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Spark People
SparkPeople is a goal-based weight loss program. Rather than just sticking to nutrition, SparkPeople has a large component of fitness, motivation, and goal-setting. SparkPeople began in 2001, and has been growing ever since.
SparkPeople is free of charge.
Spark People Diet Plan Basics
The macro-nutrient recommendations place SparkPeople as a moderate fat, high carb, low protein diet – similar the guidelines of the USDA Food Pyramid. A typical diet recommendation will come out at 15% protein, 55% carbohydrate, and 30% fats.
Calorie recommendations are based on whether you select “moderate” or “aggressive” weight loss. Selecting aggressive will put the calorie recommendations on the low side – too low for an active person.
Outline
Spark People is a great web site, with an amazing array of easy-to-use tools. Many people have had success with SparkPeople as it takes more of a holistic approach than just prescribing a diet plan.
However – the caloric and macro-nutrient recommendations may not suit everyone, and if you intend to build or tone muscle, the combination of low-calories and low protein may not be appropriate. A higher-carb diet is more appropriate for endurance athletes who are burning a lot of energy.
Over recent months Spark People have incorporate a large set of social networking features – such as personal blogs, profiles, and other communication tools. Highly recommended.
Comparisons
Spark People is very similar in style to a number of other online weight loss programs – such as eDiets, DietWatch, or CyberDiets. Each program has differences in the kind of tools offered.
The big factor is that SparkPeople is 100% free.
This site is awesome. I joined in April and as of today have lost 29 lbs. I am finally back within a normal weight range. I love this site and will promote it to anyone who will listen.
Not only does it let you track the calories you eat, and burn, the site will let you track specific nutrients, like iron, sodium, vitamins, Calcium, etc. You can get detailed daily reports or reports that show you your progress over long stretches of time. Also, there are lots of free workout videos! they have lots of cardio workout videos, and also a bunch that target different muscle groups. So awesome. There’s also tons of information about anything food or fitness related. Really great free resource.
For Helen in Choctow, I live in Spencer Oklahoma. Able to stay at home after years of working, so started to follow the Spark site and ideas. Reading the book now. I already see that being at home and more isolated, makes involvement with others doing this more appealing. If you’ve found some folks or activities, I’d like to know. I am checking on OKC now, to see if any activity there.
Just bought the book and read the intro. Just curious about the web site. I need to lose 60 pounds. I live in Choctaw Oklahoma and plan to meet goal weight by end of year. Are there any Spark people in Choctaw Oklahoma?
I started this site about 3 months ago. I’ve lost 12 pounds and counting! I’ve been trying to lose weight for 3 years, and this website is helping me FINALLY do it!
I love this site!!
It is alot like a myspace but full of other people who are trying to lose weight and get in shape!!
And theres tons of people who have already achieved they’re weight loss goals and when you look at they’re pictures it motivates you!!
Everyone should try it!!
I love sparkpeople. It has a reward system that encourages you to learn more about healthy eating and proper exercise. The nutrition tracker has been a great help in making me think about what I am eating. It has also put all my favourite foods back on the menu, but in moderation. I eat peanut butter every day and I am so much happier because of it. The best part, after I joined some groups, I was immediately contacted via email with a warm welcome. I felt completely apart of the community and supported. This was something I have not gotten from other online sites. Last but not least, it is FREE!
I joined SparkPeople and using the nutrition tracker tool helps me think about what I eat on a regular basis by allowing me to track my food and calorie intake daily. The nutrition tool also tracks fat, fibre, protein and carbs and helps me to monitor and maintain a balance of each of these components in my diet. No prescribed food, no special purchases, no pills; just knowing and understanding what I eat! I also use the site to track my exercise and calories burned and this helps keep me motivated to get moving (even to clean my house!). I have only scratched the surface of what the site has to offer and would highly recommend to anyone struggling with weight loss and trying to develop better eating skills and a healthy lifestyle that they check SparkPeople out.
This is one of the best diet site/tool out there. It’s absolutely free and is fantastic for picking and choosing you diet. It gives you a plethora of foods, condiments…you name it, to choose from and then you plan your week’s menu. What I looove is that you can go in at any time and change, make notes, whatever you want if you need to. It is also a great site for buiding a support unit amoung other Spark users. I personally think it’s the best thing out there, and like I said….IT’S FREE!!!
join its a great site I am on it!!
I think this is an awesome website. It is free, you join and either log your progress alone or you join groups, add friends, etc. I would check it out!
Sandy wwww.sheboomers.com