The Truth about Calorie Restriction

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Replies

  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    Oh boy. I had this huge debate on FB yesterday arguing with people who said cico doesn't work. I directed them to the mfp forums. I hope I didn't drag a whole lotta trouble over here.... :open_mouth:

    I gave up trying to explain CICO to people....So now I'm all "yeah - enjoy your boring chicken and brown rice while I eat this pizza..."

    Those are the two options?

    There is actually only one option....CICO :)

  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    edited February 2015
    ayanasioux wrote: »
    Now here is the science behind all of this.

    The human body uses food as energy. An adult needs at least 2000 calories to adequately function daily in order to be healthy. Anything lower than that is considered starvation according the world health organization. The reason we all lose weight by restricting our calories is because we are going through starvation, and the body uses long term energy sources (fat) to replace the calorie deficient. When the body gets to a point where if feels like its losing too much emergency energy sources, not only does it begin to hold on to every source, it will try to replenish it once the individual eats more. The individual is destined to eat more because it knows that it is being starved and needs more energy. The brain will send you signals to eat certain things and to eat more of it. That is why we have undyingly strong cravings for a food. This is why I binged. This is why most people binge. Your body will only take but so much abuse before it goes into that mode. 2000 calories gives the body enough energy to sustain a healthy weight and to lose weight if you're over your healthy weight.

    You are suggesting every single person needs 2000 calories? Really?

    Like, no one needs less and no one needs more, just, 2000 is perfect for everyone? :neutral_face:

    I think that's the general concensus. In the 'fasting rule book,' they say women should eat 1/4 of their regular calories on fast days. Which is 500 calories taken from the generic 2000 calorie. It must be written somewhere that all women shouldn't go below 2000 calories?? I know I'd pack on the weight eating that much everyday!
  • ana3067
    ana3067 Posts: 5,623 Member
    What I find funny is the OP profile states: "Calorie counting is the only way I know to lose weight." as their about me

    Also you should learn on telling a story in a more concise way the wall of nonsense bored me after the first paragraph.

    I didn't even read it. Like dafuq man, I'm not putting as much effort into forums as I put into reading for my classes at uni.
  • Showcase_Brodown
    Showcase_Brodown Posts: 919 Member
    ayanasioux wrote: »
    Calorie restriction has made me fat. Fat has made me fat.
    ayanasioux wrote: »
    The moral of the story is that calorie restriction is not the answer. look at others who have tried this.

    A Calorie surplus is what makes anyone fat. Period. Carbs, protein, fat, whatever makes up that surplus doesn't matter.

    Calorie restriction is the answer for weight loss. Look at the results that thousands of people on here have gotten by restricting Calories. In order to lose weight the body needs to be in a deficit in which it is forced to use stored energy (usually fat).

    And less than 2000 Calories is starvation? Absolutely not.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Hornsby wrote: »
    Oh boy. I had this huge debate on FB yesterday arguing with people who said cico doesn't work. I directed them to the mfp forums. I hope I didn't drag a whole lotta trouble over here.... :open_mouth:

    I gave up trying to explain CICO to people....So now I'm all "yeah - enjoy your boring chicken and brown rice while I eat this pizza..."

    Those are the two options?

    There is actually only one option....CICO :)
    and CICO people never eat brown rice and chicken? B)
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    Honestly, I skimmed until I got to the inevitable: "Now, I'm not telling anyone what to do, but..."
    I don't want to tell anyone what to do, but I will tell you want I'm going to do. I will no longer fall for the propaganda that carbs make you fat.

    Okay, I'm with you. Carbs don't make us fat! Yay!
    Calorie restriction has made me fat.

    What? no.
    Fat has made me fat.

    Really, no.
    For now I'm going to document my journey on a high carb, low fat, plant based diet in hopes of not only losing weight, but to forever get off of the roller coaster of crash dieting and binge eating and starvation and etc.

    I honestly wish you luck finding the right journey for yourself. But I'm not with you on this one.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    Hornsby wrote: »
    Oh boy. I had this huge debate on FB yesterday arguing with people who said cico doesn't work. I directed them to the mfp forums. I hope I didn't drag a whole lotta trouble over here.... :open_mouth:

    I gave up trying to explain CICO to people....So now I'm all "yeah - enjoy your boring chicken and brown rice while I eat this pizza..."

