my diet concerns for some members of mfp

andrejjorje

Man or I should say girl you're really wise and clever.:flowerforyou:

I totally understand your concern for other people, but what I have learned from responding to posts or from reading posts is that you cannot really voice your concern because alot of times you will get blasted for it. Different things work for different people and if its working for them, they will be completely resistant to your suggestions. I see plenty of food diaries that consist of small snacks rather than real meals. I see people eating 1000 or less calories and being congratulated for that. Yes they are losing weight but that will not work for them in the long run but who are we to tell them otherwise. its something they will have to figure out on their own. I see plenty of people eating like birds and losing 1-2 lbs per week while I am eating over 2,000 calories per day and only losing 1/2 lb per week (granted Im only looking to lose a few lbs). I would rather know that I can eat over 2,000 calories per day and still lose weight at a slower rate then eat very little to the point where I am hungry all the time and feel like Im starving myself.

The best thing that you can do in my opinion, is focus on YOUR goals and make sure you are doing what you need to be doing for YOU!

yellowdog77

I think if anyone is willing to help why not let them. It's funny when I first joined everyone enjoyed and appreciated other's advice. As the site has grown that has change. There are so many people with strong thoughts that often topics become confusing. Just when I think I have it right someone post a topic and I wonder if I need to change something. I am struggling right now with losing no wait but never want to post any questions because I know someone is out there just waiting and stalking so they can post a negative comment. So thank you for sharing your thoughts and doing in a kind way.

LynneWyre

How can you even look at someone's food diary, and why would you? I'm just asking, not accusing. It's
never crossed my mind to look at someone's food diary. Your point is well taken though. I also am always
trying to figure this out: We all know that you have to take in calories or your body will just shut down and try
to conserve, resulting in no weight loss. But then how do people that don't eat (anorexics) lose weight?
Doesn't there body do the same thing?

hollin40

There are some days when I just don't have an appetite. However, I do eat real food. I don't eat over processed foods nor do I eat massive portions. I've put my entire family on a healthy eating program--my kids eat veggies, fruit, whole grains, low fat milk and low fat almond milk (two have dairy issues), and we don't just eat all day long. Not all Americans follow the processed and huge portion diet. It's sad that many do, however.


That being said, we did splurge for the Super Bowl...ha ha ha....

ttrussel

How can you even look at someone's food diary, and why would you? I'm just asking, not accusing. It's
never crossed my mind to look at someone's food diary. Your point is well taken though. I also am always
trying to figure this out: We all know that you have to take in calories or your body will just shut down and try
to conserve, resulting in no weight loss. But then how do people that don't eat (anorexics) lose weight?
Doesn't there body do the same thing?

I like to look at diary's to get recipe ideas and other food/snack ideas that maybe I don't eat that would be something new to try! You can make your diary public under settings.

Kellyr107

I applaud you for being a concerned member of this community. I think it is a great thing.

MaximalLife

1. MFP gives everyone a target daily calorific intake to reach a certain weight, now eating well below this or the net effect of excercising and eating being well below this target... surely the individual will tend to lose more lean tissue than actual fat?
BINGO - Spot on!

e.g. should a person who's goal is to consume 1200 calories, but they burn 600 excercising then actually eat 1800 calories?
YES!
2. Some people are eating too many empty calories but are coming under/on target. Are they cheating themselves in the long run?YES - empty calories might lead to mere weight loss but not optimal health

beckyannj

So I was told if you do eat your exercise calories - it defeats the purpose. Obviously your heart likes it, but if you do eat your exercise calories - will you not lose weight? I am sort of confused about those numbers. I get that if you burn more calories than you eat - you will lose weight - but doesn't MFP calculate that original calorie count to lose whatever you want a week - and shouldn't you continue to lose that even if you eat your exercise calories? I honestly don't know.

junyr

1. MFP gives everyone a target daily calorific intake to reach a certain weight, now eating well below this or the net effect of excercising and eating being well below this target... surely the individual will tend to lose more lean tissue than actual fat?
BINGO - Spot on!

e.g. should a person who's goal is to consume 1200 calories, but they burn 600 excercising then actually eat 1800 calories?
YES!
2. Some people are eating too many empty calories but are coming under/on target. Are they cheating themselves in the long run?YES - empty calories might lead to mere weight loss but not optimal health

Thank you! I was looking through the replies thinking that no one is even answering his questions that he asked!

