my dietician view on exercise cals. agree or disagree?

XXXMinnieXXX

I'm under weight management through my doctor. I've seen 2 dieticians in the last week. My goal calories is 1400 to loose 2lb a week, without exercise. I'm burning anywhere around 500 to 1000 cals a day in exercise. I weigh 18st 4lb. The 2 dieticians have said because I'm so large I can run bigger deficits and because I'm exercising quite a lot my body won't go into starvation mode. They told me to eat 1400 and only eat extra if I feel hulengry or weak. So that's what I've been doing. I find on a 1000 cal burn day I want a couple hundred extra, but that's all I've had. I lost 4lb this week. It goes against what so many people say on here, but they are professionals so I'm confused. Any views for your experiences. They say when my weight is more like a normal person I will have to eat more, but I don't have to now because of my weight. Feeling confused right now. Can't help thinking this may come back to bite me! Zara
P.S please bump me so that ill go to the top of the posts and get as many opinions as possible. Thanks

PBJunkie

It's best that your rate of fat loss is at 2lbs a week, not only is this healthier but you are less likely to have loose skin.
So my advice would be to follow their advice for the next 3 weeks and make adjustments accordingly that will keep you at a healthy deficit and continue to lose weight at a healthy rate.

Being too hasty and not patient can cost you in the long run. Remember rome was not built in a day and this should be a lifestyle change, not seen as a crash once off diet.

larr91

They try to make it so complicated don't they! Your doing loads of exercise and eating healthily so the weight will fall off! Doing that much exercise a couple of hundred cals extra if your hungry shouldn't matter your clearly doing the right thing as 4lb a week is very gd! x

crfeeney

I agree

Huffdogg

I hate to immediately be so cynical, but I honestly wonder where your dietician got their professional credentials from, and how reputable an institution it is. Everything I have read since I started this process a couple of years ago indicates that, yes, you can run a bigger deficit than someone closer to their ideal lean body weight, but 400 net calories a day isn't healthy for anyone. Perhaps your dietician doesn't quite realize how many calories you are burning (btw, I wonder what it is you are doing to generate so much calorie burn). In my opinion, you may see really impressive short-term results but I would almost guarantee with a net cal rate like that you will crash hard...and soon.

Edit: it's also possible that, unless you are using a HRM, you are overestimating your exercise calories. Honestly, I just looked at your exercise log, and I'd guess that is likely the case. I'm going to guess your Wii Fit exercise staple is step? It's a solid burn if done at a 2 beat/sec rate, but that's faster than the fastest pace the Wii sets. Are you using the calorie burn amounts that the Wii gives you? If so, I can tell you from experience that they are rarely accurate at all. And the little "cleaning, light effort" entries I'd recommend simply leaving out entirely. That's the kind of thing that's just a part of your daily activity. If your dog walks are leisurely strolls with the pooch, ditto those.

abbie017

I think it all really depends on your body and how you process food. If you're good not eating back exercise calories and it works for you, stick with it. If it doesn't, you can tweak it. People here sometimes make it an all or nothing mentality, and that doesn't work for everyone. "If it ain't broken, why fix it?" Plus, you've got someone who really knows what they're talking about (doctors and dieticians) giving you advice, which is clearly better than some well-intentioned strangers on the internet.

dalgal26

I would listen to the dieticians. Most of us on here are not professionals and therefore we are just going by our own experience or what we have read somewhere.

Good luck in your journey to a new you.

Chairless

Do as your dietician says, disregard internet posters opinions.

If it goes wrong you can sue the former.

PBJunkie

Do as your dietician says, disregard internet posters opinions.

If it goes wrong you can sue the former.

Why did you join the forum in the first place? :yawn:

statia152

I'm under weight management through my doctor. I've seen 2 dieticians in the last week. My goal calories is 1400 to loose 2lb a week, without exercise. I'm burning anywhere around 500 to 1000 cals a day in exercise. I weigh 18st 4lb. The 2 dieticians have said because I'm so large I can run bigger deficits and because I'm exercising quite a lot my body won't go into starvation mode. They told me to eat 1400 and only eat extra if I feel hulengry or weak. So that's what I've been doing. I find on a 1000 cal burn day I want a couple hundred extra, but that's all I've had. I lost 4lb this week. It goes against what so many people say on here, but they are professionals so I'm confused. Any views for your experiences. They say when my weight is more like a normal person I will have to eat more, but I don't have to now because of my weight. Feeling confused right now. Can't help thinking this may come back to bite me! Zara
P.S please bump me so that ill go to the top of the posts and get as many opinions as possible. Thanks

Mine tells me the same thing! I try to stay around 1300, but sometimes my body need the extra calories, so I may eat 1600 (and take a multivitamin). You will lose more weight in the beginning as you change your diet / habits, and for the first two weeks you will be super hungry. After that point, take a look again at weight loss vs hunger. I agree with Huffdogg and PBJunkie ~ you can't do it for long without long term consequences. Good luck to you!

jfhaskell

Just be careful and listen to your body. You more than likely will not be able to keep up those kind of loses over a long period of time so watch your energy levels and be careful what kind of calories you are eating. If you truly are burning that many calories a day and only eating that many calories then your body will eventually adapt to the stress you are putting on it and your metabolism will take a dump and try to protect itself. Stay in it for the long haul and remember that while yes there are lot of well intentioned strangers on the net willing to offer there advice, there are even more ignorant and close minded "clinical professionals" who can give even worse advice. I work in the field so I know.

