If you could tell one thing to newbies on MFP....

Take all the advice you can get.....with a grain of salt. If it's not from a professional, make sure you do your own research (and not just from one quack source) before taking every Tom, ****, and Harry's advice as gold.

^^^ Ok SERIOUSLY MFP??? I was using that as a NAME not a body part! What if my name was ****?

There is no secret: only dedication, determination and the belief in your self that you will succeed.

and also muscle is denser than fat ; it does not weight more

--Know that you are going to have to think for yourself, not blindly do what other people are doing or what MFP says.

--Record accurately, observe, make adjustments.

--Track your body fat percentage with a device, your measurements, or an online calculator.

--Remember that MFP's suggestions are guidelines not rules.

--Understand that if you are at plateau, the first response is not to eat back your calories. Examine everything else you are doing. People who really need need to eat back all their calories are usually at a very high level of fitness and are not overweight.

--Acknowledge that while losing weight and exercising will make you healthier, you cannot magically reshape every part of your body. Your genetics play a role in where you hold on to fat and build muscle.

--Beware of the loose use of terms such as "starvation mode."

You're eventually going to have to break up with or severely limit your time with Cardio.

I'm not there yet, obviously, but I will eventually need to break up with CARDIO? Please tell me why?

Take all the advice you can get.....with a grain of salt. If it's not from a professional, make sure you do your own research (and not just from one quack source) before taking every Tom, ****, and Harry's advice as gold.

^^^ Ok SERIOUSLY MFP??? I was using that as a NAME not a body part! What if my name was ****?

So Just checking... I cannot talk about my Uncle **** who lost 20 lbs? - That's Hilarious! Poor Uncle ****, his name is banned.

Be open to the different exercises mentioned on the board. Switching up your workout can help you from getting bored and losing your motivation.

This. Also, opt to lose 1 pound per week, not more.

I've seen this said before. Can anybody tell me my people recommend this? At that rate, it would take me around 21 months.

If you have a large amount to lose, it's ok to lose faster.

This. Also, opt to lose 1 pound per week, not more.


I've seen this said before. Can anybody tell me my people recommend this? At that rate, it would take me around 21 months.

Because trying to lose more restricts your calories too much. Your body needs more fuel in order to burn fat. Some people jump down my throat for saying this, but I think it's a good way to look at calories: If my toddlers need 1000-1200 calories a day, an adult obviously needs more.

ETA: Jut because you set your goal at losing 1 pound per week, doesn't mean you won't still lose more. Plenty of people can lose 1.5-2 pounds a week while eating a higher amount of calories. Severely restricting calories doesn't always mean success.

Oh and for women... don't come here freaking out because you weigh 2 more pounds than you did yesterday. It is not possible to gain 2 pounds of fat in a day. Our weights fluctuate soo much. Stop obsessing over the number on the scale.

That weight gain is MUSCLE! Go buy a measuring tape :drinker:

Shut up and eat your calories.

That weight gain is MUSCLE! Go buy a measuring tape :drinker:

Honestly though, not likely. While I agree a tape measure is important, it is extremely hard to gain muscle at a calorie deficit.

I agree with the before photo's I wish I had more. Luckily a few friends posted some of me on fb, while then I didn't like that they took them and posted them, now i"m tickled pink to be able to say "Look at me now."

I'd also say, search the forum before asking questions, a lot of people on here get very edgy when you repeat a topic. Or it might get avoided. For the love of God please don't mention the HCG diet HA! That might cause you the have your cyber eyes scratched out of your head. Lol, I've seen that on here.

Be sure to get your water in! Water is important for weight loss and building. Our body needs water! Don't give up when things get tough! You didn't gain it over night, you won't lose it over night. Just because you lose 6-10lbs the first week, doesn't mean it'll always be like that, or if you only lose 2lbs the first week, doesn't mean you aren't losing enough. Everyone loses weight differently. Just because someone is the same height as you and weighs close to your target weight, doesn't mean you'll look they do at that weight. Everyone is portioned differently. Everyone loses weight in different places more then other places.

What works for someone else, it might not work for you and just because something didn't work for someone else, doesn't mean it won't work for you. Some people can eat their work out calories back and still lose, other's can't (raises hand, I'm one of them that can't.) 1200 calories is not to little for someone who needs no more then 1200 calories, so don't listen to people that swear that you can't gain muscle on 1200 calories, I'm living proof you can. This goes back to we are all different.

Slow and steady wins the race! The quicker you lose it, the quicker you are likely to gain it. The slower you lose it, the more likely it is to stay off. Been at this for 2 years (off and on) my ways are pretty much set, and my routine is lodged in my head, I don't see me ever going back to that dark place. The race is in front of you, not behind you, so if you fall, don't look back, keep pushing forward!

Lastly, remember it's a commitment, you can't be interested in this, once you lose interest you are back to where you started, if you commit you take no excuses; only results!

Read these:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/474-unofficial-mfp-faq

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/help

There is no fast, quick answer to weight loss and getting fit. It takes time, so all of the 5 day, 10 day, 30 day, etc is all hype. This is a lifestyle change, a journey, not a lose weight fast quick trip.