Things You Want To Tell MFP Newbies

kristikitter · July 2017

We see a lot of new posts positing the same kinds of questions... so what would you want to tell MFP newbies to help them before they start posting?

Mine would be:

- Read the stickies!!
- Weight gone up from one day to the next? It's probably water retention
- Give your new lifestyle a month, not just a week - if you REALLY haven't lost anything then ask for advice
- You're not gaining muscle on 1,200cals and 2 sessions of C25k
- Nope.
- Nope, I guarantee you're not.
- And again - nope, you're really not.
- Those shakes aren't going to work
- Neither are those teas

sosteach · July 2017

Eat real food.
Log every bite.
You didn't put it on quickly do not expect it to leave quickly.
We are not doctors. Medical issues should be addressed with your physician.

lessismoreohio · July 2017

MFP works (the tracking of macros and exercise against a goal) if you stick with it and apply it consistently.

For me, it's true what I've heard others say .... weight loss is 80% calories in/calories out and 20% exercise.

Weight loss is not linear; there is progress and there are set-backs. The key is to make adjustments and corrections. If you go over your calorie limit or miss a workout; don't let it sabotage your whole effort, re-focus and get back on track.

try2again · July 2017

Love this, except that no one will probably read it

Stickies are the main one, but for those not familiar with forums that means: Go to the forums home page. Click on the Getting Started main page (also do this for the Diet & Fitness main page). Click on the top thread titled "most helpful posts".

Don't choose a weekly weight loss goal of 2 lbs/week unless you have more than 75 lbs to lose.

Women- don't randomly choose 1200 calories. Men- don't randomly choose 1500.

No, you're not gaining weight on 1200 calories.

infinitynevermore · July 2017

"I'm not losing weight" means that you have lost 0 pounds. Not 2 or 3 or 5. Zero.
If you haven't lost any weight in a month, tighten up your logging. A food scale will become your best friend.
Weight loss starts in the kitchen.
Don't get discouraged. No one lost a significant amount of weight in a month unless you had surgery.

try2again · July 2017

infinitynevermore wrote: »

"I'm not losing weight" means that you have lost 0 pounds. Not 2 or 3 or 5. Zero.

That one. Big time.

ncfitbit · July 2017

So you want to know whether you should eat back your exercise calories? Read this:

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/818082/exercise-calories-again-wtf/p1

try2again · July 2017

Exercise doesn't automatically equal weight loss. Exactly how many calories are you are eating?

A person doesn't stay at one specific weight. Our *water weight* fluctuates constantly, up to 5 lbs or more in a day. It isn't fat, and it doesn't need to be "fixed".

SuperCarLori · July 2017

You want to L-O-S-E weight. Not loose it.

SuperCarLori · July 2017

I guess you could go with "I'm working on setting this fat loose."

SuperCarLori · July 2017

Sorry, that was just BITCHY.

It takes time to build a good relationship with yourself in regards to food and fitness. It takes more time for some than others.

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld · July 2017

You do not have to give up anything. Chocolate is fine as is ice cream or insert any other demonized food.

Volume and total diet is what counts.

MsHarryWinston · July 2017

Dude (gender nonspecific), NO, you didn't just gain 10lbs because you went over your calorie goal by 150 calories with that bag of popcorn at the movies last night! Sodium. SODIUM. WATER RETENTION!!!

Seriously, stop freaking out for a second and just do the math, the actual math, of how many calories you would have needed to eat last night to actually gain 10lbs of fat...

*Ugh, sorry but every time I see this I just go nuts.

robertw486 · July 2017

They should read the below thread by @diannethegeek , simply because she compiled a thread with a bunch of great links from all the common questions that we see over and over in the forums. Advanced forum users might request the list of how many different variations she compiled as to what forum members consider "clean eating".

I like old posts and I cannot lie

AskMorphis · July 2017

- As long as you're motivated, serious with your tracking, and that you have discipline, you will succeed. Take some time to find your rythm, to see what works for you.
- If you have a lot of weight to lose, you're not on a diet. You're changing your lifestyle. Don't see what you're doing as something temporary, but as a transition between your old self, and the new healthy you.
- It's very important to log every single thing accurately. It's better to go a little over, in a controlled way, than to go overboard and have no idea how much you're over.
- One bad day can happen. The important thing is to keep going on most days. The trend is much more important.
- Go shopping when you're full, it's harder to make difficult decision
- See every hard part of your journey as something to look back on with pride. It is difficult ? Yes, it is, and you're making it anyway.

cmriverside · July 2017

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10300331/most-helpful-posts-getting-started-must-reads#latest

TnZMom · July 2017

Log your weight every day and give the process six weeks -- you will probably see a jagged but downward trend.

Buy a new bra every 15 pounds. 10 if you can afford it.

tiptoethruthetulips · July 2017

SuperCarLori wrote: »

You want to L-O-S-E weight. Not loose it.

Dear MFP newbie, I don't care if you use lose or loose as I know exactly what you meant. I appreciate the fact that it took a lot of courage to write your first or second post (or even your 50th), shared your backstory and am amazed by your determination and efforts to improve your weight and/or health.

estherdragonbat · July 2017

Starvation mode is not a thing. No, really. It's not.

Things You Want To Tell MFP Newbies

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