SubscribeSocial Networking and Peer Support Sites
There is a growing number of superb websites offering innovative ways to connect with a support network of people who are interested in fitness or weight loss.
Some of these sites have already been mentioned on diet-blog.com - however this list is more comprehensive and will be updated from here on.
Most sites are free while others may offer a premium fee-based service.
- Weight Loss Buddy
- Devoted to matching up weight loss buddies based on a number of criteria.
- Fat Secret - Journaling, chatting, tips, recipes - can be centered around any diet.
- Weight Circles - Blogs and "circles" (like-minded support groups). New.
- Losing It - Social Networking.
- Extra Pounds - Blogging and Tracking.
- SparkPeople - Popular weight loss program with many social networking features.
- Diet.com - Began as the "personality type diet" - but now offers a number of ways to connect with others.
- Traineo - Popular fitness site with ability to get others to motivate you.
- Gimme20 - Fitness tracking with blogs.
- FitLink - New. Fitness themed with ability to find training partners.
- WalkingSpree - New. Emphasis on walking and linking with pocket pedometer. Blogs and journals.
- PeerTrainer - Many social networking features. Fitness emphasis.
- Weigh Ins - Users can post weight loss challenges and/or take part in other challenges.
- WellSphere - Join groups centered around specific goals.
Feel free to comment with any suggestions or corrections.
More like this in Tips and Tools · Dec 28, 2006
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December 28, 2006 8:12 PM
Excellent list. Social networking is an excellent way to "partner up" for weight loss. I turely believe that having a good support group makes weight loss much easier, and often more fun as well!
December 29, 2006 4:53 AM
Yay- thanks. Spark people is the one I'm on and EVERYTHING, except for items in the shop, is free. I'm gonna check the others out so thanks for the list.
December 29, 2006 4:55 AM
I think as more and more sites are opening up, it's a great way to socialize on what we are supposed to eat.
But there could be findings by some research going on, and that as the dust settles, it may be that we are supposed to eat reconizable food (like fruits, vegtables, meat, and beans/legumes.
But, quite frankly, the United States has the worse agriculture in the world, laced with pesticides and poor biotechnology, and the USDA is pushing for other countries to accept the trading of biotech foods.
-----
Another former president has passed away this morning.
Jimmy Carter, 83, died this morning of natural causes. He beat Gerald Ford in his 1977 bid for the president.
This now leaves only two surviving former presidents: George H W Bush, now 83, and Bill Clinton, now 60.
December 29, 2006 7:40 AM
James, what's the source on the Jimmy Carter story, please?
December 29, 2006 8:43 AM
James, I've been to the web and there is nothing about Jimmy Carter passing away. Where did you get your info?
December 29, 2006 10:42 AM
There are some things that work amazingly well in cyberspace. The ability to reach a large enough audience to be interesting because they are not limited by time or place is a key factor to their success. In some cases anonymity may also play a role.
Diet communities have been remarkably successful, bringing together individuals looking for support and information about topics of interest.
Here are a couple more...
Eating Right - Messages - diabetics
American Diabetes Association - Message Boards
http://www.diabetes.org/ Message Boards link (top right)
Active Low-Carber Forums (ALCF) - weight loss
an on-line support group started in 2000 which currently has more than 86,000 members
http://www.lowcarb.ca/
weight watchers - members only
December 30, 2006 6:29 AM
Another one is www.mindoverfatter.co.za. They also have a free online yahoo support group and newsletter both of which you can sign up for on the webpage
December 31, 2006 6:32 AM
HI,
I offer customized diets and training programs on my website, but I also have lots of free advice and pics there as well as a blog. Please have me listed!
December 31, 2006 9:43 AM
I've just joined Spark People and it seems to have the most features that I want on any of the diet/fitness websites that I've visited. Menu plans, recipes, message boards, support groups, blogs, fitness plans...
December 31, 2006 8:07 PM
Hey Jim,
Per your blog on communities on October 24, you left off FatSecret.com
January 1, 2007 4:45 AM
I use SparkPeople. I have used paid sites and none offered the support of SparkPeople. If anyone has any questions about navigating the site, my screen name is my last name.
January 4, 2007 4:44 AM
Thanks for this, these sorts of websites really do help when trying to lose weight.
In 2007 we will be adding some great new features to our site to help users connect with more people to gain support and motivation. Current features are also being improved so that they can keeping tracking their progress in a fun way!
January 4, 2007 11:28 AM
Thanks for the write up! It would also be really cool to split apart reviews of each of these sites!
I think there is a lot of crossover, but some of them have unique features which could be highlighted!
Anyways, thanks from the gimme20.com for the link! You'll notice we recently launched the 'groups' section of our site which allows our users to create their own sections of the website on a shared interest.
J
January 29, 2007 10:58 AM
Great idea. It's so much easier with a partner.
February 6, 2007 4:21 AM
Heres one for Aussie readers... a free Australian based low carb - wholefood community: http://www.apinchofhealth.com
February 12, 2007 7:27 AM
Jim, thought I suggest another site if you have time to check it out. http://www.dietnation.com/ Diet Nation is a new site with full diet reviews, a daily blog and support for all those who are trying to shed some pounds.
Thanks!
March 1, 2007 6:21 PM
If you guys want to lose weight, the only way that worked for me was joining WEIGHT WATCHERS. It was the best decision i have ever made, i have lost 17.6 lbs in just 8 weeks and you keep the weight off. The meetings are very motivational and supportive. Don't go on any of those weird no carb diets or something restrictive like that. Weight watchers is for real people who want to learn how to eat in the real world and stay healthy. JOIN WEIGHT WATCHERS!!!
March 16, 2007 7:23 AM
i have found out that not the sites or the books are great for you. the precious tips from people's comments are the best. learn from what others have really experienced.
May 24, 2007 11:50 AM
Guys learn how diet and food really go together. all along we have been looking at fat calarie and low carb intakes. What if we were wrong? our bodies need fat to run. can a car run on air? NO so why do we want to have are bodies run off of nothing! We must eat fats just the write ones that count! Eating more foods that are organic and natural are the way to go! I have learned so much in the past 5 months of research and I have lost 20 pounds that i could not lose with any other method no pills or doctors gimics! just health natural organic foods! I do not eat any proceded foods! Good luck and thanks to rawfoodmedia.com i have found the way!