are we sometimes congratulating people for undereating? Loo

rockabillydarlin

Nothing wrong with 900 calories.
You don't need 2000 calories. I mean if you eat that much, don't even complain about not losing weight because DUH.

As for working out, how are you going to tone up if you don't?

...Is this a real post?

lemonadem

This is a very good post! I was just thinking about this yesterday, as I was thinking the point of a goal is to get to that goal.. I mean are we not all trying to actually reach our fitness goals?

Same should be with calories.

We should try to hit our target goal of calories everyday, not go over, and not try to under eat.

Thanks for saying it.. I agree just logging and being aware is an accomplishment!

TheBraveryLover

Good post and an understandable concern. I sometimes, have under the 1200 recommended, usually because I'm planning for a free day the following day. For instance, yesterday I made sure to exercise and only ate about 700 calories, because today is a funeral and I *know* I'll be pigging out at the repass and will more than make up for yesterday, hehe. I also eat under when I know I screwed up the prior day. Like you said, when it's once in a blue moon (I usually do it once a week) it's fine. But when someone's eating less than 1000 on every entry, it does seem to be promoting unhealthy eating habits.

I'm glad you brought this tough topic up.

greeneyed84

I agree. I have a few friends who eat 600-900 calories a day, plus workout. Not healthy. I've also said something but some really don't see anything wrong with it!
I always look at the diary when soeone completes it & when they are close to their daily goal I will comment & tell them they did great!

karensoxfan

I understand were you are coming from, I actaully get somewhat comfused by the site at times. It's like they say YAY you were under your calorie goal GREAT JOB! Then in itty bitty letters it tells you, you are porbably starving yourself. I get confused on what I'm really suppost to be doing here...eat over my calories, hit exactly 1200 a day or ignore the little warning at the bottom once you've logged in for the day!

I agree 100% that the site sends mixed messages when you go below 1200 calories. I wish that "YOU'RE NOT EATING ENOUGH!" warning would be in bigger bolder letters.

mrb_9110

I very much agree. Some days all I do for exercise is walk to class, and yes I burn some calories doing this, but I don't consider this a workout and don't think I deserve a cheering section for this. (On a side note, I do really appreciate my friends who congratulate me on a great workout or dropping pounds.)

I would really like to be able to choose which posts make it onto the feed instead of every little thing being on there.

donicagalek

...because today is a funeral and I *know* I'll be pigging out at the repass and will more than make up for yesterday, hehe.

Is it wrong that you finishing a sentence about a funeral with "hehe" made me laugh? :-D

Sueboo31

Personally, I think the "pat on the back" message should be more along the lines of "Sandy completed her food diary and was within her target range." I hate the fact that I can go over by one calorie and lose the good feedback, but I can go under by an unhealthy amount without losing that feedback. On the other hand, if your weight and goals are such that your target calories are at or near 1200, you almost can't win! If you are under your goal, you're going to get the "you aren't eating enough" message. Very frustrating! :huh:

Great minds think alike! I didn't see this before I posted my note.

Sueboo31

Personally, I think the "pat on the back" message should be more along the lines of "Sandy completed her food diary and was within her target range." I hate the fact that I can go over by one calorie and lose the good feedback, but I can go under by an unhealthy amount without losing that feedback. On the other hand, if your weight and goals are such that your target calories are at or near 1200, you almost can't win! If you are under your goal, you're going to get the "you aren't eating enough" message. Very frustrating! :huh:

Great minds think alike! I didn't see this before I posted my note.

I totally agree!

Raynamama

Such a great post that sparked great conversation I think it's really important to talk about this stuff for sure!
I agree with SK24373's original post - I try not to comment on people's status of diary completion unless I can see their diary's for that reason and I have also removed friends in the past because they were openly not promoting a healthy lifestyle and trying to cut corners but cutting calories too low and posting status updates about just wanting to be "skinny" and have their "hip bones show" things like that should not be promoted! I love this site because it promotes the healthy and SAFE pursuit of weight loss!!

Good luck to everyone in their journey's and thanks again for posting this! :flowerforyou:

YMTaylor

I totally agree and thanks for putting this out there. I've been wondering for a few days now if I'm reading the exclamation point wrong? Instead of thinking it's a 'woohoo, you're under your calorie goal', maybe it's a 'uh-oh, you're under and maybe you should be eating more tomorrow' ?? Especially when someone is way under and/or eating crud for most of the day and then nothing for dinner just to 'balance' it out. Just my thoughts. Thanks again!

SeasideOasis

Can I stand on this soap box with you? :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

I went through a period where I lost my appetite (like...all of it) in the beginning, probably due to the drastic change from WAY too many calories (probably because I went from 3000-4000 calories a day to 1200 overnight). I could tell who from my MFP friends really paid attention and who just puts Great Job! My one friend, whom is AWESOME, instead of saying good job, actually made appropriate comments like "You werent kidding you lost your appetite, Im sorry" and others things that really applied, versus saying good job because she took the time to look at my log and realized I hardly ate anything.

