Small question for those using myfitness pal if I may.

[Realfoodieclub]

Can I ask your advise on whether you eat your running calories as well? There seem to be some really good results from myfitness pal and I am thinking about giving it a go. Now that I am running week 8, I am worried that if I don't eat back my calories, I will not be getting enough calories on running days.

[crox Graduate]

That's your call, I eat if I'm hungry (drink first to make sure it's not thirst because we tend to confuse the 2).

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to crox]

Definitely try the drinking first when I feel hungry thanks.

[ju-ju- Graduate]

I have finished my weight loss now ( I have dropped 2 dress sizes and just under 2 stone) and its all thanks to Myfitnesspal. I ate every single calorie I was allotted as it made me get out there and work for my food!!!! Good luck!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to ju-ju-]

Wow, so that's how you get the sleek panther look. Myfitness pal seems to have good results I'm definitely going to give it a go. Thanks for the encouragement.

[Beads Graduate]

Yes and no. Now I'm maintaining I try to, but when I was losing I tried to stay at about 1500 calories for the day regardless of whether I ran, went to the gym, did other exercise or nothing (no planned exercise, Wednesdays are meant to be my rest days). If I need a 'balance' day (i.e. low calorie because I've over eaten or plan to) and it's a run day then I don't usually eat them back.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Beads]

I like the idea of balance days. Thanks for the reply.

[Poppy2010 Graduate]

Hi! I try not to eat all I have gained on MFP from running/cycling, but do find I get 'hungry' days (eg; yesterday; late shift at work, having run 3 times in the week, and 14 1/2 mile bike ride, then parkrun on Saturday...) so I split my food, late breakfast at home, ham sandwich for lunch, couple of hours later homemade soup for tea; then homemade low fat, high veg turkey mince curry for dinner, grapes as a snack at home at 11.30pm waiting for washing machine to end! I think it is a case of balancing things out and not stressing; everyone has times/days when things happen out of your control, but then it is up to you to take control and get back on track (1 bad day is easily put right over a week!)

Eating smaller and more often and logging everything seems to keep me on track and question what I am consuming (do I really need that Easter egg - no; it's still in my fridge!) as I am so aware of how hard I work for the calories earned exercising! I have only bought 1 treat from the work vending machine in the last three months, and I tracked that too; I often see the same people at the machine 2 or 3 times a shift!

I have lost 3st 3lbs on Weight Watchers and MFP (moved onto MFP in July); changed shape a lot but still have a good 3st-ish to go; but was able to easily fit into Next size 16 jeans today (I started out in tight size 20/22's 51 weeks ago!) I have seen on here a lot of people have lost more weight than me in a lot shorter time but I am happy with the changes I have achieved so far, it is definitely for life and I am not going to be an unhealthy blob on the couch ever again!

Good luck & keep us posted!

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Poppy2010]

Well done on your brilliant achievement. I like the idea of being a bit relaxed if the week gets a bit out. I like the way you can just check the week at a touch of a button and see how your doing. Hopefully. I will be posting some good news along with my runs. Thanks for your help.

[mason73 Graduate]

Hi been using mfp for a month now after reading about it on onecof juicyju blogs I only ever eat half the calories that I gain from exercise and have lost half a stone so well worth a try glad I did x

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to mason73]

Wow 1/2 a stone in a month that's great. I think I like the way it lets you be in control. Definitely trying it. Thanks for the reply

[Hidden]

I've lost just over 3 1/2 stone this year with myfitnesspal and I ate my additional earn't calories at the weekend from my extra long runs, but didn't in the week if I didn't need them.

I've found that the app educated me to make better choices and use butter far more sparingly when you weigh it you realise how little you're allowed.

If anything I now need to work out how to stop loosing weight without going back to bad choices (chocolate not in moderation) so I'm adding peanut butter on toast and nuts and dried fruit to my diet.

Good luck, I think you will find it very insightful when you record everything that passes your lips.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I like the idea of using the weekend like a treat day if I go running. It's a treat without the guilt. Thank you.