From Sedentary to Strong: My Path to Becoming Physically Fit in 2023 PART 2

From Sedentary to Strong: My Path to Becoming Physically Fit in 2023 

PART 2 Counting Calories


In Part 2, I want to share a crucial aspect of my fitness journey that doesn't start with exercise but is equally essential. Through extensive research on the path to becoming physically fit, I've come to realize that you truly are what you eat. While I'm not a nutrition expert, and I wouldn't presume to offer dietary advice, especially since I'm still a beginner on this journey, I recognized the importance of tracking my food intake and calorie consumption.

Typically, I jot down important notes on my iPhone, but this time, I felt the need for a dedicated app to monitor my calorie intake more effectively. Since my physical planner wasn't readily available, and I hadn't yet created a digital fitness planner, I decided to explore available options.

That's when I came across the "MyFitnessPal" app. You can also visit their website at:

https://www.myfitnesspal.com






The MyFitnessPal app offers a treasure trove of features to support your fitness journey, and here's a closer look at some of its most valuable tools:

    1.  Food Diary: Within this feature, you have the power to meticulously track every bit of food that makes its way into your meals. Not only can you effortlessly see the calorie content of each food item, but you also have the flexibility to add your homemade recipes, allowing the app to calculate and record their nutritional value in your diary. For example, when I savored a half serving of Eggs with Ligo Sardines, the app promptly informed me that this satisfying meal amounted to 199 calories, with 2.9 grams of carbohydrates, 12.8 grams of fats, and an impressive 17.4 grams of protein.

Moreover, MyFitnessPal goes a step further. It doesn't just stop at presenting you with the numbers; it also offers valuable insights into the nutritional qualities of the foods you consume. For instance, when I attempted to log Pancit Canton, it didn't just display the calorie count; it issued a cautionary note, declaring, "This food is high in saturated fat." Curious minds can click further to delve into the specific nutrient breakdown and make informed dietary choices.






    2. Dashboard: Within the dashboard section, you'll gain access to a wealth of information and tools to support your fitness journey.

Here, you can easily monitor your daily calorie intake, check macros (available for premium users), assess heart-healthy options (for premium users), and track your low-carb choices (also for premium users).

Additionally, you can keep tabs on your daily step count and review the exercises you've completed. This comprehensive view also allows you to observe your weight progress, where you can even upload a photo to mark your milestones.

What's remarkable is that the app seamlessly syncs with your phone's step tracker, making it accessible to users without specialized devices like the Apple Watch or smartwatches.





Just below the dashboard, a discovery page beckons, presenting five enticing options for further exploration:

  • Recipes: Discover a huge collection of nutritious and delicious recipes, each accompanied by detailed calorie and nutrient information.

  • Workouts: Explore a variety of workout routines, ranging from Everyday Stretches to exhilarating HIIT Cardio Blasts, ensuring there's something for every fitness level and goal.

  • Friends: Connect with fellow fitness enthusiasts, forging meaningful connections within a supportive community.

  • Community: Immerse yourself in the vibrant MyFitnessPal community, where you can find motivation, exchange advice, and draw inspiration from others on their fitness journeys.

  • Sync Up: This feature lets you effortlessly synchronize the app with compatible devices and apps, streamlining your fitness tracking experience.

What truly sets this app apart is its provision of healthy recipes, complete with calorie and nutrient details, along with a variety of workout options. Whether you prefer Everyday Stretches or more intensive HIIT Cardio Blasts, you'll find an abundance of free routines to choose from. Moreover, you have the flexibility to save your preferred routines for easy access or even create your custom workout routine directly within the app.

    3.Newsfeed: This page functions much like a Facebook feed but with a fitness twist. It showcases a variety of blogs and articles from the MyFitnessPal website, serving as a wellspring of motivation and encouragement for your fitness journey.

    4. Plans: In this section, you can explore and filter a broad selection of plans, whether they're related to meal plans or workout routines. You have the flexibility to choose a plan that suits your goals and embark on a guided path to success.

    5.Goals: On your profile, you'll answer questions about your daily activity level, whether you move 3-5 times a day, your activity level, and your current weight. You'll also outline your fitness goals, specifying your desired weight.




Additionally, one of the standout features of the MyFitnessPal app is its barcode scanning capability. Instead of manually inputting every food item, you can simply scan the barcode on packaged foods, and the app will instantly retrieve the nutritional information, making calorie counting even more convenient. It's a time-saving and accurate way to ensure you're staying on track with your calorie goals 

The MyFitnessPal app truly is a powerhouse for your fitness journey, offering tools for tracking nutrition, exercise, and even creating a supportive community. It's become my trusted companion on this path, helping me to monitor my calories and gain valuable insights into my dietary choices. 

But the main question is WHY DO YOU NEED TO TRACK YOUR CALORIES?


  • Track Weight - By monitoring your calorie intake, you can be sure if you’re consuming the appropriate number of calories that your body needs, your goals, whether it’s maintaining, losing or gaining weight. 
  • Enhanced Awareness - Being mindful of your food choices enables you to distinguish between what's beneficial and detrimental to your diet, helping you pinpoint excess calories.
  • Portion Control - It helps you grasp portion sizes more effectively. In my experience, it made me realize that consuming small portions with high-calorie content is distinct from having larger servings with fewer calories.
  • Nutrient Balance - Monitoring your food intake allows you to focus on the nutritional value of what you consume, facilitating the achievement of a well-balanced diet.
  • Achieving your goals - Calorie tracking assists in aligning your dietary choices with your fitness objectives, aiding you in reaching your goals. 
  • Education - Calorie tracking serves as a valuable learning experience, enabling you to discern which foods are more suitable for your health and which are not.
  • Sustainable Habits - Calorie tracking can aid in the development of healthier eating practices. As time progresses, you'll likely gain increased awareness of your food selections and portion sizes, fostering long-term sustainability.
In Part 2 of my fitness journey, I have explore further into how I've used the MyFitnessPal app to track my calories and the incredible impact it's had on my fitness goals. Thank you for joining me on my fitness journey! Part 3 is just around the corner, and I can't wait to share more insights, progress updates, and tips with you. To stay in the loop and be the first to know when the next installment is live, consider subscribing to my blog. You can also follow me on social media for daily motivation and behind-the-scenes glimpses of my fitness routine.

Let's support each other on our paths to a healthier, stronger 2023. Together, we can achieve our fitness goals and inspire others to do the same. See you in Part 3!


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