2018 Adopt a Noob Discussion

Nova · November 2017

Welcome to the 2018 Adopt-a-Noob Discussion!

This thread is dedicated to those MFP members that would like to volunteer their time to mentor or adopt a newcomer to MFP; with the high volume that occurs at the beginning of the year, this will be an easy way for new members to view profiles of members to friend and lean on for advice, guidance or direction.

For those who participated in the Adopt-a-Noob discussion the last few years - giant thanks for your willingness to give back and support others on their path. If you have recently posted in the original discussion, or volunteered last year and have bandwidth again, please be sure to re-post here.

Mentors

We will maintain a list of forum members (in this post) of all the members that would like to become a mentor or volunteer their time. We suggest that you post some background (essentially a short profile) on yourself to give the new members some prior knowledge. If at any time, you want to revise your post, please send an update to @Nova, @Alex or @Betty, and we will alter your original post as soon as we are able.

Also, if you see new members posting in this topic, please feel free to reach out to them. In fact, it's encouraged, we all know lots of noobs are going to post in this discussion thinking that is how they get a mentor. We will encourage them to reach out to you, but let's help everyone out and have the folks volunteering to adopt a noob reach out to posters as well.

If you are interested in being a mentor, please also join us here.

If you're a noob, looking for help or a mentor, please feel free to join this group and make a post.

New members

Please review the short paragraphs of the members and feel free to send a friend request (you should include a little bit about yourself as many members won't accept blank friend request). Hopefully, you will utilize this as a mentoring tool to increase the chances of success.

Keep in mind, that mentors are NOT obligated to accept new members if they do NOT feel it's a good fit... especially if you PM them with a creepy message or their plate is full. 2017 discussion here

Thank you for your support!

P.S. - please follow the rules. All thread hijacking will be followed by a warning as it violates the rules. If you don't understand the rules, please see below.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/welcome/guidelines

Adopt a Noob Volunteer's

(MFP Staff will update this section as people throw their hat in to adopt noobs for the new year)

tinkerbellang83 · January 2018

I have adopted a couple of newbs now and won't be accepting any more for the time being but will update if circumstances change.

I am happy to adopt a newb or two this year, I am currently a work-in-progress myself I am in the process of shifting around 70lbs, I am about half way there at the moment (give or take a few pounds after the festive period).

In the past I was so overwhelmed by all of the diet woo in the media and passed on by friends, family, etc that I was constantly setting myself up for failure by trying various pills, supplements, diets, crazy workouts, nothing that would ever stick longer than 10 days. Then when recovering from a back injury and deciding I needed to take weight loss seriously I discovered the forums here on MFP and thanks to the Most Helpful posts and the veteran posters I have realized that weight loss is far simpler than I had believed.

I have really enjoyed supporting my follow MFP-ers both on the forums and on the newsfeed this last year and would love to help someone out who is isn't too sure where to start.

zcb94 · January 2018

About me:
-has experienced morbid obesity (may have regained all lost weight, so I’m comfortable with someone who will mentor me and I them)
-is a recovering Type II Diabetic (not currently insulin dependent)
-is a Christian young lady, willing to help a handful of Christian young people. (A handful only, so I can remember people’s names and prayer requests/praise reports)
-is currently bed bound, but uses a wheelchair for mobility
-loved playing baseball
-used a hand-bike, rode a horse for exercise
-isn’t very knowledgeable about health but is very caring and will listen and pray with you during struggles

About you:
- is prepared to log every last bite, sip and exercise and accept feedback/questioning about what you did wrong (open diary required)
-knows the basics of health and how to use MFP as a tool for “Temple preservation.”
-is willing to come here and at least briefly message me Every. Single. Day. First thing in the morning and maybe once or more throughout your day. No excuses, no exceptions, no sick/free//cheat/timeout-for-injury days! If I don’t see you log in, it will tell me that you don’t want to get healthy and will result in immediate removal from my mentor plate. Same with calorie overages.
-will do anything (except disordered eating) so you can show me an under-thy-calorie-goal day.
-is capable of sharing your struggles and successes with others. Although I sound harsh, I’m actually a decent listener and want to celebrate victory together and cry with you during defeat.

