Doctor advice conflicts with MFP

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  • teagin2002
    teagin2002 Posts: 1,901 Member
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    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?

    Unfortunately the doctor's statement is too overgeneralized to be true. When a person makes a statement and doesn't consider any specific details about the person in front of them it points to personal insecurities they may have. Doctor's are human to with all that comes with being human.
    I would definitely seek a doctor that is more experienced in nutrition and exercise and less willing to push a particular routine for all simply due to their age.
  • kathyc609
    kathyc609 Posts: 258 Member
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    you should probably listen to your doctor -- dont rely on MFP for your health
  • mohanj
    mohanj Posts: 381 Member
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    I am 58 years old and I burn about 800 - 1000 calories per day. I keep my calories around 1500 or less and have lost about 5 lbs in past 2 weeks. I know if I keep my calorie intake to 1200 I would loose more and I might just do that.
    None of the instruments like heart monitor or pedometer etc., are perfect. I consider those instruments as approximate and just use them as guidelines. I would suggest you to keep the same exercise level but cut down the calorie intake if possible to 1200 as suggested by your doctor and see if you loose weight. It is much easier to loose weight at 45 than when you hit the menopause. Don't get discouraged by your Doctor as she has some truth in what she is saying. Changing the Doctor won't help you much. You have to find for yourself what works for you. Good Luck.
  • scapez
    scapez Posts: 2,018 Member
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    Take your HRM and use it to calculate the burn while you run to find a better doctor!
  • MaximalLife
    MaximalLife Posts: 2,447 Member
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    Presupposing your version is true and correct, I'd have fired that doctor on the spot.
    Any professional blanket advising caloric intake is incompetent.
  • MmmDrop
    MmmDrop Posts: 160 Member
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    Eeew, yeah... find a new doctor.

    The only time I will ever see a doctor is if I need a specialist. Otherwise, I see a Nurse Practitioner.... I've found that they tend to actually listen more to their patients.

    Good luck!
  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
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    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?

    It's not because your mother manage to mess up her metabolism that everyone should do the same now do we???
  • UpEarly
    UpEarly Posts: 2,555 Member
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    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?

    And just because 1200 calories a day works for your 120lb, 5'4" exercising mom, means the OP's doctor is right? Hmmm...

    When I was 22, I had a doctor tell me I would be 'dead in three years' if I didn't make radical changes to my lifestyle. I was a 5'9", 175lb, non-smoker, who had a glass of wine or two once a week. She made this judgment call without any bloodwork or testing whatsoever. She also referred me to enroll in her expensive (non-insurance covered) weight loss program.

    I quit going to her after that appointment. And go figure... 18 years later, I'm still alive and kicking!
  • 2hungariangirls
    2hungariangirls Posts: 220
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    Get another opinion. If I had listened to the advice given to me by a doctor my now 20 month old would have DIED! ALWAYS, ALWAYS get a second opinion if your GUT tells you something is off. Whether it is weight loss or something more serious. I've put many a doctor in their place over the last 20 months. Get another opinion and good luck!
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
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    I wouldn't listen to anything you read on the internet or in a message forum. Take the advice of your DR. he/she is a professional with a degree.
  • britty52
    britty52 Posts: 3
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    This is such a bummer to hear. I am a family doctor.... and I agree, you should find yourself a new one. She should have been more concerned with you not losing weight despite your exercise and diet, and looking into physiologic reasons why.
    In the meantime, keep your head up, keep doing what you are doing, and find yourself another doctor who can support you and all the healthy changes you have been making!
  • auticus
    auticus Posts: 1,051 Member
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    I don't eat my exercise calories either.
  • ASexyScorpio
    ASexyScorpio Posts: 5 Member
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    When it comes to weight issues, doctors can be so insensitive!! Some times they think they know everything because of their title. Maybe your doctor is right, but who wants to hear they are going to balloon up during menopause?! Especially since its right around the corner for you!! Can anyone say DISTASTEFUL?!
    Keep researching because you can never have too much information. I would look for a different doctor. And do what works for you and your body. We're all different and your body will respond accordingly. GOOD LUCK
  • determined2lose89
    determined2lose89 Posts: 342 Member
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    Time for a new Doctor!
  • kateroot
    kateroot Posts: 435
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    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?

    And just because 1200 calories a day works for your 120lb, 5'4" exercising mom, means the OP's doctor is right? Hmmm...

    I didn't say the doctor was right. Different things work for different people. Assuming the doctor isn't a total quack, she took into account the OP's individual needs. And maybe the doctor doesn't have a clue what she's talking about, but I'm just saying that taking the advice of random people on a message board (myself included) over your doctor's advice is kind of silly.
  • PepeGreggerton
    PepeGreggerton Posts: 986 Member
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    I don't eat my exercise calories either.

    same
  • Ahluvly
    Ahluvly Posts: 389 Member
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    Hey, I went to see a Nutritionist 10 days ago, first week results = 4.6lbs loss (get in), however she did say to me she wants me to get out of calorie counting AND, that HRMs aren't acurate so I'd maybe not jump the gun with saying you need a new doctor, despite not liking what they have said to you. I'd get a 2nd opinion but, I think listening to a professional doctor/dietician will help you manage your weight a bit better. It will really depend on what your stats are as to what they give you advice wise, on how to lose the weight. See if you can get referred to a Dietician/Nutrionist and if not, you could pay privately. Take your diary with you, get them to analyse it and then make recommendations based on that, and other information they require. That's what I did.....I hope that helps :)
    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!
  • kateroot
    kateroot Posts: 435
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    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?

    It's not because your mother manage to mess up her metabolism that everyone should do the same now do we???

    You're making an invalid assumption based on the very limited information I shared about my mother, and I did not say everyone should eat 1200 calories a day, but nice try. Different people have different calorie needs. I eat 1800-2000 calories a day, but that's what works for me. I'm saying it's silly to write off a doctor's advice just because it's not what you want to hear.
  • GreenEyedGrl86
    GreenEyedGrl86 Posts: 117
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    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?

    No, that's not what they are saying, at least not in my opinion. I'm thinking there is no set plan that works for everyone, everyone is different. Also, a general practice doctor may not be AS knowledgeable as a specialist in the area. I would at least seek a second opinion from a specialist.
  • sma83
    sma83 Posts: 485 Member
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    It's called "practicing" medicine for a reason! They dont know everything just because they have a Degree on the wall! You have lived in your body your entire life. You know what feels right for YOU! I would find another Dr too!

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