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sparkpeople

18 years ago

Just this morning someone mentioned this on line program. It is along the lines of e-diets, I think, without the fees. Totally free and seems to offer so much. Anyone here trying it? www.sparkpeople.com

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Comments (18)

parttimer
18 years ago
I've been with them about 2 weeks now. Lost 5 pounds. It is free and you track what you eat and how many calories you burn . It's a very upbeat site with a lot of good information. You earn points daily but they're just a self-motivational thing. Can't really do anything with the points except challenge your self or others. They do not push the idea of dieting as much as lifestyle changes. Kinda fun.
parttimer
17 years ago
Well I've been with SPARKPEOPLE since Jan 30, 2006 and as of today I've lost 55#.
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Found this from the WBAL TV site under their diet and fitness articles - thought you might like to check this out. Very similar to WW but FREE. You can tell what web surfing I'm doing right now - motivational! Here is a link that might be useful: Sparkpeople
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Koolkelli, I think I can definitely help you! Based on the information you provided in your profile, it sounds like you have a high muscle mass (aka, 170lbs at just 4'11", yet only a size 12 and having a 'muscular frame but not looking bad'). It sounds like you are a 'solid girl' who builds muscle easily and still has some left over from more intense training days (this will actually work to your advantage). I am exactly like you- the same build and used to have the same problem. You do eat the right foods, but certainly too much! My thinking was like this at one time too, how can you feel guilty about eating an entire plate of broccoli or whole grain pasta? They are good for you! But too much of anything is bad, even when it is healthy food. I used to clear a plate, any plate that was put in front of me regardless of how hungry I was. You are not alone, but this is a bad habit that you must learn to break. Your out of control eating is a sign that you have a fast metabolism and burn quickly, but you constantly tax your metabolism with too much (good) food. There are a few things in your diet and lifestyle that you must correct that will fix this. First of all, you are always hungry, which means you are never satisfied. Eating the right foods that are both healthy AND satisfying will be critical in your weight loss journey. You will want to incorporate a high amount of healthy fats (monounsaturated fats specifically) that are heart healthy and will also satisfy your cravings. These will also keep you full longer. I have found that the flat belly diet or paleo diet work great to assist with this. Your lack of energy is attributed to your overeating: I know I have struggled with this as well- I was very well known to come home from work each day and immediately raid the fridge because I was starving, only to then be too full to workout. I would sometimes make myself workout anyway, but would find myself tired and sluggish and struggling with energy. This occured at other times in the day too when I would eat a large meal and then not have energy to do other tasks. Your body is focusing on digesting all the food which slows the rest you down. Don't do this to yourself- stop at 80% full! You don't need to feel obligated to finish any plates, just eat what is the right amount for you. You will learn over time what is the correct amount your body needs. A few tips that will be crucial to you: 1) Cut the sugar! This is killing you (lots to read about this online, sugar causes cravings, mood swings, spikes in blood sugar witch affects your hormones, impairs your immune system, reduces healing time, etc- once you cut this out you will find yourself having more self control and not an out of control appetite). Sugar is found in many processed food souces (table sugar, syrups, lactose sugars in milk, honey, maple syrup, corn syrup, brown rice syrup, agave, etc). 2) Exercise MUST be the number one priority in your journey. Specifically cardio. I would recommend HIIT training (which is high intensity interval training-- this burns the most fat in the least time- you can do just a 20 minute workout a day for great results). Add in fun strength training workouts too to keep you motivated: Try aerial yoga, yoga, silk, rock climbing, etc, 3) Keep a food log. If you have to write everything down, you are less likely to keep eating (as this gets soooo old after a while!). You will also be more aware of what you are eating which is necessary to understand what and when and (ultimately) why you eat how much you do. 4) Music! Music will help push you through your workouts so you you push yourself as far as you can. It's like having a personal trainer or good friend to yell at you :) These tips should help- don't stress, if you COMMIT and do the right this (as I've outlined above), you WILL lose weight, no doubt. But you must be willing to put the work in to achieve the results. I have faith in you, this worked for me and I'm so happy to be down to a normal, healthy and comfortable weight! Good luck!
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ruthieg__tx
17 years ago
I looked up the website and it sure has a lot of freebie info on it...I liked what I saw...
Tikanas2
17 years ago
Wow Parttimer, I am IMPRESSED!

