My friends keep telling me that cutting calories won't help me lose weight
ravensoundslikejoy
Posts: 18 Member
When I opt for a diet soda when we go out to eat, or I'll eat something I want just not as much of it, they tell me that's pointless and that they lost weight by, "going vegetarian" or "just by doing cardio" or "lifting weights" and I'm just really stinkin tired of it. They're trying to say my weight loss so far isn't legitimate. And pushing their ideas of healthy on to me. I apparently can't link protein and carbs to help with insulin spikes because that "defeats the big picture" and that i should work out for 3hrs per day to lose weight. It has really been pissing me off. I guess I'm just not going to talk about it to anyone, anymore. 
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Replies
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Cutting calories is definitely the way to lose weight. Not sure the best way to lose those friends of yours though! They're making it more complicated that it needs to be. Do your thing!50
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Sounds like you need kinder and smarter friends. I'm sorry they can't just be happy for you...I understand why you're so frustrated with them.36
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Well, they're just being ignorant then. If you know what you're doing is right (CICO), then just do you. Results will follow, and they will shut your friends up.
You can lose weight without doing a second of exercise, given you're in a caloric deficit.
You can lose weight by eating only junk food, just as you can gain weight eating only vegetables if you're in a caloric surplus.20 -
Working out helps. Eating healthy helps ensure micro and macro nutrients are consumed. But, ultimately you must consume less calories than you burn. CICO!9
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ravensoundslikejoy wrote: »When I opt for a diet soda when we go out to eat, or I'll eat something I want just not as much of it, they tell me that's pointless and that they lost weight by, "going vegetarian" or "just by doing cardio" or "lifting weights" and I'm just really stinkin tired of it. They're trying to say my weight loss so far isn't legitimate. And pushing their ideas of healthy on to me. I apparently can't link protein and carbs to help with insulin spikes because that "defeats the big picture" and that i should work out for 3hrs per day to lose weight. It has really been pissing me off. I guess I'm just not going to talk about it to anyone, anymore.
I hate to say it, but that's really the best approach. Your weight loss, your business. I don't talk about mine with anyone, and if they bring it up I just say "I'm watching what I eat" or something vague. I've learned the best subjects to avoid are politics, religion, and diets..haha.
You do you and let them do them. You know what works so you don't really need to discuss it with.them, especially if it causes problems and they keep wanting to argue with you. Maybe it's time to seek out better friends who are encouraging and supportive?
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I would flat-out say "I don't want to talk about this subject with you anymore. Please refrain from commenting on what I eat; it's rude." And leave it at that.
I had a friend who was obsessed with fad diets for a while. She went vegan, then gluten free, then Paleo, etc etc and when none of it worked (because she wasn't applying any of those lifestyles to CICO so duh) and still decided to be preachy and know-it-all, I decided I didnt need that kind of friend anymore.21 -
Isn't it true that a pound of muscle weighs the same as 6 pounds of fat? So you can weigh 150 and be fat, or weigh 150 and be lean and sexy. Everyone needs to calm down about their weight. Want to know if you're making progress? Look at how your clothes fit you and if you see a change in the mirror. So what if the scale says you weigh the same after a month. KEEP ON WORKING OUT AND EATING HEALTHY. Last time I checked, you decided to CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Keep it up. Don't stop. In fact EXERCISE HARDER. EXERCISE MORE. PUSH YOURSELF TO SEE RESULTS. RESULTS DON'T COME IN A MONTH.4
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ravensoundslikejoy wrote: »When I opt for a diet soda when we go out to eat, or I'll eat something I want just not as much of it, they tell me that's pointless and that they lost weight by, "going vegetarian" or "just by doing cardio" or "lifting weights" and I'm just really stinkin tired of it. They're trying to say my weight loss so far isn't legitimate. And pushing their ideas of healthy on to me. I apparently can't link protein and carbs to help with insulin spikes because that "defeats the big picture" and that i should work out for 3hrs per day to lose weight. It has really been pissing me off. I guess I'm just not going to talk about it to anyone, anymore.
