Ending 1200 Calorie Bashing: Respecting Your Peers

6Petite

Not sure how to copy/paste quotes, but I meant to reply to above post:

I agree!
As to the forums - I take what I like - and leave the rest.

nataliescalories

So I decided to throw caution to the wind, follow the advice of well-informed MFP vets, including some who also have PCOS, and start eating 1800 calories a day, gross, with some wiggle room. I have continued losing weight, and not much more slowly than before. But this weight loss is sustainable, because I am eating close to maintenance. I also eat the same amount of carbs as is recommended for the general population, and I don't shy away from those with a high glycemic index.

I'm so glad you found something that works for you. That's exactly what my hope is for everyone. I certainly wouldn't recommend anyone start at 1200 calories or under for someone who hasn't received medical advice. As stated, I myself had to try several higher calorie goals before finding exactly what works. I'd also like to point out that I'm more active now that ever--just completing my first 5k and have no intention of slowing down. While it's certainly a concern that people on lower calorie diets may slow their metabolism further, I can say from personal experience that it my case--eating higher amounts of carbs caused sluggishness. We've all just got to find our balance. For those with Insulin Resistance, the glycemic index can certainly be a concern.

Duck_Puddle

There's also a huge difference when one understands that 1,200 or whatever is the net goal on MFP...as in you're supposed to net to the goal, not shoot under it.

This is a huge point that is almost always blown right over in the whole 1200 calorie "debate". I have a net goal of 1200 is VERY different than I eat 1200. I net 1200, I eat about 1800 (the same number I get through the roadmap or eat more to weigh less or anything else that "forces" inclusion of exercise calories). This isn't entirely relevant to the OP's situation, but I believe that a NET of 1200 is entirely appropriate for most of the people on it. If they NET 1200-which is very, very, very different than eating 1200.

Maidofmer

great post.

ldrosophila

I still hate the number 1200 and the dude who invented it. I think he was a masochist named Barney. It looks so cold and desolate to me compared to my happy land of 1800-2200 with cheese and oil!

Ely82010

If your happy with your choices then why bother about others opinions? I'm pretty sure the 1200 crowd have their own groups they can converse in without fear of being 'bashed'. Not sure this huge post was needed. It will only provoke the inevitable arguements. You do it you're way, your happy, it's cool. No need to shout at the rest of the world eating more than 1200 cals. We're happy that your happy :flowerforyou:

I think that it was needed because lately I have seen lots of post saying "why 1200 will not work," or "eat more than 1200 calories people," etc. and since this is an equal opportunity website, Natalie has the write to post her own opinion.

So well done, and thank you Natalie!

plckle

thank you for this post. i'm glad somebody's said it. i hate seeing all those bashing posts, it's almost as bad as tumblr is. but this is fantastic, and really well written. bravooo~

nataliescalories

I still hate the number 1200 and the dude who invented it. I think he was a masochist named Barney. It looks so cold and desolate to me compared to my happy land of 1800-2200 with cheese and oil!

Add me as a friend dude. Check out my diary. Cheese and oil are definitely a part of my life.

quirkytizzy

This is a huge point that is almost always blown right over in the whole 1200 calorie "debate". I have a net goal of 1200 is VERY different than I eat 1200. I net 1200, I eat about 1800 (the same number I get through the roadmap or eat more to weigh less or anything else that "forces" inclusion of exercise calories). This isn't entirely relevant to the OP's situation, but I believe that a NET of 1200 is entirely appropriate for most of the people on it. If they NET 1200-which is very, very, very different than eating 1200.

This. I have no bones to pick with the 1200 crowd if they're doing this.

brendae61

Very interesting and informative post. Have to reread to fully understand, good luck! :flowerforyou:

RiannonC

Everyone is free to express their own opinions here, It's called freedom of speech. Don't read the posts if they upset you that much. You can not dictate to anyone else as to what they can or can not say here. That is a job for the moderators!

Nowhere does she dictate anything to anyone. It is an explanation of another point of view and a request for others to be polite and treat others as human beings even if they are doing things differently than you. Of course if you don't want to be polite no one is going to force you. Obviously.