I like Spark People. I prefer to track my food on Fitday, but Spark People is a great place for motivation, support and challenges. I never knew I was so competetive! lol.

Congratulations!
parttimer
17 years ago
Well I've been with SPARKPEOPLE since Jan 30, 2006 and as of today I've lost 74#.

It's been about 2# a week with a little fluctuation. I haven't eliminated anything from my diet - just portion control. The improvements in the site during the last 6 months have been amazing. The staff is very responsive to the members even though there are few of them.

I find the challenges very motivatiional. I'm sticking with SPARKPEOPLE until I reach my goal weight - A WAYS OFF YET.
awm03
17 years ago
Diet trackers are great. They're a terrific tool for weightloss & improving your eating habits. There are a number of brands that all do the same thing. Some are web based & some are downloadable programs. I use a purchased software, DietPower, & have lost 39 pounds since January 2006. Some people in this forum have had good luck with Calorie King. There was an article in the Wall Street Journal last January about diet trackers & the pros & cons of using them.

Here is a link that might be useful: WSJ article on nutrition tracking software
donna_southnj
17 years ago
I just heard about sparkpeople on Thursday from a co-worker who has been on it just about 2 weeks and is down 9 lbs. She showed me her print out and it looks reasonable. Apparently based upon your food plan for the week you even get a food shopping list. I am counting points on WW but will definitely have to check this site out.
Tikanas2
17 years ago
Donna, I think that you will like Spark People. A lot of great articles, motivation and support. There are "Challenges" there too which can really spur you on.

Tikanas
ruthieg__tx
17 years ago
sign up for the emails because they have great information...they are not just junk mail but full of great stuff.
cherbo
17 years ago
After reading this post I signed up at SparkPeople Aug. 31 and have lost 10 lbs. Yeah me! Like ruthieg_tx wrote, sign up for the emails and read the articles, I have and they help me stay motivated.
Bizzo
17 years ago
I use WW etools as my tracker but I love sparkpeople for motivation and tips. i especilly love the pics that go with instructions for exercise. I've added 20 minutes of stretching to my routine and got somre of it from SparkPeople.
parttimer
17 years ago
Well I've been with SPARKPEOPLE since Jan 30, 2006 and as of today I've lost 92#.

I've slowed down little from the 2# a week to a little over 1.5# a week but that's OK. The site still completely amazes me with how positive it remains. The staff is so accessible and are constantly upgrading the site. The members are extremely encouraging. My favorite part of it just might be the challenges.
awm03
17 years ago
My sister is thinking about signing up with SparkPeople, but she's afraid she'll get a lot of spam. Anybody get a lot of spam after starting with SparkPeople?
Maura63
14 years ago
bump
helencolby
14 years ago
I just went over to Sparkpeople and a virus warning popped up on my screen, so I don't think I will go back there. Those darned warnings about give me a stroke !!

I have begun to use Fitday and really like it so far.

Helen
Bonnie_CT
Original Author
14 years ago
I was so surprised to receive copies of emails supposedly responding to my post on gardenweb. Whoa, I thought, I haven't been there in ages. So I checked it out and here it is...imagine my surprise to see folks responding to something I posted 3 years ago!
Helen, that is baffling about the virus warning. I've been on and off that site the past 3 years, and know many others who faithfully use that site and never had a problem. Perhaps your anti-virus program is set to a super sensitivity level that would pick up on something quite innocuous. But I am sure no expert on that.
Haven't heard of Fitday.
helencolby
14 years ago
I think maybe I will go over to SP again and check it out and see if my Anti virus pops up a warning. I sure hope not. I want to see what all the accolades are about.

Helen
helencolby
14 years ago
I just got into SP with no problems at all. No red alerts or anything. I HAVE been to this site before and liked it but forgot about it until recently. Then I got those virus warnings and that my friends scares the holy bejeebers out of me. I am going to see what's new over there.

Helen

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