Sparkpeople and weight loss

So about a year ago somebody suggested that I check out Free Diet Plans at SparkPeople but I was slightly skeptical because we've all seen those "do this and you will lose weight" type websites. BUT I checked it out (might as well since its 100% free) and I've been hooked since. I hate recommending the website to other people simply for the fact that I always feel like an infomercial when I do. I just LOVE the site so much though. You can log your food, exercise, make blog posts, join support groups, and get active in their forum community. My fiance calls it "facebook for fatties" but its so much more than that. It's even for people who just want to be conscious about living a healthy lifestyle. I do SO much better with eating and exercise when I visit the website frequently. It really is THE BEST tool I have found to keep me on track. You earn points with everything you do and can buy electronic goodies (or send them to friends). I cannot praise the website enough. If you're interested in trying it, use my name as a referral "KJT1985"

I agree, I use sparkpeople too! I use it mostly to log food and cardio as well as to find low-fat recipes to cook! It also helped me to realize that I wasn't eating enough for the amount of cardio i was doing each week, I'm training for a 10K, so I had to actually increase the calories, HELLO EXTRA COOKIE!

That's awesome! There really seems to be a direct correlation between the amount of time I spend on SP and the amount of exercising (and eating right) I do - not to mention my level of self esteem. When I stop checking in, my eating and exercise habits go down the drain. I gained 40 pounds in the past year (crying inside)!! I need to get it off. I started going to the gym a couple months ago but have only lost 5 pounds. Now I need to drop 35-ish before the end of February. I don't think it's going to happen. Not that it's not theoretically possible...I just can't seem to lose that much that quickly. And I certainly have a hard time pushing myself hard enough to make it happen.

I love SP! I have been a member for years! It truly is amazing how that website is free. The people on there are always so nice and helpful. I lost 25lbs (gained 5 back) and I am trying to lose an additional 15 lbs. I use Weight Watchers program but go on SP for all my information and for my support group.

When it comes to weight loss i realized it was all mental for me. I was already overweight when I got pregnant last year, 200lbs, and then gained an additional 60lbs during the pregnancy, and still had 30lbs left over from the pregnancy by the time my son was 10wks old, which was in March of this year. Yep, 230lbs. I made a decision to lose the weight, after first making a quick trip to the donut shop , because I can't be 230 with a toddler. I'd be exhausted! So, I started with the 1st day to 5K running program, a strength training program my friend gave me, and the Extreme Fat Smash Diet. I lost 9lbs in the first 3 weeks. By the time I finished the 1st day to 5K program, 10wks, I had lost 30lbs and brought me back down to 200lbs. But, instead of quitting and just being happy to be back at 200, I kept going, ran some 5Ks, and currently training for a 10K, and now I'm down to 170lbs...staring at the oh so elusive 160s..lol But, I've lost 60lbs since March, and I have asthma. It takes hard work, but it can be done. Trust me, this is coming from the person who joined the Marching Band to avoid P.E..lol

Ahaha yeah! I cried every year at field day because I didn't want to run. I weigh 170 now too. A year ago I was 135. 9 pounds in 3 weeks is amazing!! I'm swimming and doing weights. I lost a couple inches everywhere but still have yet to SEE it. I got down to 135 initially by running but I hate it so much and love swimming. I don't FEEL like i'm getting as good of a workout, even though its supposed to be better. Guess I need to get back to the couch to 5k program....thanks for the motivation!!

Wow! That is amazing! I have asthma and allergies so I know how difficult it is to work out with it.

Keep up the good work!

I'm going to check this out, it sounds great!!

Glad to help! I know the feeling, my mile run always took 30 minutes when I was in school lol. I've always been overweight (read: 200+) so being 170 is new for me, I look forward to the day of being in the 150's.

I want to try swimming, as soon as I learn how to swim, so I may just take up this boxing class to mix it up with the running. It takes so much to get out the bed to go run, but I think I'm addicted to the euphoria after you run..lol
However, if you are losing inches and not losing weight, you are probably just gaining muscle which is just as good! Keep with it!

Yeah but i've only been swimming 2 or 3 times in the past month. I was doing good until my grandmother passed away almost a month ago. All routine just kinda went out the window then. Then the time changed which shouldn't have but threw me off. I know, lots of excuses. Haha Anyway, I think i'm going to start the couch to 5k program tomorrow. I'm convinced i'll be able to make myself run this Friday while at the in-laws (they live in Canada and we're having a pre-wedding reception Saturday). Hopefully the party is the motivation I need to be in BETTER shape by February!