Doctor advice conflicts with MFP

1stampermom

So I went to my Internist last week for my 6-month checkup, and just about everything she told me was against what I’ve learned and what I’ve read on MFP. I think I need to find a new doctor!

I was frustrated because I hadn’t lost any weight in over 3 weeks, but I’d started eating healthy (from eating whatever I wanted) and had added a 2nd round of exercising several days/week. When I mentioned I burn between 400 - 900 calories in a day through exercise, she said there is no way I could burn that many unless I was a younger, very athletic person. When I told her I used a heart rate monitor, she informed me those aren’t a reliable measure of caloric burn.

She also said the only way for me to lose weight is to eat 1200 calories per day, regardless of how much I exercise. And that if I don’t lose the weight now, I will really balloon up once I hit menopause (I’m 45). How’s that for encouragement?

So I think I’ll find a new doctor before my next checkup!

cwalters1540

Wow! I can't believe she basically called you a liar then told you to eat only 1200 calories NOW or you'll just keep getting fatter. Run, don't walk, to a new doc.

Remember that just because docs have medical degrees doesn't mean they know everything. Weight loss (and having a good bedside manner) clearly isn't her specialty.

Princessbrene

I would find a new doctor as well... I know that *I* don't burn that many calories in my exercises, but I'm on the next to lowest setting on the eliptical and only doing 20-30 minutes right now. If you've worked up to a higher level of exercise and doing it for a longer period of time, I don't doubt that you are losing over 400 calories a day. Plus, what she said about eating 1200 calories no matter how much you exercise doesn't really make since given that weight gain or loss is dependant on the number of calories you are consuming - the number of calories you are burning. Yes, find a new doctor.

Sl1ghtly

'Doctor' doesn't mean high priest of truth. Just as with mechanics, there are skilled docs and there are idiots...

kateroot

My mom is 48 years old and eats 1200 calories a day at maintenance level. She's 5'4, 120 lbs, and exercises every day. Your doc may not be totally nuts.

thunderbolt37

I concur with the others, find a new doctor. Regarding your plateau, you may need to alter your workout. If you are doing long periods of cardio try doing intervals (treadmill, elliptical, bicycle, walking). If you are doing any kind of strength training and using light weights (1-5lb) during one session a week use heavy weights and low reps. In addition, you may need to increase your calories by 200-300 with clean foods. I've been exercising consistently for years and the only way I can get the scale to move is to always mix up my workouts and of course alter my diet... My scale was stuck and I increased by calories by approx 250 for two straight days and voila I lost 1.5 lbs.

rcwible83

Wow! I can't believe she basically called you a liar then told you to eat only 1200 calories NOW or you'll just keep getting fatter. Run, don't walk, to a new doc.

Remember that just because docs have medical degrees doesn't mean they know everything. Weight loss (and having a good bedside manner) clearly isn't her specialty.

I couldn't have said it better!

Kristine072499

Never forget doctors are "Practicing Medicine" I have had good ones and bad ones and anyone who tells you that is not worth the deductible you amay be paying to see them. You know how your body feels and in this area maybe you want to talk to a trainer at the gym to see what can get you moving in the direction you want to go. Good luck at any rate!!!

kateroot

So basically, because your doctor didn't tell you what you wanted to hear, and her advice conflicts with the advice you get on a message board full of mostly people who have very little actual knowledge of metabolic processes, aging, and nutrition science, you think she sucks and you should find a new doctor? Her job isn't to "encourage" you. I'm sorry to disagree with just about everyone, but I think you're writing your doc off a little too quickly. Why not actually try what she advised you to do, and see what happens?

Ke22yB

I am 64 eat over 2200 calories a day and burn between 500 and 600 calories exercising and lose weight on my goal schedule see if you can find a Dr who works out and understands a little better. I have a pedometer and a HRM I use and both are close to the same calorie number ( I also use an app on my phone not that I am manic or anything) approx 10 calories a minute jogging close to 4 mph

StarvingDiva

So I went to my Internist last week for my 6-month checkup, and just about everything she told me was against what I’ve learned and what I’ve read on MFP. I think I need to find a new doctor!

I was frustrated because I hadn’t lost any weight in over 3 weeks, but I’d started eating healthy (from eating whatever I wanted) and had added a 2nd round of exercising several days/week. When I mentioned I burn between 400 - 900 calories in a day through exercise, she said there is no way I could burn that many unless I was a younger, very athletic person. When I told her I used a heart rate monitor, she informed me those aren’t a reliable measure of caloric burn.

She also said the only way for me to lose weight is to eat 1200 calories per day, regardless of how much I exercise. And that if I don’t lose the weight now, I will really balloon up once I hit menopause (I’m 45). How’s that for encouragement?