So, from that day on, I see what a person is eating before I say good job. If they made great attempts at eating well and went below their calories, but were close enough, then they get a good job. However, if they went under and ate like crap, Im not sure that deserves a good job either...

kaits108

I totally agree with this. I rarely comment on peoples food diaries because it is almost too personal. I sure as heck am not going to congratulate you on undereating, BUT I also don't know if you're saving calories for a free day the next day, or are sick, or just couldn't hit those last few calories, or are just having an off day. So instead of judging and telling someone to eat more, or rewarding for undereating possibly on purpose I just don't comment on that.

I thought about this recently and I feel more accomplished on days when I eat about 100 calories over than on days when I've been under my calories. I don't understand why this site keeps you in green and happy when you're under, and then you get the red bold letters when you go 1 calorie over. It makes it look like a horrible thing, when it can be a perfectly fine thing to be a bit over your calories.

(Any one know if you hit right on your calories to the T if you get a prize? hehe!)

TheBraveryLover

...because today is a funeral and I *know* I'll be pigging out at the repass and will more than make up for yesterday, hehe.

Is it wrong that you finishing a sentence about a funeral with "hehe" made me laugh? :-D

LOL Not at all.

misslizz6958

Orrrrrr you could leave those people alone and let them diet the way they please.

baisleac

(Any one know if you hit right on your calories to the T if you get a prize? hehe!)

Nope... I hit "0" once... it turned red and bold.

BeLightYear

OK I am going to piss some people off with my post but...here it goes.

BUT...I also think that just because someone's status comes up "Sandy finished her diet and exercise diary and was below her calorie goal - or whatever it exactly says) is not necessarily a reason to say "way to go" or "good job".

I refuse to encourage anyone's page that says that they are under calories. Yes, it is their choice to starve themselves, but I'm not going to endorse it!

Very well written ~ thank you!

taiyola

I agree! I looked at some people's diaries, and found a handful of people on my 'friends list' are eating 200-1000 calories a day. One girl was eating 200-300 EVERY DAY and still working out. She said this was only a short-term thing, but that isn't what I see this site as. I see it as a site to be healthier, not to do fad diets on starving yourself. I deleted said people!

I'm going to start putting notes on my diaries!

taso42_DELETED

Amen. Chronically under-eating is one thing. But when 3 people reply with "way to go" or "great job", I just cringe.

There is the exception of a few people here who are working hard on recovering from eating disorders. They may not be up to those 1200-1400-1600-2000 levels yet, but they are making a real effort and getting better and better. That is the narrow exception, and they do deserve those kudos.

The ones eating those sub-1000 calories all the time, due to plain old ignorance or superstition, despite numerous people trying to give good advice, don't deserve the kudos.

After trying and trying, if we can't make a difference, the last option is to defriend, sadly.

LeonaB17

Nothing wrong with 900 calories.
You don't need 2000 calories. I mean if you eat that much, don't even complain about not losing weight because DUH.

As for working out, how are you going to tone up if you don't?

...Is this a real post?

Funny I was just wondering the same thing!

ladyhawk00

Amen. Chronically under-eating is one thing. But when 3 people reply with "way to go" or "great job", I just cringe.

There is the exception of a few people here who are working hard on recovering from eating disorders. They may not be up to those 1200-1400-1600-2000 levels yet, but they are making a real effort and getting better and better. That is the narrow exception, and they do deserve those kudos.

The ones eating those sub-1000 calories all the time, due to plain old ignorance or superstition, despite numerous people trying to give good advice, don't deserve the kudos.

After trying and trying, if we can't make a difference, the last option is to defriend, sadly.

Yep. I try to be aware of each person's situation who's on my list. If I know of an issue they have (ED, sick, vacation, etc), I comment with that in mind. Otherwise I will give them constructive criticism. If they prefer not to take that advice, that's fine - but in that case I cannot support what I believe is unhealthy and unsafe.

I give all of my friends all the support I can, but my own demons make it awfully hard to watch someone do damage to themselves. So I won't.

kaits108

(Any one know if you hit right on your calories to the T if you get a prize? hehe!)

Nope... I hit "0" once... it turned red and bold.

lol!!! ohhh man! i think it should turn pink and sparkly or something..humph!

eeeekie

Nothing wrong with 900 calories.
You don't need 2000 calories. I mean if you eat that much, don't even complain about not losing weight because DUH.

As for working out, how are you going to tone up if you don't?

You've got to be joking...


After looking at your profile I gather you're not joking. I'd just like to say you're incredibly wrong with your statement. It's VERY unhealthy. Being skinny and being HEALTHY are two different things and you can be both but obviously eating 900 calories or less a day just to be skinny ISN'T healthy. You obviously have food and body image issues. I hope for everyone's sake who reads that statement and has a fragile mind that they don't take your advice.

paul87920

My suggestion, ambiguous support.

Example: C'mon, you can do this!

Can be taken as "don't slack, make this work" or "great job keep going".

michelletyler38

This post gets posted A LOT..

SK24373

I will say it again..YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME! I love the honest discussion, the suggestions, and the humor!

Also I need to give a big shout out to Taso42 for pointing out that in some cases, people struggle with eating disorders and so for them to eat a "normal amount" for them should be commended.

