Is MFP a hindrance or a help?

I asked myself this same question recently. I lost most of my weight before joining this site, so I knew I didn't need it to lose. And I met my goal, exceeded it in fact, but decided I still wanted to lose just a little more. I wondered if I'm having trouble with the last few because they are the last few, or because I am worrying about calories too much now, whereas before I just concentrated on hunger, healthy food and exercise.

I'm still not sure of the answer but I've decided to stop worrying about the calories so much, but still log. I've found that by listening to my body rather than shooting for a specific number I don't eat the same number of calories per day. Some days I'm as low as 1010, others I eat over 2000.

Today, it's a hindrance.


...to my productivity, as all I've been doing is surfing the forums.

This is REAL talk. I need to log out...but I won't...

I've been able to take all weekends off from logging since June, plus some random weeks here and there, and pretty much the entire month of January... without gaining.

I've got the hang of how much food to eat to maintain my weight. At this stage, I'm logging to make sure I'm getting the right nutrients as I amp up my strength training and get back into running, not so much to stay under my calories.

I think it's very helpful. I have a pretty good idea of the nutritional value of various foods and I'm pretty good about not overeating (at least, not on a regular basis)...but knowing I'll have to log that Grande Caramel Macchiato into MFP does make me think twice about ordering it. It makes me more aware of my food choices: "If I have this Starbucks drink now, I can't have X for dinner" or "If I have this drink, I need to jog an extra 1.5 miles."

What I really love about MFP is tracking my exercise. I make use of the Notes section (located at the bottom of the screen where you enter your daily exercise info). I use the Notes as a training journal and I can look back and see how much I've improved my strength and cardio endurance. It really motivates me!

I NEED MFP I was using the site for a few months and decided I didnt need it anymore and well 8 months later I am back and 30lbs heavier... for me the community aspect helps a ton it makes me feel like I have to stay in my calorie limits because I dont want to disappoint the people who are being so supportive to me. Also seeing the numbers all on the screen in front of me makes me really not want to eat anythign with a high calorie #!

I've tried dieting before and, so far, this time I'm doing really well, right out of the gate. The only difference between this time and all the other times is MFP. Don't ask me why and I've only been on the site for a month and a half, but it is such a great tool. Counting calories is good. Logging everything down to the creamer in my coffee that I used to not count has helped. I also love the report tools. I go back through the week and look for days I could have done better to educate myself.

I'm a blind eater. I don't pay attention and that's how I got this way. Using MFP and being completely honest on here has made all the difference.

I've also found great recipes and ideas and inspiration. It isn't just a calorie counter... for me.

To me it's definitely a help, although I did lose some weight before I found this site, and the myriad of diets I have tried previously have given me a basic grounding in nutrition and the way I need to eat to lose weight, I find that planning out my day keeps me on track, and on days like today when I have eaten some stuff that I know that I shouldn't have, it helps to know that I'm not that far over, so if I stop now it's not a problem, whereas before I might have thought 'well I've blown it anyway' and then gone on to eat a load more.

And that was a mammoth sentence, but I can't be bothered to go and punctuate it properly! :laugh:

I find it to be a benefit. I log everything on my Blackberry when I am away from the computer. In the end, I can see where my deficiencies and strengths are. But logging calories is only part of the tracking. I have to pay attention to the whole day's worth of events as they make a huge difference on what I will need to do with my food intake. Yes, you may be able to log everything successfully outside of MFP. But there is an added support system through MFP that mere tracking cannot provide.

^^This, this, this...^^^ I LOVE MFP! Yes, it takes time to log, but I often log before I eat, and then I feel accountable to eat what I actually logged. Also, the fact that others will be looking at my food diary and critiquing it is a great motivator for me. I don't know that I ever want to move away from using MFP. I really LOVE it! ; )

The first few days, MFP made me soooooooooo hungry.... full of postings about

" what food couldn't you give up? "

" if you could eat yourself to death on one thing, what would it be? "

" what food did you HAVE to give up?? "

That, combined with a feeling of deprivation from having to watch my calories, made me miserable...

But I'm a month in now, and I think MFP is kind of like crack without any of the nasty bits. i get support, i give support, I log my calories & fat and I'm definitely making better choices. I'm making it a lifestyle, and I need the sort of help that MFP, the forums, and my friends are giving me.

And my butt is 11 lbs lighter.

Its a help to me...I don't care if I am addicted or not. My friends keep me in check and I have direction when I am here. I love to log food and have been for 7 years now. (previously with WW). If it works what's the issue?

After logging consistently for several months, eating right became intuitive.
MFP made it automatic... gave me a "feel" for food.

I came back just for a tune-up and to start really working on building muscle.

I guess one could say my running shoes are a crutch because they hold my feet in the right position, and my car is a crutch because I was much better at biking when I had to bike to work, and my friends are a crutch because I am used to having their encouragement and sweet selves in my life.
Having tools to help cope with various aspects of life is just a part of life. I'm not superwoman, and I'm grateful for all my crutches. =P

Today, it's a hindrance.


...to my productivity, as all I've been doing is surfing the forums.

^this. good for fitness and health. bad for general productivity as a human being. i exaggerate for dramatic effect, but still. it can suck me in, truly.

I think it should be a means to an end. After logging for so long hopefully you're learning how to judge the caloric content (& other things) about the foods you're eating. And hopefully you're learning what healthy things you like & how to prepare them & the benefits of planning ahead, & about what exercise suits you best, etc.

I certainly don't plan on using MFP forever, at least not the logging part.

I've tried so many diets, and I actually find using mfp to be more effective than the other diets I've tried, while maintaining a great level of flexibility...so for me it's a huge help. Also, everyone knows it is a lot easier to diet with friends than it is to diet alone, and mfp is like a great group of friends all going through the same struggle, and it helps to read about people's successes as well as have people comment on your own. I love it. It keeps me going when things get harder.

My vote is total help! When I stop logging I consistantly eat too much.