Does MFP work?

Been working for me so far. Had a fitness coach recommend keeping a food diary, and the MFP app seemed to be the the most recommended (calorie counting is really only useful if you track everything -- having the tracker on my phone makes that easy). The first couple of days I was tracking, I was surprised how much the little crap (tortilla chip here, little piece of candy there) added up. Cutting out most of the grazing helped a lot, and being able to plan a meal before eating out helped even more. I've also got a certain amount of "indulgence" built into my food budget -- I'll usually eat around 100 calories of candy during the day -- the key is to keep that from becoming hundreds of calories (so I'll savor that one piece of pizza, rather than eat half of the pizza, etc.). I also added a 30 minute home exercise routine in the evenings -- before MFP I would've considered 30 minutes to be a waste of time, but that 250-300 calorie burn per day (on top of my existing 750 calorie deficit) makes a big difference.

Now, ask me again in June -- my goal is to get down to fightin' weight before sand volleyball seaon. So far I'm ahead of schedule, but I've heard the last few pounds are a pain to get off. Cross that bridge when I get there.

I frequently give in to indulgence.

I find MFP really helpful to track. I usually plan my whole day ahead on MFP so I've got at least a guideline of what I'm eating. And then one of my tenants brings me a chocolate croissant, so I delete a few things and re-jiggle my menu to fit it in. And I know I'm still OK with my calorie limit. And if I later have a latte and go over AGAIN, I go to the gym and blast it out in the weightsroom/elliptical.

It's about being flexible but sensible. Experiment, find what works for you.

Most importantly: don't give up. You fail, you fall, you pick yourself, you keep going. I know from experience that I can lose weight by eating clean and working out 5 times a week. But it makes me miserable and I can't do it for very long. I like my indulgences too much. So my weight loss is ssssllllooowww.... But it the number IS going down. And it's something I can sustain for life. AND I'm happy

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No, myfitnesspal on it's own will do nothing. You'll track calories and lose weight, then once you get to where you want to be you'll stop and go back to where you were. Maybe even end up worse than before. However the lifestyle change that many adopt when using this website and the lifelong commitment you'll find from other MFP users will absolutely help you get to where you want to be and stay there. So the answer remains no, myfitnesspal doesn't work because it's just a tool. You're the one that makes the change.

I found it really does - I'm on a new account now due to my total technological inability, but lost 40lb previously in a little over seven months.

I haven't cut out any foods really - just smaller portions, and if I know I am having an unhealthy tea, I will run it through the calorie counter first, so I know what I can or can't eat for the rest of the day and how much physical activity I need to do to combat it. I haven't felt particularly deprived at any point, so it works for me.

You do need to do it 'properly' though - weigh foods etc and don't eat back all of your exercise calories - you will find these tend to be overestimated anyway.

Down 58 lbs in a safe and easy way, think for yourself.

I'm semi new to myfitnesspal and I'm just curious, has it worked for you?

It's like any other tool - it works as well as the person wielding it.

I'm semi new to myfitnesspal and I'm just curious, has it worked for you? If yes or no then why? What else did you do to help trim yourself down? When it comes to eating right how did you not give in to indulgence? (My problem)

I lost weight with Weight Watchers online then joined MFP to help me maintain. For maintaining my weight, MFP works. As for indulgences, moderation is key and "eating right" is totally subjective...

As long as you do your part and make sure you track as accurately as you can, MFP will work. It's a new, interconnected take on the food and exercise diaries people have been using for decades. The biggest benefits I have found are the ability to access it from any computer and the extensive database that means I don't have to research the nutrition info for every new food I try.

Like Mr Knight said... you get out what you put in.
Also, if you put in the effort, you learn SO much AND... (best part for me!) you see that you don't have to suffer through giving up the foods you enjoy.

MFP isn't something that works, or not works. It's a tool and just like any tool, you have to use it correctly for it to work to your advantage. The food database is HUGE, I rarely eat something that someone else hasn't already entered, which makes tracking so easy. I have found that the website and the app work together seamlessly and the message boards do provide tips and tricks and other advice, if you use it and participate in it.

Tracking my calories with MFP works, as long as you can be consistent and brutally honest with yourself. Indulgences all the time I work them into my daily day and it's not a problem.

Mfp doesn't "work", you do. But mfp works as a fabulous tool to aid you in the process. There is a wealth of knowledge (and entertainment) and comraderie and fun to be had here as well.

MFP works if and only if YOU do!

10 months and 53lbs gone!

It worked for me!