MFP conflict in a nutshell

claire_xox

So not a forum post goes by where some of these things are mentioned! I want really basic answers , what do you think (within a sentance) on each of these

1. Starvation mode
2. 1kg of muscle is smaller than 1kg of fat
3. Water weight
4. TOM gains
5. protein shakes
6. carbs being the devil
7. Jillian michaels 30DS
8. HRM
9. 1200 calorie minimum
10. eating back exercise calories

NO MORE than one line to explain your position on each thanks!

Here's mine
1. Would occur after about 3 months - not after 2 days
2. Agree
3. weight is weight - I have 57% of my weight is water, if that is like 60% or something one day - it's not an explanation for a gain
4. overrated but probably play a minor role
5. STUPID! unless you are doing athlete level training , they are full of calories and have low satiety
6. pft carbs are great, I'm always over
7. loved it but ceebs doing it again (not a godsend dvd, but very good)
8. so overrated - not ALWAYS accurate either
9. based on averages, some people should eat less
10. I don't - I aim to burn off eating calories

(in the typing box my answers were all a line - they might be more when i press post so just covering my *kitten* now )

brookepenni

1. Starvation mode - seriously, you've gone from eating everything in sight to nothing in sight - do you think thats sustainable?!
2. 1kg of muscle is smaller than 1kg of fat - oh dont get me started on people gaining weight - 'it must be the muschle gain'...
3. Water weight - just drink your water, your body needs it.
4. TOM gains - oh the womens answer to a slight gain. But not the only answer....
5. protein shakes - I hear they taste really, really bad!
6. carbs being the devil - carbohydrates are energy blocks, look it up. Your body needs them.
7. Jillian michaels 30DS - I cant comprehend exercise in my lounge room, but it seems very popular!
8. HRM - get one or dont. You'll probably only use it a few times in reality - just keep that in mind.
9. 1200 calorie minimum - the key word here is minimum people. a few over or under wont matter, but just follow the plan and see.
10. eating back exercise calories - up to you. I dont either, but I go hard for a few weeks at a time, then have a break. I dont think it hurts my body.

Thanks! That was fun!!!

Luandanielle1979

I went to my local weight watchers class last night. I had lost 2lbs since last week and have been losing every week. The week before I lost 4lbs. I have been doing alot more exercise and have gone to the gym at least 4 times and walking everywhere I have really stepped up my fitness and I also do some strength work whilst at home as well as 30DS dvd.

2 of the members have gained over the last few weeks and blame it on exercise at the gym. I have never seen either of them at my local gym and When I exercise I LOSE MORE WEIGHT!!

Even my leader there is constantly saying that you DONT have to exercise to lose weight and has admitted herself she hates it. Surley this isnt promoting a healthy lifestyle. It really winds me up. So much so I am going to change classes.

If I drank 2 pints of water I weight more of course and when I pee it out again my weight goes back down. If I have learned one sensible thing from MFP apart from logging everything you eat. Its only weigh yourself once a week at the same time and wear the same clothes.

Rant over. lol x

TavistockToad

1. Starvation mode - Yes - not eating enough isnt healthy.
2. 1kg of muscle is smaller than 1kg of fat - yes!
3. Water weight - does happen, just drink more!
4. TOM gains - drama drama drama, personally i put on a pound, then it goes again.... big wooop....
5. protein shakes - never tried them
6. carbs being the devil - nooooo, tho the opasta i ate on friday made me veeeery poorly!
7. Jillian michaels 30DS - did it once, didnt mind it. probably has more effect on people who have doen little exercise to start with
8. HRM - dont have one
9. 1200 calorie minimum - see point 1. not eating enough isnt healthy. few people are small enough to need under 1200 cals.
10. eating back exercise calories - see points 1 and 9.

felicity866

wise words there girls.....I whole heartedly agree with both of you!!

