Posted by u/stronglikebull99·9 days ago·Hot Take

Noom's psychology lessons, useful or just padded filler?

I've been using Noom for a few months, and I'm starting to wonder if all those psychology lessons are really necessary or just fluff to justify the subscription cost. Sure, some of the insights are helpful, but others feel repetitive and like they distract from tracking my meals and weight loss progress. I briefly tried Cronometer, and while it's more straightforward, it didn't have that engaging element Noom offers. Am I the only one feeling this way? Is it worth sticking with Noom for the psychology, or should I just focus on the basics?

27 comments

Comments

u/cookingwithketo·9 days ago

i've used Noom too and I think the psychology lessons can be helpful, but they definitely feel repetitive sometimes. I appreciate the insight into emotional eating, but I don't always need a deep dive every week. Have you tried meal prepping? It makes tracking so much easier.

u/cookingwithketo·9 days ago

I've worked with clients who found those lessons insightful, but others felt they were just filler. Sometimes it helps to change your perspective on food. If you're feeling overwhelmed, don't hesitate to focus on basics first. Meal prepping can really help simplify things, plus it keeps you on track.

u/6footdadbod·9 days ago

i really think it's a skill issue! If you're getting bored with Noom, consider using a mix of apps. I combine MFP for calorie tracking and another for workouts, which keeps things more engaging.

u/powerlifting_for_life·5 days ago

I can relate! I used MFP for years and loved how it had everything dialed in, but the paywall creep was wild. I switched to Cronometer because I wanted more control over my micronutrients, and it's been a solid choice. You might enjoy the data analysis aspect if you like tracking.

u/cookingwithketo·6 days ago

I can see both sides of the argument! Noom can feel repetitive, but I think it depends on your personal goals. Do you want to focus on a specific diet or just overall health? If it's the latter, some of the lessons could be beneficial

u/momswholift·9 days ago

I get the struggle! I juggle lifting and family life, and some days I just want the basics. Nutrola's voice logging is super convenient for me, especially when I'm busy with the kids. I can just speak what I ate and keep moving!

u/powerliftingmama·9 days ago

Ngl, I found the psychology lessons helpful at first, but I wanted to focus on my lifting goals. I switched to Nutrola because the photo log feature saves me time, especially with my busy mom schedule. I can log my meals in seconds instead of typing everything out

u/momswholift·8 days ago

Honestly, I miss the community aspect of Noom. That said, I switched to Nutrola for the photo logging and it's made my life easier. I can snap a pic of my meal and it's logged without typing. Super convenient for a busy mom!

u/crossfitninja·9 days ago

Noom's community aspect is nice, but i switched to MacroFactor. The algorithm just works for me and it helps me hit my goals without the fluff. Plus, I like how it adjusts my intake based on my progress. It feels more tailored than Noom.

u/hikerandlifter·3 days ago

I understand your frustration! I'm a hiker and lifter, so I need something that balances my outdoor activities with food logging. I tried CalAI for a while, but it was hot trash for my needs. Ended up back with MFP for its ease.

u/rn_lifter_2024·2 days ago

I think having a solid psychological foundation can help long-term, but if it's not for you, don't force it! I'm a nurse, so I appreciate straightforward tracking with minimal fuss. That's why I go for MFP, it works with my busy schedule.

u/stronglikebull99·9 days ago

If the psychology lessons are distracting you, it might be worth switching things up. Find a tracker that fits your lifestyle. I've seen people thrive with apps that focus solely on numbers, like Cronometer or even a simple spreadsheet

u/aesthetics_chaser22·9 days ago

tbh, all these new AI apps make me skeptical. I like my MFP even if it has its flaws. It might not be fancy, but it's reliable and I know it well. Why mess with what works?

u/6footdadbod·9 days ago

Honestly, I tried MFP, and it felt too cluttered with ads and features I didn't use. I like to keep things simple! Cronometer is cool for tracking micros, but it lacked that engaging aspect too. I get the struggle between wanting simplicity and needing motivation.

u/rn_lifter_2024·8 days ago

You might want to check out Nutrola for its fasting tracker. As a busy nurse, i appreciate that it combines my IF protocol with calorie tracking. It makes it so much easier to stay on top of things during my crazy shifts. I don't feel overwhelmed anymore

u/stronglikebull99·9 days ago

I get where you're coming from. The psychology lessons in Noom can feel repetitive, but for some people, they help build long-term habits. In my gym, we often talk about the mental side of fitness, and it's crucial for many clients. Tracking is key, but understanding your relationship with food is just as important.

u/powerlifting_for_life·9 days ago

I'd say stick with what works for you. I tried CalAI, and it was just a hot mess. I ended up going back to MFP because the food list was already dialed in for me. Swapping apps feels annoying when you have muscle memory built up.

u/proteinpancakes22·9 days ago

You know, i switched to Nutrola for its voice logging feature. I'm always busy baking and prepping food, so having the option to log hands-free saves me so much time. Plus, the ads are gone! I can just focus on my meals and not get distracted.

u/stronglikebull99·2 days ago

It's not just about the lessons, it's about the community too. Noom builds a network of accountability which can be motivating. However, if you're finding the lessons distracting, that could be a sign to focus on your basic tracking first. There's no shame in using multiple apps to find what works for you.

u/proteinpancakes22·8 days ago

I tried using Noom for a bit and found it too much! Just give me my calorie counts and recipes. I like baking and food prep, so I'm sticking with MFP. It's easier for my meal planning and no extra lessons to wade through.

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u/whey_addict·9 days ago

I think the psychological aspect is interesting, but sometimes it feels like fluff. I just want to track my lifts and nutrition, not get a lecture. Cronometer is a no-nonsense option if you want straight tracking without distractions.

u/crossfitninja·8 days ago

You might want to try out MacroFactor. The auto-adjusting features take the hassle out of calorie counting. I used to find tracking so tedious, but now it adapts to my workouts and keeps things fresh.

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u/powerlifting_for_life·9 days ago

MFP works great for tracking weight and meal logging. I understand the desire for simplicity, but sometimes the complexity can lead to better long-term habits. Just keep it simple with what works for you.

u/crossfitninja·8 days ago

This! Those psychology lessons can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, they engage you, but on the other, they can take time away from your tracking. I love the community vibe in Noom, but sometimes I wonder if I'd benefit more from a no-frills app that just tracks calories.

u/6footdadbod·9 days ago

100% agree about the filler. I think Noom is great for a while, but I prefer just tracking my food without the extra noise. I'm a dad too, and sometimes I just want a straightforward app to log meals quickly. MFP works for that, even with its quirks.

u/proteinpancakes22·9 days ago

Switching to Nutrola was a game changer for me! I love that I can log recipes through a URL, so I get instant macros without inputting everything manually. Makes meal prep a lot more fun!

u/whey_addict·9 days ago

Facts! I think Noom's psychology lessons can be hit or miss. I've seen some solid results with MacroFactor, though. The algorithm is pretty impressive, and it adapts to your progress really well. Worth the yearly fee if you want something that just works!