    Those are the two options?

    There is actually only one option....CICO :)
    and CICO people never eat brown rice and chicken? B)

    Ahhhh Haaa, I see what you did ;)
  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,399 Member
    OP--I'm sorry, but it's hard to take your advice. As you yourself admit, you've been wrong before. I see alot of frustration in your post, as you bounce from one thing to another. I really wish you success with your new vegan diet. Let us know how you're doing in about 3-4 months. Don't worry, if it doesn't work, there are alot of other diets to try. Best. :)
  • ana3067
    ana3067 Posts: 5,623 Member
    Honestly, I skimmed until I got to the inevitable: "Now, I'm not telling anyone what to do, but..."
    I don't want to tell anyone what to do, but I will tell you want I'm going to do. I will no longer fall for the propaganda that carbs make you fat.

    Okay, I'm with you. Carbs don't make us fat! Yay!
    Calorie restriction has made me fat.

    What? no.
    Fat has made me fat.

    Really, no.
    For now I'm going to document my journey on a high carb, low fat, plant based diet in hopes of not only losing weight, but to forever get off of the roller coaster of crash dieting and binge eating and starvation and etc.

    I honestly wish you luck finding the right journey for yourself. But I'm not with you on this one.
    From what I recall those higher carb diets are more likely to contribute to weight gain anyways, likely due to lowered satiety and thus eating more food. Pretty sure that my old fat-self diet was much higher carb and lower fat/protien than it is now haha.
  • Alyssa_Is_LosingIt
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt Posts: 4,696 Member

    ayanasioux wrote: »

    Vegetarianism wasn't doing anything. But my decision to go vegetarian wasn't for weight loss, it was because I cared about animals and was disgusted by animal cruelty. I mean, you can't love animals and eat them too, right? It seems like a contradiction. You can't love your mom and kill her just because. I also knew I wouldn't have health issues from going vegetarian. If anything, my health would be better.

    But vegetarianism wasn't enough. So I decided that once I moved out of my parents house for the fall semester, I would follow a complete plant based diet. My initial reasons weren't for health (because I had seen a video about what goes on in the meat industry, and I felt that if it disgusted me, I shouldn't take part) but health was a good plus, and I knew it would help my health in the long run. Before moving out, though, I went on another hunger splurge, and I will tell you all why soon.

    Wat?
  • wizzybeth
    wizzybeth Posts: 3,578 Member
    ceoverturf wrote: »
    Can someone give a tl;dr?

    I'm unfamiliar with this term - what does that mean? :)

  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    wizzybeth wrote: »
    ceoverturf wrote: »
    Can someone give a tl;dr?

    I'm unfamiliar with this term - what does that mean? :)

    Too Long ; Didn't Read
  • ana3067
    ana3067 Posts: 5,623 Member
    ayanasioux wrote: »
    Now here is the science behind all of this.

    The human body uses food as energy. An adult needs at least 2000 calories to adequately function daily in order to be healthy. Anything lower than that is considered starvation according the world health organization. The reason we all lose weight by restricting our calories is because we are going through starvation, and the body uses long term energy sources (fat) to replace the calorie deficient. When the body gets to a point where if feels like its losing too much emergency energy sources, not only does it begin to hold on to every source, it will try to replenish it once the individual eats more. The individual is destined to eat more because it knows that it is being starved and needs more energy. The brain will send you signals to eat certain things and to eat more of it. That is why we have undyingly strong cravings for a food. This is why I binged. This is why most people binge. Your body will only take but so much abuse before it goes into that mode. 2000 calories gives the body enough energy to sustain a healthy weight and to lose weight if you're over your healthy weight.

    You are suggesting every single person needs 2000 calories? Really?

    Like, no one needs less and no one needs more, just, 2000 is perfect for everyone? :neutral_face:

    I think that's the general concensus. In the 'fasting rule book,' they say women should eat 1/4 of their regular calories on fast days. Which is 500 calories taken from the generic 2000 calorie. It must be written somewhere that all women shouldn't go below 2000 calories?? I know I'd pack on the weight eating that much everyday!

