the "do what works for you" advice
jacksonpt
Posts: 10,413 Member
This gets thrown around a lot...
Should I eat back my exercise cals? Do what works for you.
Should I limit carbs? Do what works for you.
Should I get a HRM? Do what works for you.
Should I log my dinner if I just threw it up 10 minutes later? Do what works for you.
Should I break up with my BF who's cheating on me with my sister's dog? Do what works for you.
The science behind what causes weight loss, weight gain, muscle growth, strength increases, cardiovascular health, etc IS ALL THE SAME. My body works the same as your body which works the same as everyone else's on this site (with the only significant difference being people with legitimate health issues, like diabetes, etc.).
What varies, what falls under the "what works for you" umbrella is the method.
People need to sustain a healthy caloric deficit to lose weight. Period. That's the science part. The method is how you get there. Whole foods alone works. Prepared foods alone work. Diet with zumba works. Diet with 15 minutes of running works. Diet with 4 hours of cycling works. Diet with free weights works. Diet with weight machines works. Diet with 5lb weights works. Diet with 400lbs works. Eating back exercise cals works. Not eating them back works. Etc. There are dozens of ways to skin the cat... but what you're doing doesn't change (the skinning of the cat), it's the HOW that changes.
As a side note, it is worth mentioning that goals play a role in this too. The more specific your goals get, and the more "accomplished" you become towards those goals, then less wiggle room you may have in trying different methods. If you're at 8% BF and looking to add 5lbs of lean muscle, the treadmill probably isn't your best bet. So goals do play a role in this as well.
Should I eat back my exercise cals? Do what works for you.
Should I limit carbs? Do what works for you.
Should I get a HRM? Do what works for you.
Should I log my dinner if I just threw it up 10 minutes later? Do what works for you.
Should I break up with my BF who's cheating on me with my sister's dog? Do what works for you.
The science behind what causes weight loss, weight gain, muscle growth, strength increases, cardiovascular health, etc IS ALL THE SAME. My body works the same as your body which works the same as everyone else's on this site (with the only significant difference being people with legitimate health issues, like diabetes, etc.).
What varies, what falls under the "what works for you" umbrella is the method.
People need to sustain a healthy caloric deficit to lose weight. Period. That's the science part. The method is how you get there. Whole foods alone works. Prepared foods alone work. Diet with zumba works. Diet with 15 minutes of running works. Diet with 4 hours of cycling works. Diet with free weights works. Diet with weight machines works. Diet with 5lb weights works. Diet with 400lbs works. Eating back exercise cals works. Not eating them back works. Etc. There are dozens of ways to skin the cat... but what you're doing doesn't change (the skinning of the cat), it's the HOW that changes.
As a side note, it is worth mentioning that goals play a role in this too. The more specific your goals get, and the more "accomplished" you become towards those goals, then less wiggle room you may have in trying different methods. If you're at 8% BF and looking to add 5lbs of lean muscle, the treadmill probably isn't your best bet. So goals do play a role in this as well.
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Replies
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well said jackson there are so many avenues one can take to obtain their specific goals it's not rocket science as i often say, but people tend to put so much effort in the gym without any sense of direction dude.0
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Testify!0
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:bigsmile:0
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Should I log my dinner if I just threw it up 10 minutes later? Do what works for you.
Should I break up with my BF who's cheating on me with my sister's dog? Do what works for you
these two literally made me chuckle a little heh
Well said though0 -
Where's the LOVE button?!0
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thank you! :bigsmile:0
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VERY ( incredibly) good point! I will be sure to caution how I give the advice of "do what works for you"0
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Should I log my dinner if I just threw it up 10 minutes later? Do what works for you.
Should I break up with my BF who's cheating on me with my sister's dog? Do what works for you
these two literally made me chuckle a little heh
Well said though
I've seen that first one asked as a serious question several times.0 -
Absolutely GREAT post.0
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Amen!!! Love this post!
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Fantastic!0
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This gets thrown around a lot...
Should I eat back my exercise cals? Do what works for you.
Should I limit carbs? Do what works for you.
Should I get a HRM? Do what works for you.
Should I log my dinner if I just threw it up 10 minutes later? Do what works for you.
Should I break up with my BF who's cheating on me with my sister's dog? Do what works for you.
The science behind what causes weight loss, weight gain, muscle growth, strength increases, cardiovascular health, etc IS ALL THE SAME. My body works the same as your body which works the same as everyone else's on this site (with the only significant difference being people with legitimate health issues, like diabetes, etc.).
What varies, what falls under the "what works for you" umbrella is the method.
People need to sustain a healthy caloric deficit to lose weight. Period. That's the science part. The method is how you get there. Whole foods alone works. Prepared foods alone work. Diet with zumba works. Diet with 15 minutes of running works. Diet with 4 hours of cycling works. Diet with free weights works. Diet with weight machines works. Diet with 5lb weights works. Diet with 400lbs works. Eating back exercise cals works. Not eating them back works. Etc. There are dozens of ways to skin the cat... but what you're doing doesn't change (the skinning of the cat), it's the HOW that changes.
