Using fitday as a tool

I don't think this is coincidence: I started using fitday.com last week to monitor what I'm eating, if I'm hitting my protein, vitamins, etc. In the 9 days since I started using it, I've lost 7 lbs! My goal for July 7 (four months) was 252 and I'm at 253 right now! I put in everything I eat, all my activity (exercise, food prep, eating, dressing, showering all burns calories and you can input it here--the funniest one is "sexual activity"), I added a range of calories, protein and water that I need to hit and it tells me when I've done it. It can tell you what vitamins and minerals you might be deficient in, it tracks your exercise progress, it charts your weight loss (you can backtrack to your surgery date and chart it) and, best of all... ...it is FREE! If you aren't keeping a journal, this is a great way to do it and it helps! IMPORTANT NOTE: Do not trust the nutritional information that is in their database, if you don't have to. READ AND INPUT EVERY LABEL of food you consume. Sometimes what they have is way off from what I eat. You only have to input a label once and it'll stay in your custom file to get it again the next time you eat. Eventually, it becomes just point and click to get in all your info. Those of you who don't feel you're losing enough, or have hit plateaus, or EVERYBODY who wants to track what they're doing, go to fitday.com. Greg (342/253/178)

Amen Greg. I was using it online and then paid the $19.95 to download it to my computer. I just didn't want to have to log on all the time (dial-up at home). I was pleased to see that I am making my protein mark and doing great in other areas like calcium. I was a little freaked out the first time I looked at my daily average calories, but was reassured that under 500/day was perfectly fine. Take care, J

Jenny, How do you like the downloaded program? I've been tossing around the idea of buying it because I'd like to be able to print out stuff to take to my Nut for check-ups. On the online program, it won't let you. Are there other advantages, as well? Thanks, Becky

Becky, The printing is a big bonus. As a matter of fact I took my printouts to the dietician today along with a general nutrition summary. You can enter your body measurements, there are more reports, it's easier to search for foods and activities, easier to enter custom foods and activities. You can also indicate whether you ate a food as lunch, dinner, snack, etc. There are alternate columns you can use in your log to mark who you ate with, where you ate and why you ate. If you want there is a "mood log" and a journal. I felt it was worth the $19.95. If I could only sync it with my Palm Pilot ... Take care, J

Hey Greg... I just started using fitday also. So far I've only tracked my foods, but as I get to know it better I hope to use it to it's fullest. The fact that something that powerful is free is amazing. I Have already recommended it to many people, in and out of the WLS community. Best of luck on your journey! Joe D. Distal RNY (open) 5/9/05 Dr. Iqbal 446/391/199*

I could not agree more! I love fitday.com. I admit I don't use it every single day, just maybe 3-4 times/week to see where I am and what my average is, but I have seriously considered doing it daily. One thing you mentioned was putting even like showering in there, I don't do that, but I SHOULD!! I just put any 'going out and taking a walk' type exercise. Hmm...thanx for the tip!! AND CONGRATS on your loss!! Michelle Open RNY 5/3/05 326/289/175

Your so right Greg, Fitday is awesome tool. I don't remember who had mentioned it to me, but it was one of the first things that someone on this message board suggested to me when I signed on and its been extremely helpful. ---Sabrina

Greg, I'm using fitday everyday (I bought the downloaded version.) It really helps me stay on track in so many ways! I recommend it to everyone! Lori

I too love fit day, but I had to give it a rest this weekend. I am slowly becoming addicted!!!! After everything I put in my mouth I was rushing to the pc to do data entry...so I stayed away from the pc this weekend, and I'll start logging again tommorow. It is another great tool!

See, and I know how I get: If I stop for a day or two, I'll blow it off completely. I HAVE to keep doing it. Besides, it's kinda fun. Greg (342/252/178)