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

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Replies

  • Newf77
    Newf77 Posts: 802 Member
    You did not get to the point where you decided you wanted/needed to lead a healthier life over night, do not expect to beable to change over night but do expect to stumble often.
  • CaliDreams27
    CaliDreams27 Posts: 34 Member
    Bump. Catching this at the end of my shift lol
  • plyosteph
    plyosteph Posts: 17
    So true! Especially if you're working out once or twice a day.
  • lowpro1983
    lowpro1983 Posts: 305 Member
    Before you cut calories just log in what you normally eat for two full weeks, everything that goes in your mouth. This gives you a starting point. I learned the hard way that I did not have to eat 1200 calories a day to lose weight, I could have cut down to 1700-1800 and lost just as easy and not harmed my metabolism.

    Great advice

    I agree!!!!!!! Too many ppl think they have to starve to lose & you don't!!
  • Syderelli
    Syderelli Posts: 439 Member
    BUMP! :)
  • LilynEdensmom
    LilynEdensmom Posts: 612 Member
    Don't let the jerks on the message boards steer you away!

    ^^This...and make your own set of friends for support
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    Not sure what part of my post was attacking this hypothetical newbie, but I need an explanation k thanks.
  • Saruman_w
    Saruman_w Posts: 1,531 Member
    Hit the weights from the get-go! Don't worry about big losses in a short amount of time.
  • elbandito
    elbandito Posts: 157
    When you're reading posts on the forums: THINK, REFLECT, POST.


    Don't get all butthurt over nothing.
  • bethb03
    bethb03 Posts: 96
    bump!!
  • Suziq2you
    Suziq2you Posts: 396 Member
    You must eat to survive. Move your booty. Log your food. And chocolate is not the devil.
  • Dauntlessness
    Dauntlessness Posts: 1,489 Member
    Love yourself through all the good and the bad times. This is a journey, you will have ups and downs.
    If it were easy then it wouldn't mean as much when you reach your goal. :)

    and...You WILL reach your goal, never give up!
  • mjterp
    mjterp Posts: 650 Member
    This is a *lifestyle* NOT a "diet"...
    Have your diary open for accountability AND to give others good ideas for healthy meals!
    Slowly add healthy HABITS and wean off of the bad ones.
    Log EVERYday...even the "bad" ones.
    Find movement in your everyday life. (using the bathroom on a different floor, parking farther away, etc.)
    Find healthy friends that support you, encourage you, and set a good example
    Don't judge your success by the scale (how do your clothes fit, measure, how do you FEEL)
    If you have a bad day (week, month...etc) DON"T GIVE UP. Come back and just jump in where you are!
  • _SASX_
    _SASX_ Posts: 255 Member
    Get more muscle (not body builder style, unless you want it) Muscle is denser than fat and thus when you gain muscle, you lose inches, but might weigh more. Don't Panic. Muscle also helps the body burn more calories. Put away your scale and only let it out once a week. Use your tape measure and clothing to show your progress rather than your scale. Cardio is great, but even it out with strength training.
  • ladytinkerbell99
    ladytinkerbell99 Posts: 970 Member
    bump
  • _EmmaStrong_
    _EmmaStrong_ Posts: 647 Member
    First and most important - You have to be TOTALLY committed to changing your life - if you are not, this lifestye change will NEVER work.

    Second - Take "before" measurements, which are a better indicator of progress than the weight scale, since your weight can flucuate daily by as much as 5 pounds.

    Third - get a lot of motivational friends, to keep you honest with yourself and hold you accountable for all your actions.

    Fourth - Back to the First - TOTAL COMMITTMENT - Without it you might as well forget the whole thing!!!

    And remember - a pound of muscle does not weigh more than a pound of fat, they are both a pound. But a pound of fat takes up more room than a pound of muscle.
  • jhcowan
    jhcowan Posts: 10
    The MFP calorie goal is probably WAY TO LOW!!
  • jadedone
    jadedone Posts: 2,446 Member
    1. Take measurements and track these every few weeks
    2. Make a plan to overcome your "cheats" (budget it into your calories, save calories, exercise more, make substitutions)
    3. Think about the 80/20 rule (Be on top of things 80% of the time, consistency is most important, one mess up isn't going to derail your entire journey)
    4. When you get to goal, don't forget what it took to get there, and keep up your healthy lifestyle. You can't go all out and lose the weight and return to your old habits and expect to keep it off.
    5. Don't forget you are living in your body "right now." Don't wait until you reach your goals to be happy, try new things or experiences. Life begins now, not when you "lose the weight."
  • shan_0517
    shan_0517 Posts: 88 Member
    Bump! Need to get back to work!
  • XXXMinnieXXX
    XXXMinnieXXX Posts: 3,459 Member
    . Eating a good amount of protein and fiber will fill you up, and make this soooo much easier, so your not forever hungry.
    . 1200 is way to low.
    . Do it for YOU. Nobody else!
    . Even though exercise is hard at first, it gets easier! You'll grow to love it.
    Log EVERYTHING.
    . Drink your water.
    . Know the scale is terribly unfair at times, and to keep going. It will be fairer soon!
    . Research hiit training. Its awesome!

    Wish I'd learnt about the protein and fiber thing earlier, I lost 50lbs feeling really hungry constantly! X
  • kimfifield
    kimfifield Posts: 8
    Keep track of what you eat even w:hen you don't feel like it. Remember that protein and fibre are good. Start your day with a good breakfast and try to exercise. :smile:
  • AliceKlaar
    AliceKlaar Posts: 275 Member
    There's some really good advice on here, thanks OP for starting this topic! The only thing I'd add that I couldn't see on a quick skim through is - invest in a food scale that has one gram increments and weigh all your food, especially to start off with. You don't want to be "guesstimating", you could be way wide of the mark - not such a biggie on vegetables but essential with most other foodstuffs!
  • Chickabittie
    Chickabittie Posts: 272
    I'd tell them what "bump" means! lol!
  • AndreSF
    AndreSF Posts: 84 Member
    I think it was mentioned a few times already, but log everything, don't cheat yourself...

    That and Good Luck! That's two things... :)
  • robpett2001
    robpett2001 Posts: 320 Member
    If you THINK you might be interested in running, then Couch-2-5k will prove that you are really CAN do it.
  • SerahLaffere
    SerahLaffere Posts: 223 Member
    I'd tell them to read this! It's a beginning of journey perspective. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/597074-feel-like-giving-up-read
  • Stardiva37
    Stardiva37 Posts: 169 Member
    take your time that it will happen,there is no magic pill for you to lose weight,you have to put the work in.If it was an pill everyone would do it. you put in the work you will get results.You didn't put it all on at once so you can't take all off at once.:flowerforyou:
  • beckyinma
    beckyinma Posts: 1,433 Member
    You're eventually going to have to break up with or severely limit your time with Cardio. You're eventually going to break up with or forget about the scale once you get to a certain point.. and you will actually be able to use the mirror to track weekly/monthl progress.

    Make peace with that now and save yourself a 12 month plateau later.

    Or dont believe me and struggle longer, see if I care, you cocky-knowitall newb


    This!

    EAT BACK YOUR EXERCISE CALORIES!!!

    And THIS!
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,409 Member
    Buy a food scale.
  • FitnessDivaK
    FitnessDivaK Posts: 180 Member
    What works for some doesn't work for all. Take the time to figure out what works for YOUR body and try not to get too frustrated with the process.

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