Tips for New Members

Hello to you and welcome to myfitnesspal.

In the time I have been on this site I have seen so many posts from new members saying "I dont know where to start" or "How do I get motivated.
So I thought I would write down a few things that have really helped me stay focused and motivated.

Please guys and girs, this thread is not meant to turn into a debate about how rubbish or wrong my tips are. If you dont agree, dont use them and use the ones you want.
If anyone has some more tips they would like to add, feel free :-)

So here goes:

1. Buy yourself a small note pad and write down ALL of the reasons, you want to lose weight.
It does not matter how personal they are, this is for you so when you have a low day (and I am sorry to say that at some point you will) to reafirm the reasons you are doing this.
Mine has things like our France holiday in June and Italy holiday in October.
My 30th birthday and Spa Weekend in August.
10k Cancer Research Race for Life in June.
All mean something to me, all inspire me to carry on.

2. Use the same note pad to write down all NSV (non-scale victories) you have.
These will not happen for a few weeks but when they do, trust me, they are more powerful than the numbers on the scales.
So when you can fit back into your faverote jeans thst you haven't been able to wear for years or you walk for a mile without feeling tired or an old friend tells you how great you are looking. Write it down in your notebook because everytime you look at it, you will remember how you felt and it will give you a boost (and a smile).

3. Decide how much you want to lose and split it into manageable goals.
Weight loss is daunting especially if the amount you have to lose is massive.
In total, I have set myself 75lb to lose (only because I can't remember myself slim and this is the weight that is in the middle of the healthy weight zone for my height, I may stop sooner) and for me it seemed like an impossible task and a lot of weight.
So I split it up into 4 mini goals of 19.5lb (doesnt seem so daunting now does it?!)

4. Don't call it a diet.
The definition of diet is "Of or relating to a food regimen designed to promote weight loss in a person"
The definition of dieting is "To eat and drink according to a regulated system, especially so as to lose weight or control a medical condition."
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh sound like so much fun!! NOT!!
You are not on a diet. You are on a lifestyle change, a healthy eating plan. Call it anything but don't call it a diet.
For me, the word diet makes me think of cabbage soup and water. Everyday for the rest of my life, you know what kill me now because what is the point of living if I am going to be miseable and smelly?

5. Everything in moderation.
Yes, you can have chocolate. Yes, you can have pizza. Yes, you can have ANYTHING you want but just not in the quantities you are used to.
Have fish and Chips if you want but instead of getting them as a takaway, go to the supermarket, buy them and put them in the oven. Only have a few chips and have a salad.
Make your own curries and have rice instead of popadoms.
Just because you want to lose weight does not mean you have to deprive yourself.
I have done this twice before on MFP but I deprived myself of everything that would be classed as "unhealthy" I lost a lot of weight in a short space of time and got bored and out ti all back on again and more... TWICE.

6. Find some good MFP friends.
This site is great for motivation and inspiration, IF you have the right friends.

7. Learn to relax.
I beleive that relaxing is just as important as getting active when it comes to weight loss.
Have some time to yourself, even if it is just once a week.
Have a bath, soak in the bubbles and read a book.
Go for a walk into a park or somewhere away from the hustle and bustle and just sit and listen.
Lie on your bed and listen to music.


I hope some of these have helped inspire you in your journey.
If you want it enough, you will do it.