Does MyFitnessPal really work? (Newbie)

Are you breastfeeding? If so your calories might be too low and your body may be trying to hang onto your body fat.

Maybe it's water weight.

Overall, inches matter most (in my opinion!)

Plus your calories might be too low and your body is freaking out and you metabolism is slowing. I would definitely stick to the calories MFP suggest and be patient. I have lost 23 pounds on MFP. I love it. It is the only thing that has ever worked for me.

Thank you for the support

So how do I let MFP pick the calories for me? Is it the bit where I fill in the goals and then on the drop down menu where it says 'lose 1lb a week (recommended)' ?

I just chose the 'lose 2lb a week' bit as I have read alot of people on here using that one, so I thought it was fine. Don't really see why it's not to be honest.

The 2# a week is for people who are obese. If you only have 15-20 pounds to lose you really need to set a realistic goal of 1# per week. 2# a week is a LOT when you're already smaller.

I was on 1270 calories a day and I lost quite a bit. But I would plateau every other week. Now that I only have 16 pounds left, I dropped my goal to 1/2 pound a week. I actually started losing faster. Your body needs food. If you stress your body by too little food, your weight loss will be counter productive. Since I change my goal, I have more energy to work out and I am not stressed about staying at 1270.

It does work! Keep trying....iy does take time and perseverance though. I started last June and have lost 52lbs You can do this!

Yes it does work. My gosh, why do people expect results straight away?? If you're on here Im assuming its for a lifestyle change, not a quick fix no?

It works if you stick with it.

I myself just started here a few days ago. I'm going to be honest I think this does work. My friend who suggested this site to me has lost wonderful amounts of weight and she is the best she has looked in ages.

I did let MFP actually choose the calories for me and its helped me in the last few days. I have more energy everyday. For being a third shifter sometimes that energy is hard but since I've started I'm feeling great. I actually had the motivation to go for a mile walk, something I haven't done in a while.

I'm not going to weigh myself within the first week of doing this because I know I'm not going to get the result I want. I do know when it comes to weight loss it takes a while for it to come up. I know its going to take me at least a few weeks to start seein results. I know I wont see my belly shrink.

You need to give it time, as you havnt even finished your first week, do not be surprised to see no difference on the scales. Dont give up on it, esp as you had a baby recently, the weight doesnt just drop off in an instant. I am six days in, weighed myself yesterday with no change on the scales however i appear slimmer around the face, upper body, thighs and waist. So it wont take me long to see the 2kg i need to lose come off over the next few weeks. Good Luck

Obviously, with all these lbs. Lost and kg Lost tickers, it is totally whack and not worth wasting your time on. You are probably undereating for your weight. If you let MFP figure out your calorie goals, drink a minimum of 10 cups of water a day, and MEASURE portions, it'll work.

The big thing about MFP to me is...not only have I lost fifty pounds...but I can continue to KEEP it off by simply continuing to track my calories.

I used to think tracking calories was a bunch of nonsense, a cliche trend of dieting, then I actually tried it and stuck with it and learned that you can't fool with the math. If you burn 3500 calories more than you consume each week, you will burn a pound a week. Burning a difference of 7000 a week will render off two pounds a week.

Now I am a big fan of MFO and counting calories.

Well, the program itself doesn't "work," you have to work the program. But, if you stick to the limits, and workout and log all that then it is a wonderful tool for your weight loss. I've lost 36 lbs, now some of that was before mfp, I used to use the little calculator on my computer to count my calories, but I'd forget stuff and always had to read labels or look up nutritional value on google, so this is a much easier, simpler, and faster way to do it. Essentially, mfp is a calorie, sugar, fat, and other nutrient counter. It is also a place for support and motivation. Stick with it, it's fun for me now, so I really love mfp. You'll do great, keep it up. I am also losing baby weight (actually if you gain 50 lbs, it's not really baby weight, it's just fat ;p haha I guess I just feel better calling it 'baby weight')

^^this, entirely

Works for some, not for others. It's mainly activity level that seems to affect how well it works, because the more exercise you do, the more discrepency in the numbers you can cause. If it's not working for you, there is a 'second way'. Have a look at the Eat More to Weigh Less group.

The program works if you follow it. I have lost 29 pounds in the last 3 months. I think it is the best thing going for weight loss. I tried a bunch of other programs in the past and could not keep my weight off after I was done but this program has provided a lifestyle change that will help me keep the weight off. I exercise as well but I have always done that so this program was the thing I needed to get those pounds OFF for GOOD! Go for it!!