Loosing weight with JUST mfp

Yes ma'am, I sure have. After trying countless fads and scams, I finally went with the mainstream, boring "calories in - calories out" myfitnesspal approach...

I don't do any special "diet" just simple calorie restriction. At first, I used MFP on it's own. I had results but I just wanted to be more accurate with my information, so I got a Fitbit and a HRM for better accuracy in determining calories burned. My fitbit tells MFP approximately how many calories I burned in the day (based on how active or inactive I am) and it adjusts my calories here accordingly.

Here is a good thread to read:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/976981-welcome-to-mfp-don-t-worry-there-s-cliff-notes?hl=cliff+notes

I don't do any special "diet" just simple calorie restriction. At first, I used MFP on it's own. I had results but I just wanted to be more accurate with my information, so I got a Fitbit and a HRM for better accuracy in determining calories burned. My fitbit tells MFP approximately how many calories I burned in the day (based on how active or inactive I am) and it adjusts my calories here accordingly.

Here is a good thread to read:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/976981-welcome-to-mfp-don-t-worry-there-s-cliff-notes?hl=cliff+notes

Yes on that note another useful tool is a kitchen scale for logging accurately.

I didn't come on here with the purpose of weight loss (I'm training for an event), however, I did come on here because I was told about it by someone who HAD successfully used MFP and only MFP for weight loss. So I think two things. One is the answer is yes, and the other is, it's great for tracking overall fitness when you're done!

This really is an incredible tool and resource for fitness and health.

Best wishes on your journey! Whatever it may be!

Yes definitely, 51lbs plus since the 6th January 2014, purely from using MFP.

Kind Regards
Baruc

I have only used MFP, and I am having pretty good luck with it. I would recommend setting reminder alarms though, because some days you just forget to log, and it will remind you! Good luck!

Yes, many. I've lost 25 (and intentionally gained >25) by manipulating my CICO.

However, the number MFP gives you at the beginning is just an estimate. There are a lot of variables in that number, some you can easily change in the setup, and some you may need to tweak based on your experience.

Start with whatever number it gives you. Consistently hit that number. Weight and/or measure everything you eat. Accurately log your exercise as best you can. Consistency and accuracy in your logging is crucial. After some period of time...say, 4-6 weeks...reevaluate your progress. Losing too quickly? Awesome. Increase your daily calories. (Easiest way to do this is in your activity setting on MFP.) Not losing quickly enough? (Are you sure? I mean, let's be serious here...if you're losing a pound or two per week, that's quickly enough). Then drop your calories a little lower. Once you have this new number, then repeat...as in, hit this new number consistently and accurately for some period of time and reevaluate. Repeat this whole cycle a few times and you'll find the number that works for you *at that point in your life*. See, even when you find the *right* number, it changes as you progress towards your goal...which is why you have to constantly reevaluate and tweak if you want to keep making progress.

Best of luck.

This is full of rightness.

MFP is a great tool, use it consistently, learn from your results,and adapt. Good things can happen.

Take a look at these links for some more perspective:

For those looking for a clear explanation of weight loss: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/952996-level-obstacles-lose-weight-target-fat-easy

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

Confused about all those crazy acronyms? http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1069278-acronyms-and-terms-for-new-mfp-members-v-6

You're better off focusing on exercise first to be honest. I just read a study at work (I want to saw out of UW-Lacrosse) but I don't remember for sure that said you're more likely to stick with a plan if you focus on exercise first. If you're really convinced to start with diet just know you can be skinny by using diet alone, but you'll never be healthy and your risk for heart diseases, diabetes, etc will be increased compared to people who are overweight and workout. So, seriously think about incorporating regular exercise later on.

Yes, many. I've lost 25 (and intentionally gained >25) by manipulating my CICO.

However, the number MFP gives you at the beginning is just an estimate. There are a lot of variables in that number, some you can easily change in the setup, and some you may need to tweak based on your experience.

Start with whatever number it gives you. Consistently hit that number. Weight and/or measure everything you eat. Accurately log your exercise as best you can. Consistency and accuracy in your logging is crucial. After some period of time...say, 4-6 weeks...reevaluate your progress. Losing too quickly? Awesome. Increase your daily calories. (Easiest way to do this is in your activity setting on MFP.) Not losing quickly enough? (Are you sure? I mean, let's be serious here...if you're losing a pound or two per week, that's quickly enough). Then drop your calories a little lower. Once you have this new number, then repeat...as in, hit this new number consistently and accurately for some period of time and reevaluate. Repeat this whole cycle a few times and you'll find the number that works for you *at that point in your life*. See, even when you find the *right* number, it changes as you progress towards your goal...which is why you have to constantly reevaluate and tweak if you want to keep making progress.

Best of luck.

I think at the moment mfp has given me the lowest amount of calories you can have, 1200.. I didn't choose this but I suppose its because of the time scale I set or something, I'm quite happy with it at present but haven't really done it long enough to assess yet thanks for the advice I will keep an eye on it.

You probably don't want this to turn into a "1200" thread, so I'll just give my thoughts as uncontroversially as I can:

All else being equal, it is better if you can make satisfactory progress towards your goals while eating more calories compared to eating fewer calories. You're more likely to have more energy, better nutrition, and better adherence (among undoubtedly other reasons). Yes, there are people for whom 1200 is the correct number. However, I believe there are a great many who *believe* that 1200 is the correct number for them when it most certainly is not. The best (IMHO) way to determine this is to try a higher number for a period of time and see how it goes. (This is where my 4-6 week plan works so well. Even if you find out that you need to eat fewer calories, you now have 4-6 weeks of solid adherence and some habits from which you can begin tweaking.) Perhaps go back into your settings and select slower weight loss. (Note: just because MFP says you're going to lose X pounds/week doesn't necessarily mean that's what's going to happen...either direction.)

I do not know your weight. I do not know your height. I do not know your activity level. All of these are important to the equation. Even if I knew all of these things, I *still* couldn't tell you definitively whether or not 1200 is the *right* number for you at this time.

see ticker below...the first 25 I did on my own but the rest just MFP and logging/weighing my food.

You don't need a special "diet" or "supplements" or "shakes" to lose weight you just need a calorie deficet...

Heck you don't even need exercise...that is for health.

Won't exercises help shape your body though?

Yep - I lost almost 35lbs when I tracked and ate the suggested amount of calories. When I stopped last summer I gained back almost 20. I've lost 12 so far this year - again - simply by tracking and, of course, stopping when I am at the point of done according to MFP.

And I should add I didn't follow any special diet. If I ate ice cream or cookies or ... I just recorded them in the diary. Eventually, you realize that you CAN eat that stuff but you can eat lots more if you eat good stuff, which is sort of like a diet.

In the end - though there are some who would disagree with me - it really is calories in calories out.

I have been there done that with other "diets" so when I started looking at everything I decided to learn how to eat healthy.
This has been a great tool, been fully active on it since 1/3/2014 and so far seen great results with calorie deficit and exercise. What I have found personally is this is the best/easiest to stick to as I can have normal food...its all about portions and learning your macros. As long as I am within them I see the results :happy:

Welcome and best of luck :flowerforyou: