The best tools to purchase

I really want to encourage all of you to go to Fitday.com and take a look at the free web-based food tracking system. I started out using the free version and then paid my $20 for the upgraded version. That $20 was a GREAT investment. I can tell you from experience that I use mine faithfully and go to bed each night knowing that I am within my target of calories and protein levels. I spend no more than 5 minutes a day logging everything in and this is the main tool that has allowed me to really keep dropping the weight. I'm down 120 pounds since the first of this year and I had surgery on May 31st using this tool. I get no compensation for this little advertisement; I just beleive in the product. I know that sparkpeople.com has a comparable program and I would encourage you to check that one out before you buy. I've heard good things from both programs. I would also encourage you to buy a good digital scale. I wondered if making an investment of $30 at Wally World would be a wise expenditure. It was very worth it. These are a couple of my favorite picks in terms of good tools. November is just around the corner....may all of you find your success. John

John: Thanks for the advice. I also use FitDay and love it. I actually just use the online version - because I regularly access he site from different computers (work and home), the online version is perfect for me. I'm debating on upgrading my scale. The one I have is already digital, but I'd like one that reads my body fat percentage. I think this would be helpful when the pounds aren't coming off, but I'm building muscle/losing fat so I can keep track of the progress I'm making. Guess I need to price out the different type of scale and see if it's worth it. Another tool I plan to purchase is a program for my PDA called "On-Time Rx" - it's an alarm program that will remind me to take my meds or do other things. Such as when to stop drinking water 45 minutes before meals and when to take supplements throughout the day, etc. Isn't technology grand?! Pam

Pam, Opps...I meant to say "digital food scale" in my post. I'm sorry for the confusion. I weigh each week at the doctor's office on Monday morning (like clock work) and I have little use for my home scale except to see what the "trend" might be for the week. I hope this helps. Weighing scales will likely seem less important to you as time goes on. I know how I feel in my new life, and no scale will ever hold me captive again and make me justify my worth by what it says. I'm actually living life again...and it is great. I know where I am headed because in the mid 1980's I lost 130 pounds and managed to keep it off for 5 years. I'm VERY determined not to let that weight gain happen again, so I indend to work at it for life. Straight on till morning... John

John, I have the free version but I was wondering what the $20 extra got you? Gail

Gail, Since the online version is slow and cumbersome, my best guess is that you will be more likely to avoid abandoning it when you need it most later on down the road. As I mentioned, I literally spend no more than 5 minutes a day on my entries. There are also a lot of reports which I honestly don't use...but they are really good reports for those who want that feedback. I just want fast reporting and I have loaded in all of my favorite foods. It also stores them all as well as organizes them into groups better...at least as I recall. Hope this helps. If you find that you don't want the $20 version, you get a full refund in 30 days if you desire. John P.S. If you are in two locations for entry it may be better for the online for now. Post-op, believe me, you will be able to "catch up" easily when you get home at the end of the day. You just won't be eating that much after surgery to remember what to enter...and you should be satisfied.