The venue may have changed (from Spark to MyFitnessPal) but the goal is still the same
Every morning I log in somewhere for my daily dose of
motivation. For 12 years it was Spark, now
I am becoming quite comfortable in my After Spark life.
Now I check in with my 2 lifeboat google groups of refugees. I like keeping up with old friends and
learning about possible final destinations.
The more info the better
My reading list of blogs keeps me connected as well as reading the comments on
my own blogspot blog.
Then I check in with my new teams of Sparkers over at
MyFitnessPal.
More friends being found every day.
While I love the connections with friends old and new, I
know that for me nutrition is most important.
I learned long ago that I cannot outrun my fork. Also I have an innate tendency to
underestimate the calories I consume. Occasional
checks with my food scale bring my portion distortion back to reality.
Fortunately, I like data and playing the “what if” game –
also know as “Adventures in Food Tracker Land”
I have essentially disengaged from Spark and now use the
MyFitnessPal food tracker.
It’s hard for this long-time Spark cheerleader to say this, but I like it
better than the SP version
If there are complaints about it, I haven’t found any yet. Note that I use a laptop and not my phone.
This is my plan for today. Always keeping an eye on sodium
and sugar. It’s in everything!
I can easily adjust it to reflect changes during the day and when done I will be informed what my weight is predicted to be if I ate like this every day.
Whatever I decide today, I will know the facts going
in.
I prefer that to being blindsided or retreating into denial – Very easy for me
to do.
One day won’t hurt but over time THAT does NOT end well.
I’ve got to have a plan I can LIVE with.
My goal is to make my choices and own them, NO SURPRISES, NO
EXCUSES
No surprises, no excuses. After all, it's US driving that fork-lift! 😁✨ Spark on, whatever the platform!
ReplyDeleteExactly, in the end motivation must come from within
DeleteNice blog!
ReplyDeleteSince I've been saying goodbye to Spark I've been re-evaluating and charting information gathered from different calculators and sites. I learned quite a bit and now will update that learning with new-found skills.
That's exactly how I feel - Like I've expanded my horizons
DeleteI also like the flexibility of the food tracker on MFP, and I track using the phone app. I plan to visit the site on my computer as I understand accomplishing some things is easier in that venue.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I'm moving on from Spark. I visit each morning to read blogs, but no longer log there. I'll limit how many sites I interact on, as it's easy to be sucked into a timesuck hole on the internet and I have to work hard to stay free of that and moving.
Happy Tuesday!
I agree.I will only keep my page open over there as long as I'm still being contacted by others. I must admit that the site has been withering away for years kept alive by a relatively small number of dedicated Sparkers. Time to move on somewhere else.
DeleteGood blog Eileen! I may have to check out My Fitness Pal. Right noww I am still using SP.
ReplyDeleteTo my surprise I really like MFP. For a free site it is very well organized and maintained. The ads are so unobtrusive they do not interfere with my activity there. I remember the Spark ads before I did the one time payment for premium offer. Those would pop up and obscure the screen and defy any attempt to delete them.
DeleteVery nice, I have joined my fitness pal but haven't really utilized it. I am glad to hear you are and you are happy with it. Been off sparks for a month now. I need re buckle down. Thank you for a great blog! Elizabeth
ReplyDeleteYes, I am impressed with MFP and happy to interact with Spark friends who have found their way over there and set up groups (teams) for us. I was on Spark for 3 years as a hermit so now I understand that community is what we make it. It's really up to us. The tools are there. We just have to use them.
DeleteYou know I have been peeking around My Fitness Pal at the moment - haven't signed up yet but we shall see. Still working out my own plan and will see if I need a bit more help.
ReplyDeleteI've often said that I could probably lose and maintain the weight on my own, but any journey is easier with friends. You can find me on MFP with my Spark name.
Deletegetting more comfortable here, too!
DeleteGreat you found a place,
ReplyDeleteYes, MFP seems a good fit for me. So far so good
DeleteHope to somehow keep in touch with others wherever they end up.
Stopped tracking on SP a week after closure announcement was made and have been repeating good days from records downloaded with no gain. Signed up on Spark360 and now MFP. First attempts to track on MFP were frustrating but it was a day of very little sleep. Marching forward.
ReplyDelete~PHOENIX1949
I won't be joining Spark360 but I hope we can be connected elsewhere.
DeleteYou hit the nail on the head with this one: "I learned long ago that I cannot outrun my fork." Love MFP that shows actual and net calories, but since underestimating calories is easy to do, I pay the most attention to actual and don't "eat back" my calories. getting a routine now that is gradually phasing out spark. Sad but true.
ReplyDeleteI don't eat back my calories either.
DeleteSo glad you have transitioned well and are settling in. I'm still work in progress in this transition and taking a break. Just has a visual of you running from a giant fork. LOL Thanks for the truth and smiles.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was a surprise to me that there is truly life "After Spark"
ReplyDeleteYup, 90% of maintenance is the food part!! And better to have no surprises!! I'm glad you're feeling comfortable in your post-Spark life!!
ReplyDeleteSummer vacation has started and I’m hoping to get used to MyFitnessPal. I want to be like you and find a comfortable post Spark life. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you here. As a long time Spark cheerleader, no one was more surprised than me to discover the many alternatives FREE and useful. Very happy though to still keep in touch with old friends.
DeleteGood luck to you! I moved to MFP with my whole challenge group from SP. I like the platform there. Following you and a couple of other former SP bloggers here. My “role models” from the Spark universe!
ReplyDeleteSUSMANNIE
Glad you're happy with MFP for nutrition tracking. My initial SP nutrition tracking exploration began with Cronometer and that's where I've stayed. It has the level of detail needed to address the ongoing nutrient deficiencies plaguing my health and well-being despite eating well for the vast majority of my life. Testing has indicated genetics is a part of my challenge. Happy to be in the hands of a skilled clinical nutritionist and find a nutrition tracking tool to support that effort. I'm with you: for me, nutrition is most important. ~ JEANKNEE
ReplyDeleteGood to know! I was just looking at MFP. Do you know how I can add your blog to my reading list? I was able to add ONEKIDS MOM but can't see how to add yours. - Betsy
ReplyDeletenever mind! I figured out how to do it.
ReplyDelete