newbie

Hiya. Just wondering how this works. Iv done WW before but fancied trying something new. Is it really as simple as counting calories? Any suprisingly low cal foods you know of? Do you get extra calories for any excersise etc? Any other useful info? Thanks

Replies

  • hearthemelody
    hearthemelody Posts: 1,025 Member
    Welcome!

    There are a few threads that I found really useful. Here is a great one:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

    In the mean time, why don't you tell me what it is you want and are looking for?
  • Hi and welcome aboard,
    You do get extra calories with cardio! Just log it and your food everyday.
  • rosevalleygirl23
    rosevalleygirl23 Posts: 55 Member
    Yes, pretty easy, but be careful about your goal setting. Don't make it too hard too fast or you'll burn out.

    Yes, lots of low cal foods. You can always hit your goals by eating veggies and lean meats. Add flavor with spices and dressings. I make most of my own food and don't shop much at all in the center isles of the grocery store.

    And yes, MFP will add your exercise calories to you calorie goal for the day. Be warned, those exercise calories seem to be hugely inflated. I usually take calories burned number and cut it in half. For instance if it says 700 calories burned for Zumba, I'll change the number to 350.

    Other useful tips, give yourself some smaller goals. If you break your big goal into smaller chunks you can give yourself that pat on the back and feel rewarded for all your hard work.
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    There are a few threads that I found really useful. Here is a great one:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
    ^^^This.

    Log everything you eat accurately & honestly. Find reliable database entries. (There's a lot of incorrect data in there.) Weigh your food.
  • wchr4
    wchr4 Posts: 3
    Thanks for the threads :). I think this might be slightly easier to do than Ww. I had a sandwich earlier that worked out at 11 pro points but was only 350cals. So it was nearly half of my pro points but about a quarter of my calorie allowance on here 1,450ish. Just hoping Il see the same results as I did on Ww. Only thing il miss about ww is the 49 weeklies I used to save for a few drinks and kebab on a saturday night. I dont suppose you can do that with MFP can you?
  • editorgrrl
    editorgrrl Posts: 7,060 Member
    Yes, you can "bank" calories. Look at your nutrition for the past 7 days, not just for today.