MovesLikePuma

I have been at this for a little over 3 months and I do not eat my exercise calories baxk unless I am extra hungry that day. I have so far lost about 60 pounds and haven't crashed yet. I do agree however that at some point i will need to increase but will worry about that when the plateaus start.

Chairless

Do as your dietician says, disregard internet posters opinions.

If it goes wrong you can sue the former.

Why did you join the forum in the first place? :yawn:

To annoy people that like to give out unqualified medical advice, of course.

PBJunkie

Do as your dietician says, disregard internet posters opinions.

If it goes wrong you can sue the former.

Why did you join the forum in the first place? :yawn:

To annoy people that like to give out unqualified medical advice, of course.

You are the very first person to be on my blocked list when that feature arrives.

You do realise no one here is a qualified dietician, nutritionist or personal trainer...but there are people like me that actually do the research and go study the books anyway.

Chairless

You are the very first person to be on my blocked list when that feature arrives.

My world will never be the same again.

You do realise no one here is a qualified dietician, nutritionist or personal trainer...but there are people like me that actually do the research and go study the books anyway.

Of course, you do realise this is a thread about advice given by qualified dieticians?, i dont see why you are so tearful about the response "do as they say".

PBJunkie

You are the very first person to be on my blocked list when that feature arrives.

My world will never be the same again.

You do realise no one here is a qualified dietician, nutritionist or personal trainer...but there are people like me that actually do the research and go study the books anyway.

I'm not going into a flame war with you, but remember I will remind you when you ask for advice.
Of course, you do realise this is a thread about advice given by qualified dieticians?, i dont see why you are so tearful about the response "do as they say".

Chairless

I’m glad, i don’t want a flame war either. The thread asks for opinions, i gave mine. You somehow managed to take offense by it. Should i post a question asking for opinions i would hope you would give me just that, your opinion. I would be gracious enough to accept it for what it is.

Have a good one.

starwhisperer

I have been reading a lot about the starvation mode, and I don't think it exists the way that people make it seem to. Your Metabolism is not a piece of glass it is more like a rubber band. The guys they did the study on that began the whole starvation mode debate slowed their metabolism by a huge number, like 40% I think.... but that was after they got their bodies down to like 5% bf. And even at 5% body fat they kept losing. Not healthy of course, I am in no way advocating that that is what you should do. But the idea that as soon as you drop below a certain number of calories your body is going to shut down and start gaining weight makes no sense. Starving children in Africa do not suddenly start to balloon up when they don't get fed. Also if you watch the biggest loser, those people are working out 6 to 7 hours a day... and eating on average 1000 calories a day to start with... If you are following the advice of a dietician I have to say that is the advice you should stick to.

SmartFunGorgeous

I have been reading a lot about the starvation mode, and I don't think it exists the way that people make it seem to. Your Metabolism is not a piece of glass it is more like a rubber band. The guys they did the study on that began the whole starvation mode debate slowed their metabolism by a huge number, like 40% I think.... but that was after they got their bodies down to like 5% bf. And even at 5% body fat they kept losing. Not healthy of course, I am in no way advocating that that is what you should do. But the idea that as soon as you drop below a certain number of calories your body is going to shut down and start gaining weight makes no sense. Starving children in Africa do not suddenly start to balloon up when they don't get fed. Also if you watch the biggest loser, those people are working out 6 to 7 hours a day... and eating on average 1000 calories a day to start with... If you are following the advice of a dietician I have to say that is the advice you should stick to.

THIS.

jellybaby84

It sounds fine to me.

To be honest, I would be more inclined to trust professionals than people on here - you don't know us and we could be anybody.

XXXMinnieXXX

I hate to immediately be so cynical, but I honestly wonder where your dietician got their professional credentials from, and how reputable an institution it is. Everything I have read since I started this process a couple of years ago indicates that, yes, you can run a bigger deficit than someone closer to their ideal lean body weight, but 400 net calories a day isn't healthy for anyone. Perhaps your dietician doesn't quite realize how many calories you are burning (btw, I wonder what it is you are doing to generate so much calorie burn). In my opinion, you may see really impressive short-term results but I would almost guarantee with a net cal rate like that you will crash hard...and soon.

Edit: it's also possible that, unless you are using a HRM, you are overestimating your exercise calories. Honestly, I just looked at your exercise log, and I'd guess that is likely the case. I'm going to guess your Wii Fit exercise staple is step? It's a solid burn if done at a 2 beat/sec rate, but that's faster than the fastest pace the Wii sets. Are you using the calorie burn amounts that the Wii gives you? If so, I can tell you from experience that they are rarely accurate at all. And the little "cleaning, light effort" entries I'd recommend simply leaving out entirely. That's the kind of thing that's just a part of your daily activity. If your dog walks are leisurely strolls with the pooch, ditto those.