Your own words could be turned back to you: that she is also free to express her own opinion here and you don't have to read her post if you don't like it.

clhous03

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/11724-the-1200-club

We'd be happy to have those of us in the 1200-ish club!

ladybird1771

Thank you for writing this

nataliescalories

This is a huge point that is almost always blown right over in the whole 1200 calorie "debate". I have a net goal of 1200 is VERY different than I eat 1200. I net 1200, I eat about 1800 (the same number I get through the roadmap or eat more to weigh less or anything else that "forces" inclusion of exercise calories). This isn't entirely relevant to the OP's situation, but I believe that a NET of 1200 is entirely appropriate for most of the people on it. If they NET 1200-which is very, very, very different than eating 1200.

This. I have no bones to pick with the 1200 crowd if they're doing this.

Yes, there is a huge difference. In my particular case 1200 net, with 2.5 hours of aerobic exercise a week, is where I am at. My actual baseline would be 900, but again--that's extraordinarily low. I certainly wouldn't recommend this to anyone w/o direct medical supervision.

Mads1997

Thank you for posting this.

Although I don't do 1200 cals I do eat below my BMR and I am under the care of a dietician. I tried eating at 1500 1600 1700 and even 1800 cals because evryone says you need to eat more, I just kept gaining. In frustration I went to a dietician and then had my BMR tested, it was a lot lower than any calculator online gave me. No wonder I was gaining eating those about of calories. I am now consistanly losing fat while maintaining my muscle mass.

Rehobobound

Nice Post!

denisemuill

I also have received slack for my food diary and I will put mine up against many I've seen. I feel like if I put a bunch of junk food or other empty calories in the diary others would be happy. I have had people be very disrespectful. I have not deleted them because I think it would be a bit childish on my part. But words do matter 
We are all made different. My weight loss has been steady at 1-2 lb loss per week and a couple of 1-2 lb gains. I have lost 28 lbs, I have more energy than I ever have, my moods are great, I am exercising and I am starting to love my body shape again.
Nothing is one size fits all

nataliescalories

I also have received slack for my food diary and I will put mine up against many I've seen. I feel like if I put a bunch of junk food or other empty calories in the diary others would be happy. I have had people be very disrespectful. I have not deleted them because I think it would be a bit childish on my part. But words do matter 
We are all made different. My weight loss has been steady at 1-2 lb loss per week and a couple of 1-2 lb gains. I have lost 28 lbs, I have more energy than I ever have, my moods are great, I am exercising and I am starting to love my body shape again.
Nothing is one size fits all

That's fantastic! It can be such a relief to finally find where we need to be! Keep up the good work!

Duck_Puddle

This is a huge point that is almost always blown right over in the whole 1200 calorie "debate". I have a net goal of 1200 is VERY different than I eat 1200. I net 1200, I eat about 1800 (the same number I get through the roadmap or eat more to weigh less or anything else that "forces" inclusion of exercise calories). This isn't entirely relevant to the OP's situation, but I believe that a NET of 1200 is entirely appropriate for most of the people on it. If they NET 1200-which is very, very, very different than eating 1200.

This. I have no bones to pick with the 1200 crowd if they're doing this.

Yes, there is a huge difference. In my particular case 1200 net, with 2.5 hours of aerobic exercise a week, is where I am at. My actual baseline would be 900, but again--that's extraordinarily low. I certainly wouldn't recommend this to anyone w/o direct medical supervision.

And I apologize for semi-hijacking your thread (which I think is very valid btw), I just see so much of the 1200 bashing by people that eat the same (or less) than I do and I am "on" mfp's 1200 setup. I just use mfp the way it is set up (to net that amount). I know that's different than your situation, but it gets to me for different reasons.

Akimajuktuq

I know it was a long post, but I do hope you can go through it again with more time. I said, on at least three separate occasions, that there are certainly a great deal of people at 1200 calories who should not be. However, I just don't think that's up to us to decide and certainly not through shaming. I never said 1200 calories is okay for me and okay for you. You are directly misquoting. I said anyone with such caloric restriction should try to seek medical consult because it is risky. I explicitly said nothing I do is in anyway an indication of what anyone else should do.