alteredsteve175 · January 2018

I first joined MFP in 2015 (I think). Started using it seriously in March 2017. Started at 250 lbs. - goal weight 175-185. I have lost about 40 lbs. at this point. Have done keto and low carb, but I'm not rigid about it. I do intermittent fasting on a 16-8 schedule - most days.

I am a 63 year old male. I walk and hike for cardio activity. Lift weights two or three days a week. Do a couple of circuit training classes a week.

Volunteering to be a mentor. Happy to provide help where I can. An open diary is needed so that I can see what you are eating and your exercise regimen.

estherdragonbat · January 2018

Willing to mentor, even as I continue learning!

I'm a kosher ovo-lacto vegetarian, who has currently lost over 96 lbs since joining MFP on Oct 30, 2016. I'm closing in on the top of my healthy BMI range and aiming for a goal 10lbs below it. I got to my heaviest (254 lbs) as a kosher ovo-lacto vegetarian and I've lost the weight the same way. I've cut back on a lot of higher-calorie food items, but I haven't officially eliminated anything. Unofficially? There needs to be a pretty special occasion for me to splurge on a decadent dessert and I don't usually order food at a restaurant if I don't have a good idea in advance what the calories are. That being said, I haven't given up desserts or dining out.

I take long walks, use a fitness glider, and work out with light dumbbells in my basement.

I'm great at responding to PMs, terrible about checking my feed. Every so often, I scroll through it and 'like' a lot of stuff, but I tend to spend more time on the boards than on my profile page.

I'll never try to push you into adopting my way of eating, though I will let you know if I think you're doing something unnecessary, that makes you miserable, because you're assuming that "it's the only way the weight will ever come off".

vollans · January 2018

I'm throwing my hat into the ring as a mentor again this year.

I've been on here for just under 3 years and using MyFitnessPal lost 40kg / 88 lbs / 6 stone during the first 8 months or so. Since then I've been working on maintaining that and gaining strength, and hopefully a little muscle.

I'm 45, work full time, I'm gay and have a fantastic husband whose also been on the journey with me. My main exercise is gym, including weights and HIIT, running, cycling and the occasional triathlon. And I suck at them all

I am a firm believer, through personal experience, that every calorie has to be paid for. If it goes in your mouth, you better have earned it and it better be worth eating. I don't believe in fad diets, cleanses, detoxes and highly restrictive programs that leave you feeling bad about yourself. I love home cooked food and great food and wine. I believe strongly in eating normally and sensibly in a way that is sustainable long term, but making sure portion control and exercise are the keys. I've learned that the hard way. I also believe that using tools like MyFitnessPal and heart-strap properly calorie counted exercise are vital, not just counting minutes. I've also used DEXA scans to measure my real progress and think it's an incredible tool. Data is good! If you are a data geek, I'm your man. I've used the data I've gathered to tweak my exercise, to correct left-right balance issues, to run better (even though I hate it), and to push myself into things I know I'm going to suck at because stretching yourself is important and the improvement you get can really be seen.

If you want someone that will encourage you and help you with making good decisions, and provide feedback and info based on my experience I'm the man for you. If you want someone that's already been through it and knows what it feels like to slog through losing that much weight, I'm someone to choose. If you want someone who's had bad times and still pushes through, contact me.

If you want someone to tell you that the fact you've eaten half the cheesecake in the fridge, 7 bags of crisps and a jumbo Mars bar is ok for the third day running and we all make mistakes, I'm probably not the person for you. I haven't allowed myself that sort of behaviour, and wouldn't be very sympathetic - you are in control of your life. Likewise, if you log once every couple of days, miss weeks at a time, or calorie restricting yourself to an unhealthy degree, I won't be much support, and probably will give you a few home truths.

