Misconceptions from our loved ones
PearlAng
Posts: 681 Member
Just about everyone in my family has struggled with an eating or a weight problem at some point in their lives. Many have diabetes and have to follow some guidelines for eating. I can't help but to laugh, though because often they abide by nutrition/weight loss misconceptions. Just today my grandma told my mom not to eat after 7pm for weight loss.
Are there misconceptions that loved ones have said to you during your journey/period of weight loss/gain?
Are there misconceptions that loved ones have said to you during your journey/period of weight loss/gain?
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Conditions, genetics, meal timing, forbidden foods, cheat days, starvation mode, meal frequency, cleanses, detoxing, diet pills, bad carbs, bad foods, only liquids, no sugar, low carb, paleo, Atkins, my thyroid, my hormones, my age, my pregnancy, my menopause, magic snake oil supplements, liquids don't have calories, good calories cancel out bad, exercise is necessary, eat more to lose weight, eating disorders, drug side effects, unspecified/undiagnosed diseases, food addiction, sugar addiction, water retention, healthy eating ...
Everything but Caloric Deficit and discipline/self-control
The list is endless ... and that's just what I've seen here in these forums ... today.0 -
Thyroid and hormones are certainly very real issues for many people, but they don't preclude caloric deficit, self-discipline and self control.
Those of us with real, serious medical conditions absolutely have to work hard--much harder than many of you do.0 -
I agree with azulvioleta6. Until you have an UNdiagnosed disease... or thyroid issue dont even say anything like you did. Some of us do struggle with real conditions such as some you noted. If you think it is such a joke, perhaps you should ask a doctor about how it can affect someone. It can be a nightmare!0
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great wisdom from a fellow mfp thanks for sharingSergeantSausage wrote: »Conditions, genetics, meal timing, forbidden foods, cheat days, starvation mode, meal frequency, cleanses, detoxing, diet pills, bad carbs, bad foods, only liquids, no sugar, low carb, paleo, Atkins, my thyroid, my hormones, my age, my pregnancy, my menopause, magic snake oil supplements, liquids don't have calories, good calories cancel out bad, exercise is necessary, eat more to lose weight, eating disorders, drug side effects, unspecified/undiagnosed diseases, food addiction, sugar addiction, water retention, healthy eating ...
Everything but Caloric Deficit and discipline/self-control
The list is endless ... and that's just what I've seen here in these forums ... today.0 -
SergeantSausage wrote: »Conditions, genetics, meal timing, forbidden foods, cheat days, starvation mode, meal frequency, cleanses, detoxing, diet pills, bad carbs, bad foods, only liquids, no sugar, low carb, paleo, Atkins, my thyroid, my hormones, my age, my pregnancy, my menopause, magic snake oil supplements, liquids don't have calories, good calories cancel out bad, exercise is necessary, eat more to lose weight, eating disorders, drug side effects, unspecified/undiagnosed diseases, food addiction, sugar addiction, water retention, healthy eating ...
Everything but Caloric Deficit and discipline/self-control
The list is endless ... and that's just what I've seen here in these forums ... today.
Quite a few of those are genuine issues though like drug side effects, age, pregnancy, menopause, eating disorders and nothing wrong with low carb or cheat days, if they work for people, that's fine.
Not saying calorie deficit and self control are not required - but that doesn't make the other issues irrelevant.
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Menopause isn't relevant. Sure, your lean body mass might decrease because most women tend to slow down when we get here, but as someone who last undertook a major diet in her 30's (Atkins)? I'm losing weight more quickly and easily now than I did then. AND... my thyroid is worse now than it was then. It's practically dead.
It really, really just comes down to CICO.
The thing is, sometimes in life, our situations change and we have to adjust our intake/activity to account for it. They are reasons for weight gain, not excuses for keeping it on.0 -
ISergeantSausage wrote: »Conditions, genetics, meal timing, forbidden foods, cheat days, starvation mode, meal frequency, cleanses, detoxing, diet pills, bad carbs, bad foods, only liquids, no sugar, low carb, paleo, Atkins, my thyroid, my hormones, my age, my pregnancy, my menopause, magic snake oil supplements, liquids don't have calories, good calories cancel out bad, exercise is necessary, eat more to lose weight, eating disorders, drug side effects, unspecified/undiagnosed diseases, food addiction, sugar addiction, water retention, healthy eating ...