So I think I’ll find a new doctor before my next checkup!

Uggh yeah, I would find a new one as well. I remember when I was doing 2 hours of boxing/kickboxing and bootcamp classes and I wasn't losing weight, my doctor looked at me as if I was lying about all the exercising, she sent me to a nutritionist, who said she knew I wasn't lying due to my HDL levels going up. But she put me on more calories than 1200 because of the fact I was working out 2 hours a day in a very high intensity workout.

sbeisel1

This may sound shallow but is your doctor heathy or unfit?(thats the nice way to put it) I have had a variety of doctors in my life and I have had 2 that were "unhealthy" one a smoker and overweight the other was very very overweight. the advice from them was always "heres a percription for that". I realized I cant ask a doc. to care about me if they dont care about themselves, I finally found a doctor that is healthy, has kids and is very much a supportive person. she only percribes medications as a last resort. She was thrilled with my last check in, and she knew what MFP was and was glad I had found it, she reccomended a heart rate monitor and was glad im not starving myself. It took me years to find her and even longer to get to be her patient, there was a waiting list. My doctor always says to listen to my body and use common sense.

lori4013

I'm 49. My doc told me 1,200 is not enough calories. She wanted me on 1,500...which I'm still doing 1,200. lol....she said exercise, watch what you eat and low calorie. Same as it's always been. BUT, yes, it's harder at this age to take it off. I NEVER had a problem getting weight off before the last few years. Although, I have also noticed I have gotten more sedentary...so I'm kicking it up a notch...ugh!

rc630

So basically, because your doctor didn't tell you what you wanted to hear, and her advice conflicts with the advice you get on a message board full of mostly people who have very little actual knowledge of metabolic processes, aging, and nutrition science, you think she sucks and you should find a new doctor? Her job isn't to "encourage" you. I'm sorry to disagree with just about everyone, but I think you're writing your doc off a little too quickly. Why not actually try what she advised you to do, and see what happens?

Most doctors aren't specially trained in nutrition, and from what I have heard and read from those who have actually studied dietetics and nutrition, eating this little while exercising is not healthy for the long term. This doctor is obviously giving a point of view that most specialists disagree with, which indicates something is probably not right.
Plus, plenty of people have lost weight while being able to eat more... why would you want to restrict yourself so much when you don't have to? I food too much to do that.

PJilly

Why not actually try what she advised you to do, and see what happens?

Personally, I wouldn't trust the advice of anyone, doctor or not, who says that the only way to lose weight is to eat 1200 calories regardless of exercise.

Jaxster12

Doctors know jack**** about nutrition, only like 5% of doctors actually have some kind of nutrition background

bcattoes

I don't use a HRM but I have read that the less fit you are, the less accurate they are. So unless you have been exercising regularly over a period of time, it might not be giving you an accurate reading. Get a second opinion if you feel it's necessary, but don't willy nilly take advice of MFP members over your doctor.

danagisana

You might not rush to dump the doctor but a second opinion is always useful.
Yes, it is harder to lose at this weight but there are also a lot of other factors at play when our bodies are changing, and hormone levels have a lot to do with things.
There are a lot of really great books on perimenopause that spell out why it is hard to lose weight at this age and what can be done about it.

badgerbadger1

So basically, because your doctor didn't tell you what you wanted to hear, and her advice conflicts with the advice you get on a message board full of mostly people who have very little actual knowledge of metabolic processes, aging, and nutrition science, you think she sucks and you should find a new doctor? Her job isn't to "encourage" you. I'm sorry to disagree with just about everyone, but I think you're writing your doc off a little too quickly. Why not actually try what she advised you to do, and see what happens?

Doctors don't have a strong background in nutrition or exercise science. They are trained in pathology. It's why we have a nutritionist round with us every morning on my unit. 1200 is below BMR, and not eating exercise calories on top of that puts you at a severe deficit for your body to function appropriately.

Just as you are railing against what other people are saying here, I'm not really interested in what your mother is doing because it is no indicator of a healthy routine.

conniehgtv

if you feel that she doesn't "fit" with your beliefs try another dr, or a nutritionist. Lots of people loseweight by journaling, that is what MFP does best. Good Luck

SteveTries

When I told her I used a heart rate monitor, she informed me those aren’t a reliable measure of caloric burn.

Without a shadow of a doubt she is correct about that point.

Those monitors use algorithms to estimate caloric burn. There are many algorithms and they are all based on theoretical models and maybe statistical averages. They don't actually measure your caloric burn.

ashmitatua

See if taking a week off from your exercise regimn helps, or just try and burn 100-200 cals not more for a week, see if you see any change. I was exercising regurlary and eatting about 1200 cals a day, did not lose a single pound for over 3 weeks. Then I stopped going to the gym and just go the mall and walk for an hour or two (it was stressful not to spend any money) and I see some change not that much in weight, but definitely in size. Oh yes one more thing, find a new doctor, someone with a positive attitude.