Good points ill leave out the light cleaning and stuff. I also question the wii calories. Its 450 per hour for step aerobics and boxing. I am saving up for a polar ft60 hrm, and should have it in a month. Will be interesting to get a very accurate calories burnt total each day. Helpful advice thanks!

XXXMinnieXXX

I am worried about loose skin. I lost 46lbs now all together, but keep sticking along the way, and trying to nail the exact things I should be doing once and for all!

XXXMinnieXXX

They were dietician from a specialist weight management service run by the national health service. I doubted the first opinion, so asked for a second, same answer... Still doubting. This is a lifestyle change for me and I still have a long way to go and don't want to look like a bag of skin by the end. You've lost a lot of weight, and look great so I will take your opinions on board! Zara

XXXMinnieXXX

Just be careful and listen to your body. You more than likely will not be able to keep up those kind of loses over a long period of time so watch your energy levels and be careful what kind of calories you are eating. If you truly are burning that many calories a day and only eating that many calories then your body will eventually adapt to the stress you are putting on it and your metabolism will take a dump and try to protect itself. Stay in it for the long haul and remember that while yes there are lot of well intentioned strangers on the net willing to offer there advice, there are even more ignorant and close minded "clinical professionals" who can give even worse advice. I work in the field so I know.

I hear you so much on the ignorant professionals bit, I've experienced that loads, hence why I find it hard to trust their opinion! Zara

XXXMinnieXXX

Very interesting! Zara

melsinct

Just be careful and listen to your body. You more than likely will not be able to keep up those kind of loses over a long period of time so watch your energy levels and be careful what kind of calories you are eating. If you truly are burning that many calories a day and only eating that many calories then your body will eventually adapt to the stress you are putting on it and your metabolism will take a dump and try to protect itself. Stay in it for the long haul and remember that while yes there are lot of well intentioned strangers on the net willing to offer there advice, there are even more ignorant and close minded "clinical professionals" who can give even worse advice. I work in the field so I know.

I agree with this completely. Also, make sure your calorie burns are accurate- I don't know what kind of exercise you are doing, but those seem like HUGE burns. As for the eating your exercise calories in general, I am of the belief that what works for one person doesn't work for another, and even if something is working for you, it may not 2 months from now. Listen to your body, eat if you are hungry, and if weight loss stops, reassess and see if you need to eat more.

XXXMinnieXXX

I have been reading a lot about the starvation mode, and I don't think it exists the way that people make it seem to. Your Metabolism is not a piece of glass it is more like a rubber band. The guys they did the study on that began the whole starvation mode debate slowed their metabolism by a huge number, like 40% I think.... but that was after they got their bodies down to like 5% bf. And even at 5% body fat they kept losing. Not healthy of course, I am in no way advocating that that is what you should do. But the idea that as soon as you drop below a certain number of calories your body is going to shut down and start gaining weight makes no sense. Starving children in Africa do not suddenly start to balloon up when they don't get fed. Also if you watch the biggest loser, those people are working out 6 to 7 hours a day... and eating on average 1000 calories a day to start with... If you are following the advice of a dietician I have to say that is the advice you should stick to.

I do watch a lot of biggest loser uk and australia on sky and love it! Another reason I'm confused! X

luvmycandies

I have had the similar experience with exercise calories. My doctor said not to eat them back also. I try to eat back only a portion of them. Lots of good opinions on here. Good post.

Good luck to all

Caz2678

I would just like to add...

As someone who also works in the field, Dieticians along with many other health professionals have to stick to the guidelines which are given to them, regardless of their own beliefs. So it is very possible to get ill advice from someone you think knows what they are talking about! Its also very much, do what I say not what I do! In saying that not all are the same, so you might be lucky.

I would do what works for you, although sometimes that can be trial and error and take time. Do your own research too as this can be invaluable for you as a person.

Also the HRM will make a huge difference to counting your exercise calories and that should give you a clearer picture all round.

Good luck on your weight loss journey. xx

d2footballJRC

I've been losing weight pretty fast at first and it's been tapering off to about 1.5-2 pounds a week. I spend 1 to 2 hours a night at the gym. I use a HRM and the myfitnesspal numbers have been close, myfitnesspal has been running about 100 calories high as of late. Their are days that I go into my exercise calories, but if I do that I try to make sure they are a fruit or vegetable, not just tossing down chips and chocolate. Last few days have been brutal on the diary, Going to try to get back into the groove of clean eating once this week at work is over. I haven't had time to go grocery shopping. Been having to choose between gym and grocery shopping and the gym has won out every day.

I agree with the people that use cleaning and everything to put in as calories, don't do it. Those can be your bonus calories burnt that you don't even realize. It annoys me when people do that, its like you are trying to pad your stats.

Nette_54

bump