Everything but Caloric Deficit and discipline/self-control
The list is endless ... and that's just what I've seen here in these forums ... today.
LOL!!!!!!!!
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mamapeach910 wrote: »Menopause isn't relevant. Sure, your lean body mass might decrease because most women tend to slow down when we get here, but as someone who last undertook a major diet in her 30's (Atkins)? I'm losing weight more quickly and easily now than I did then. AND... my thyroid is worse now than it was then. It's practically dead.
It really, really just comes down to CICO.
The thing is, sometimes in life, our situations change and we have to adjust our intake/activity to account for it. They are reasons for weight gain, not excuses for keeping it on.
I'd have to disagree with this. I am pushing 51 and all I have to do to gain weight after I reach goal is breathe on a bag of chips! Older women simply don't need as many calories and exercise is more important than ever. All the women I know in my age group who are thin and stay thin tell me the same thing, they just can't eat as much as they use to. When I reach goal, (this time, haha!) my maintenance intake is going to be far less then 2000 calories I can tell ya that. Just an observation....
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mamapeach910 wrote: »Menopause isn't relevant. Sure, your lean body mass might decrease because most women tend to slow down when we get here, but as someone who last undertook a major diet in her 30's (Atkins)? I'm losing weight more quickly and easily now than I did then. AND... my thyroid is worse now than it was then. It's practically dead.
It really, really just comes down to CICO.
The thing is, sometimes in life, our situations change and we have to adjust our intake/activity to account for it. They are reasons for weight gain, not excuses for keeping it on.
I'd have to disagree with this. I am pushing 51 and all I have to do to gain weight after I reach goal is breathe on a bag of chips! Older women simply don't need as many calories and exercise is more important than ever. All the women I know in my age group who are thin and stay thin tell me the same thing, they just can't eat as much as they use to. When I reach goal, (this time, haha!) my maintenance intake is going to be far less then 2000 calories I can tell ya that. Just an observation....
Did you read my last paragraph? I didn't say anything that contradicts what you're saying. Menopause is a reason for weight gain, but it's not an excuse for keeping it on.
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My mother has told me repeatedly I'll need to reduce to 1000 cals a day to hit goal!!! Such nonsense! And she says it whilst piling my plate high with her amazing food. Basically, she doesn't want me to leave her - we're the same weight right now.0
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to the person saying thyroid issues are no big deal.
come talk to me after you experience clumps of hair coming out. And eye lash loss.
these pics are 2 months old and it has gotten considerably worse. All my eyelashes on the bottom are gone now.
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I sadly have a few relatives who haven't figured out that Dr Oz is a quack yet. He shills it, they try it. It's essential oils right now.0
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This is my dad. He also told me I should drink a big glass of water before each meal so I won't eat as much. I was like "what? Why should I even do that" because I rarely exceed 400 calories per meal, unless I'm grazing or I'm out to eat. Usually it's snacking, going out to eat or just nonsense eating that puts me over my calories, not overeating at meals. I'm also at a healthy weight for my height and I'm in "quasi-maintenance" (I'd still like to lose another 2 lbs, maybe)I sadly have a few relatives who haven't figured out that Dr Oz is a quack yet. He shills it, they try it. It's essential oils right now.0 -
Drug side effects are a real thing. Pump yourself full of prednisone for a few years and see how your diet is working out for you. It's a great way to see just how much control you really have over your eating...0
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SergeantSausage wrote: »Conditions, genetics, meal timing, forbidden foods, cheat days, starvation mode, meal frequency, cleanses, detoxing, diet pills, bad carbs, bad foods, only liquids, no sugar, low carb, paleo, Atkins, my thyroid, my hormones, my age, my pregnancy, my menopause, magic snake oil supplements, liquids don't have calories, good calories cancel out bad, exercise is necessary, eat more to lose weight, eating disorders, drug side effects, unspecified/undiagnosed diseases, food addiction, sugar addiction, water retention, healthy eating ...