Angelabec

1. Starvation mode - unlikely to occur unless you are on seriously restricted (500cal) diet
2. 1kg of muscle is smaller than 1kg of fat - Muscle IS denser than fat, it does NOT weigh less
3. Water weight - some people suffer from water retention, probably does account for minor fluctuations
4. TOM gains - as above, but your body actually burns more calories at that time of the month
5. protein shakes - yuk, I don't want to drink my calories unless they are alcoholic!
6. carbs being the devil - balance is necessary, carbs, fat, protein et al
7. Jillian michaels 30DS - never tried it
8. HRM - waste of money imho, but if it make you happy
9. 1200 calorie minimum - everybody is different, getting the right nutrients is important, eating a bit of crap to push you up to 1200 won't improve your diet
10. eating back exercise calories - I can see no valid reason for this, but again, whatever works for you.

TabChav

1. Sounds like fun doesn't it??
2. YES!
3. I'm a serial guzzler.
4. Not phased... It will come right at some point.
5. Meh? I pinch the odd sip off my husband's but other than that, nah.
6. People would probably die by my hand without them!!
7. Never done it.
8. Santa is hooking me up with my first one this Xmas
9. I'm often pretty naughty with this... but never by much. Oath!
10. Hardly ever. Unless something delicious is singing to me.

claire_xox

My exercise is usually 3 sessions of 1 hour walks of my dog per week... which is like 2mph cause my dog is old so not eating back exercise cals isn't much for me anyway cause i'm very very lazy and ver very busy atm but thanks for concern


Oh I'm enjoying reading answers, trying to work out if there's patterns between what people think

unsuspectingfish

1. Starvation mode
2. 1kg of muscle is smaller than 1kg of fat
3. Water weight
4. TOM gains
5. protein shakes
6. carbs being the devil
7. Jillian michaels 30DS
8. HRM
9. 1200 calorie minimum
10. eating back exercise calories

1. It's called "evolution". It's what helps humans survive through periods of food shortage. It takes awhile to set in, though.
2. Muscle is denser than fat, yes.
3. It's part of why our weight fluctuates on a daily basis.
4. Water retention is possible, yes. It's different for everyone.
5. Useful for vegetarians, like me, who sometimes have trouble getting enough protein.
6. Evil sure does taste good.
7. I don't know about that, but I'm liking my Jillian Michaels Wii game.
8. I'd like to try one, but I do fine without one.
9. I think no one should eat less without consulting a doctor.
10. You're still at a deficit if you eat them back and I like my food. I only stopped losing when I stopped eating them.

zeeeb

1. Starvation mode - would have to only be true if you are eating well under on a regular basis, not just every now and then
2. 1kg of muscle is smaller than 1kg of fat - true if we are talking about size
3. Water weight - plergh, who cares, weight is weight, whatever, i don't get this whole water retention thing.
4. TOM gains - yeah, get over it, it goes up, which sucks, and then it's nice to see a big drop afterwards as well.
5. protein shakes - i eat them for breaky, but i can't replace lunch or tea with a drink, it's craziness
6. carbs being the devil - stupid concept, hate it.
7. Jillian michaels 30DS - never done it, probably couldn't due to my knees and shoulder
8. HRM - great tool, but it's not god
9. 1200 calorie minimum - i don't count calories too hard, so rough enough is good enough for me, i won't be a slave to the calculator
10. eating back exercise calories - yeah, roughly, kinda sorta (again, i won't be a slave to the calculator)

FrenchMob

All I'm going to say about some of the replies already is, as usual, there's a lot of misinformed people in here that keep perpetuating their OPINIONS as gospel. And a few of those topics simply CANNOT be properly answered in "one line".

Yakisoba

1. lolwut
2. Hai
3. The scale even weighs poop
4. It happens
5. Ew
6. Sinfully delicious
7. Hell yes
8. I should probably get one, but I's broke
9. Whatever your body likes
10. O_o Not all the time

If your profile is correct and you are 102 pounds and not eating back exercise calories that's concerning.

102 is an okay weight for her height. I wouldn't recommend her losing anymore (if she is), but it's her body and I'm not a doctor.

claire_xox

All I'm going to say about some of the replies already is, as usual, there's a lot of misinformed people in here that keep perpetuating their OPINIONS as gospel. And a few of those topics simply CANNOT be properly answered in "one line".