If after reading that you think we'd be a good fit, feel free to friend request me and include something for me to see that we'd gel.

lmhbuss · January 2018

I am an *almost* 40 year old working mom. My job is high stress and for a long time I used ice cream as my personal anti-anxiety med. This rested in my weighing just a hair shy of 300lbs. I've dropped about 80 of that and I'm hoping to drop at least another 40 this year...though more wouldn't break my heart. My biggest strength in all of this has been in the kitchen....my biggest nemesis remains cardio but I still make myself do it. I love weight lifting though and love the way I feel after a backsquat session. If you are serious about this, send me a friend request with your vital stats and your goals. To be most useful to you I'll require your diary to be open to me and during the first 60 days will require a daily message ( how u are feeling/ what you are planning/ What you are struggling with could all be an acceptable topic). I believe in the importance of loving what we are even while we work to make it better, so expect lots of sass if you are prone to hating on yourself.

apullum · January 2018

I'm willing to mentor again this year.

About me:

I have been in maintenance since August 2017 after losing 100 pounds. I started at 215 lb. and am maintaining at 113-115 lb. I'm just under 5 feet tall, making me one of those few people for whom 1200 calories was an appropriate baseline before adding in exercise calories. I now maintain on about 1400 calories plus exercise. I started MFP in January 2015, so I've been here a while.

I started running with C25K when I began trying to lose weight. I am now a committed yet mediocre endurance runner, and I complete a couple of half marathons per year, as well as a few shorter races. Running is my predominant form of exercise, though I do a small amount of bodyweight strength training.

I have been a vegetarian since 2005. I have been a fat vegetarian and am now an "ideal BMI range" vegetarian. Choosing to eat some foods and exclude others from your diet does not in itself lead to weight loss; weight loss happens due to a caloric deficit. I'm technically lacto-ovo vegetarian, but I don't like eggs very much and I'm lactose intolerant, so in practice I don't eat many animal products other than yogurt. However, I do not eat "clean" and I despise the idea that some food is "unclean." My food is not dirty unless I dropped it on the kitchen floor.

I eat chocolate every day.

I can probably help you if any of the following apply to you:

- you have a lot of weight to lose
- you want to make permanent lifestyle changes to lose the weight and maintain your goal weight. Weight loss is primarily about developing sustainable routines that you can continue for the rest of your life.
- you want to talk about running
- you're a vegetarian, although I'm also happy to work with you if you're not, and I have no interest in "converting" you.
- you're a very short woman
- you want factual, evidence-based answers to your questions. I will happily send you journal article links if you have any interest in reading them.
- you want anecdotal evidence from someone who's lost the weight and is keeping it off
- you want to talk about weight loss and exercise in academia. I started losing weight while doing a teaching postdoc and reached maintenance in my first year as an assistant professor.

I'm probably not a good fit for you if:

- you are looking for faith-based support. I'm not a religious person.
- you are interested in quick, short-term weight loss. I'm in this for the long haul and I expect you to be as well.
- you write in text-speak or in paragraphs that are one long, run-on sentence, etc. You're not my student and I don't ask for flawless writing from you, but I do value clear communication.
- you are pursuing extreme calorie restriction, fad diets, cleanses, detoxing, or other weight loss buzzwords.
- you need someone to initiate frequent contact with you. I love responding to thoughtful messages and will happily carry on individual conversations with you, but I tend to be bad at remembering to check in if you aren't also reaching out to me.
- you want someone to snoop in your food diary. I will happily look at your diary and offer thoughts on it if you ask me to, but I won't go through it and offer unsolicited comments.
- you're looking for some sort of emotional support that you believe only a woman can give. I shouldn't even have to say this, but I once got a mentorship request asking for just that. Don't be that person.

alias1001 · January 2018

I'll mentor again.