Everything but Caloric Deficit and discipline/self-control
The list is endless ... and that's just what I've seen here in these forums ... today.
I you! And yes, some of those things (diagnosed thyroid condition, congenital spine anomaly, former battle with BED) apply directly to me to make my road a little different than "normal."
But...I still managed to lose 25lbs over 8 months (just like "everyone else" can do), found an exercise plan (with modifications) that works for me that puts little to no pressure on my spine, and never once allowed real life conditions to be my excuses to give up on fitness.0 -
williams969 wrote: »SergeantSausage wrote: »Conditions, genetics, meal timing, forbidden foods, cheat days, starvation mode, meal frequency, cleanses, detoxing, diet pills, bad carbs, bad foods, only liquids, no sugar, low carb, paleo, Atkins, my thyroid, my hormones, my age, my pregnancy, my menopause, magic snake oil supplements, liquids don't have calories, good calories cancel out bad, exercise is necessary, eat more to lose weight, eating disorders, drug side effects, unspecified/undiagnosed diseases, food addiction, sugar addiction, water retention, healthy eating ...
Everything but Caloric Deficit and discipline/self-control
The list is endless ... and that's just what I've seen here in these forums ... today.
I you! And yes, some of those things (diagnosed thyroid condition, congenital spine anomaly, former battle with BED) apply directly to me to make my road a little different than "normal."
But...I still managed to lose 25lbs over 8 months (just like "everyone else" can do), found an exercise plan (with modifications) that works for me that puts little to no pressure on my spine, and never once allowed real life conditions to be my excuses to give up on fitness.
The question was misconceptions, not excuses. He's saying your diagnosed things have 0 effect, and you don't need to do those modifications.0 -
williams969 wrote: »SergeantSausage wrote: »Conditions, genetics, meal timing, forbidden foods, cheat days, starvation mode, meal frequency, cleanses, detoxing, diet pills, bad carbs, bad foods, only liquids, no sugar, low carb, paleo, Atkins, my thyroid, my hormones, my age, my pregnancy, my menopause, magic snake oil supplements, liquids don't have calories, good calories cancel out bad, exercise is necessary, eat more to lose weight, eating disorders, drug side effects, unspecified/undiagnosed diseases, food addiction, sugar addiction, water retention, healthy eating ...
Everything but Caloric Deficit and discipline/self-control
The list is endless ... and that's just what I've seen here in these forums ... today.
I you! And yes, some of those things (diagnosed thyroid condition, congenital spine anomaly, former battle with BED) apply directly to me to make my road a little different than "normal."
But...I still managed to lose 25lbs over 8 months (just like "everyone else" can do), found an exercise plan (with modifications) that works for me that puts little to no pressure on my spine, and never once allowed real life conditions to be my excuses to give up on fitness.
The question was misconceptions, not excuses. He's saying your diagnosed things have 0 effect, and you don't need to do those modifications.
That's nice.
You know better than I do what I'm saying, right?
You stating things that aren't anywhere to be found in my actual text, right?
How nice ...
<boggle>
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Meal timing, meal frequency, don't eat <certain foods> are the biggest ones.0
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williams969 wrote: »SergeantSausage wrote: »Conditions, genetics, meal timing, forbidden foods, cheat days, starvation mode, meal frequency, cleanses, detoxing, diet pills, bad carbs, bad foods, only liquids, no sugar, low carb, paleo, Atkins, my thyroid, my hormones, my age, my pregnancy, my menopause, magic snake oil supplements, liquids don't have calories, good calories cancel out bad, exercise is necessary, eat more to lose weight, eating disorders, drug side effects, unspecified/undiagnosed diseases, food addiction, sugar addiction, water retention, healthy eating ...
Everything but Caloric Deficit and discipline/self-control
The list is endless ... and that's just what I've seen here in these forums ... today.
I you! And yes, some of those things (diagnosed thyroid condition, congenital spine anomaly, former battle with BED) apply directly to me to make my road a little different than "normal."
But...I still managed to lose 25lbs over 8 months (just like "everyone else" can do), found an exercise plan (with modifications) that works for me that puts little to no pressure on my spine, and never once allowed real life conditions to be my excuses to give up on fitness.
