SparkPeople

[SirenSongWoman]

I've always resisted food journaling because it's such a chore. But, after hitting a long plateau and cleaning up my diet didn't result in new progress, it's become obvious it's necessary. So I tried for six days, on my own, but it's been as big a pain as I recall (though VERY revealing...). Then I remembered someone here mentioned SparkPeople.com and I checked it out. Though it's not fun rounding up all the foods I regularly eat and entering all the data (hardly nothing I eat is in their system), and I've only entered about 1/3, it's already going to be great. I used the "copy meal" feature for tomorrow's breakfast, because I nearly always eat the same thing, and now I won't have to re-enter all that stuff (oatmeal with protein powder, raisons, mixed berries, skim milk, blah, blah, blah... what a drag). This is going to make the job of tracking my food so much easier. Maybe then I can get to the bottom of what's holding up my progress once and for all.

So, to whomever mentioned SparkPeople, THANK YOU!

 

[baylian]

Someone mentioned

another food site but it's the middle of the night here and I am awake and tired at the same time and for the life of me cannot remember the name of it!

As a matter of fact - it was me who posted the thread!

Do a search for Sparkpeople and see what you come up with.

 

[Shadowpup]

SparkPeople is a wonderful (free) site for supporting weight loss through healthy lifestyle changes and a social structure for support - there's a team of Cathe-ites there, btw, and several of us are lurking/posting here as well. The nutrition logger has recently been updated, so if you tried it at an earlier point and didn't like it, you might prefer the new one.

Another food logging site I've used is FitDay (purchasable software or use the online for free). I've been using their nutrition tracker software for almost two years now, and it's quite helpful in identifying positive/negative eating trends. The single disappointment I've had with that program is the time it takes to enter in foods: they haven't been doing a good job of keeping their database updated, and the restaurant meals are inadequate compared to other sites.

 

[LauraMax]

Stacey, I just signed on this Monday! I NEVER thought I'd need a website to help me lose weight, but over the last year or so I think my metabolism has changed & it's become so much harder!

Anyway, what I've been doing so far, if they don't list what I've eaten, is try to find similar foods & plug them in. I figure that way I at least have an estimate of my cal/carb/fat intake.

So far I really like the site. It's easy to use & is helping me keep on track.

 

[Connie07]

I like www.myfitnesspal.com the food database is HUGE!

 

[LaughingWater]

I use Fit Day.

You'll get used to logging your food. At first, I was totally resentful that I had to list everything I ate or drank (You don't give fruit juice much thought, ya know?).

Now it's a habit I don't mind, and I'm getting pretty good at eyeballing portion sizes and estimating calories. That comes in handy when you're eating out.

In addition, it helps to make sure you eat enough (especially on weight days), and if you decide to stagger calories, you can do so easily.

 

[RapidBreath]

don't forget there is a cathe fans spark team!

And I'm in it! Me and several others (I did not start it.)

Come and join us. Blog. Post a personal thread.