Stats:
5' 1/2"
Starting weight: 133
Initial Goal Weight: 105
Current goal range: 111-113
I have a sedentary job that's partly at home but workout 5-6 times a week.

Finally got serious in March 2015, hit my lowest in September 2015, and have been maintaining my lifestyle change since.

To lose weight, I ate 1200 calories. It's a contentious issue around here, but I'm short and sedentary and it's something you can get used to with lean protein, veggies, and creativity. I eat indulgent meals a couple of times a month and make sure I have a small "treat" at least once a day.

I do body-weight strength training. At home, there is little excuse to not work out. I mix You Are Your Own Gym, Fitness Blender, and now PiYO (even though Chalene's 20% too chipper for me). I've put on muscle but maintained my measurements, hence the new goal weight.

Consistency is KEY for me. Log every day--good, bad, ugly. It's what screwed me up when I started MFP back in 2011. If you have a bad meal, day, or week, you need to stay on track.

Working out is for fitness. Consistency is also key. I still don't find it fun, I think of it like brushing your teeth. You don't HAVE to brush your teeth, but you probably won't like the consequences if you don't.

GrumpyHeadmistress · January 2018

I’m happy to be a mentor to a newbie or two!

About me:
37 year old 5’4” female from the UK. Started with MFP in January 2015 at 237 and got to goal weight of 125 in November 2017. So 112lbs (51kg) lost over 2 years or so. Usually on 1200 a day plus exercise calories. And all whilst being on prescription medication that is notorious for causing an increase in appetite.

I’m currently losing a bit of Christmas weight and then maintaining again.

I do a lot of exercise but mainly because I’m greedy and want to eat cake and ice cream! I don’t think that exercise is vital for weight loss but it can help with physical and mental wellness.
Ditto for “clean” or “healthy” eating. It isn’t necessary for weight loss but some people feel better if they eat certain foods more often. You do you.

I’m a strong believer in weighing everything and getting results through persistence and consistency. Stick to the system and you’ll lose weight. I’ve never met someone why defies the laws of physics or is a precious snowflake for whom diets don’t work.

I’m good at replying to DMs and ok at responding to posts. Expect some tough love though!

If you are committed and ready to make weight loss work for you, send me a DM.

alteredsteve175 · January 2018

I can adopt another noob if needed.

brendanwhite84 · January 2018

I'd be willing to mentor someone.

I've been using the app (along with a digital food scale and other implements) for just over two years and my weight has tracked according to what I've logged with a high degree of accuracy.

I began by losing about 30 pounds in support of an endurance sports goal I had in mind (I achieved that goal race this last August)

About 1 year ago I decided to bulk (lean mass) and am currently up 28 pounds from my leanest and am doing heavy compound lifts a bunch. My final goal might be another 17 lbs of lean mass up from where I am.

I've made an amateur's hobby out of learning about nutrition, fitness and society's struggles with these things, and have participated in two university Kinesiology studies as a test subject for the sake of advancing the state of the art in terms of nutritional science.

I have a very science-driven understanding of these topics and I don't have a lot of love for woo and fads. I value discipline and doing the work (physical and intellectual) and I think people who are willing to do it are going to succeed.

In spite of all this I'm a nerd at heart and don't care for broscience and other general bro-ishness.

christinafeller · January 2018

I volunteer to adopt a noob or 2 or 3!

jlove618 · January 2018

Hi! I'd love to mentor a few noobs! Here is what I can offer you:

I'm more than happy to answer questions to the best of my ability (I have a very science-driven understanding of all this stuff) and will try my best to post on your wall and check your food/exercise diary daily. I'm a tough-love kind of person who is most interested in helping you figure out what works best for you and then keeping you accountable. I will push you to be consistent, stay on track, and be honest with yourself. That said, I'm not about fad diets, extreme calorie restrictions, or other weight loss strategies that have little to no scientific backing. I'm all about making a positive, healthy lifestyle change in addition to losing weight and toning up. Please send me a PM if this interests you telling me about your goals, concerns, habits, or any other info that you think might be useful for me. I look forward to helping you along your journey!

