Doctor's advice

Starqz

My doctor told me that the 1700 calorie goal that MFP gave me is entirely too high to lose weight and that I should be on a 1000 - 1100 a day diet. Seriously? I hit 1400 a day usually, but 1100 would leave me HUNGRY! What do you think? To stay at my current weight was over 2300 calories a day. 1000 is a 1300 deficit not including the exercising that I have been doing.

Edit: My doctor is a regular family doctor. She is new to the practice and from the time she walked into the door, all she saw was my fat. She talked about gastric bypass, wants to refer me to the Obesity Clinic, etc. She kept saying, "Its no good. You are 32 and diabetic and weigh this much. You are eating too many calories and too many carbohydrates." Then told me the 1000 to 1100 calorie limit a day. I wanted to faint.

JoeCampbell85

I think that doctors diagnose not tell you how many calories you need a day to diet. Listen to his advice and keep it in mind but start with what you think is comfortable and reduce it every couple weeks until you see the result that you want.

Edit: Should have said that you should see a recommended RD. They specialize in this stuff. Doctors can have pretty rudimentary educations in nutrition. Unless you have a health concern that requires you to lose weight very quickly, I see no harm in starting a little slower than he recommends.

Edit 2: Wait, I just looked at your profile. You are already doing awesome! Stay the course unless YOU feel you need to decrease calories.

Branstin

Did you asked your doctor for an explanation or told him/her that you think he or she is nuts and will do a 1400 a day meal plan? I am not suggesting you ignore or follow your doctor's advice but do a better job in communicating with him/her before making a final decision.

joebooth28

Is this a nutritionist, general practice.. or what kind of doctor? I would never contradict a doctors advice, I am not one. I would maybe get a second opinion from a specialist in weight loss and management.

Watching TV I have heard of people on extremely low calorie diets. But they are usually those bedridden or something trying to lose weight for surgery.

akaMrsmojo

Unless there is a medical condition, I do not see how it is a good idea to suggest that. I never eat less than my BMR and lose. I am cynic, for 10 years doctors misdiagnosed me because they never took the time to listen to me.

StaciMarie1974

Many doctors - especially older ones - are clueless when it comes to nutrition.

amcook4

Doctors are not well educated on nutrition. Find a Registered Dietitian (my insurance covers it even) and they can help you be more realistic. And I'm usually in a "trust the doctors, they know best" group, but not on nutrition, RDs have actual degrees in nutrition. (Unless your doc is a weight specialist, then it is different)

TutuMom41

what your dr. advises will work and will work more quickly but statistically diets fail. If you eat less then it takes to maintain your weight you will loose. Its that simple. Live in a way you can sustain so you can have a permanent weight loss not on a drastic deprivation diet

One_Last_Time

Wow, yeah don't do that.

pandabear_

Like someone else said about your profile, you've already lost a lot.. So you're doing something right already!

Could you see another doctor? I know it's a family doctor, but you said yourself all she sees is your fat, so maybe it's better to get another opinion or someone you feel more comforted by and feel like they understand you more.

AllOutof_Bubblegum

As a dietetics student, this infuriates me. As a sophomore, I have had more nutrition and diet education than many doctors practicing today. Unless the doctor you are referring to is a wight loss specialist or dietitian, please seek a second opinion of a specialist. Because she most likely does not have a single clue about healthy, sustainable weight loss.

juggernaut1974

Time to find a new doctor

Ninkyou

Look for a new doctor.

motivatedmartha

Just tell your doctor how much you have lost and leave it at that. It used to be recommended to eat 1000 cals to lose weight but that is very outdated - just carry on doing what you're doing and impress her with your steady progress.
:flowerforyou:

_lyndseybrooke_

This is why you don't ask a GP for nutrition advice. They're the people you see when you're sick, not the people you talk calories with.

I would LOVE for my doctor to tell me to eat 1000-1100 calories per day. I'd make a follow-up appointment just to show him proof of my weight loss at a much higher calorie limit.

MizTerry

I think you need a new doc!

krokar

I would seek advice from a registered dietitian, preferably one who specializes in diabetes.

I'm not contradicting your doctor's medical expertise, but I would caution you that most doctors are not actually nutrition specialists and only a small portion of their education and training relates to nutrition.

If you manage to follow your doctor's advice, you will lose weight, but it will probably be an enormous struggle and you'll be tempted to quit. IMHO, you should work with a dietitian to find a sustainable weight loss plan.

Kalikel

You should listen to your doctor. I am sure that somewhere on the site, My Fitness Pal has a statement that tells you that this isn't medical advice and you should consult a doctor.

Being HUNGRY is not an uncommon thing when losing weight. When you eat less, your body will get used to eating less. Your stomach will shrink and you won't be as hungry.

If you cut out junk food and eat healthy food, you will easily be able to fill up on 1100 calories a day. So you have any idea how many fruits and veggies you can eat for just 200 calories? A LOT.

I know that many people here will tell you you shouldn't give up cakes and cookies and ice cream and potato chips, because it just isn't possible and nobody can actually eat healthy food all the time, that a healthy-eating lifestyle is simply UNSUSTAINABLE PERIOD. But, people can and do make lifestyle changes that include healthy eating. Does it mean you never, ever get a little piece of cake? No. But you don't get one every week or two, much less every day. (Maybe, with diabetes you never get the cake. I don't know.). MANY people eat healthy. Many, many people do it. They do it all the time. It is attainable. It should be your goal if the doctor is telling you to so that.

You are overweight. You have diabetes. Your eating is seriously affecting your health. I'd you don't quit, you'll probably have a heart attack, likely before you're fifty. You could lose a limb. People here never talk about heart attacks or the effects of these moderate indulgences on their arteries, much less diabetic complications. They're all about moderation, and f it leaves you with a moderate amount of diabetes and heart disease, well...you should go see a doctor when that happens.

The cardiologist will tell you, after the heart attack, that you need to switch all your eating habits. Don't wait for that. Do it now, like the doctor says, and skip the heart attack.

I don't think there is anything wrong, personally, with eating what you want and ignoring the doctors. Both my parents refused to follow any dietary suggestions, lol. I'm not saying you're a bad person!

But if you are smart, want to be a healthy and avoid all that trouble later, you will listen to the doctor and follow her advice.

It's okay to be hungry when you start losing weight. You will live through it and be better off later.

If you really think your doctor is off, get a second opinion. But do not follow Internet advice over your doctor's advice.

I wish you all the luck in the world, whatever route you choose!

juliet3455

Next time you " visit " this Doctor bring in a collection of your pictures and show off the great success you have had. If you have a smart phone show them your online success and support from your MFP Gangsters.:smokin:
You are doing fine, keep moving forward to your next goal. Personally mine goal is the next 5 pounds. I built this body in small bites and will lose it in small bites, that the most successful way to achieve long term weight loss. :glasses:

FitFroglet

This is what annoys me about diabetic review - fellow 32 yr old diabetic here (type 1). It's never "well done for all the weight you've lost" or "fantastic! great HBA1C results". Always "If you don't lose weight you'll go blind/lose limbs/have kidney failure. Every time I go they reduce me to tears.

I'd like to say "Awesome job on the weight you've lost so far, that will have great benefits to your long-term health; whatever you're doing, keep it up!"
It's really tough to lose weight and balance sugar levels - great job!

Losing weight too quickly is seriously dangerous for us - I'd definitely get a second opinion.
Don't let them drag you down :flowerforyou: