So you want to be successful?

Great post, good advice as always:)

Nice post!

And I'd add a few:

9) Take measurements. If you didn't take them at the start of your weight loss plan, go take them now. Your shrinking size is a much better indicator of your success than the scale. We say that we want to lose weight, but we really are much more interested in losing inches, aren't we? So track them!

10) Realize that the scale is really only useful for tracking long-term trends. We should all understand that our weight will fluctuate from day to day, generally because of changes in water in our bodies, how much partially digested food is in our systems, when we last used the restroom, etc. If the scale goes up a pound or two, or stays flat, don't panic! More often than not, this is a normal fluctuation and does not mean you put on a couple of pounds of fat overnight. In fact, if you didn't overeat by 3500-7000 calories yesterday, then you know it's just a normal water fluctuation. So don't let the scale govern your self-worth or mood for the day!

GREAT post! A lot of those things become common sense over time.

May I just add: YOU HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE. Believe in yourself first and foremost!

You are awesome with all these posting!!!
It's hard because alot of time I don't eat all my calories and it's hard...Im trying to stay on top of it, but being so busy I don't have too much time planning and making my meals...

Thanks for the great posting!!!

Okay, I agree with everything, except I'm REALLY confused about eating all my calories back. I'm pregnant, so I'm not really using the calorie counter, but I certainly plan to once the baby is here.

So, if I were eating 1200 calories a day, and ate back 500 calories that I burned, making a total of 1700 calories, and left a ZERO amount left, wouldn't that mean I would lose nothing? I haven't tried it, but I would guess that MFP would tell me "in 5 weeks, you'll be the same weight." Correct me if I'm wrong, just trying to figure this out.

No, you've misunderstood how MFP works. If you go to your Goals page, it should be clearer to you.

Here is how MFP calculates your calorie goals and builds in a deficit. For this example, I'm going to assume 2lb per week weight loss:

(BMR calories + Activity Level calories) - 500 calories = Your Daily Goal

On days you exercise, it's calculated as:

(BMR calories + Activity Level calories + Exercise Calories) - 500 calories = Your Daily Net Goal

MFP builds a consistent calorie deficit into your daily goal whether you exercise or not. In the example above, the 500 calories deficit is maintained on days that you exercise and on days that you don't. You are supposed to eat your exercise calories here so that your calorie deficit is consistent.

Right on the money, as usual! :happy:

Agree!!!!:bigsmile:

Thank you for this.... It is such useful information & truly the foundation for this journey & you have laid it out is such a simple way. Appreciate it much:)

BTW... all of them are golden nuggets.. but what spoke to me the most (I believe what I need to work on the most) is 8) Developing inner strength.... I think it is a personal & spiritual journey that will help us in many ways through out our lives... & if you can develop a strong inner strength you can achieve anything:) So thank you for sharing:)

Sorry, still don't agree with the eating exercise cals thing. MFP does not calculate your deficit for you if your BMR is low, like most small women's is. For me, it is only giving me a 150 cal deficit, because of that dreaded arbitrary 1200 limit, so if I ate back all my exercise cals I would not lose weight. And I am not super small. I am average height and weight for a woman in the UK.

You would still lose weight, just more slowly. A 150 calorie per day deficit would put you at 1/3 lb per week weight loss.