A little about me:
I am 27 years old, live in the Washington DC area, have a full time job, and am in graduate school. I'm 5'8" and about 17 lb into what I hope will be an 80 lb journey (which I began back in September). I try my hardest to workout every day and weigh all my food. umm yea.. not great at talking about myself! hehe I look forward to your message!

alteredsteve175 · January 2018

Where do we send people who are looking for mentors? Should they post here? Or is there a dedicated thread for them?

tinkerbellang83 · January 2018

alteredstates175 wrote: »

Where do we send people who are looking for mentors? Should they post here? Or is there a dedicated thread for them?

Nova wrote: »

New members

Please review the short paragraphs of the members and feel free to send a friend request (you should include a little bit about yourself as many members won't accept blank friend request). Hopefully, you will utilize this as a mentoring tool to increase the chances of success.

Keep in mind, that mentors are NOT obligated to accept new members if they do NOT feel it's a good fit... especially if you PM them with a creepy message or their plate is full. 2017 discussion here

They should just be PMing someone in the posts above.

alteredsteve175 · January 2018

tinkerbellang83 wrote: »

They should just be PMing someone in the posts above.

Got it. Missed that part. Thank you, Tinkerbell!

Nova · January 2018

Hey all, we have added a group for Noobs if you'd like to join and introduce yourself. Our mentors can look thru your posts, or you can contact them with a friend request and a message attached.

Quick link to the noob group: Adopt-a-noob 2018

KateBoss7521 · January 2018

Hi there! I would be happy to mentor someone!

I would probably be best helping someone who is totally new to this and/or has a lot of weight to lose.

—I am a big believer in making small, sustainable, changes to keep working towards your end goal.
—Lots of fresh produce.
—Not a huge fan of commercial diets/plans.
—I personally have a gym membership, but stick to the treadmill & bikes, no experience with weight/strength type stuff.

I am a 25 yo female living in the Midwest and am happy to mentor to any gender/age/size!

zcb94 · February 2018

KristinaIrisha21 wrote: »

I can use help. I would be greatly appreciative.

Nova wrote: »

Hey all, we have added a group for Noobs if you'd like to join and introduce yourself. Our mentors can look thru your posts, or you can contact them with a friend request and a message attached.

Quick link to the noob group: Adopt-a-noob 2018

CathiSinsabaugh · March 2018

I will be happy to help you!

eclecticpixxie · March 2018

Can a relatively new person mentor someone else? I know I'm learning and such myself and have already had a do-over. But I think I could at least be an encouraging soul to someone who feels like they're kind of alone in this venture.

I'm a 62 year old humorist (and yes, there is such a thing) who likes to use humor to keep balance in a fairly high-stress job working at the computer most days. Because my job is high security I cannot exchange phone numbers but I can be here for ya!

I need to drop 100 pounds. I walk. That's my exercise. Walking. And since I walk the neighborhood I also pick up any trash that's found its way into the housing area. Interesting the things people throw away! Though- I never find food thrown away. But lots and lots of empty water bottles!

Anyway I think I would be a good mentor for someone who just needs the occasional "atta boy" or "you can do it!" Or maybe even the "man I know how you feel"... I'm very open and honest about my weight related issues, so there's not a whole lot a person can tell me that I would be shocked by. Unless they said they're marrying a buffalo...we might have to discuss this with a good therapist.

And maybe some recipe swapping could go on, with health related alterations. I am a recovered diabetic (meaning controlled for more than 3 years now) and before coming on MFP I had lost 150 pounds. Now I have another 100 to go and came here because, well, I'm in need of the info and its easier to log my daily data here than in a notebook. I've had to learn to adjust recipes to accommodate my own health issues.