I agree and am sure I'm included in that - I'm not an expert and haven't even bothered wikipedia-ing things, just have my own opinions like everyone else. Whenever I read someones reply I admit I'm also quite judgmental and look at their weight, their weightloss and their time on this site. If someone is male, 200lbs and so far lost 5lbs in 6 weeks... they clearly have a different relationship with all of the above than me at 104lbs.

the point of the one line was to prevent people having the space to get too fired up.

Angelabec

All I'm going to say about some of the replies already is, as usual, there's a lot of misinformed people in here that keep perpetuating their OPINIONS as gospel. And a few of those topics simply CANNOT be properly answered in "one line".

Don't think anyone is purporting anything as gospel, she asked for 1 line opinions, that's what we've given, everyone is free to agree, disagree and/or do their own research.

brookepenni

This was posted in chit chat fun and games.... I found it fun to give my opinions without having to worry if the OP was going to take every word I said as gospel and either give up or go overboard...

Grokette

1. I don't believe in Starvation Mode that it is used in the context of most weight loss and fitness forums

2. Yes, 1 lb / kg of muscle and fat weigh the same, but muscle looks much smaller than fat does, smaller clothes FTW.

3. Eat a food that your body is intolerant to or eat too much sodium and yes that weight gain is ONLY water weight.

4. Every woman "gains" something during TOM, some more than others. For me I used to gain upwards of 8-10 pounds of water weight during TOM, however since eliminating some foods I gain only about 2 lbs now. YAY for me.

5. I only like Jayy Robb Protein powder

6. Carbs are a want, not a need. There is no biological reason to eat carbs.

7. Dislike Jillian - 'nuff said.

8. I have an HRM but never use it. It was a waste of money

9. I no longer count calories since cutting out all processed foods. No need to count calories when all you eat is protein, fats, vegetables and fruit.

10. See #9.

Grokette

This was posted in chit chat fun and games.... I found it fun to give my opinions without having to worry if the OP was going to take every word I said as gospel and either give up or go overboard...

Exactly. I thought this was just a "fun" exercise.

Grokette

All I'm going to say about some of the replies already is, as usual, there's a lot of misinformed people in here that keep perpetuating their OPINIONS as gospel. And a few of those topics simply CANNOT be properly answered in "one line".

Don't think anyone is purporting anything as gospel, she asked for 1 line opinions, that's what we've given, everyone is free to agree, disagree and/or do their own research.

Yep, yep........

What each person replies obviously pertains to that particular person, their lifestyle, etc. I thought this would be a first step in people stating how they feel about something particular and others would respect it. <sigh> I guess I will never learn.

ClaireShepherd

I like this - and my opinion and I'm not a doctor or PT or any other professional related to the industry so I'd ignore me if I were you!

1. Starvation mode - doesn't happen in a day
2. 1kg of muscle is smaller than 1kg of fat - yup but it weighs the same :O)
3. Water weight - so agree we are made of water
4. TOM gains - a little but not an excuse
5. protein shakes - if you are trying to build lots of mussel yes - others why?
6. carbs being the devil - yes if you want to give yourself kidney failure
7. Jillian michaels 30DS - not done it!
8. HRM - I use mine all the time
9. 1200 calorie minimum - if your 4 foot 9 or 5 foot 4 - people are different
10. eating back exercise calories - I do but not always all of them - frankly I'd pass out if I didn't have some!

wellbert

1. Starvation mode - Oh, first world country problems, I love you.
2. 1kg of muscle is smaller than 1kg of fat - This is a fact, what is there to discuss?
3. Water weight - 8.35 lbs per gallon, you know.
4. TOM gains - I don't know Tom.
5. protein shakes - Nasty -and- nutritious. It's like win-win!
6. carbs being the devil - I agree. Give me fuel injection.
7. Jillian michaels 30DS - She doesn't look like a 30D.
8. HRM - Hail to the queen, baby. (her royal majesty)
9. 1200 calorie minimum - One hamburger from Carls JR a day diet.
10. eating back exercise calories - Two hours of cardio followed by a Bloomin Onion from Outback.

marianne_s

1. Starvation mode
I wouldn't call it starvation mode, but it is something that happens to people after a period of time, who haven't been providing their body with enough nourishment.