Yes, do this. Most people have false information about weight loss that they will be more than ready to spout off to you. You do you and there's no need to include anyone else in what you're doing if it's healthy and it's working.6 -
Isn't it true that a pound of muscle weighs the same as 6 pounds of fat? So you can weigh 150 and be fat, or weigh 150 and be lean and sexy. Everyone needs to calm down about their weight. Want to know if you're making progress? Look at how your clothes fit you and if you see a change in the mirror. So what if the scale says you weigh the same after a month. KEEP ON WORKING OUT AND EATING HEALTHY. Last time I checked, you decided to CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Keep it up. Don't stop. In fact EXERCISE HARDER. EXERCISE MORE. PUSH YOURSELF TO SEE RESULTS. RESULTS DON'T COME IN A MONTH.
What?
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Isn't it true that a pound of muscle weighs the same as 6 pounds of fat? So you can weigh 150 and be fat, or weigh 150 and be lean and sexy. Everyone needs to calm down about their weight. Want to know if you're making progress? Look at how your clothes fit you and if you see a change in the mirror. So what if the scale says you weigh the same after a month. KEEP ON WORKING OUT AND EATING HEALTHY. Last time I checked, you decided to CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Keep it up. Don't stop. In fact EXERCISE HARDER. EXERCISE MORE. PUSH YOURSELF TO SEE RESULTS. RESULTS DON'T COME IN A MONTH.
I understand where you are coming from ... but a pound is a pound, whether it is muscle, fat, or water. So a pound of muscle weighs as much as ... a pound of fat. I think what you might MEAN is that a pound of muscle takes up less room than a pound of fat.
Weight loss and health result from good nutrition and good exercise, OP. The weight loss will come from the calorie deficit. Your weight loss is "legitimate." The appearance of your body will also be affected by muscles mass which will come from exercise. You will need to eat to fuel your burn. Carry on.
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ravensoundslikejoy wrote: »When I opt for a diet soda when we go out to eat, or I'll eat something I want just not as much of it, they tell me that's pointless and that they lost weight by, "going vegetarian" or "just by doing cardio" or "lifting weights" and I'm just really stinkin tired of it. They're trying to say my weight loss so far isn't legitimate. And pushing their ideas of healthy on to me. I apparently can't link protein and carbs to help with insulin spikes because that "defeats the big picture" and that i should work out for 3hrs per day to lose weight. It has really been pissing me off. I guess I'm just not going to talk about it to anyone, anymore.
Eating at a calorie deficit is required to lose weight, which means eating less of whatever foods you love. You're doing just fine.
You are spot on refusing not to discuss weight loss with them. If they push the issue, get some new friends.
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Time to find new and supportive friends ?6
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It seems like you have some friends stuck in the myths of weight loss, and you have it much more figured out. Do what works for you, and for the reasons you want, and you'll be just fine.
But if it was me, I wouldn't completely cut ties with them. Because it would just be so funny to see them when you are 20 or so pounds lighter and then tell them you tried all that cardio, lifting, vegetarian, and they just weren't your thing. So instead you used a nutrition professor as your role model and lost your weight on a modified twinkie diet.
cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/11/08/twinkie.diet.professor/
I'm sure they will try to explain him as a closet vegan, cardio freak, or taking pills or something. 12 -
Lol, I've had that conversations with quite a few people over the last two years. Seems everyone has an opinion about 'what works'. Granted, the media is always saying the same thing....how simple calorie counting rarely works. Hahaha. They give ideas of what does...and guess what? All the methods they talk about are STILL a result of CICO.
I just smile and ignore the naysayers. I'm down over 100 pounds so I think I have an idea of what works.
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Dieting is like religion and politics... everyone has a belief/stance/opinion and many people love to share, even if it's complete nonsense or not at all applicable to you.
