woah... are those MY finances??

stewby

Sadly they took the pedometer back off me.


Would you recommend buying one??
:undecided

That's me set up my account. Just installed the app on my phone and set everything up.
It seems pretty simple to use.


I have put in my tattie soup and said it will make 6 portions and it works out at 80 calories a portion so that's good.
I think I am just going to add in the regular meals I make (such as lasagne, fajitas, soup, etc) so that I just have to click to add them. Will have to think of at least one more... can't have an odd number.


Thanks for all your help scubaangel.
Hugs.

scubaangel

Nah I wouldn't tbh, my Dad has a fairly 'all singing all dancing' one and it doesnt tell him any more than he already knew about the walks we go on - the rough distance, the rough pace etc, number of steps when you walk the same routes all the time tend to stay the same.

A pedometer at work would only double up on the calories you've already asked MFP to factor in thanks to the activity levels you've set.

If you've a smart phone I'd say download something like endomondo and use that if you go out for a walk somewhere other than work, when you link it to the mfp account it automatically syncs the calories burned in to the mfp diary. I know for example that the walk I did with Dad this afternoon is 3.6 miles, and will take us around an hour, and burn 350-360 calories so could input it manually, but its easier to just use the endomondo app and it'll be logged when I go to look at adding my food.

Def agree that having common recipes already there is easier in the long run.

stewby

So... the endmondo app does walking as well?? Cause I know you are quite a fan of running so I thought it might have been a running app. (I am nowhere near the running stage).
I am going to download that too.


Thanks for the advice about the pedometer. I will let OH know. He is doing the diet with me. He has even suggested walking to tescimos to go shopping sometimes as A) we will be walking, and we won't buy as much stuff so will limit the budget, and C) we will be saving money on petrol. I love how supportive he is being.


Thanks again for all your help scubaangel.
Hugs.

scubaangel

Yup you can set it to alsorts of activities, I do alot more walking than I do running and use it for both - when you're thinking about running theres a C25K app which syncs to mfp too although I get bored of it after the first week and stop using it again.

Walking to the shop sounds like a good idea - backpack for heavy stuff and decent reusable bags for the rest and you'll be able to get most of the essentials (I used to walk to the T's outside camp from work, obv living on my own I'd not need as much as the two of you will).

Sounds like he's being great, the guy I lived with was utterly hopeless when I decided to lose some weight and get fitter, he'd regularly buy packets of Maryland Cookies and just sit eating the entire pack in front of me. Then tease me for my slow running times.

Fmess

You two late night chatting again!

I think 1000 calories is too low for a long term diet change and you would struggle to stay full. I usually do between 1200 and 1400, sometimes start with 1400 for a few weeks and then reduce it. Why don't you halve your portion of your high calories meal and have it with salad? Or don't have the cheese? I read somewhere that you should not have more than 600 calories in any meal.

I have started The Skinny Rules today and apart from forgetting the berries for my yoghurt, and so having boring yoghurt, it is going well. Also managed an hour at the gym and now off to walk the dogs. Fingers crossed I can keep this up!

I'm also trying the MyFitnessPal app . Thanks for the recommendation scubaangel

stewby

I think my plan is to buy the nintendo ds game (for £10 from amazon) as it will give us two pedometers. That way, I can use the endomondo app for when we are doing actual walks, but use the pedometer for everyday stuff (when it is a bit stoppy and starty like at work).
:undecided

I like games. They keep my short attention span entertained so I am likely to stay focussed and keep trying.


Glad to hear you are trying the app as well fmess. It looks really good.


My OH has really stepped up to the plate recently. I am very appreciative of it and know that I am a very very lucky girl. (I am one of those who is definitely hitting above her station so to speak). He is very cute and spoils me rotten.


Forgetting your berries on your very first day!! You are going to have to plan better than that fmess!!


My dad is wanting to try the 5:2 diet but I am quite concerned about the health risks. Do you guys know much about it?? I think 600 calories a day wouldn't be enough for him to live on. He is quite a large man (think rugby player sized), works hard and is always stressed. Surely he would need more calories that this so that he doesn't become unwell??
:undecided

Fmess

I'm sure you and your OH both have great qualities!

I forgot the berries as I haven't done the weekly shop yet, and when I popped into the supermarket on Boxing Day they had ran out Considering going to Ald! tonight or tomo for fresh food. I think lots of fresh fruit and veg is going to have a big impact on my budget Going to have to find a balance.

I know a lot of women who do the 5:2 diet but no one who sticks to it long term. I think it's too strict for me and like you say might not suit someone of your dad's build. Perhaps he could do it with 800 calories?

heartbreak_star

*de-lurks*

Stop thinking about calories so much - your body processes different types of calories in a different way - for example 500 calories of cake will cause different reactions to 500 calories of steak also if you cut down overall fuel too much, your body will go into starvation mode and you'll hold fat.

Make sure you're getting enough protein and lower carbs rather than fat. Also weight-train (not on machines! free weights or plyometric) - don't just do cardio!

Heard good things about the 5:2 diet and thinking about trying it. As long as you don't do a huge workout on a fast day, there's no real problem with it.

Whew! Now I can say good to hear about your trip to Paris hope everyone had a good Christmas!

HBS x

scubaangel

I looked at 5:2 but decided I was setting myself up to get bored and give up, if I'm honest I struggle with the idea of "dieting" in general. I don't see the need for following any kind of a plan unless the more basic fewer calories in, more calories burned stuff fails first, hence finding that MFP works for me.

That said if your Dad is going to try it then he'll need to be working out exactly how many calories in everything he eats to work out the best 'value' for his restricted calorie days.

runforlife

Hey Stewby, Glad to see you've had a crack at the my fitnesspal app. Don't worry too much about it. It can become a tad obsessive but the general idea is to be calorie aware along with eating the right types of food e.g. protein, fats etc. It certainly helps do that and its really useful as there are a lot of foods that you buy on the high street that are on the app. e.g. starbucks coffees, macdonalds etc.

When I started along with running (I use run keeper) I found that I wasn't eating enough calories over time and therefore my weight did NOT go down. I upped my calories to 2000 a day (Male) and low and behold!! Weight loss!

Don't get too worked up if your calories go over one day or are way low on another or if you have a 'fatty' day or vice versa. Over time they even out.

Good look with it. You can see some amazing results on the community forums!