Along with a WHOLE LOT of people out there, I’m in search of a weight loss program that works. I’m determined to find *something* that will appeal to me and motivate me and keep me on track, but I can’t decide. So I’m doing the only logical thing and working three at the same time. That’s logical, right?
Years ago I found Spark People and thought it was fun and different. I gave it a shot, but for one reason or another I left it. I have a friend or two who are still (or again, more like) there, so I started a new profile and went through all the introductions again. It’s changed a bit since I last looked around, but is fundamental the same. You log your food and exercise, you read articles, join message boards, set and track goals, and all the while you’re earning points and trophies for motivation and that external gratification that helps through the slumps when maybe the scale isn’t being so friendly. It’s fun and wildly informative and includes optional menu plans and workout programs if you want some extra structure.
Because I know it has a well-proven track record, and I have a few friends who have done exceptionally well with it, I went and joined Weight Watchers. I don’t live near any meeting locations, unfortunately, so it’s all online. But that alone is pretty in-depth and informative.
Recently I’ve been alerted to a new site some friends are trying: Lose It! It seems pretty similar to Spark People, but mostly just the tracking side. No points, but badges for different achievements. It’s amazing what otherwise worthless “prizes” can do to inspire a person.
All three have iPhone/iPod apps, which is a definite bonus. I wish Lose It! had an app for the iPad, but the other two do, and beggars can’t be choosers and all that. Spark People and Weight Watchers each also have recipe apps that I have yet to explore.
I think the most fun – and also most terrifying for those of us who embarrass easily – is that Spark People and Lose It! have social media connections. Spark People can post your blog posts and status updates (and maybe your badges; I’ve only just looked today and haven’t learned everything yet) to Facebook. Lose It! posts badges and activities to both Twitter and Facebook if you like. It’s an extra level of accountability. Friends who also use the program will be along to keep you company, but with these connections *everyone* you know can see your progress, and give you extra support. At least I hope so.
This means, naturally, triple entry on my part, at least for right now. I imagine that one will turn out to be the better fit for me in the long run. Of course for that to happen I have to actually get off my butt, put down the cookies, and get out there and do the work.
Oh, one other thing deserves mention: I have a Fitbit too. I was so excited to get it and would love to use it along with this “grand experiment”, but it keeps failing me. It will work for a day and then quit syncing altogether. I reset it and it works another day, and so on, but that resets all my info each time and doesn’t do me any good in the long run. I am sad.
