Concerned Reader

onehotgirl

I see 1200 as a minimum rather than a maximum, every single day I have eaten over and have still lost weight (2.5kg/5.5lb) over 3 weeks.

I don't like it how it says on your main page "xxxx completed her food and exercise diary for xx/xx/2011 and was under her calorie goal" like it's a good thing. Although if you complete your log under your goal it does warn you. Confusing huh.

It would be cool if it congratulated on logging and going over no more than say 10% of your calorie goal - more of a real life motivator! I know this is just a tool in aid of weight loss but people do take to heart what MFP tell them to do.

Play_outside

As a person who fairly regularly eats or nets under 1200 calories a day, I feel like there is some judging in this "non-judging" thread. My eating has been okayed by a dietician-I was concerned because MFP would always say in red how I am eating too few calories. However, contrary to what some people believe about how you are starving on only 1200 a day, I am not; everyone is different and every body has different needs. If I am hungry, I eat more. I am not eating 1200 a day because that's what MFP tells me, but because that just happens to be what I eat that day to be satisfied. I now eat pretty regularly and don't skip meals all the time like I used to. So while you may look at a lot of my diary days and think "wow, she's starving herself, etc etc" I look at that and think, wow, my eating habits are so much better than they used to be".

stix_n_stones

1200 isn't a magical number, to lose weight I can only eat a little above that. It all depends on your starting point and your metabolism. A slow one in a small person means you don't need that much food in the first place.

Rain_Howard

This has come up before - certainly for me - really creeps me out. You're not the only one... one reason I don't check the forums much!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^When I read these forums I have to remind myself not to respond to the stupidity I read. If I did I would do nothing other than spend hours typing.

dalgirly

I personally feel like people here are just like so many girls/women.

I do really feel like we (especially as women) need to embrace who we are and really really gain that self confidence that we all deserve to have. With that said, I'm not saying to not be healthy or better yourself, just do it in a way that is healthy and be proud of yourself and confident in yourself the entire way through.

calibri

As a person who fairly regularly eats or nets under 1200 calories a day, I feel like there is some judging in this "non-judging" thread. My eating has been okayed by a dietician-I was concerned because MFP would always say in red how I am eating too few calories. However, contrary to what some people believe about how you are starving on only 1200 a day, I am not; everyone is different and every body has different needs. If I am hungry, I eat more. I am not eating 1200 a day because that's what MFP tells me, but because that just happens to be what I eat that day to be satisfied. I now eat pretty regularly and don't skip meals all the time like I used to. So while you may look at a lot of my diary days and think "wow, she's starving herself, etc etc" I look at that and think, wow, my eating habits are so much better than they used to be".

Yay, someone sensible.

KendaVSG

As a person who fairly regularly eats or nets under 1200 calories a day, I feel like there is some judging in this "non-judging" thread. My eating has been okayed by a dietician-I was concerned because MFP would always say in red how I am eating too few calories. However, contrary to what some people believe about how you are starving on only 1200 a day, I am not; everyone is different and every body has different needs. If I am hungry, I eat more. I am not eating 1200 a day because that's what MFP tells me, but because that just happens to be what I eat that day to be satisfied. I now eat pretty regularly and don't skip meals all the time like I used to. So while you may look at a lot of my diary days and think "wow, she's starving herself, etc etc" I look at that and think, wow, my eating habits are so much better than they used to be".

EXACTLY!!!

dalgirly

As a person who fairly regularly eats or nets under 1200 calories a day, I feel like there is some judging in this "non-judging" thread. My eating has been okayed by a dietician-I was concerned because MFP would always say in red how I am eating too few calories. However, contrary to what some people believe about how you are starving on only 1200 a day, I am not; everyone is different and every body has different needs. If I am hungry, I eat more. I am not eating 1200 a day because that's what MFP tells me, but because that just happens to be what I eat that day to be satisfied. I now eat pretty regularly and don't skip meals all the time like I used to. So while you may look at a lot of my diary days and think "wow, she's starving herself, etc etc" I look at that and think, wow, my eating habits are so much better than they used to be".

The biggest part of your post that is good --- is that if you are hungry you eat more.

What I find is a big problem (not necessarily on here, but in general for women) is that they stick to a 1000-1200 calorie diet and never add calories when they are hungry. If you are hungry, your body is telling you you need food, you should eat.

Play_outside

Thank you. And yes, I agree-it is important to eat if you are hungry. We all have different needs-I see some diaries and I think wow, that person eats so much-I would be SICK if I ate that much, and that same person would be starving to death if they ate how I ate-neither of us would be happy switching places haha. Accepting that there are healthy ranges is I think important.

Abusser

Well I can say from my experience eating too little has helped make me fat. When I was 104 lbs I remember thinking there is no way I will every be over 120 lbs. Most of the last 10 years I have neglected my eating habits basically just eating to get by. I have been a workaholic and didn't want to take the time to eat. I can go 24 hrs without eating and don't feel hungry... I don't think that means I don't NEED to eat.