The question was misconceptions, not excuses. He's saying your diagnosed things have 0 effect, and you don't need to do those modifications.
He said no such thing. I'm not white knighting here, but yeah, he was talking about excuses. I'm pretty sure that the context of his own post outside of the context of the thread was clear enough.
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SergeantSausage wrote: »williams969 wrote: »SergeantSausage wrote: »Conditions, genetics, meal timing, forbidden foods, cheat days, starvation mode, meal frequency, cleanses, detoxing, diet pills, bad carbs, bad foods, only liquids, no sugar, low carb, paleo, Atkins, my thyroid, my hormones, my age, my pregnancy, my menopause, magic snake oil supplements, liquids don't have calories, good calories cancel out bad, exercise is necessary, eat more to lose weight, eating disorders, drug side effects, unspecified/undiagnosed diseases, food addiction, sugar addiction, water retention, healthy eating ...
Everything but Caloric Deficit and discipline/self-control
The list is endless ... and that's just what I've seen here in these forums ... today.
I you! And yes, some of those things (diagnosed thyroid condition, congenital spine anomaly, former battle with BED) apply directly to me to make my road a little different than "normal."
But...I still managed to lose 25lbs over 8 months (just like "everyone else" can do), found an exercise plan (with modifications) that works for me that puts little to no pressure on my spine, and never once allowed real life conditions to be my excuses to give up on fitness.
The question was misconceptions, not excuses. He's saying your diagnosed things have 0 effect, and you don't need to do those modifications.
That's nice.
You know better than I do what I'm saying, right?
You stating things that aren't anywhere to be found in the actual text, right?
How nice ...
<boggle>
Thank you. I was all like, LOL WUT? Of course, if I didn't know better, my real life experiences would lead me to believe in the myriad misconceptions about weight loss with these specific conditions--oh, crazy thyroid? Imma be fat forever...Messed up spine? Well, I "can't" exercise, so I should just give up or do some crazy fad diet b/c "Dr. So and So" said it's magic...
But no, I understand that my personal TDEE is different (calculators are just rough estimates for everyone, really). Actually, mine's significantly higher (overactive thyroid--yes, you can overeat with this condition, I'm proof), so I eat more than MFP "says" I should. It's a necessary modification. The misconception of "1200/1500" diets to lose weight would be a very unhealthy one for me.
And exercise--sure, I don't "need" it, but I want it--so I've found strength training moves I can do without injuring myself--so I do that instead of, say, weighted dead lifts (someday, maybe, I will never lose hope and work my butt off to be my best).0 -
My mom has this habit of saying jokingly "that's not diet food!" every time I tell her what I'm eating or reach for something when I'm visiting home. It drives me so crazy since she knows I eat anything as long as it fits in my goals - & it's especially annoying since she's the one who always told me growing up that it's all about moderation! Gah!
Meal timing also - I'll eat dinner really late sometimes because I have class until 6. I'll be talking to my mom on my phone about it and she's like "eating so late?!?! That's not good for your diet..." & I roll my eyes.
Otherwise, I have an aunt at Christmas who was making comments about my weight loss, saying how I shouldn't "take it too far" and "get too skinny". ...I've only lost 22ish pounds (of like 70-80 that I ultimately need to) and am still considered obese according to my BMI! Thanks, auntie, but I think I know what I'm doing!
Edited to add: ^^This for me too! Mom will call & start with "I saw this thing on Dr. Oz today..." & I stop listening.I sadly have a few relatives who haven't figured out that Dr Oz is a quack yet.0 -
williams969 wrote: »But no, I understand that my personal TDEE is different (calculators are just rough estimates for everyone, really).
How do I access the "This Chick Really Gets It ^^^" flag on this site?