MaximalLife

So I was told if you do eat your exercise calories - it defeats the purpose. Obviously your heart likes it, but if you do eat your exercise calories - will you not lose weight? I am sort of confused about those numbers. I get that if you burn more calories than you eat - you will lose weight - but doesn't MFP calculate that original calorie count to lose whatever you want a week - and shouldn't you continue to lose that even if you eat your exercise calories? I honestly don't know.

You were told wrong.
Eat your exercise calories.
MFP calculates our total daily calorie intake WITHOUT exercise to lose 1 pound or so per week.
And after we log exercises, our daily calorie limit increases.
Why?
Because MFP telling us to eat our exercise calories.
Large deficits are unhealthy, because while you will lose weight, what's the quality of the weight loss?
In many cases you'll lose lean body mass - MUSCLE - which LOWERS your metabolic rate, making weight loss harder.
These crash diets work well for a season -- and sure enough, the pounds melt away. But when you eat so
few calories, you train your metabolism to slow down. Once the diet is over, you have a body that burns calories
more slowly -- and you gain weight.
Be smart.
Exercise well both cardio and resistance, and eat back the calories.
The exercise will RAISE your metabolism and burn more fat at rest.

maru84

I think what works for weight loss is different for different people. I feel deprived if I don't have a yummy dessert most days of the week, so I plan for it. They're definitely empty calories, and I have gone over, and my weight loss isn't super fast like some people (I'm losing about half a pound a week). However, the scale is moving in the right direction and it's what works for me.

As far as the people eating very few calories, I think that would be difficult to maintain. People will never stop looking for quick weight loss fixes, but a lifestyle change is what will stick!

Cr357

I think what happens is that people think of getting "fit" in terms of just losing weight and not building lean mass.

beckyannj

Thanks maximal life for the insight. I found on the weeks I ate my exercise calories, I did lose more weight! Seems easier to maintain this as a lifestyle this way.

LynneWyre

Okay! I didn't know that you can make your diary public, or how to see others. That was what I was asking.

MaximalLife

Thanks maximal life for the insight. I found on the weeks I ate my exercise calories, I did lose more weight! Seems easier to maintain this as a lifestyle this way.

Great! More is less sometimes.

LorinaLynn

So I was told if you do eat your exercise calories - it defeats the purpose. Obviously your heart likes it, but if you do eat your exercise calories - will you not lose weight? I am sort of confused about those numbers. I get that if you burn more calories than you eat - you will lose weight - but doesn't MFP calculate that original calorie count to lose whatever you want a week - and shouldn't you continue to lose that even if you eat your exercise calories? I honestly don't know.

Maxima explained it well. I used a lot more words and number in a blog post, but it's the same thing: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/LorinaLynn/view/exercise-calories-explained-206876

Scorpioangel

Hi guys

I have a few concerns regarding people and what i have seen in their diaries, as follows:

1. MFP gives everyone a target daily calorific intake to reach a certain weight, now eating well below this or the net effect of excercising and eating being well below this target... surely the individual will tend to lose more lean tissue than actual fat?

e.g. should a person who's goal is to consume 1200 calories, but they burn 600 excercising then actually eat 1800 calories?

2. Some people are eating too many empty calories but are coming under/on target. Are they cheating themselves in the long run?

Sorry if this comes across wrong but i am genuinely concerned for people.

Good and interesting post! I actually never used the calories required by MFP but the advice of someone who calculated my needs based on my workout, activity, etc. One thing I see is people working out burning over 1,000 calories and only eating maybe 900 total!

LynneWyre

I'll take any advice I can get! Love to hear different ideas, thoughts, and helpful hints.
Thanks and keep them coming!