    I'm losing eating more than 2000 B)
  • MindySaysWhaaat
    MindySaysWhaaat Posts: 401 Member
    Your story makes my head hurt.

    I'm going to go eat my turkey sandwich now for lunch.
  • OP you have an unrealistic view of how much you should be eating, hence why you got to 200 lbs in the first place. You are eating too much to lose weight. Restricting your calories is how you lose weight. It is bad if you restrict your calories under 1200. Then it is a problem. You are complaining because losing weight is hard.. no *kitten*. And why even bother being on mfp if you don't believe in calorie restriction. Obviously your eating whatever you want, so why bother counting calories.
  • petrinasupler
    petrinasupler Posts: 50 Member
    1. finding true hunger after being overweight for so long can be quite a shock so more than likely you weren't "starving" yourself your body was discovering what true hunger really felt like.---the majority of Americans have no idea what that means so don't worry if you didn't know there was a difference.

    2. if you felt weak and tired it was probably from not eating the right kinds of nutrient dense foods. I don't consider myself a vegetarian, but most of my diet looks like I am. It's those types of foods that keep your body strong and hydrated.

    3. Losing weight consists of 2 factors that when used together maximize results and that's diet and exercise, not just one or the other, both working together in a healthy balanced manner.

    4. I certainly hope you were accounting for the calories burned through your workouts for your diet. I average 1100-1200 on days I don't work out, much more on days I do.

    5. Slow weight loss is healthier than dropping too much at once, so if it takes a month to lose 10 lbs or less, than you're doing something right.

    Please re-analyze your data based on a nutritionist perspective. You have come to certain conclusions based on inaccurate data analysis.

    Have a good day!
  • wizzybeth
    wizzybeth Posts: 3,578 Member
    Hornsby wrote: »
    wizzybeth wrote: »
    ceoverturf wrote: »
    Can someone give a tl;dr?

    I'm unfamiliar with this term - what does that mean? :)

    Too Long ; Didn't Read

    Thank you!

  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    ana3067 wrote: »
    ayanasioux wrote: »
    Now here is the science behind all of this.

    The human body uses food as energy. An adult needs at least 2000 calories to adequately function daily in order to be healthy. Anything lower than that is considered starvation according the world health organization. The reason we all lose weight by restricting our calories is because we are going through starvation, and the body uses long term energy sources (fat) to replace the calorie deficient. When the body gets to a point where if feels like its losing too much emergency energy sources, not only does it begin to hold on to every source, it will try to replenish it once the individual eats more. The individual is destined to eat more because it knows that it is being starved and needs more energy. The brain will send you signals to eat certain things and to eat more of it. That is why we have undyingly strong cravings for a food. This is why I binged. This is why most people binge. Your body will only take but so much abuse before it goes into that mode. 2000 calories gives the body enough energy to sustain a healthy weight and to lose weight if you're over your healthy weight.

    You are suggesting every single person needs 2000 calories? Really?

    Like, no one needs less and no one needs more, just, 2000 is perfect for everyone? :neutral_face:

    I think that's the general concensus. In the 'fasting rule book,' they say women should eat 1/4 of their regular calories on fast days. Which is 500 calories taken from the generic 2000 calorie. It must be written somewhere that all women shouldn't go below 2000 calories?? I know I'd pack on the weight eating that much everyday!

    I'm losing eating more than 2000 B)

    I know, Everytime I read that I think "you suck Ana"!! :wink: :heart: xx
    You exercise a lot more than me. I reckon I could maybe eat that many calories if I got off my *kitten* and started an exercise program

  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    ana3067 wrote: »
    Honestly, I skimmed until I got to the inevitable: "Now, I'm not telling anyone what to do, but..."
    I don't want to tell anyone what to do, but I will tell you want I'm going to do. I will no longer fall for the propaganda that carbs make you fat.

    Okay, I'm with you. Carbs don't make us fat! Yay!
    Calorie restriction has made me fat.

    What? no.
    Fat has made me fat.

