MyFitnessPal-a great buddy in getting healthy

So as I shared earlier this week, I'm doing my best to get healthy as a lifestyle, not just as a diet to lose quick weight. The Fitbit has been a great start, but I was hoping for a more extensive food database like I was used to on Weight Watchers.

Enter MyFitnessPal.

Actually, it was down to MFP and SparkPeople, both supported as partner apps by Fitbit. And just as I did when comparing the Bit to other similar devices, I did a quick Google search. MFP seemed to be what was coming up every time I did a search for "nutritional information for X restaurant." So with this information, and the recommendation of some friends using the site, I jumped in.

The best part? It's FREE!! Free! So I can get healthy and save money? Whoa.

Like FB or WW, MFP has a website and mobile apps, so no excuse for not tracking food and exercise on the go. It also links with RunKeeper, which I use to log walks, runs, bike rides and elliptical tours. So an entry on RK goes to MFP which then pushes to FB. Talk about efficient...3 for 1!

The key is that all food and exercise has to be entered on MFP and it will automatically push to FB. Easy enough, except for water. MFP counts by glasses, not ounces. So I still use FB for that (even though I still want them to up the goal!).

Like FB, you can link up with your friends on MFP to encourage each other on weigh ins, being under calorie goal on your day, etc. There are also extensive message boards for those wanting more encouragement or tips on the site or food ideas.

I'm enjoying that many foods I eat are already in the database, as foods entered by other users can be added to the master database. On WW, it was just my own personal adding and I had to add a lot of custom foods. But...this means you also may want to double check the nutritional label as sometimes human error occurs!

I also like the nutritional analysis. I am like a hawk on this, ever since I researched the relationship between sodium, potassium, and heart disease. I work daily to watch these levels, as well as my fiber intake. My trainer would be proud! (And she also probably wishes I was using this when we worked together last summer, as the reports are amazing!)

Like any other program, there are days I stick to the plan well, and days I go over. Each night when I mark my journal complete, MFP tells me "if every day were like today, you'd weight X in 5 weeks." Sure, it's an estimate. But it helps me keep it in check if I have a day where my weight is the same or more based on my results. If the number is less, I'm going in the right direction. Just can't have too many plateau or over days, but at least it allows you to breathe a little!

Let me know if you decide to give MFP a try and I'll send you a friend request so we can cheer each other on!