As a side note, it is worth mentioning that goals play a role in this too. The more specific your goals get, and the more "accomplished" you become towards those goals, then less wiggle room you may have in trying different methods. If you're at 8% BF and looking to add 5lbs of lean muscle, the treadmill probably isn't your best bet. So goals do play a role in this as well.
Jackson, I know the point you're trying to make and I agree with it but you need to be careful with your generalizations. Not everybodys' bodies work in the same way. We all have varying degrees of insulin sensitivity for instance. We all have different levels and distribution of alpha and beta receptors. Between men and women there are generalized differences that apply in terms of hormone levels and such. All of this affects the science behind what we do in terms of gaining/losing weight. While in highly generalized terms there are commonalities, you can't discount the wide variations in how genetics seriously impacts our metabolic processes. These differences are a big part of why what works for one person does not work for another (there are of course psychological reasons as well).
So I do agree with you that at the end of the day, insulin does the same thing in all of us (although to widely varying degrees) and at the end it's about calories in and calories out. But don't get too blinded to the real differences that do directly impact the science behind all of this as well.0 -
Great post, we can get lots of support via MFP but at the end of the day we each know our own bodies best. Take all the tips you can from this site, and eat less and move more is my basic principle. Sound advice here for new joiners0
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Should I log my dinner if I just threw it up 10 minutes later? Do what works for you.
Should I break up with my BF who's cheating on me with my sister's dog? Do what works for you
these two literally made me chuckle a little heh
Well said though
I've seen that first one asked as a serious question several times.
They are all asked pretty regularly.0 -
:laugh: :flowerforyou: Like***0
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If everyone lifted they wouldn't have to worry about the calorie0
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This doesn't work for me...0
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This gets thrown around a lot...
Should I eat back my exercise cals? Do what works for you.
Should I limit carbs? Do what works for you.
Should I get a HRM? Do what works for you.
Should I log my dinner if I just threw it up 10 minutes later? Do what works for you.
Should I break up with my BF who's cheating on me with my sister's dog? Do what works for you.
The science behind what causes weight loss, weight gain, muscle growth, strength increases, cardiovascular health, etc IS ALL THE SAME. My body works the same as your body which works the same as everyone else's on this site (with the only significant difference being people with legitimate health issues, like diabetes, etc.).
What varies, what falls under the "what works for you" umbrella is the method.
People need to sustain a healthy caloric deficit to lose weight. Period. That's the science part. The method is how you get there. Whole foods alone works. Prepared foods alone work. Diet with zumba works. Diet with 15 minutes of running works. Diet with 4 hours of cycling works. Diet with free weights works. Diet with weight machines works. Diet with 5lb weights works. Diet with 400lbs works. Eating back exercise cals works. Not eating them back works. Etc. There are dozens of ways to skin the cat... but what you're doing doesn't change (the skinning of the cat), it's the HOW that changes.
As a side note, it is worth mentioning that goals play a role in this too. The more specific your goals get, and the more "accomplished" you become towards those goals, then less wiggle room you may have in trying different methods. If you're at 8% BF and looking to add 5lbs of lean muscle, the treadmill probably isn't your best bet. So goals do play a role in this as well.
Jackson, I know the point you're trying to make and I agree with it but you need to be careful with your generalizations. Not everybodys' bodies work in the same way. We all have varying degrees of insulin sensitivity for instance. We all have different levels and distribution of alpha and beta receptors. Between men and women there are generalized differences that apply in terms of hormone levels and such. All of this affects the science behind what we do in terms of gaining/losing weight. While in highly generalized terms there are commonalities, you can't discount the wide variations in how genetics seriously impacts our metabolic processes. These differences are a big part of why what works for one person does not work for another (there are of course psychological reasons as well).
So I do agree with you that at the end of the day, insulin does the same thing in all of us (although to widely varying degrees) and at the end it's about calories in and calories out. But don't get too blinded to the real differences that do directly impact the science behind all of this as well.
THIS0 -
If everyone lifted they wouldn't have to worry about the calorie
But not everyone wants to, or even LIKES to. And it's not the only way to get results.0 -
*Like* (How I wish there would be a like button here as well)0
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Word!0
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Testify!
Can I get an Amen!!0 -
I lift. I've lifted (heavy) for about 15 years.If everyone lifted they wouldn't have to worry about the calorie
And I know that this isn't quite true. 0 -
Honestly? I think a lot of people say "Do what works for you" because after several, several times of posting long, thought out answers that come from a lot of personal experience, dedication, etc....... just to have the OP (((argue))) with you about it, and tell you that you're wrong for your own opinion and how that could not possibly work for them etc, you just start typing things like that after a while. That's horribly frustrating and just the nature of forums.0
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Not to sound rude but it seems that most of those who are contradicting advice about the benefits of weight lifting are women. And yet some ever wonder why their cellulites, muffin tops or thunder thighs don't seem to go away despite doing lots of cardio and eating 1200 calories. Yes weights is not the only way to get results but so does cardio + diet alone combo. You need those 3 to work whether you like it or not, PERIOD!If everyone lifted they wouldn't have to worry about the calorie
But not everyone wants to, or even LIKES to. And it's not the only way to get results.0 -
Not to sound rude but it seems that those who are anti-weight lifting are all women. Have some of you ever wonder why your cellulites, muffin tops or thunder thighs don't seem to go away despite doing lots of cardio and eating 1200 calories? Cardio and diet alone won't fo the trick, PERIOD!If everyone lifted they wouldn't have to worry about the calorie
But not everyone wants to, or even LIKES to. And it's not the only way to get results.