2. 1kg of muscle is smaller than 1kg of fat
YES... I look smaller now (after doing a round of ChaLean Extreme) than I did when I was 15 pounds lighter

3. Water weight
Yeah, it's one of the main causes of weight fluctuations

4. TOM gains
hmm.... not until I joined did I know this was a side effect... so I guess I don't gain...

5. protein shakes
Like them.... I think they are useful after doing a weight lifting session lifting heavy (15 lbs+/ 7.5 kg) weights... good for muscle repair

6. carbs being the devil
Nope - good carbs are GOOD

7. Jillian Michaels 30DS
Did it for 5 days - only good because it's 23 minutes long. But IMO Jillian Michaels is crap DVD trainer... not much advice or cues given during session. NO guidance on protecting the knees...!

8. HRM
Useful if you like that kind of thing. Not at all accurate for non-cardio exercises....

9. 1200 calorie minimum
Yes... but I don't know how anyone can stick to just 1200 and be happy with that... 1200 calories is what most healthy diet plans start you on for 2 weeks ONLY.... I think the only exception to this minimum, are people that are very petite

10. eating back exercise calories
YEP....! And it works....
I think the exception to this are those that are close to goal weight (within 20lbs)

joseph9

IMHO:

1. Starvation mode - Half-true, but not as important as proponents think.
2. 1kg of muscle is smaller than 1kg of fat - Yes, as stated. (And brilliantly stated, btw).
3. Water weight - Can vary weight up or down by a few pounds or more on any given day, but averages out if you take enough data.
4. TOM gains - Not qualified to have an opinion.
5. Protein shakes - I love mine, mostly because I need to eat breakfast on the run and find it very satisfying. YMMV, of course.
6. Carbs being the devil - I find that in small portions, carbs make me hungrier rather than more full, so I eat them when I have the calories to burn, but when I'm having trouble staying on target, bread and pasta are the first things overboard.
7. Jillian michaels 30DS -No idea. I have recurring fantasies of Jillian yelling at me.
8. HRM - Love mine.
9. 1200 calorie minimum - Probably a good rule of thumb. There's probably somebody out there who is small enough that less calories are fine, but 1200 is a good floor. Also, when you get that low, you need to work harder to balance your diet to get enough healthy variety.
10. Eating back exercise calories - do it. Most people and machines overestimate exercise calories burned, though, so either estimate calories conservatively or only eat back 75%.

elizwelshman

Hmm....

1. I believe it, but it definitely takes a long time to occur.
2. Indeed.
3. We're all made of water so I assume water weight is normal to an extent.
4. I honestly never had a problem with it, but I hear many women do which is their business so I don't form opinions.
5. Yummy Muscle Milk Yummy
6. Carbs are the devil?! Well, guess I'm on the top of the list of carb sinners. nom nom nom
7. My attention span doesn't last that long, I vary exercises on my own.
8. Would like one, I see no harm in making the investment.
9. It really depends on a person's active/inactive lifestyle, not everyone should be on that amount of calories.
10. ::shrugs:: I like food thus I eat it, if I don't eat all my calories back... I just wasn't as hungry that day. I usually do though and it has nothing to do with "losing weight quicker". Portion control + healthier food choices + exercise = weight loss. It's learning what will work best for yourself, where you can be true to yourself and want for the rest of your life, that is most important.