Ash

veganbaum

See a dietition for a second opinion, not an internist.

junyr

When I told her I used a heart rate monitor, she informed me those aren’t a reliable measure of caloric burn.

Without a shadow of a doubt she is correct about that point.

Those monitors use algorithms to estimate caloric burn. There are many algorithms and they are all based on theoretical models and maybe statistical averages. They don't actually measure your caloric burn.

However, they're likely more accurate than MFP's estimates that measured absolutely nothing on your workout aside from time and perceived intensity of the person entering the data.

skmolove

sorry to hear about your frustration... i am 40 yrs/o, want to loose 50lbs & want to shed 1lb/week; i'm eating more than 1200cals/day. i see a medical doc who specializes in weightloss management; his advice to me was-
#1 join MFP.
#2 stay within my calorie goal.
#3 eat 5 fruits & veggies /day
#4 exercise 15 minutes at a time at least 4 times a week &
#5 exercise is ONLY 10% of weight loss. (i hate exercise so this 1 i remembered)

with that being said -i belive what matters the most in our journey to be fit & healthy is all about our diet (what & how much we eat). i've been a mfp member for about 8 weeks & have lost 12lbs. I do my 60minutes of exercise/week & try really hard to stay within my caloric intake.

keep at it you WILL be successful.

aprilshowers262

wow, she sounds like she'd have an awesome bedside manner.

good luck finding a new, more empathetic and encouraging doctor.

ummommyme

When I told her I used a heart rate monitor, she informed me those aren’t a reliable measure of caloric burn.

Without a shadow of a doubt she is correct about that point.

Those monitors use algorithms to estimate caloric burn. There are many algorithms and they are all based on theoretical models and maybe statistical averages. They don't actually measure your caloric burn.

I'm curious to know what does do this accurately then? If something doesn't actually measure your caloric burn but uses averages and models then what else would be better? Just because it doesn't say this is how many you burn for a fact doesn't mean it's unreliable, suggesting it is just completely wrong is not correct i don't think.

kateroot

So basically, because your doctor didn't tell you what you wanted to hear, and her advice conflicts with the advice you get on a message board full of mostly people who have very little actual knowledge of metabolic processes, aging, and nutrition science, you think she sucks and you should find a new doctor? Her job isn't to "encourage" you. I'm sorry to disagree with just about everyone, but I think you're writing your doc off a little too quickly. Why not actually try what she advised you to do, and see what happens?

Doctors don't have a strong background in nutrition or exercise science. They are trained in pathology. It's why we have a nutritionist round with us every morning on my unit. 1200 is below BMR, and not eating exercise calories on top of that puts you at a severe deficit for your body to function appropriately.

Just as you are railing against what other people are saying here, I'm not really interested in what your mother is doing because it is no indicator of a healthy routine.

A "healthy routine" can vary greatly from person to person. My mother is the picture of good health. But of course, what works for her is not going to work for everyone. I completely acknowledge that.

nitepagan

I don't know your current weight or your caloric intake, so can't say much about the doctor. I was in my best shape ever bicycle riding when I was in my 40's, so your doctor doesn't know what she is talking about. I was riding 20+ miles a day. To help you with the plateau your stuck on, look at your fat and carb intake. can you make some more cuts there and still eat healthy. I have also noticed MFP tends to give you more calories than you really need. They are erring of the side of safety. Why don't your try to cut another 100 or 200 off your daily caloric intake. There a spot on the board where you can make that change and let MFP determine what the proper carbs, fats and proteins should be.

My other thought is that not everyone is or should be skinny skinny skinny. You might be one of those people where it is better for them to not be skinny.

Today's doctors don't really know what they are doing, you have to be in charge of your medical health and not just trusting that your doctor has your best interest in mind. Many doctors are controlled by or do the bidding of the pharmaceutical industry, pushing drugs whether you need them or not. Most of today's drugs damage your liver and you need a healthy liver in order to be alive. Dying of liver failure is not a pretty sight. I now have a naturopathic NP as my health practitioner. I only go to her when I think I need her help. Cholesterol drugs destroy your liver, I will take my chances without the use of those drugs. I am now 67 and am looking to live another 25 to 30 years. There is a herbal alternative for cholesterol therapy that is safe and effective.

QueenJayJay

'Doctor' doesn't mean high priest of truth. Just as with mechanics, there are skilled docs and there are idiots...

:drinker:

Whodatgirl77

Most physician's no little to nothing about nutrition. I think its our jobs to do our own homework about what will improve our health as the experts are not always experts.