Thanks to most of you for a very productive discussion. You all have my support and respect!

Daisy374

I see your point and agree.. I always view diaries before commenting.. and hope most of the people commenting on mine are reading mine. If for nothing else, then to give me advice if they see something that may be hindering my progress...

However, I still congratulate my friends if they don't make their diaries public and it says they are under their calories.. But I am not
congratulating them just on being under the calories (which is good if they are eating the calories they should be). I am saying wtg for logging and trying to do the right thing. If they are continuously eating under their calorie goal, then they are only hurting themselves and may be hindering their weight loss, and I can't help them unless they choose to make it public..

slimyfishy

I agree wholeheartedly. However, I have said to a few (that have something like 500-1000 left to eat and still say they are done for the day) that I'm worried about them not fuelling their body. I remember once having a member seem a bit "snippy" about my response. I didn't say what I did to be a jerk. I was genuinely concerned.

As a woman that runs and loves cardio (and still can't lose anything when I marathon train due to starving my body), I find it incredible that folks can lose and lose when they are starving their body. I know that we are all different. Our exercise intensity and fuel needs are different. I just know that there is NO WAY I can run 8, 10, 12 miles and only eat 900 calories a day. I never had the MFP tool when I trained before. It will be interesting to see how I do now that I can SEE my NET calories.

I also agree that food/body image issues can go both ways. I tend to reach for food when I'm emotional. Others tend to not eat at all. They are BOTH wrong for a healthy body. I'm seeing quite a few folks on the HCG diet lately (the new fad). I don't know how folks can only eat 500 calories/day and think that is healthy. It reminds me of the grapefruit or rice diets in the 1980's or Atkins in the 1990s. Sure, you lose lots of weight when you are committed to it. What happens when you start eating again? How long can you last on an extremely restrictive diet? That's just not for me, thanks.

I don't eat all of my exercise calories, but I DO make sure that my NET calories around between 1300-1400 cal/day. Some days, that means that I eat 2000 calories. That sounds like a TON to my brain, but I know that my body needs the fuel. I'm in this to get healthy and slim down. I'm not expecting to drop the weight overnight, because I know that I wouldn't stick with a drastic diet. I'm in this from now on.

I do encourage others (when they are under or over). I do mention that I'm concerned if they are way under in calories. If folks don't like my concern, they can always unfriend me. :laugh:

Shan

momofcole

I agree wholeheartedly. However, I have said to a few (that have something like 500-1000 left to eat and still say they are done for the day) that I'm worried about them not fuelling their body. I remember once having a member seem a bit "snippy" about my response. I didn't say what I did to be a jerk. I was genuinely concerned.

As a woman that runs and loves cardio (and still can't lose anything when I marathon train due to starving my body), I find it incredible that folks can lose and lose when they are starving their body. I know that we are all different. Our exercise intensity and fuel needs are different. I just know that there is NO WAY I can run 8, 10, 12 miles and only eat 900 calories a day. I never had the MFP tool when I trained before. It will be interesting to see how I do now that I can SEE my NET calories.

I also agree that food/body image issues can go both ways. I tend to reach for food when I'm emotional. Others tend to not eat at all. They are BOTH wrong for a healthy body. I'm seeing quite a few folks on the HCG diet lately (the new fad). I don't know how folks can only eat 500 calories/day and think that is healthy. It reminds me of the grapefruit or rice diets in the 1980's or Atkins in the 1990s. Sure, you lose lots of weight when you are committed to it. What happens when you start eating again? How long can you last on an extremely restrictive diet? That's just not for me, thanks.

I don't eat all of my exercise calories, but I DO make sure that my NET calories around between 1300-1400 cal/day. Some days, that means that I eat 2000 calories. That sounds like a TON to my brain, but I know that my body needs the fuel. I'm in this to get healthy and slim down. I'm not expecting to drop the weight overnight, because I know that I wouldn't stick with a drastic diet. I'm in this from now on.

I do encourage others (when they are under or over). I do mention that I'm concerned if they are way under in calories. If folks don't like my concern, they can always unfriend me. :laugh:

Shan

I have thought a lot about the things you are talking about and just wanted to say this post really helped me out.

amjmomma

Nothing wrong with 900 calories.
You don't need 2000 calories. I mean if you eat that much, don't even complain about not losing weight because DUH.

As for working out, how are you going to tone up if you don't?

...Is this a real post?

My thoughts exactly. 900 calories are WAY TOO FEW!! For anyone! I know it shows that I have only lost 3 pounds on this site, but I have lost 60 from my highest weight. So, I really do know what I am talking about. If you don't believe me, look at what personal trainers (ie. Bob, Jill, and anyone else who knows what they are talking about in a professional sense) have to say on it. I can remember an episode of Biggest Loser when Jill got mad at one of the contestants for only eating 1000 calories. Granted, they were working out five or six hours a day, but still...in order to lose weight, you have to eat. It seems contradictory, but it's the absolute truth. Just be sure that you are eating the right things. I also agree with the many comments about having a target RANGE rather than a certain AMOUNT of calories daily. One calorie over your goal and you are screwed. Has anyone asked the creator of the site to change that? Maybe we all should!