Back to basics

Welcome aboard and good luck! 😊

Welcome!

Tip: As you have time, chip away at reading the "Most Helpful Posts" section of each forum topic that interests you, starting with the ones in "Getting Started" and "General Health, Fitness and Diet". Direct links here:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10300331/most-helpful-posts-getting-started-must-reads#latest
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10300319/most-helpful-posts-general-health-fitness-and-diet-must-reads#latest

These are posts written by MFP-ers, nominated by fellow MFP users to stick around long-term for reference (so they're sometimes called "the stickies"). There's some excellent guidance and advice in those!

I think the best single on-ramp to MFP use is this one:

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants/p1

Don't let that joke-y clickbait title put you off: It's serious, sensible, solid information.

If you had friends on Spark you're interested in reconnecting with, they're gathering in various places, one of which is this:

https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10842403/welcome-former-sparkpeople-members#latest

Whether that reconnecting's of interest to you or not, I'd encourage you to participate in the Community here in general. Like any internet-based forum, it can be a little lively at times, but mostly I think folks here are wanting to help others succeed, and doing their best to contribute to that; it's just that different folks have different communication styles. There are even folks here who've been long-term successful at weight loss and/or fitness improvement, who stay around and reach out to help others when they can.

Wishing you success!