Secrets of Success

It works if you use it!

I have paid for a weight loss site and this was so much better and more interactive. There is so much support from members. Don't just create a profile, interact! Join a sparkteam or challenge. Read message boards, and respond, track you food and if you need a little encouragement look at the motivational spark pages!

Treat Spark People Like a Video Game::Gamer Girl Method

I'm a big video game and table top gamer. To help keep me motivated I treat Spark People like a video game. Every calorie tracked, point wheel spun and exercise minute gained is leading me towards leveling up (by watching my waist go down).

This helps keep me positive and productive. We all need some good cardio to survive the zombie apocalypse

Try to Get the Bonus Spin

Part of exploring SP awards you points. From the time you first log in and spin the wheel, there are opportunities to get points. Logging your water, food, and fitness and reading the blogs help me meet my daily challenge to get the 25 points I need to spin the wheel again!

No secret - really!

1) first - concentrate on logging nutritional intake until it is second nature. (Take the time whether in a marathon or over several days - no problem.) I usually log it several times a day so that I can adjust the later meals and snacks to balance the day as best practical.
2) second - learn the logging system for aerobic conditioning and/or strength training, etc. and keep it up each day. (Learn it and use it EVERY day!)
3) third - chasing SparkPoints leads one thru the site very well.

iphone app

I love the iphone app. I am able to update my points throughout the day and do spark coach when I get home at night or in the morning with my coffee. I have made it a habit and look forward to setting a goal each day and getting that minimum amount of points for me. Very easy goals, but it feels great when I accomplish it. Yea me.

Ask Questions

When I was learning to use the site, I would get very frustrated. Then I discovered the site help button. I get a response in 10-30 MINUTES!! It's great!

Help Food Tracker be more flexible & accurate

Help Food Tracker be more flexible & accurate - enter new favorites in different size servings. For example, my almond milk nutritional info as 1 serving = 1 cup. But what if I like to pour a small splash into coffee? I re-entered (and saved) a new entry using "1 serv = 8 oz" since 1 cup equals 8 oz, right? Then I can guess my splash to be 1 oz or 1/4 oz (or I could resave info with however many Tablespoons per cup.). It would work with metric too.). Makes Life Easier!

Tracking Food

When tracking your foods, click on the box to save them as your favorites. Most people tend to eat the same foods they always do.. so there are days when you will be able to start typing in the food name, type in the amount and meal you want to add it to, and hit save. So much easier than searching through a list of the same food and the label information every single time to find the one that is accurate!

Sparking in the morning

I try to log into AP first thing in the morning, even if only to spin the wheel. Getting it in my head at the beginning of the day helps me to remember my goals all day long. I may not be 100% successful during the day, (who really is), but I find I am more mindful of my choices.

Food Favorites

Use the Food Tracker! And create your own Favorites List there. The more you use it, the easier and faster it is.