Help me!

feel free to add me too! I've lost over 100Ibs:)

here:

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. If you ask a question on the forum, give as much information as you can ("yes, I have a food scale and weigh my food" is worlds better than "I eat a palm full of miscellaneous boiled chicken parts..sometimes.")
17. Be honest with yourself and honest with us.
18. 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/

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

this could help.

Okay off topic. But im here to support and be supported also. But I have a question. How do you all get these cool little boxes after your posts showing you pound lossage? Ha

Click the APPS tab at the top of the page, and then look for "Tickers" on the right hand side. Click that and follow the steps to get your own set up.

And to the OP - the advice that Trog posted up there is awesome - he knows whereof he speaks! :bigsmile: MFP is a wonderful tool when used correctly, read the advice there and make sure you're settings are correct, and then get started!

Good luck to you!

I second Trog's advice! You said you like to read, so read everything he posted. :-)


Here are 2 links on motivation and getting started that I found to be VERY helpful. I re-read them on a regular basis:


Decision not Motivation. - http://www.vicmagary.com/blog/fitness-motivation


Forget about your goals - have a system - http://jamesclear.com/goals-systems

Good luck!

Hi. My husband works a lot too so I came on here for the extra support. I know how you feel about things getting out of control. I am looking to change my eating lifestyle, not just a temporary diet. Feel free to add me for extra motivation. Good luck to you!!

Feel free to add me. I'm from Lexington KY area so I'm not too far away. Met one of my best friends on a weight loss website after my 2nd child and still talk to her every week. A support group is the most important part of this journey.

feel free to add me also, more support the better

feel free to add me i have two kids and a low food budget so fell into very bad traps
i will motivate if u motivate back
tho seriously can i start the twinkieand vodka diet sounds fab
im learning portion control slowly but i do belive its my biggest issue along with booze and would love some friends to help me