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*I am not getting paid or compensated in any way for this post. I probably should be, but really I’m just gushing because I looooove it!*
Okay, I’m not that fat, but I could definitely stand to lose a few pounds. And, as per my usual, I decided to forgo the expensive programs like NutriSlim and Weight Watchers and skip the pricey gym membership as well.
So how am I losing my weight?
I am using a fantastic FREE program called My Fitness Pal. If you want to lose weight, get in shape, or even just learn more about your relationship with food, you have to try this! Here’s how it works:
- Go to www.myfitnesspal.com - you can use the website with your computer or you can download their free app for your mobile device.
- Enter in your info: age, height, weight, average daily activity level. Then tell it what your goal weight is and how much you want to lose each week.
- My Fitness Pal will then calculate your daily calorie goal: your calorie limit for each day for you to lose the amount of weight you desire.
- Start tracking! MFP has a huge food database- all different brands, along with various raw fruits and veggies. Just type in what you ate and it will find it for you and tell you how many calories you’ve consumed. You add it to your daily “food diary” and MFP will tell you how many calories you still have left. You can even put in the ingredients for your favorite recipes and MFP will calculate the calories and save them so you can easily access it whenever you need to.
- Get moving! MFP also allows you to set fitness goals. Anytime you work out, you add the exercise and minutes and you can earn yourself more calories! Want an extra dessert? Better put on your gym shoes first!
- Get friends and family to sign up- MFP is like facebook, where you can add your friends and family and see whenever they work out, complete their daily food diary, or log a weight loss. Even on days when I don’t feel like working out, I’ll see that someone else did and it motivates me to get my butt in gear!
Using this program has made losing weight like a game for me. I look forward to adding in my food and seeing how many calories I have left. I enjoy trying to find ways to trim calories, and finding healthier alternatives to my usual favorite foods. I love working out and rushing back to my computer to enter in my minutes and watch my calorie allowance for the day suddenly go up (yummy dessert, here I come)!
Here are the ways this program has really helped me:
1. I have learned to make better food choices. I know that 250-calorie cupcake tastes good, but I also know that 60-calorie peach won’t leave me hungry again in 30 minutes like the cupcake will.
2. I have learned the difference between wanting something to eat and being *actually* hungry. Now when I think I’m hungry, I drink a glass of water first. Most of the time the water does the trick and I’m fine.
3. I’m drinking more water! MFP also allows you to track your water intake, which is an important element in losing weight. Stay hydrated!
4. I’m learning portion control- in order to correctly track my calories I have to accurately measure my portions, and I’m realizing I was eating WAY more than I should.
5. I’m learning that it takes awhile for my brain to register that I’ve eaten. Often after I’ve eaten my correct portion size I will still feel hungry. But I’ve found that if I wait 30 minutes or so, I will actually feel satisfied. This realization is definitely helping me to stay on track and not overeat.
6. I can eat whatever I want! I know that if I save up my calories I can still enjoy that dessert and be completely guilt-free while doing it.
7. No guesswork. It’s simple math: calories in vs. calories out. I know that as long as my calories in are less than my calories out, I’m losing weight. Simple.
6. I can eat whatever I want! I know that if I save up my calories I can still enjoy that dessert and be completely guilt-free while doing it.
7. No guesswork. It’s simple math: calories in vs. calories out. I know that as long as my calories in are less than my calories out, I’m losing weight. Simple.
The best part? I actually look forward to getting on the scale- I’m excited to see how much weight I’ve lost! And by the way, it’s not just me- I got my whole family on board and they have lost about 16 lbs between the 5 of them over just the last 2-3 weeks. I have lost 3 lbs over the last 4 weeks doing it, and I can honestly say it’s been really fun. :-)
Do you need to lose weight? Do you want to learn more about your relationship with food and try to make healthier choices? Check it out!