Good post, I really like this :-)

Vaanja

1. Starvation mode
2. 1kg of muscle is smaller than 1kg of fat
3. Water weight
4. TOM gains
5. protein shakes
6. carbs being the devil
7. Jillian michaels 30DS
8. HRM
9. 1200 calorie minimum
10. eating back exercise calories


1. Yeah maybe, but after months, not days or weeks.
2. Yep, and a lb of lead takes up less space than a lb of feathers.
3. oooooh a moth, how pretty. :stares off into space:
4. I love his oil work and understated colours.
5. I actually go over on protein more often than anything else (I loves me some greek yoghurt with kashi), so protein shakes have never occurred to me.
6. When I don't eat carbs, I don't poo. FTP is not my idea of a good time.
7. Who? Sorry, watching skinny people doesn't motivate me. Watching the Wal-critters stocking up on the junk foods I love motivates me.
8. I'm already strapped down with my mp3 player, water bottle, dog leash, personal protection, etc. I don't need another gadget unless it's going to burn those calories off For me.
9. I think it's B.S. for some people...I'm 5'2" and mostly see 1200 as my max on lazy days, not minimum.
10. I don't do that, but on exercise days I'll be a little bit more lenient with myself about allowing treats. Or, I'll exercise to help compensate for a caloric moment of weakness.

BeeElMarvin

You may want to check out this group:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/457-unofficial-mfp-faq

aranchmom

1. Starvation mode - Have you seen pictures of ppl in concentration camps?
2. 1kg of muscle is smaller than 1kg of fat - I weigh in pounds. but yes.
3. Water weight - Who cares?
4. TOM gains - .Real, but not important, since it comes off. (4-5 lbs for me)
5. Protein shakes - Blech.
6. Carbs being the devil - Gotta love em!
7. Jillian michaels 30DS -love/Hate relationship with that.
8. HRM - no can do. And I think its overrated as well. Maybe great for a fitness buff/athlete.
9. 1200 calorie minimum - See number 1.
10. Eating back exercise calories - I do. But I ain't losing fast, am I? :laugh: probably depends on body type, etc.

iplayoutside19

1. Starvation mode - It's real, but takes months for it to occur. The human body can do anything for a few months, but at some point there will be an adjustment.

2. 1kg of muscle is smaller than 1kg of fat - I think the correct phrase would be: Muscle is more "dense" than fat. That being said. Muscle gain is not the explanation for weight gain after 3 days of a DVD or C25K...even if you were eating at a calorie surplus.

3. Water weight - Don't worry about it

4. TOM gains - NA

5. protein shakes - I've flip-flopped on this a couple times. I only use it on running days just to help fill the calorie deficit. I mean we're talking +1000 calories.

6. carbs being the devil - Not the devil, now where is my toast

7. Jillian michaels 30DS - I don't work out to DVD's of any kind. But if that's your thing and it gets you moving. Do it.

8. HRM - I love my HRM and use it all the time. That being said. If you have limited recourses buy a food scale first.

9. 1200 calorie minimum - My GOAL weight is 260 lbs, this is so far out of my frame of reference It doesn't cross my mind.

10. eating back exercise calories - I do if I'm hungry, which is most of them. When I follow the MFP formula I'm successful.

BiscuitsNDavy

If you're trying to build lean muscle mass, protein shakes are essential after a heavy strength training work out, as well as the amino acids in them. There's a lot of research done on optimal protein uptake and the consensus about the window of opportunity is 15-30 minutes post workout. Amongst bodybuilders this is rarely disputed. The bigger debate is the 4:1 carb to protein ratio that is supposedly optimal for getting the protein to your stressed muscles. Eating a steak after a workout isn't always practical after a workout and has a lot more cals than a protein shake. Bodybuilders intake 2grams of protein per lean body mass. For the rest of us, 1 gram per pound should be more than enough.

brookepenni

If you're trying to build lean muscle mass, protein shakes are essential after a heavy strength training work out, as well as the amino acids in them. There's a lot of research done on optimal protein uptake and the consensus about the window of opportunity is 15-30 minutes post workout. Amongst bodybuilders this is rarely disputed. The bigger debate is the 4:1 carb to protein ratio that is supposedly optimal for getting the protein to your stressed muscles. Eating a steak after a workout isn't always practical after a workout and has a lot more cals than a protein shake. Bodybuilders intake 2grams of protein per lean body mass. For the rest of us, 1 gram per pound should be more than enough.

That's not a 1 line answer.....