SparkPeople.com For Losing Weight?

I love Sparkpeople! Like some of the others said- it is very weightwatcherish but free! When I follow the program closely I do very well- when I don't well... expected results- but for me not throwing money away makes it a little easier to not beat myself up and just pick up and start over. I also really like the online support groups and have made some great online connection there that help. Much like being on here- sometimes it is easier to ask for support and help and being honest with basic strangers- who aren't making any other judgment. I also like the exercise video and recipes. For me the calorie tracker is easier then points.

SparkPeople put me on too low a calorie count each day (this one is based on calories ... I was given just 1,200 to 1,500 a day). I was hungry all the time but stuck with it for two weeks. I lost zero pounds! My body had gone into starvation mode, apparently. I quit SP at that point and joined Weight Watchers' Online only program. I love it! Much healthier dietary allowance each day. I feel full but I'm losing weight consistently. In my case, I definitely got what I paid for; free was a disaster but paying just a bit for a program with a longer, successful history was worth it.

My husband lost 50 lbs using Sparkpeople.com. It does work, if you have the discipline to enter everything you eat each day. Personally, I found it to be tedious, and did not keep it up as DH did. But it does make you accountable for your calories, and I did lose a nice bit of weight last spring, though I wasn't nearly as dedicated as DH in keeping it up for many months. I may go back to it at some point. I just have too many internet interests plus my job to add another thing I have to be on my computer for all the time.

i lost 30lbs with sparkpeople. i also liked that it was free :) their philosophy- like others- is that it isn't a diet, it's a lifestyle change. you log in your exercise and all you eat. there are forums for chatting/support, recipes, exercise ideas, and in some cities/groups even meet n greets. I didn't try any others,but i have heard it is very similar to WW but FREE :) it can calculate- to some degree- target calories and you can track other things like protein, fat, and calcium etc if you want. as with anything, though-- it's not magic, you still have to do the work. :)

HI L.
Sparkpeople combines a social site with learning and support so it gives you a lot more than say myfitday or livestrong and others- which are all great for individual tracking. But if you want the support, friends, teams and coach Jen gives tons of videos-- it's just more than what many provide and likely you'll find it on sparks.
As a wellness coach, I let people choose the site they want to use to log, yet as a "friend" I can see their plans without having to get sensitive password info. I also utilize articles from sparks to send to my clients and participants in my weight loss challenges.
Check it out - takes some time to navigate it all. Gives a lot for free.

about me: 49 yo perfusionist, wellness coach at challengevictor.com (a wl challenge on line for $$), & mom with soon to be 9 yo twin girls.

B. J

I really liked the website. I'm just horrible about doing it daily.

I still go there for recipes or fitness ideas.

Like others have said, I like that it's free. I can use anything on the site and I don't have to pay. Most sites you are limited to what you can use with a free membership.
I have lost 20+ pounds using it.
I like that they offer videos that you can use off of the site and don't have to always use the same workout videos that you have at your house. It offers variety. Based on the teams that you join, there are monthly challenges or daily challenges that make it fun without being the same thing all the time.
If you join, look me up, my username on there is momin09

Oh i LOVE that website! Granted I didn't go as IN DEPTH as some probably do.

I, seriously, lost about 25lbs just from doing the workout videos on that sight.
No lie. I looked at their 7-day bootcamp and did a vid or two every day and it was awesome

I did weight watchers online for a year and lost 65 lbs. I switched to spark people a few months ago after regaining about 15 lbs. What makes spark people different from WW online is that it's free. Plain and simple that's it. With both sites you are given an allowance of points on WW and calories on Sparkpeople based on your height, age, and weight. You log everything you eat and drink to help you keep yourself at your allowed food intake. Both sites offer message boards for talking with others for added support.

It's just a way to track your calories and get immediate feedback on how you are doing.

Good luck,
K.

I have been using Spark People and have lost over 20 pounds so far. I love the personal interaction on message boards. Having a group of people to talk to who are facing the same struggles is nice. I also like that it is free.