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My mom has managed to convince herself that her weight problem is ALL genetics and that's just the way she's destined to be. It has nothing at all to do with the potato chips, pizza, ice cream, wine and beer that she consumes in large quantities regularly, so why should she stop? Exercise doesn't do any good either when it's genetic either, according to her. I have to bite my tongue to keep from reminding her that I'm from the same genetic pool that she is and I've managed to lose weight. It's frustrating because now she's overweight to the point of almost being disabled but she's decided it's just her destiny so she won't even try.0
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Your opening post was a bit confusing but I think I understand now. Because you do not have a problem with sticking to a 400 calorie meal we should therefore conclude that no one else in the world has a problem either. Science is wonderful.This is my dad. He also told me I should drink a big glass of water before each meal so I won't eat as much. I was like "what? Why should I even do that" because I rarely exceed 400 calories per meal, unless I'm grazing or I'm out to eat. Usually it's snacking, going out to eat or just nonsense eating that puts me over my calories, not overeating at meals. I'm also at a healthy weight for my height and I'm in "quasi-maintenance" (I'd still like to lose another 2 lbs, maybe)
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Just the other day my brother (who's never had a weight issue) made a comment about my desktop photo on my computer. Every week or so I change my pic to reflect the season, holiday, etc. It so happens that I found a great picture of someone's rendition of Red Velvet Cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and red candy hearts sprinkled on the top. I thought they were some of the prettiest Valentines Day-ish confections I've seen, so I put them up in honor of Valentine's Day quickly approaching. My brother remarked that my having a picture of cupcakes on my computer was like him having a picture of a bottle of beer on his computer (he's a recovering alcoholic). I don't agree and told him so because when I made the decision to live a healthier lifestyle, I vowed that there weren't going to be any forbidden foods. If I choose to have a treat once in awhile, I figure it into my daily meal plan, log it, and forget about it; whereas an alcoholic can't have "just a little" alcohol; they must avoid ALL alcohol to remain sober.
I know I didn't have to justify my actions to him; but in an to make him understand my approach to healthier eating/living, I did. I think he gets it now.
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I grew up with, "don't eat after X time," "don't eat fat/carbs," etc. More recently my mom will suggest something she saw on Dr. Oz that day. I nod and smile.
I think reasons for weight gain are real and shouldn't be mocked. I had undiagnosed PCOS for many years. I tried Atkins and lost zero pounds - even in week one. I did Weight Watchers and after losing nearly 10 lbs, I plateaued for 3 months - even with weighing/measuring, tracking, and exercising nearly an hour almost every day.
It's not to say that most disorders mean you can't lose weight, 99% of the time it can be done - I'm proof of that losing 25 lbs so far with basic CICO. But it can be more of a challenge, which can be discouraging to a lot of people struggling with disorders that affect weight. I was diagnosed at 25 years old but took me another 8 years to find what actually worked for me and sticking to it - in between trying and giving up.0 -
Just about everyone in my family has struggled with an eating or a weight problem at some point in their lives. Many have diabetes and have to follow some guidelines for eating. I can't help but to laugh, though because often they abide by nutrition/weight loss misconceptions. Just today my grandma told my mom not to eat after 7pm for weight loss.
Are there misconceptions that loved ones have said to you during your journey/period of weight loss/gain?
There might be something to the don't eat after 7 pm advice. It isn't for weight loss per se, though, it's for insulin sensitivity. Not eating a few hours before bed does give your body a longer period of fasting (prior to breakfast). Then again, you could get the same result by not eating until after 7 pm, as some Intermittent Fasters do. So it's not a magical time of the evening, it's just a way of practicing IF.
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Read again. My dad advised ME and only me to do this. I never said that i typically stick with meals of a certain size and that others should too. This also does not mean that just because I am able to stick to having -roughly- that many calories for meals that others can do it too.
Your opening post was a bit confusing but I think I understand now. Because you do not have a problem with sticking to a 400 calorie meal we should therefore conclude that no one else in the world has a problem either. Science is wonderful.This is my dad. He also told me I should drink a big glass of water before each meal so I won't eat as much. I was like "what? Why should I even do that" because I rarely exceed 400 calories per meal, unless I'm grazing or I'm out to eat. Usually it's snacking, going out to eat or just nonsense eating that puts me over my calories, not overeating at meals. I'm also at a healthy weight for my height and I'm in "quasi-maintenance" (I'd still like to lose another 2 lbs, maybe)
My point of the water thing was that my dad told me to do this, but it does not always apply to me. The water thing could help people, but I don't necessarily need that help.
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