That's the problem. That's why you hear the special snowflake line again and again. People always think they're the exception, when really they aren't. I agreed that shaming was bad, did I not? I'm not saying that we should shame people. I'm saying that we should educate people. When you eat below your BMR you have a metabolic slowdown. That's not my opinion, that's SCIENCE. Now, your BMR may be different than other people's or you may not care about losing lean body mass because it's more important to lose fat quicker because you are obese. But once again, that's not the majority of people I see on here who are on 1200 cal diets.

And my bad about the bod pod. I don't really know because I haven't had one. I usually just use my measurements, although I did read before that it was $75 a pop. Also, I do know that you can have a cursory meeting with a nutritionist for cheap. I work in community health. But you cannot have the bloodwork necessary to show a need for a VLCD in one of those cursory exams. All they can use is your current diet, your weight, and your medical history. So the advice doesn't really get to be that individualized outside of how a specific person can add in healthier habits.

Really, the special snowflake thing is just disdainful. It's really sad that that's part of your contribution. It's also just inaccurate. As I quoted in my original post--there are VAST differences in metabolisms; just because you plug something into a calculator does not make it accurate. If I see someone eating 1200 calories who hasn't gotten medical consult, then I always recommend IPOARM as a fantastic starting point. Enough already with the negative flippant comments.

Love,
A Special Snowflake--Just Like You

OMG, if you think that was bad, try saying that you don't eat grains in the forums, and by god, don't dare try to help someone based on your own experience. I've decided to embrace the "special snowflake" title instead of fighting it. My lifestyle choice is based on just as valid info as anyone elses, in fact, I've usually done far more research on nutrition, metabolism, physiology, anthropology, food politics, etc than the person ridiculing me, and I actually base my opinions on direct experience. But "it's just the internet, suck it up?" When did people start believing that it's ok to be a jerk as long as they are behind a computer?

RachyLovesRattys

Great post! Lots of support from my friends and myself over here!

lee91356

I just posted something about this as a frustrating note about when people do this, HOWEVER you have proven my point in the positive way! You sought out medical assistance when choosing to do a very low calorie diet to ensure that you did it properly and your body received that proper amount of nutrients and care. I personally only get upset when people do it whilly-nilly and just eat way less and dont eat well either. As I said loosing weight and being healthy are sometimes not the same thing and people who truly care about their health will put their HEALTHY on their front burner not their weight loss. So good for you and congratulations on your weight loss. :happy:

nataliescalories

I know it was a long post, but I do hope you can go through it again with more time. I said, on at least three separate occasions, that there are certainly a great deal of people at 1200 calories who should not be. However, I just don't think that's up to us to decide and certainly not through shaming. I never said 1200 calories is okay for me and okay for you. You are directly misquoting. I said anyone with such caloric restriction should try to seek medical consult because it is risky. I explicitly said nothing I do is in anyway an indication of what anyone else should do.

That's the problem. That's why you hear the special snowflake line again and again. People always think they're the exception, when really they aren't. I agreed that shaming was bad, did I not? I'm not saying that we should shame people. I'm saying that we should educate people. When you eat below your BMR you have a metabolic slowdown. That's not my opinion, that's SCIENCE. Now, your BMR may be different than other people's or you may not care about losing lean body mass because it's more important to lose fat quicker because you are obese. But once again, that's not the majority of people I see on here who are on 1200 cal diets.

And my bad about the bod pod. I don't really know because I haven't had one. I usually just use my measurements, although I did read before that it was $75 a pop. Also, I do know that you can have a cursory meeting with a nutritionist for cheap. I work in community health. But you cannot have the bloodwork necessary to show a need for a VLCD in one of those cursory exams. All they can use is your current diet, your weight, and your medical history. So the advice doesn't really get to be that individualized outside of how a specific person can add in healthier habits.

Really, the special snowflake thing is just disdainful. It's really sad that that's part of your contribution. It's also just inaccurate. As I quoted in my original post--there are VAST differences in metabolisms; just because you plug something into a calculator does not make it accurate. If I see someone eating 1200 calories who hasn't gotten medical consult, then I always recommend IPOARM as a fantastic starting point. Enough already with the negative flippant comments.

