Does MFP really work?

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Replies

  • oSummerRaeo
    oSummerRaeo Posts: 39 Member
    Yes it works if you put in the effort.
  • FindingAmy77
    FindingAmy77 Posts: 1,268 Member
    MFP is just a tool, with a really supportive community attached.
    If you set realistic goals and follow through on them, you will almost certainly see success.

    In other words, if you do the work, you will see results. That goes for whatever program you choose to follow.

    PS. It has worked for me!

    yep this^^ weight watchers worked for me in the past and I am losing the same exact rate with mfp as when I was with ww's (anywhere from 1, 1.5 or 2#'s a week) yes it is going to be "slow" but that is the most healthy way for your body to lose it and be able to keep it off without losing too much muscle mass. Mfp is a tool to keep track of what you eat. What program or calories restriction methods you use is whatever suits you and works best for you. I like the healthy approach of eating like the way you can maintain for life. I know that the way I eat now is how I can do this for the rest of my life for sure. I just eat planned snacks and meals that stay within my daily calorie goal and aim to stay as active as I can throughout each day. I actually loved weight watchers and think a lot of their philosophies are wonderful. but they aren't free like mfp. so yes, for me it works. I can see myself on here even after I hit my goal.
  • ValGogo
    ValGogo Posts: 2,168 Member
    This is not a diet. Take that word "diet" and throw it in the trash. That is a bad word.

    Now, use My Fitness Pal to track your food and your exercise.

    If you work out and it gives you more calories to eat, eat some of them but not all of them.

    Be truthful in your logging. I omit stuff sometimes and sometimes I actually forget. The reason why we don't lose weight when we are "actually trying to" is becasue we are not honest with ourselves on what we eat.

    Watch the sugar in your food, especially the prepared foods. Everything has sugar in it. EVERYTHING.

    Prepare your meals. If your life depended on your meals being prepared, you'd do it, so act like your life depends on it (it actually does in a way.)

    Watch the alcohol.

    Keep logging and read some of the blogs. Be realistic and know that this doesn't happen overnight. Stay off the scale. Get your body moving, even if you don't want to. Two months down the line you find that you WANT TO.

    Good luck.
  • echofm1
    echofm1 Posts: 471 Member
    All I've used is MFP. I've lost over 70 pounds so far. At the beginning I did almost no exercise unless I wanted more calories. Over time, I've built myself up so I'm exercising three days a week regardless of my calories. I haven't restricted any food groups, and the only macro I've watched is my protein since I have a hard time getting enough (and thus staying full).

    Trust the science. Calorie counting works, it just might not be quickly. Have reasonable mini goals, but don't stress out about hitting your goal weight by a specific time. Take it one day at a time, it'll happen.
  • Sparlingo
    Sparlingo Posts: 938 Member
    *raises hand*

    Found some exercises that I love, counted calories, lost almost 60 lbs in 9 months.

    No off-limits foods. Just paid attention to my protein for the sake of maximizing muscle mass retention as I lost the body fat.

    Really, calorie counting is just like budgeting. Not exactly exciting, but a life skill that helps you manage your calorie needs. I find it funny that some people think that budgeting is essential for managing financial needs (I agree), but then turn around and call calorie counting extreme :smile:.

    And don't let the amount of time logging takes get to you. If you use a mobile app, by the time you've logged for a month, 90% of the things you eat day to day are already in your diary in the recent/frequent foods list, and will be auto-prompted as you start to type them as well. Logging ends up being a 5-10 cumulative minutes per day thing after a while. A small price to pay to keep the weight off!
  • megsmom2
    megsmom2 Posts: 2,362 Member
    MFP is a tool. YOU have to do the work. But, yes, this tool is very effective and helpful!
  • ACoBildo
    ACoBildo Posts: 5 Member
    Yes. MFP is the tool that forces me to be accountable for everything I put in my body. I've lost 20 lbs in 2 months with moderate exercise and I am never starving.

    Weight loss is about lifestyle change, not dieting. Eat whatever you want, just in moderation. Take it slow and the pounds will fall off.
  • shoppingdiva2011
    shoppingdiva2011 Posts: 127 Member
    of course it worked for me just look at my ticker. You just have to be honest when you track, drink water and exercise:smile: