Fantasic Site!!! Not just good, INCREDIBLE!!

Fuzzy Bear · 05-04-2007, 02:08 PM

I was given this incredible site by my sister.
The site is www.sparkpeople.com and you really should take the time to check it out. It is Amazing.
I've been yo-yo dieting for a couple of decades now (doesn't that sound awful?) and I've tried many a different kind of diet, with the usual results. This site will make my whole eating thing a snap ~ once I get the hang of it of course, but the tools on this site have already given me so much more than any other place I've tried. The main thing to remember is I haven't tried a "calorie conscious" type diet for at least 2/3's of that time and I have not tried the other sites with this feature.
You are even asked when you register (free) if you are diabetic and what other health issues you have so any recommendations that come from the site are based on your own needs.
You punch in what you have for each meal and it does the rest! If the exact food isn't on their list, you input it from your package nutrition label, so you can use the proper information. It tracks SO many things!! Calories, Carbs, Fat, Vitamins (individually) and Minerals too. It shows you how much of your meals are made up of Carbohydrates, Protein and Fat, and shows you what the numbers should be using the information you gave. (in Pie Charts)
It has bulletin boards, and chat, as well as teams and omg.. your own blog, journal ~ Private!! ~ it will track how much water you drink and how many walks you've done, or any other exercise routines that you use. As well as any goals you put in too. short medium and long term goals.
LOL I can't even finish telling you about all the things this site has to offer.

I do know though, that it has really made a difference with me. I can see what I'm doing right and what I'm doing wrong just by looking at the reports it produces from my data. It's simple but it offers so many things I'm sure I haven't found them all yet. (I prefer to look around rather than take tours)
I was amazed at how many calories I was eating even though I felt like I was eating next to nothing!
I also found out that eggs have different nutrients depending on the way you cook them... I'd never found that out before.. maybe it wasn't available when I did try the caloric diets. *shrug*
Anyone that isn't losing weight and can't understand why should try this site so you can visualize anything you might be able to do to help yourself.
I know it's made a BIG difference to my life and I've only been on it for less than a week. (I input a lot of past data though)
Seriously, check it out. I think you'll love it like I do!

Fuzzy Bear

Yes this does cost you money to do..

vicandla · 05-04-2007, 04:12 PM

Thanks for sharing I went and joined up and am looking forward to getting my weight off!!!

Manderlynn · 05-05-2007, 05:48 PM

I just signed up, This site is awesome! I LOOOVE the meal plans and the grocery list!

Praying4aMiracle · 05-05-2007, 06:47 PM

Thanks for recommending! I signed up, it looks like it will be very useful!

redheadedrobyne · 05-05-2007, 11:29 PM

Thanks for the info....but when I went to sign up I realized I am currently eating a lot less than they recommended and exercising more than they said.
Is there a place where I can tell them about Stein Leventhal Disease (PCOS) and they can factor that in?
thanks

rosettagirl · 05-06-2007, 12:34 AM

Great site! I joined too!

Fuzzy Bear · 05-07-2007, 07:09 PM

I don't think that someone with PCOS can be pinned down to one specific advice for health things.
I found some other posting about PCOS but nothing specific to do with the site itself.
I have been trying to find a place to send a note requesting a blood sugar tracker, but haven't found one yet. You could see if you can get a response to what you are thinking would be helpful if you can find a spot. Otherwise I would research the diet off the sparkpeople site (like here!! ) and put your own food in to be used for the data.
It's really helping me reduce my calories as well as balancing my foods into reasonable portions. I hope you will find it as useful as I do soon.
I'd be happy to help you work some of it out if you want to p.m. me ~ I'm using Fuzzy_Bear on that site too.

Fuzzy Bear

redheadedrobyne · 05-11-2007, 01:29 AM

Hi again....nearly five days after first being told about the Sparkspeople site...and I'm loving it.
My appologies for being so gloomy last Sat. I truly was at my wits end ....but now feel so much better.

I decided to try The Atkins Diet (it is posted everywhere on the Internet..so don't go and buy the book or anything)
With the help of the Sparkspeople website I am plugging in everything I am eating and making sure I keep my carbs lower than 20 gr per day. The site really helps me find all those tiny easily forgetable carbs.

I'm also working out on my manual treadmill (The Edge 500) that I bought on The Shopping Channel for $88 Cdn. It is available at Target and HSN in US. The thing is incredible and so easy to use and set up. I highly recommend.

Since Sat I am down 8.5 pounds (mostly water I bet...but who cares!!!)
I feel so much better than last week and feel like dancing.

thanks for the gifts from people.

Fuzzy Bear · 05-13-2007, 12:32 PM

I wanted to come to let you know how I have been doing since I started using the sparkpeople site to help me with my diet...
I'm keeping close to the 1200 calories my dietitian told me would be the lowest for me to go.
I'm able to make sure I take my vitamin every day.
And... the best part... in the 2 weeks I've been using it I've lost 8 lbs.!!!!!!
I really can't believe it's been so easy to do too.
My exercise is just walking for 45 min to an hour once a day. It's a leisurely walk too.

So keep on trying if you are using the site, and we should all be losing weight thanks to the site's guidelines!!

Good Luck everyone!!
If I can do it, I know you can too, if you really try....

Fuzzy Bear

Fuzzy Bear · 05-13-2007, 09:23 PM

I just wanted to up date about one of the questions that has been asked.

I found that the sparkpeople.com site does have a Spark team that is about PCOS; actually there are 7 of them!

Redheadedrobyne go to the Spark Teams tab at the top of your page and then go to the names of the Teams and look for Medical Conditions and there you'll find the teams for PCOS.

I'm sure there will be lots of help with motivation in that group!!

Fuzzy Bear

springview · 07-18-2007, 10:02 AM

thanks for sharing, this site is great!! I registered and am now following the program :-)

jenserra7 · 07-18-2007, 12:15 PM

I am so glad you guys foound Spark people!!! I totally LOVE it!!! I belong to the PCOS teams on there and between there and here I have all the support and info I could possibly want!! I lost 18 lbs in a month and i've been stuck since than, but I've been slacking!! You guys just totally put the fire under me to get going again! THANKS

springview · 07-23-2007, 04:47 PM

I have already lost 3 pounds by following the exercises and nutrition advice on this website, it is so helpful to be able to track your calories/carbs!! Even if you think you are not eating very much it can really add up if you are eating the wrong things... Thank you so much for posting this!!

docsharp · 07-24-2007, 12:39 PM

I love Sparkspeople but I haven't been good at entering my food in there as often as I should.

kmarlyse · 08-20-2007, 04:21 PM

I too am a member of SparkPeople, have been since 2006. I was a lurker but started to get actively involved in June of this year. The information and support offered there is amazing. I'll look for you all on the PCOS boards.