I would never dismiss any dieting or nutrition program that really works, and my goal is not to discredit commercial options that have worked for many. However, I get really jazzed when I can find comparable resources for free, especially when they have been provided by our government. Meet my newest ally in the fight against unhealthy eating and a sedentary lifestyle – MyPyramid.gov .
While there is way too much information on the website to explain it all here, there are a few highlights that I am excited to share:
Overall, I was really impressed with the offerings of the My Pyramid website. One registration covers log-in at all the included sites. It is web-based, so you can use it from home or work. Most importantly, there are no clubs to join, meetings to attend, or credit cards to charge!
Rarely do I find that a free website offers the level of detail I want in a nutritional tool. I need customized plans, calorie counters, exercise logs, and a level of accountability. The MyPyramid.gov website offers all of that, and you won’t be required to weigh in weekly with a salesperson or attend support groups (if you don’t want to, that is.) The customized settings make for a fairly accurate representation of my caloric intake and needs. It gives me a chance to make small changes towards a better lifestyle, and it won’t yell at me if I eat two pieces of ice cream cake.
(A special thank you to Tina for sharing this resource with me!)
Disclaimer: The links and mentions on this site may be affiliate links. But they do not affect the actual opinions and recommendations of the authors.
Wise Bread is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
I'd think twice before relying on the USDA's nutritional recommendations. The USDA was created to protect the interests of farmers, ranchers, and slaughter houses. They weren't created to help Americans be healthier. More milk? Hmmm, could that be because of all the DAIRY FARMERS on the committee?
The organization is one of the most biased political organizations that exists in our country today. Lobbyists they are; nutritional experts they are not.
I love that their garage-cleaning activity is "excavating garage". Somebody's been to my house. ^^
I'm an old WW member and i quit because of the expense of meetings. Dottie's Weight Loss Zone, www.dwlz.com, will give you all the ww plans past/present, all the info, message boards. For free!
1) Lobby interests aside, I still maintain my position that this is a very useful tool. When I mentioned an extra glass of milk, it is implied that I may also get my dairy/calcium through other easily-digestable means. As someone who grew up in a very small farming household, I'll be quick to point out that rarely were our "interests" defended to the point of altering public health programs. Maybe for the big guys, but not for us. (Besides, we grew up on good old goat milk!)
2) I read over the complete list of activities with some friends after a late night of board games and overeating. We cracked up at some of the activities entries!
3) Thanks for sharing DWLZ with us! I had visitedyears ago, and had completely forgotten about how great a resource this is!
Thanks for the comments!
Diet-Blog.com has a nice list of mostly free online sensible (important criterion!) weight-loss and fitness sites
My personal favorite is SparkPeople.com
OK, every time I come across a link to this page I see that food pyramid, and I wonder, "What is that item at the top of the pyramid?" A glob of cookie dough? Seriously, I can not make it out. Help?
That aside, thanks for the info. I currently use fitday.com to track this stuff but am always on the lookout for good online tools.
As an individual who has lost 60 lbs and kept it off almost three years, I think weight watchers has the only weight loss provider out there that has the right attitude.
They promote healthy eating, exercising and not dieting.
To read more http://nodietneeded.net/
Congrats on your weight loss! I certainly have nothing against WW -- I know plenty of people who have found it to work. I just wanted to share for those who don't have the extra cash (or a WW in driving distance.) Keep up the good work!
Linsey Knerl