Anyway if a relatively new person can be a mentor, I would not mind mentoring a couple of new people. As long as you have a sense of humor we're good!

ash407 · March 2018

Happy to help if anyone needs help or guidance.

krandor1 · April 2018

I am willing to be a mentor.

A bit about me. about 3-4 years ago I had let me weight get way out of hand and was not at all where I wanted to be or happy about it. I got into a good setup (including MFP and C25K) in order to lose about 100 pounds and in the process got myself to the point where finished the New York Marathon (slowly) and the Disney Dopey CHallenge (also slowly).

Over the past year or so I let myself rest on my laurels a bit and put back on about 50 and am now back working to get that off again (plus a little more more) and get my running back to better shape as well. I've done it before I can do it again and if other people need help I certainly am willing to help.

My main philisophy is on eating sensibly. I don't do well nor do i think it helps a lot to deprive yourself. The biggest science is calories in vs calories out so if the numbers match then go have that beer but make sure it is recorded. Record everything for both eating and exercise as close as you can get. I don't think fad or harsh diets are good ideas because they are not things you can sustain long term and that is what is most important.

I am big into technology and make use of a variety of websites to help track various aspects of my heath and fitness and I'm happy to share those as well and you can see what works or doesn't work for you.

What I would expect - mainly keep in touch all the time on how things are going with daily being preferred. Staying on top of things on days you don't want to do stuff or want to just be lazy is the toughest part and that is where accoutability comes into play. Diary needs to be open and you need to log everything every day. That way we can both help track how you are doing and areas you can improve.

JenniferBennett3 · May 2018

I would love to be a mentor to some newbies to MFP. Social support has been incredibly important in my journey and I want to pay it forward.

I have been using MFP for two years and have lost 80lbs so far, I still have a ways to go but I am making steady progress. I don't follow any specific diet plan and instead focus on portion control and balanced meals.

Some things I can help with are navigating the MFP app or website, swapping recipes, starting an exercise plan, info on other useful fitness apps & devices and general motivation.

LiftHeavyThings27105 · May 2018

I would be more than willing to help a few folks. I am 51, male, pretty athletic, fitness is my passion (but not my job....not yet, anyway) and really enjoy helping people. I am quite comfortable with males or females (calories are calories, folks), older or younger, fit or not so fit. I also speak German (if that info is useful) and can get by in Spanish (you would be surprised). Sign me up! :-)

VUA21 · June 2018

Willing to mentor.

About me

I'm a 41 year old woman and mother. So far I've lost 175lbs. I don't follow any specific diet other that simply eating at a deficit. I will be honest and open about all of my struggles and successes.

You:

Have to be willing to make an effort, to start somewhere. Be honest about eating habits and willing to listen.

AdaptivePerformanceLLC · June 2018

Would like to help

ColorMe_Beautiful24 · July 2018

I would love to mentor!

I have battled insecurity for a very long time. After the birth of my ds i went from being 132 lbs to 210 lbs. After I gained weight my confidence went out the door and i continued to gain weight until i was over 235 lbs. Often times i felt i needed the support and validation of others to achieve my goals. I know know that would have offered an encouraging edge but My weight-loss is something i needed to do. I needed to be proud of myself and hold myself accountable for my actions I wanna offer support to people who need it. Weight loss is always easy when you have that extra support. I didn't get it and as i move through my weight-loss journey i still don't receive it but i have not let it hinder my efforts! I know the difference a "good job" or a "keep up the good work" can make. I want to motivate and support!

ColorMe_Beautiful24 · July 2018

Good morning, what are some of your goals? I am looking to adopt some noobs but I have strict accountability and I also understand people slip. One slip does not mean keep sliding though. Happy health🙂P.M. me if you are interested

AObravo123 · August 2018

Happy to mentor

2018 Adopt a Noob Discussion

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