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Weight loss and healthy living are the two things focused most on with SparkPeople which is an online community. Does all the diet advice given by SparkPeople, SparkRecipes.com, SparkTeens.com and BabyFit.com even work? The short answer is yes — but, like all weight loss, individuals who want to get the job done have to work hard.

SparkPeople and what it offers

Sparkpeople is half social network and half diet advice. The free, ad-supported site calculates your BMI and offers recommendations on exercise and nutrition. You are able to keep track of the calories you are eating and burning with a daily log on the site. Whenever you get healthier with your weight, SparkPoints are given so small prices can be redeemed. SparkPeople wants you to use their free system before using anything like Weightwatchers that costs $ 18 a month, or before spending $ 500 on “diet food” systems. SparkPeople only lets their customers set “healthy” goals.

SparkPeople community gives help

The most helpful aspect of SparkPeople is not the calorie-counting engine behind it, but the other dieters. SparkPeople has many different message boards, forums and blogs on it so communication between individuals with the very same goals can help you. This community element is incredibly significant when it comes to losing and keeping weight off. Like all social networks, the SparkPeople community relies on you to get out there and be social — so individuals can choose not to.

Is SparkPeople a good place to work with?

SparkPeople is a site that most are concerned won’t help them really lose weight. SparkPeople can help you track your weight loss. If you are expecting a Biggest Loser -style change as part of your appearance, though, SparkPeople probably won’t help. Healthy weight loss is all about changing habits, not following a specific “diet” that will leave you in a yo-yo dieting situation. If you aren’t a fan of the SparkPeople system, there are a few other effective online tools that do the same sort of thing. Try Calorie Count, the About.com system that is very comparable to SparkPeople. It will help to simply write down what you eat, stop drinking calories and walking just a little more every day. You don’t have to purchase into the $ 60 billion a year diet industry to lose weight — you just have to change small things you do every day.