BeautifulIllusion19

I think you should mind your own business. I can't stand when other people make a point to nit-pick what other people are eating. If you don't like it, we'll tough.

CoffeeAndCrazy

I and my personal friends here have/still do struggle with eating disorders. We may be some of the diaries you see (the few of us that actually let people see what we eat, because we're ashamed that we eat at all). So yeah...our eating habits are worrisome. But we're eating. Anything at all is better than nothing. And we support each other here. Just my personal 2 cents

Lozze

As others have said worry about yourself.

I see a lot on here that worries me deeply but unless they're asking for help I don't offer advice. I've dropped friends who go off at the slightest question about how they're doing something.

I've also had it from the other end. I had a 'well meaning' person contact me to tell me I was losing weight too quickly and unless I slowed it down I would put it back on. (mind you I'd lost 16lbs in a month when I started at 300lbs...) I cried all night. It truly upset me. I won't do that to someone.

Ultimatly you don't know their situation, you don't know their life so unless you're asked for help (either through a status or forum thread) BUTT OUT.

melrose09

I think a lot of people seem to get wrapped up in weight loss alone and forget about being healthy. But since they are seeing results in the numbers, they keep doing what they are doing. It's just a hard thing to tell to rethink their habits when to them, it it working great. But it is kind of you to worry about the health of others

LemonDiva

Thanks for raising this topic...

For me the key word in this issue is Community... surely MFP is a supportive Community and if I ask you to be 'Friend' I am asking you to read my diary and comment if you see where i may be going wrong.

What I read here is that some of you do not want or appreciate that kind of support... good to know... I guess!

But fair warning...
If I am asked to friend/ support someone I am going to try and do that... but i will not be party to affirming anyone for self abuse...

I agree its the individual's choice to starve... "to support Ana" I believe is the phrase... however might be best to keep it private. Please don't seek my approval or support for what appears to be unhealthy behaviours because I cannot do that for you ...I care too much..
Written with the best of intensions...

Kyliechristie

Some people are eating too many empty calories but are coming under/on target. Are they cheating themselves in the long run?

I totally agree about this one. You see lots of people living on lollies & biscuits and are losing weight just because they are under their calorie goal. I have been there too and even though you lose weight you still feel like crap and are just a skinnier version of your old fat self. We need to focus more on the quality of the food and we will gain the shape we want also.

k1mcat

Every human being is a work in progress. What person does or eats today may be totally different than yesterday or tomorrow. Leading is better than pushing. Setting a good example is better than spewing criticism. Loving concern is better than apathy. The trick is to find balance and insight when we care enough to speak up. Just a few thoughts that crossed my mind while reading this thread. :flowerforyou:

carrotstick2012

...

jmp1031

i understand your concern. i have a hard time congratulating someone for being under their calorie goal for the day when i look at their food log and it's all fast food and garbage day after day. i just say they may be losing weight since weight loss is at it's most basic a math game, but they're definitely cheating themselves out of HEALTH in the long run.

committomittxoxo

I have to admit, I'm glad someone broached this subject... I try to never make negative comments on here because, let's face it, it's unsolicited. However, I do have genuine concerns for some people. Maybe I should vocalize them but it’s just not in my nature... I might consider raising my voice in the future though...

HorrorChix89

I think you should mind your own business. I can't stand when other people make a point to nit-pick what other people are eating. If you don't like it, we'll tough.

:laugh:

Pebble321

I take your point, a lot of people (me included) could be eating better quality food, or more food (I'm not in that group!).

But, unless you know the person and their background, you have no way of telling where they are on their journey - it may be that eating a chicken burger from McDonalds is so much healthier than the 5 Big Macs they used to eat, or that the one cookie in someone's diary today (oh, that would be me!) is a VAST improvement from a year ago where they (that's me) could eat through an entire packet in an afternoon.

So, while it's nice that you're concerned, unless someone asks for help or comments, I tend to think it's better to keep your opinions to yourself.