I Think I Found MY Weight Loss Edge

By On February 12, 2013 · 15 Comments
  Pin It  

Screen shot 2013-02-12 at 9.49.50 PM

So last week I posted about shifting my food journal to MyFitnessPal (MFP) and I’ve kept it up for a second week now. It’s just so darn easy! And it’s giving me back that small edge to lose the last few pounds I want to lose.

In a weird way I feel like I did when I lost the original 70lbs that started this blog. Back then I was counting Weight Watcher Flex points and keeping my food journal with pen and paper. After a few weeks, points were so easy to calculate for me I rarely used the slider/calculator. I’d jot down my meals as I went or before hand if I knew what was going to eat. I’d look up restaurant options before going to make the best choice I could. Everything went in the journal and at the end of the day I’d look at it to help me decide what type of evening snack I could “afford” that day.

That’s exactly what I’ve been doing for the past 2 weeks and without even hopping on the scale, I can feel a difference. Note: Tomorrow is weigh in day so I’ll know for sure then but I almost have no doubt it will show a loss.

Now, I’m not saying MFP is the end all be all of weight loss tools. It just happens to be what’s working for me now. I find the app easy to use. I like the way it displays data. The custom options are cool and the web interface works for me.

Back when Weight Watchers used the old points I felt the same way about their plan as well. The food trackers they gave me were easy to use. Points were easy to calculate. The program helped me be accountable without feeling like work or stressing me out.

And THAT’s the key.

Weight Loss doesn’t have a one size fit plan. What works for one may not work for another. You have to find a plan or a method to stay accountable that works for you, not against you. It shouldn’t make your neurotic or obsessive. It shouldn’t be hard, disruptive or feel like work.

Bottom line: It shouldn’t stress you out.

And that’s why I’ll never follow a plan to excludes entire food groups but that’s a whole other post and I have to go to bed. I’m feeling a little better and I really want to get up early for a workout!

So until tomorrow. :)

Oh! and if you to check out my food journal I made it public on MFP.

 
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
Reddit Facebook Twitter Delicious StumbleUpon
  • http://www.facebook.com/eileenkward Eileen Ward

    MFP has been the only format that I’ve stuck with. I like the social aspect, but also it’s just easy to track food on it. My current stomach virus is making my entry look like I have an eating disorder though….

    • RoniNoone

      I KNOW! I was below be cals yesterday because I was sick and it yelled at me. lol

  • http://twitter.com/LisaEirene Lisa Eirene

    The only thing I want to suggest is: don’t pay attention to the “projected weight loss” number because it will make you nuts!!! I’ve been using MFP for years and I’ve never seen their “projected loss” number on the scale. ;)

    • RoniNoone

      I do find them motivating but yea, I can see it not be realistic. Honestly, I was stretching for a photo for the post. lol

  • Dottie

    Just FYI, the WW mobile app’s format is also easy to use and tracks exercise. It doesn’t have the public/social aspect, but still offers an incentive, using points+ of course. Also offers tracking with Simply Filling, which has been working for me, in addition to weight charts, graphs, and goal markers, recipes, articles, healthy choices, etc. one must be a paid or lifetime member to use.

  • Carol

    I love MFP! The barcode scanner makes my life so easy! I also use Bodymedia armband which syncs beautifully with MFP. Win/Win!

  • Wifey678

    I started using it around the same time in addition to my WW journal. I’ve found that while I like WW and believe it works, |I wanted to see my numbers from a nutritional standpoint and MFP does just that. I like that I’ve learned I need more Vitamin A and Iron in my diet and I like seeing the balance of carbs/protein/fat in my diet too.

    It’s also been nice because SO.MANY.TIMES I run into a food or drink that WW doesn’t have in their database and it’s so frustrating. Now I can just jump over to MFP and check the nutritional information and input it in WW.

  • http://www.jesser.org/ Jess Nichols

    I really love MFP. My trainer does “challenges” at my gym all the time and I did one and will never do it again because it was such a pain in the arse keeping track of stuff in a paper journal. I hate that sort of busy work. She also won’t accept anything but “The Zone” and or Paleo both of which do not seem to work for me. So I’ve been great about using MFP the past couple of weeks – I do have to have some good motivation going to keep it up, but I am feeling it right now and the scale is responding!

  • Paul

    I use MFP too, but because I cook so many of my own meals I usually end up putting the calories in for dinners. I like the food data base as it lists so many things. Even Kabocha Squash.

  • VaMarcy

    I’m new to MFP (thanks, Roni!) but even when I haven’t done so well, I still put it all down–finding that keeps me more aware of what I’m eating, and I’ve been more careful.

  • Jenn@slim-shoppin

    I totally agree with you Roni it’s about staying accountable. I’ve tried on line trackers – heck my health insurance Blue Cross Blue Shield has one on their site and you can earn points to buy stuff – but I never keep it up. This time I’m eating like I would feed my kids – nothing but the good stuff!

  • F Hasan

    Really very good post. I got lot of info about weight loss from here. That’s really appreciated. you can find more info about weight loss by clicking here- Best Way to Burn Fat

  • http://www.facebook.com/Mom2Ways Julie Long Donahue

    I find MFP to be an easy way for me to track my food. With the iPhone app, I can track while I’m eating. Or, while I’m looking at a menu! I did that last night at Applebee’s, and I was able to make a good choice.

  • Jill

    LOVE MFP, just sent u a message to be my pal. :)

  • http://twitter.com/nottypea Erin

    Shouldn’t stress you out? Am I the only one who has a hard time with the 18 billion food choices it seems like I make a day? Calories, vitamins, organic, grassfed, low carb, gluten free, locally sourced, fat, protein, serving sizes…etc? I think I’m on data overload.

Roni’s Other Sites

BlogToLose

A Community of Weight Loss Bloggers. We are here to support, cheer on, pick up and reach our goals together! Join Us!
Check out Roni's Other Sites... Just Roni | GreenLiteBites | The Unworldly Travelers | FitBloggin' | BlogToLose | SkinnyMinnyMedia