4. MFP tells them 1200 calories, and they don't even eat that.. then they work out on top of it.. creating an even bigger deficit.
    5. Lose a lot, fast, brag about 1200 calorie success.
    6. Come back in a few months trying to figure out why they're dizzy, tired, not losing weight.
    7. Get on the forums, ask why they aren't losing.
    8. Get two responses (I eat 1200 and lose) (I eat 2200 and lose)
    9. Argument ensues about who is right.

    Now. That being said. These threads happen hundreds of times per day. Most times, and I mean really.. seriously.. 95% of the time.. people get the 1200 number because they don't put the right information in when they set up the account. There are a great number of people that are trying to help. I'm one of 'em.

    I'm a hardcore advocate of actually finding out what works for the individual.. by means of other calculators, averages, time, practice, and patience.

    Blanket prescriptions of 1200 calories "because it worked for me" is more harmful to the generic new user than the "figure out what you need to eat." Unfortunately, one is a LOT easier to type.

    Find out what you need: http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/
    Take the tips, links, and info above and make the cart more manageable.
  • fattypattybinger
    fattypattybinger Posts: 337
    Hi

    I started last year and lost 10 pounds. My life got so busy that stopped logging in my calories. I gained a few pounds this Summer working at a Jewish Summer Camp and the only food that was offered was Kosher. I am trying to get back on track so I am going to start logging in my calories starting at Lunch time. Feel free to add me. I am 52 years old Mom of 4, 33, 31, 12 and 10. The little ones keep me busy with Boy Scouts. I love to camp and attend their outdoor activities. Currently I am not working. I took a month off since getting back from New Hampshire being a Camp Nurse. I start my search tomorrow for job hopefully working in Home Health.
    I want to lose 35 pounds.
  • Anita4life
    Anita4life Posts: 36
    Hey where can I get that twinkie and vodka diet??? I am a big fan of both. Do I dip the twinkie in the vodka or is the vodka just for a chaser? I love this post!!!
  • ginapopcorn
    ginapopcorn Posts: 3 Member
    Thanks for the help/info. I'll take what I need from that.
    No idea how to 'add' anyone, so you'll have to add me.

    xx
  • meliza123
    meliza123 Posts: 1
    Hey, new here.
    Looking for friends and advice.
  • jema_b98
    jema_b98 Posts: 28 Member
    you can click on a person and it will show their profile if it is public. You can click the add a friend button. It will send them an e-mail. If someone adds you, you will get an email. Accurate logging and making adjustments is the key to succeeding. good luck!
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    First off MFP as designed expects you to eat your exercise calories back. That becuase your calorie deficit was built in with ZERO exercise. Some people can't exercise, but still lose weight using MFP. The reason you eat exercise calories .... when weight loss is too fast, you are likely losing fat + muscle. Moderate weight loss is mostly fat loss (when you add resistance training).

    Second, your calorie goal 1200 is a factor of "I want to lose XX pounds per week" ..... 1200 is a much more popular number than it should be. Sure maybe petite women can get by with this.... but most of us are not petite.

    Because weight loss is not linear, you will need to step down your pounds per week as you progress. Theses are moderate goals.....

    Pounds per week
    75+ lbs to lose 2 lb range
    Between 40 - 75 lbs to lose 1.5 lb range
    Between 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lb range
    Between 15-25 lbs to lose 1 -.50 lb range
    Less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs range
  • bridetobe102514
    bridetobe102514 Posts: 2
    I just started a few days ago and I find your post very helpful. I myself have a calorie cap of 1400. I have been trying my best to still eat, but to be more conscious of what I am eating. I often find that I go hard, burn out and am disappointed that I don't see any results. I am trying to do my best to be patient, not to expect too much of myself and really realize that this isn't going to happen over night. I just want to feel good and be healthy.

    Thank you for your tips :)
  • ginapopcorn
    ginapopcorn Posts: 3 Member
    Love MFP. I am 7lbs down so far.
  • vixphil
    vixphil Posts: 7 Member
    "You're probably undereating for your workouts... but here are some tips.

    Here ya go.

    1. don't trust the initial setup that MFP provides. If you put in the wrong/inaccurate information, it'll tell you to eat an amount that may not be applicable.
    2. Make sure you eat enough.
    3. Figure out what works for you and is sustainable/healthy/long term.
    4. avoid fads. don't buy in to any "Hey, try the twinkie and vodka diet"
    5. Don't cut out anything now that you don't plan on literally giving up forever.
    6. GET A FOOD SCALE. Weigh everything. No, seriously.
    7. Get an HRM with a chest strap. You'll at least have a better idea of what you're burning. It'll be more accurate than the generic info in the exercise database.. and even more than the cardio machines. This is great for steady state cardio (run/walk/etc)
    8. Don't go balls out. You'll burn out. I see 300 lb people show up here, instantly start working out and cutting their intake SEVERELY... trying to cut out all of their carbs at once.. whatever. Take it slow. Figure out how much you need to eat FIRST in order to lose.. then incorporate exercise.
    9. Don't cardio yourself to death.
    10. Take the information on the forums with a grain of salt. A lot of people that have been here for a while.. and have been successful, may seem jaded. They give out GREAT advice day after day, only to be met with people that refuse to listen.
    11. Eat real food. Not diet food. Not "low fat, sugar free, now without X." It's easier to get/find/count.
    12. don't set time restrictions.
    13. measure yourself weekly. Don't just weigh. Measure and take pictures.
    14 BE PATIENT.
    15. Avoid forum topics that have "1200" in the title. It's just full of butthurt. Lots of it.
    16. This isn't a game, it's about changing your lifestyle. Do that.

    pretty much that.

    ...and don't fall into the "1200 calorie" vertigo of suck because of:

    the typical MFP users does this:
    1. I wanna lose weight, let's try MFP.
    2. OH! Wow, it tells me I can lose 2 lbs a WEEK? AWESOME!
    3. I just sit at a desk when I'm not working out, I guess I'm sedentary.
    4. MFP tells them 1200 calories, and they don't even eat that.. then they work out on top of it.. creating an even bigger deficit.
    5. Lose a lot, fast, brag about 1200 calorie success.
    6. Come back in a few months trying to figure out why they're dizzy, tired, not losing weight.
    7. Get on the forums, ask why they aren't losing.
    8. Get two responses (I eat 1200 and lose) (I eat 2200 and lose)
    9. Argument ensues about who is right.

    Now. That being said. These threads happen hundreds of times per day. Most times, and I mean really.. seriously.. 95% of the time.. people get the 1200 number because they don't put the right information in when they set up the account. There are a great number of people that are trying to help. I'm one of 'em.

    I'm a hardcore advocate of actually finding out what works for the individual.. by means of other calculators, averages, time, practice, and patience.

    Blanket prescriptions of 1200 calories "because it worked for me" is more harmful to the generic new user than the "figure out what you need to eat." Unfortunately, one is a LOT easier to type.

    Find out what you need: http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/
    Take the tips, links, and info above and make the cart more manageable."


    Brilliant post :drinker:
  • Thully
    Thully Posts: 11
    Hi

    I'm new here, joined yesterday, but was surprised when I tried to sign up and discovered that I signed up a long time ago, so I guess I should say that I'm back.

    I gained so much weight while I was dealing with ttc (trying to conceive) issues. I'm now over 200lb and its just not right. I need to get a grip and live a healthier lifestyle than the one I'm currently living.

    I bought Body Gospel workout DVDs and already am feeling stiff from the exercises. Am also taking baby steps in fixing what I'm putting in my mouth.

    I surely need pals who will help me on my journey to a better me.

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