My Fitness Pal (MFP) is a community a lot like the Fitbit Community for people who are interested in improving their health and fitness through diet and exercise. You can get there by visiting www.myfitnesspal.com. I used MFP for a while years ago when my sister was big into health and fitness. She sent me an invite, so I joined to offer her support in her efforts. Eventually, life got busy for both of us, and we both dropped away from it.
Recently, I got back into it after my wife got a Fitbit Flex. Knowing I needed to develop some better health and fitness habits, I decided to get a Fitbit One. I started walking again, and use the Fitbit to help motivate me toward the 10,000 steps per day goal. I've hit it quite a few times now, but it's not consistent every day because my work schedule varies day to day. I've also started counting calories and being more selective in my diet. I'm one to try to keep things simple. I just set small goals to work into new habits. Once those habits take hold, I set new goals to reach.
My doctor has been strongly urging me for some time to be mindful of my health. I struggle with depression and anxiety, and also suffer from sleep apnea. I have a CPAP, but don't use it consistently because sometimes I fall asleep on the couch before I ever make it to bed. My doctor also recently put me on Atorvastatin for elevated cholesterol. She said a little more active management is all it would take to bring it down. Given my family's history with heart problems, cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and other such illnesses, I figure I better start taking it seriously.
The Fitbit has been a good motivator to get more active. Additionally, my wife has her own health problems. She had gastric bypass back in November. Both of us are in health coaching with our medical insurance. I've been doing this to help support her changing lifestyle. I also have problems with acid reflux, and it's caused some inflammation in my esophagus and stomach. I take an Omeprazole (Prevacid) prescription to help manage that. So, watching my diet just makes sense.
All in all, we are changing our lifestyle to set a better example for our daughter as she grows up. She is already interested in taking walks with Mommy, Daddy, and the dogs. At the very least, we just get out in the yard to work, walk, and play. We walk to a nearby park when time allows.
It's funny, I was just intending to answer the question about MFP.
