Could use a male point of view..

Jadedlily83
Jadedlily83 Posts: 19 Member
in Motivation and Support
My husband keeps saying that male and female bodies have different needs and that watching calories and nutrition won't work for him. He has fibromyalgia and has trouble moving around a lot. Opinions? I could use some male friends too!

Replies

  • irapino65
    irapino65 Posts: 71 Member
    I believe he's correct from a nutritional point of view. However also the theory on weight loss remains the same. You create a calorie deficit you lose weight.
  • Lleldiranne
    Lleldiranne Posts: 5,516 Member
    Men generally need more calories than women of similar age and stature, but not always. But it still is calories in vs calories out.

    I don't recall how having fibromyalgia affects the CO part of the equation, but I do know (from in-laws who have fibro) that exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can help alleviate some symptoms. He may want to talk with his doctor for a referral to a dietician, but he can also just set up an account here. The programming takes into account differences between male and female.
  • 6502programmer
    6502programmer Posts: 515 Member
    They do have different needs, and FOR HIM, CICO may not "work". This is why there are meal plan diets, prepared meal diets, meal replacement diets, etc. CICO is the purest expression of weight loss, but it's far from the only, and it's not the best for all people. Some people need the structure of prepared meals, or the portion control of magic Tupperware.
  • feisty_bucket
    feisty_bucket Posts: 1,047 Member
    Jadedlily83 wrote: »
    watching calories and nutrition won't work for him.

    BS. Works for everyone.
  • rankinsect
    rankinsect Posts: 2,238 Member
    edited February 2016
    Well, counting calories can work for anyone. Some people find it extremely burdensome, others like me find it simple and effective.

    That said, for anything to be effective, it needs to be his choice to lose the weight. If he doesn't have the desire to change, you aren't able to force it upon him.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    Leave him alone about weight loss. Everyone comes at this from a different perspective and usually only when they are ready.
  • Jadedlily83
    Jadedlily83 Posts: 19 Member
    mathjulz wrote: »
    I don't recall how having fibromyalgia affects the CO part of the equation, but I do know (from in-laws who have fibro) that exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can help alleviate some symptoms. He may want to talk with his doctor for a referral to a dietician, but he can also just set up an account here.

    He's been seeing a doctor for years. The problem is that for days at a time he can barely get out of bed, much less exercise. And then there's the depression..

  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    edited February 2016
    All bodies have different needs based on size, activity, gender, etc... So, yes, different bodies have different needs.
    As to whether watching calories and nutrition will work on him - he's wrong, it will. His needs are different and higher than yours, most likely.

    Every single person has a heart, consumes food, uses calories and needs nutrition (even when those needs vary).

    But aside from that - unless he decides to take care of himself, it isn't something you can manage. There are a lot of people here with fibro - maybe he can ask for support, if he is interested. Can't do it for him.
  • AlphaCajun
    AlphaCajun Posts: 290 Member
    feisty_bucket wrote: »
    Jadedlily83 wrote: »
    watching calories and nutrition won't work for him.

    BS. Works for everyone.

    This.
  • ElizabethOakes2
    ElizabethOakes2 Posts: 1,038 Member
    If he's been seeing a doctor for years about his fibro and is depressed and can't get out of bed on some days, he needs to see a different doctor and probably therapists for both pain management and depression.
    Yes, better nutrition and calorie counting will work for him, but he probably won't be able to have faith in himself let alone a nutrition plan unless he can get his pain and depression managed. :(
  • LaceyBirds
    LaceyBirds Posts: 451 Member
    Jadedlily83 wrote: »
    mathjulz wrote: »
    I don't recall how having fibromyalgia affects the CO part of the equation, but I do know (from in-laws who have fibro) that exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can help alleviate some symptoms. He may want to talk with his doctor for a referral to a dietician, but he can also just set up an account here.

    He's been seeing a doctor for years. The problem is that for days at a time he can barely get out of bed, much less exercise. And then there's the depression..

    I have chronic illnesses that keep me in bed for days at a time, from pain and extreme discomfort. I have suffered from clinical depression, anxiety and dysthymia all of my life. I have lost 68 pounds over the last year and a half or so by diet alone. I am 60 years old.

    He has to want to do it - you can't really help him except to show him a few examples from this website and this thread that it is entirely possible. If he is at all interested, have him read some of the Success Stories - they are inspiring and he will see there are many people that suffer from chronic illness that have been able to lose weight - lots of weight.

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