I have totally messed up my metabolism and my health. I now have all these health issues and also found out I am very deficient in certain vitamins. I was even taking multi-vitamins and I am still VERY deficient. I am now taking prescribed vitamins in addition to high blood pressure medication.

I just joined this site and I'm interested to see what happens. I have to lose weight for my wedding or I am going to be very disappointed. I am researching nutritionists in my area and plan to make sure I start eating in a way that makes sense for my body.

You might lose weight initially by not eating "enough" calories but it's hard to believe that it is sustainable and healthy. Being under weight is also very unhealthy as we all know and as we also know there are many bulimic and anorexic people and no matter what doctors (or people on forums) tell them they are not going to change their mind,,, most of the time.

I know what I am supposed to do but still haven't done it most of my life so now I'm unhealthy and over-weight. I hope I can really make a life change now since my health is now a big concern. I have also tried all sorts of ways to lose weight and only lost weight following a macrobiotic/cleansing plan from a naturopath.... which I was able to maintain. I lost 25 lbs in 3 months but gained it back immediately after going back to my normal eating habits. It was too restrictive.

No matter how skinny you are if you are not healthy it is really defeating the purpose... well some people don't care as long as they are skinny I guess. Hopefully people that are hurting themselves by under eating have friends and family that can help them. It would be nice if we could help these people but I really don't think that by reading comments on a forum they will change their minds or eating habits.

Sorry if I have typos Remember to not let the small stuff bother you it's not worth it and can actually negatively affect your health. Do you really want people that you barely know to affect your life? Think about that next time someone cutting you off on the road raises your blood pressure

Good luck!

Obstinate07

I am just seconding or thirding the notion that 1200 is not some set in stone caloric intake requirement. In fact many nutritionists are always in debate regarding this because some people simply have different metabolisms and different bodily reactions too food and exercise.

What I see here often is the problem that some people have with the 1200 recommendation by mfp, this is an app/ website developed as a tool, this is not a scientific or medically accurate function. They make no claims too be so. My doctor suggests I do metabolism spikes? Some people would consider that unhealthy but this is by recommendation of two different medical professionals. Meaning they actually recommend me a 288 lb 6 foot 28 year old, yes to go down to like 1100-1300 calories then go up to like 2k-3k calories then go back down. Yeah, it gets me over the humps I have but its not long term.

So to answer your question: No I am not distressed, concerned nor do I really care. People are people and they will either do something stupid, think that other people are doing something stupid or will simply be stupid.
[/quote]

I totally agree. I feel that this site is meant as a tool/guide, but its not the bible to dieting or getting healthy. At first I really liked this site because it really helped me to make this a lifestyle and not a quick fix, but now its never ending debates about nothing. It goes back to the notion of me locking my diary, I don't need someone who isn't a professional judging my journey.

dalgirly

Thank you. And yes, I agree-it is important to eat if you are hungry. We all have different needs-I see some diaries and I think wow, that person eats so much-I would be SICK if I ate that much, and that same person would be starving to death if they ate how I ate-neither of us would be happy switching places haha. Accepting that there are healthy ranges is I think important.

Yup! Totally agree... I think the opposite and am like woah 1200 calories that's way too little. The only times I can eat around 1200 calories is if I'm on nights, and I don't eat as much during the day. And usually only eat small things because its technically night time.

Do what you want, but don't starve yourselves. Going over your calories because you are hungry is fine.

lindzmt22

I'm more concerned with the people trying to "loose" weight

LOL!! Thisss. haha

MîîśÊmÿłõü

its hard, i net under 1200 but have been to my doctor and had he has given me the all okay..i have consistantly been losing weight, and i eat enough everyday, ive also had all me levels checked.
i think its a personal choice, but i do agree there are some who are endangering themselves but not eating enough each day.

4thehardman

Do you honestly believe that these people are actually netting that amount? I don't.

The food data base for one is not right all the time. People underestimate how much they are eating. They don't account for hidden mayonaise or butter in store bought sandwiches. The data base is often too generous with its exercise calories.
PEOPLE LIE! Mostly to themselves, they lie when they log so it makes the numbers look pretty, they lie to themselves about what they have really eaten because they have spent years foolong themselves like that.

If you don't like reading those threads then don't. If you have real concern you would address these people individualy which makes me thing that this is nothing more than a finger wagging post, much along the same lines as the spelling nazi's.

If the medical world had the answer to the secret of weight loss we wouldn't have very ill and overweight people. The reason we try different methods is due to a lack of a definitive answer, lack of education in our nutrition and not enough sports in our schools. Different things work for different people and perhaps you would be suprised how many on here are already under a Dr's supervision and making progress. Obese category 1 and 2 and the Morbidly Obese category are often encouraged to dip their calories quite low and unless you want to finger wag on an individual basis they you are making a huge generalisation which does seem judgmental and unfair.