I think the best thing to do is just to not get into a conversation about it.
If they comment on your diet drink just say "oh i like this one better" and if they continue on, then say "I'm happy with what I'm up to.. hey did you hear about xxxx?" and change the subject.
If you are telling them "i'm getting a diet drink because I'm watching my calories" or "I'm only going to have a small icecream because I'm counting calories", then don't. Just make your choices but don't call attention to them.7 -
Friends don't always know whats best. The main thing is you're here, on MFP, this is your learning curve and you'll do it the way YOU want to Don't let their comments unsettle/dishearten you. 3
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I'm not too hung up on what they have been telling me. Sticking to CICO and I lost another 1.4lbs this week. 25
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What weighs more: 100 pounds of bricks or 100 pounds of feathers?The feathers......because 100 pounds of bricks is just 100 pounds...but with the feathers, you also have to carry the weight of what you did to those poor birds.42
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Usually anytime someone tries to tell me the "right" way to lose weight, I laugh until they shut up.2
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People tend to get jealous when other people make weight loss look so effortless. You're doing good. Don't let them get you down.4
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Don't worry about the naysayers. You're seeing results you're happy with and that's all that matters Next time they say something about your diet soda or about you eating a sensible portion of food, just kindly smile and let them know that you're doing just fine on your journey, and you didn't have to eat a veggie burger or spend all day at the gym to see the results you've already seen. Then continue to sip on your diet soda and give them the #sorrynotsorry look 1
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ravensoundslikejoy wrote: »I'm not too hung up on what they have been telling me. Sticking to CICO and I lost another 1.4lbs this week.
You're doing a great job! Your friends just want to force their ideas on you. In reality, you can easily lose weight by simply changing what you eat, like you're doing. Later you can add exercise to tone up your body or to help you lose weight faster. However, weight loss is mainly based on what you place into your mouth and it sounds like you're doing a great job. Keep it up!1 -
MissusMoon wrote: »Sounds like you need kinder and smarter friends. I'm sorry they can't just be happy for you...I understand why you're so frustrated with them.
And how! (though I'm personally in favor of doing both cardio and weights for physical and mental health reasons, it's not required to lose weight)1 -
Your friends are clueless!
Cutting calories isn't always enough to lose weight though - you need to maintain an actual deficit to lose weight.1 -
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Isn't it true that a pound of muscle weighs the same as 6 pounds of fat? So you can weigh 150 and be fat, or weigh 150 and be lean and sexy. Everyone needs to calm down about their weight. Want to know if you're making progress? Look at how your clothes fit you and if you see a change in the mirror. So what if the scale says you weigh the same after a month. KEEP ON WORKING OUT AND EATING HEALTHY. Last time I checked, you decided to CHANGE YOUR LIFE. Keep it up. Don't stop. In fact EXERCISE HARDER. EXERCISE MORE. PUSH YOURSELF TO SEE RESULTS. RESULTS DON'T COME IN A MONTH.
Someone lied to you, my friend. One pound is one pound. What that pound looks like, and how it fills a space, is a different story. One pound of fat is much less appealing than one pound of muscle.3 -
No matter what you call it, you have to eat less calories than you burn to lose weight. That is a fact.
It is logical and common sense if you just think about it.
Your friends are not using much logic and common sense.0 -
Do they mean that statistically calorie-counting doesn't work because most people gain back the weight they have lost? That is true, although the same goes for cutting carbs etc too.1
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Your friends are wrong.
Eat at a deficit and you will lose weight. You don't need to exercise, or eat a certain way, or do anything - just burn more calories than you consume.
Now, will exercise help with your fitness and give you a bit more of a deficit? Sure. Could a vegetarian diet encourage someone to eat healthier? Sure. But these things alone don't make you lose weight - take it from a vegan who spent months going to the gym three times a week, and still gained weight. Why? Because I was eating too much.5
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