Why I no longer use MFP

I understood exactly what you were saying Been there. I used MFP for a little over a year, lost 32 lbs, and then decided it was consuming my life, counting to a t, trying to figure out how many calories a "bite" of a cookie costed me. I left mfp for a bit, and did well, stressed less and took with me what I learned here. I am back now because of drs orders to maintain a log.

Everyone has their own methods. I feel sad when I go over my limit - yesterday I went over by 63 cals and I must admit I did feel ashamed. BUT I have been overweight for a very long time and it was down to the fact that I wasn't taking responsibility for what I was eating. Although I may be slightly obsessive about my logging on MFP, it has seriously contributed to keeping my weight down and I do actually need it for the time being because it gives me control that I didn't have before. If I stopped logging I would definitely gain weight (as I did over Christmas) as I'd have no way of assessing exactly what I had consumed.

Do you ever find yourself heartbroken because the little calculator tells you you're 100 calories over goal? Nor really. But, I will admit I worried a bit, but found out the worry was for naught.

Have you left MFP, only to return because without it you gained weight? No. This is the first time I've used it.

Do you count down to the last raisin, because that 3 calories is important to you? Nope. Most of the time I am slightly under calorie goal, sometimes I eat more, and once in a while I am way over. The end week calorie count is what matters most to me.

I will count calories and log them for the rest of my life if that's what it takes to keep my weight off.

^^^
Like my friend here says.

without it you gained weight?

Maybe if you answered yes, you should test the waters outside of MFP. Live a little and see if you can take the skills you learned

It is actually normal for people to have to use a calorie counting tool for the rest of their life. Most people will not be successful long term if they quit what helped them lose the weight, especially if they lost a lot of weight. I would not be encouraging people to quit what has helped them lose weight. That is exactly what gets people into trouble according to the "why people gained weight back" thread.

I don't agree that it's normal to track your calories daily for the rest of your life. I think most people learn from all the tracking that they can eyeball things. When calorie creep happens, they count again for a while then re-try eyeballing things. Or at least that is how most published diet plans that have you track initially expect you to maintain. They know tracking is annoying to most and doesn't encourage the healthiest mental relationship with food. It's not a natural thing. Learning to intuitively guide your eating is. I know that many people here believe they have totally lost that ability forever but it's really not usually the case.

Never mind. She deactivated. She really left. :frown:

I don't plan of counting calories for the rest of my life. I'm gonna lose the excess fat and then bulk to the point where, combined w regular exercise and moderate eating, I can be comfy in the knowledge that I don't need to count. I expect this will take about 2 years.

I brush my teeth twice a day and now I spend 5-10 mins a day logging my food.

No big.

I appreciate food diaries like MFP b/c it makes me more aware of the calories and nutrients in food. I would go get grilled shrimp tacos from a place and then went to log them and realized they were way over what I had imagined. Needless to say, I don't get those very often these days.

It also pushes me to exercise more since more exercise minutes means more food you can eat.

I was very successful with another online diary several years ago. I quit logging and after 6 years the weight almost all came back. An online food diary is the first place I turned for tools.

Do you ever find yourself heartbroken because the little calculator tells you you're 100 calories over goal?

NO. Never.

Have you left MFP, only to return because without it you gained weight?

NO.

Do you count down to the last raisin, because that 3 calories is important to you?

NO.

Maybe if you answered yes, you should test the waters outside of MFP. Live a little and see if you can take the skills you learned and apply them to your meal planning.

You can do this without "leaving MFP". After you do this awhile, you know what foods you can eat and in what quantities, especially if you are in a routine. I find it much more than just a calorie counting tool, I find motivation here, friendship, information, education, etc. It's not just about the calorie counting, though that is a very important aspect of weight loss. When your goals are more than just weight loss, calories isn't the only thing.

I will count calories and log them for the rest of my life if that's what it takes to keep my weight off.

AMEN!

God bless,
Karen

I look at MFP as a learning device and a reality check as to how well I am paying attention to what I am really eating. I really enjoy being in control and having choices baed on knowledge.

I have the opposite problem from OPs: Sometimes I wonder if I am entirely too relaxed about the whole thing. MFP has me at ~2300, and while I try to stay around 2000, I eat 2400-2500 pretty often...

I'm still losing at a pretty good clip, but the thing that does worry me is that every single person who has lost 100lbs (my goal) has done it by eating significantly less than me. Yet I don't think I can consistently do less than 2000. So I feel like there is a limit to my progress that I will hit at some point soon.

'

If MFP has you set at 2300, then you eat that 2300 PLUS more when you exercise. You are a man (I presume from your user name), and since you need to lose a significant amount, then this is an entirely reasonable goal based on your size. Those eating significantly less either are eating an appropriate amount for them, or they may not be doing it in a healthy way. The minimum amount that a man should eat is 1800.

Thanks for sharing your story. I should really stop logging because at this point it is not helpful, I found a great link about this for anyone in this boat. To each their own! And such an important tool to have. MFP served me so well at first but being within 8 pounds and logging daily for a year makes me realize I need to live and let live a bit more and be gentle with myself, time to celebrate the loss and just keep the healthy habits:) But I LOVE LOVE LOVE my MFP friends so its hard to go far. Just logging fitness sometimes helps.

http://dashingdish.com/to-count-calories-or-not-that-is-the-question/

This sounds like a classic failure of 1200 calorie dieting, not MFP.

Though, MFP is largely to blame for encouraging/allowing so many people to go on 1200 cal diets, but most of the folks who educate themselves in diet science choose a different path and are very successful with MFP.