    Really, no.
    For now I'm going to document my journey on a high carb, low fat, plant based diet in hopes of not only losing weight, but to forever get off of the roller coaster of crash dieting and binge eating and starvation and etc.

    I honestly wish you luck finding the right journey for yourself. But I'm not with you on this one.
    From what I recall those higher carb diets are more likely to contribute to weight gain anyways, likely due to lowered satiety and thus eating more food. Pretty sure that my old fat-self diet was much higher carb and lower fat/protien than it is now haha.

    So you're lower carb. But not low carb. By your standards.
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Hornsby wrote: »
    Hornsby wrote: »
    Oh boy. I had this huge debate on FB yesterday arguing with people who said cico doesn't work. I directed them to the mfp forums. I hope I didn't drag a whole lotta trouble over here.... :open_mouth:

    I gave up trying to explain CICO to people....So now I'm all "yeah - enjoy your boring chicken and brown rice while I eat this pizza..."

    Those are the two options?

    There is actually only one option....CICO :)
    and CICO people never eat brown rice and chicken? B)

    Ahhhh Haaa, I see what you did ;)

    :)
  • Alyssa_Is_LosingIt
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt Posts: 4,696 Member
    Sit down to drink coffee. "The Truth About Calorie Restriction" - this should be fun...

    Four minutes later:

    Brave1.gif
  • AskTracyAnnK28
    AskTracyAnnK28 Posts: 2,817 Member
    Hornsby wrote: »
    Oh boy. I had this huge debate on FB yesterday arguing with people who said cico doesn't work. I directed them to the mfp forums. I hope I didn't drag a whole lotta trouble over here.... :open_mouth:

    I gave up trying to explain CICO to people....So now I'm all "yeah - enjoy your boring chicken and brown rice while I eat this pizza..."

    Those are the two options?

    There is actually only one option....CICO :)
    and CICO people never eat brown rice and chicken? B)

    Sure they do...but people I know seem to think that brown rice, chicken and steamed veggies have to be their dinner every night when they're on a diet. I've tried to explain - 'calories in /calories out', and to figure out their TDEE blah blah but they don't want to hear it.

  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    Hornsby wrote: »
    Oh boy. I had this huge debate on FB yesterday arguing with people who said cico doesn't work. I directed them to the mfp forums. I hope I didn't drag a whole lotta trouble over here.... :open_mouth:

    I gave up trying to explain CICO to people....So now I'm all "yeah - enjoy your boring chicken and brown rice while I eat this pizza..."

    Those are the two options?

    There is actually only one option....CICO :)
    and CICO people never eat brown rice and chicken? B)

    Sure they do...but people I know seem to think that brown rice, chicken and steamed veggies have to be their dinner every night when they're on a diet. I've tried to explain - 'calories in /calories out', and to figure out their TDEE blah blah but they don't want to hear it.
    That's different then.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    :huh:

    You found the eyeroll ...I've been looking for the eyeroll ...I happy now :smiley:

    As for OP ...yeah, didn't read it...sorry ...too long. Got the gist from some of the responses though and a-huh :huh:
  • MandyClark87
    MandyClark87 Posts: 1 Member
    Proper food, in moderation, watch your nutrition and exorcise. DIETS don't work, Life Changes, do!
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    Rabbit where's the eyeroll?? I'm on my phone so have to type it in and :eyerroll: doesn't work
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    Proper food, in moderation, watch your nutrition and exorcise. DIETS don't work, Life Changes, do!

    Getting exorcised won't make you lose weight :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye: Unless the demon inside me is making me eat :open_mouth:
  • Alyssa_Is_LosingIt
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt Posts: 4,696 Member
    Proper food, in moderation, watch your nutrition and exorcise. DIETS don't work, Life Changes, do!

    Getting exorcised won't make you lose weight :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye: Unless the demon inside me is making me eat :open_mouth:

    It's all that shooger. It's the debil.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    Rabbit where's the eyeroll?? I'm on my phone so have to type it in and :eyerroll: doesn't work

    You put a huh between the colons

    Happy bunny :grinning:
  • wizzybeth
    wizzybeth Posts: 3,578 Member
    :huh:
This discussion has been closed.