I'm not anti-lifting, I'm just saying it's not the only way to get results. I strength train, but with low weights and high reps. It's toned my arms, and it's made my lose inches off my thighs. So for ME, it works. I can't speak for anyone else. But this silly idea that all women need to lift heavy to see results is prevalent on the forums and it's irritating because it's not the ONLY way.0 -
Honestly? I think a lot of people say "Do what works for you" because after several, several times of posting long, thought out answers that come from a lot of personal experience, dedication, etc....... just to have the OP (((argue))) with you about it, and tell you that you're wrong for your own opinion and how that could not possibly work for them etc, you just start typing things like that after a while. That's horribly frustrating and just the nature of forums.
I agree with this (and the OP)
Even in this thread, someone disagrees. Everyone is a special snowflake whose body functions vastly different from the next special snow flake.0 -
Jackson, I know the point you're trying to make and I agree with it but you need to be careful with your generalizations. Not everybodys' bodies work in the same way. We all have varying degrees of insulin sensitivity for instance. We all have different levels and distribution of alpha and beta receptors. Between men and women there are generalized differences that apply in terms of hormone levels and such. All of this affects the science behind what we do in terms of gaining/losing weight. While in highly generalized terms there are commonalities, you can't discount the wide variations in how genetics seriously impacts our metabolic processes. These differences are a big part of why what works for one person does not work for another (there are of course psychological reasons as well).
So I do agree with you that at the end of the day, insulin does the same thing in all of us (although to widely varying degrees) and at the end it's about calories in and calories out. But don't get too blinded to the real differences that do directly impact the science behind all of this as well.
But short of a real medical condition, insulin sensitivity, difference in hormone levels, and the like are not going to be different ENOUGH to suggest that what works for one person will not work at all for someone else. The main differences are mental. Some people are willing to make sacrifices and work hard, and some people only THINK they are.
I understand that as a petite female, my BMR is much lower than a large male's, and I'd burn far fewer calories doing the exact same workout as said large male. Those are differences, sure. And it may take me longer to get to my goals because of those differences. But the PROCESS is the same (i.e. eat fewer calories than you burn). There are no genetic factors that make that less true for me than for anyone else.0 -
Excellent post! Thank you :flowerforyou:0
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Not necessarily. The reason why you can't lose weight as well as someone else because of insulin sensitive, diabetes, PCOS and other dysfunction is clearly understood by your body and has made the adjustment which has made it more difficult for that person, the only thing left is for you to figure out the best course of action.This gets thrown around a lot...
Should I eat back my exercise cals? Do what works for you.
Should I limit carbs? Do what works for you.
Should I get a HRM? Do what works for you.
Should I log my dinner if I just threw it up 10 minutes later? Do what works for you.
Should I break up with my BF who's cheating on me with my sister's dog? Do what works for you.
The science behind what causes weight loss, weight gain, muscle growth, strength increases, cardiovascular health, etc IS ALL THE SAME. My body works the same as your body which works the same as everyone else's on this site (with the only significant difference being people with legitimate health issues, like diabetes, etc.).
What varies, what falls under the "what works for you" umbrella is the method.
People need to sustain a healthy caloric deficit to lose weight. Period. That's the science part. The method is how you get there. Whole foods alone works. Prepared foods alone work. Diet with zumba works. Diet with 15 minutes of running works. Diet with 4 hours of cycling works. Diet with free weights works. Diet with weight machines works. Diet with 5lb weights works. Diet with 400lbs works. Eating back exercise cals works. Not eating them back works. Etc. There are dozens of ways to skin the cat... but what you're doing doesn't change (the skinning of the cat), it's the HOW that changes.
As a side note, it is worth mentioning that goals play a role in this too. The more specific your goals get, and the more "accomplished" you become towards those goals, then less wiggle room you may have in trying different methods. If you're at 8% BF and looking to add 5lbs of lean muscle, the treadmill probably isn't your best bet. So goals do play a role in this as well.
Jackson, I know the point you're trying to make and I agree with it but you need to be careful with your generalizations. Not everybodys' bodies work in the same way. We all have varying degrees of insulin sensitivity for instance. We all have different levels and distribution of alpha and beta receptors. Between men and women there are generalized differences that apply in terms of hormone levels and such. All of this affects the science behind what we do in terms of gaining/losing weight. While in highly generalized terms there are commonalities, you can't discount the wide variations in how genetics seriously impacts our metabolic processes. These differences are a big part of why what works for one person does not work for another (there are of course psychological reasons as well).
So I do agree with you that at the end of the day, insulin does the same thing in all of us (although to widely varying degrees) and at the end it's about calories in and calories out. But don't get too blinded to the real differences that do directly impact the science behind all of this as well.0
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