hi everyone

[G+_James Thatcher]

hi everyone. OK, I wasn't really going to go this public about it, but I figured this was a good time. Gina Trapani had talked about "Loose It" in the arena (sorry if you haven't watched it yet - spoilers?) and I've been using a similar app called "My Fitness Pal"... now MFP has been around for a very long time, even on the web prior to being an app on android or iOS, and I can tell you this type of app really does work.

 

I weighted a lot (let's just say I'm called BigJim in the chat for a reason), let's just say I was always the "overly husky" kid you went school with (I was constantly called "Fat-cher" instead of "Thatcher"). Last year on Aug 2nd I had a doctor's appointment, and my doctor basically told me if I wanted to see my son graduate from high school (he was 1-1/2 at the time) that I needed to loose weight and get in shape now. I also knew from previous dieting that I didn't want to loose it fast. A few years ago I lost about 100lbs in about 4 months, Dr. Mom at the time told me that this was probably not a good idea (FYI Dr. Mom is not my physician, but I trust her opinion), however being stupid I thought I could handle it and it would be OK... well after I stopped my body didn't understand that it didn't need all that food and I just started eating again, I had not trained my stomach to take smaller bits... yeah... let's just say I gained what I lost back and more... So this time I decided to use MFP.... the max this app will help you loose is 2lbs (just like Loose it), and I guess if your trying to bulk up it will also help you gain weight.

 

Long story short (too late) It's been a year... I had a goal to loose about 175 lbs over 2 years, (I figured that was a safe goal)... Well, even following the calories plan of the app I've done it in 1 year... yeah... so I went to my doctor. She said, if you followed this type of plan and you've done it for a year, your probably going to be ok to maintain that weight, but to stay on the app for at least another year with a goal of 0 (in other words train your brain and your body to make sure that you actually can do this at the appropriate calorie level).

 

I'm not posting this for accolades, or pride, or any vain reasoning - I'm posting this because I'm 34 years old, I'm a father chasing after a 2.5 year old and I feel better. I don't have to ask for extender belts on the airplane when I fly now (btw, typing this on a United flight via my Nexus 7 (old school) and moto bluetooth keyboard), I've dropped 6 pant sizes (maybe 7), and I've decided I'm going to maybe loose just 35 more pounds (yes the doctor said it was ok) before I stop. I'm not asking to be recognized for this, I'm telling you that YOU CAN DO IT TOO! Some people feel like Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers is their thing, but let's be honest, we're geeks and nerds - we want data... I think these types of apps (Loose it, My Fitness Pal, the livestrong app) are things that we need to take seriously and do. Yes, it's tedious . Yes, your going to have to get up from your desk and go exercise (do what I do, go take a walk at lunch time - you need to get away from the crap of the rwj anyway). But I know if I can do it, you can too...

 

Much love to all the AAA community

[G+_TJ Evans]

Second the vote for MFP, been using it - and yes, it definitely helps keep a handle on how much you are actually taking in.

[G+_Marlon Thompson]

Hey man thanks for sharing and I hope you stay healthy. I just started my own fitness plan and as you said as a nerd I am using apps, too collect data and use it to motivate me. 

[G+_Marlon Thompson]

Can I just say I love this community

[G+_Marlon Thompson]

I love this community :) 

[G+_TJ Evans]

As an aside, MFP and FitBit work together rather nicely.

Would be even better if the Fitbit people would update their app so it could sync right off my phone instead of requiring the PC-dongle to update ... Android 4.3 shoudl provide the requisite connectivity.

[G+_TJ Evans]

My understanding is that stock Android didn't have the right software support, but in 4.3 the kernel supports the BT-lower-power-whatchyamacallit and is supposed to do this once the FitBit .APK is updated. 

(ISTR that the Samsung S4 exposed this support through their BT customization in software ...)

[G+_TJ Evans]

Right, that statement was from before Android 4.3 dropped though - and my

understanding (that is a disclaimer) is that 4.3 would make it possible ...

time will tell :).

 

 

/TJ

[G+_Nathan Jones]

James Thatcher a great inspirational story, thank you.

[G+_Michael A]

Vote for MFP here. I started using it (again) about a week ago. (Before Gina Trapani review) and I have to say it works great. The UI is nice and easy and it really makes you pay attention to what you shovel into your mouth. (That's the point, isn't it)

 

Well done James Thatcher on your success. I hope to lose 30lbs and MFP is already helping me as well.

 

(No, I"m not an employee of MFP, just a user)

[G+_Donald Prescott]

Been using MFP for about two years. Dropped 40lbs the first year and have kept it off while eating pretty much anything I want but making sure to keep my calorie count at the maintenance level. This really works for me. MFP or Loose It both look to be good tools to use. It takes a while to get a feel for portion control and these apps really help with that. It also reminds you that less in and more out equals weight loss.

[G+_TJ Evans]

Agreed; as annoying as it is to enter every meal it really gives you a

feel for how much you do eat vs. how much you should eat ... and it

does eventually become a habit (both the tracking and the better eating).

((~50lbs down so far, maybe 15 more to go.))

 

 

/TJ