Love,
A Special Snowflake--Just Like You

OMG, if you think that was bad, try saying that you don't eat grains in the forums, and by god, don't dare try to help someone based on your own experience. I've decided to embrace the "special snowflake" title instead of fighting it. My lifestyle choice is based on just as valid info as anyone elses, in fact, I've usually done far more research on nutrition, metabolism, physiology, anthropology, food politics, etc than the person ridiculing me, and I actually base my opinions on direct experience. But "it's just the internet, suck it up?" When did people start believing that it's ok to be a jerk as long as they are behind a computer?

I like your attitude. I mean really..snowflakes are some amazing stuff!
And yes...I don't get the "just suck it up" thing. I am quite shocked by the response on here and in messages--in a positive way. I've had several people say that all the negativity had them almost dropping off of MFP. That's so sad to me because I think it's one of the best diet resources around. So many people are overcoming a slew of real life/psychological/etc. obstacles just to get themselves to log in here. I definitely don't want them shot down.

striveforhealthy

Bless this entire post! Thank you. I'm in maintenance mode now (although, trying to lose the couple pounds I gained over the holidays} but during my major weight loss I stuck to a 1200 cal diet and that is what worked for me and my body. And with that a lot of my PCOS symptoms have subsided. I have a lot more energy, my hair is thicker, no more extreme cramping. Its been amazing. The only downfall is I'm still prone to easy weight gain. But hey, I can't have it all lol.

Good luck to you and don't let others get you down!

nataliescalories

Bless this entire post! Thank you. I'm in maintenance mode now (although, trying to lose the couple pounds I gained over the holidays} but during my major weight loss I stuck to a 1200 cal diet and that is what worked for me and my body. And with that a lot of my PCOS symptoms have subsided. I have a lot more energy, my hair is thicker, no more extreme cramping. Its been amazing. The only downfall is I'm still prone to easy weight gain. But hey, I can't have it all lol.

Good luck to you and don't let others get you down!

Congratulations! That's fantastic! I imagine maintenance is an entirely separate animal, but you can conquer that too! Have you seen the blog www.runsforcookies.com? She doesn't have PCOS, but she did lose over 100lbs. She is just dealing with maintenance issues now and I find her blog so inspirational; it might help out.

CoachReddy

I know it was a long post, but I do hope you can go through it again with more time. I said, on at least three separate occasions, that there are certainly a great deal of people at 1200 calories who should not be. However, I just don't think that's up to us to decide and certainly not through shaming. I never said 1200 calories is okay for me and okay for you. You are directly misquoting. I said anyone with such caloric restriction should try to seek medical consult because it is risky. I explicitly said nothing I do is in anyway an indication of what anyone else should do.

That's the problem. That's why you hear the special snowflake line again and again. People always think they're the exception, when really they aren't. I agreed that shaming was bad, did I not? I'm not saying that we should shame people. I'm saying that we should educate people. When you eat below your BMR you have a metabolic slowdown. That's not my opinion, that's SCIENCE. Now, your BMR may be different than other people's or you may not care about losing lean body mass because it's more important to lose fat quicker because you are obese. But once again, that's not the majority of people I see on here who are on 1200 cal diets.

And my bad about the bod pod. I don't really know because I haven't had one. I usually just use my measurements, although I did read before that it was $75 a pop. Also, I do know that you can have a cursory meeting with a nutritionist for cheap. I work in community health. But you cannot have the bloodwork necessary to show a need for a VLCD in one of those cursory exams. All they can use is your current diet, your weight, and your medical history. So the advice doesn't really get to be that individualized outside of how a specific person can add in healthier habits.

Really, the special snowflake thing is just disdainful. It's really sad that that's part of your contribution. It's also just inaccurate. As I quoted in my original post--there are VAST differences in metabolisms; just because you plug something into a calculator does not make it accurate. If I see someone eating 1200 calories who hasn't gotten medical consult, then I always recommend IPOARM as a fantastic starting point. Enough already with the negative flippant comments.

Love,
A Special Snowflake--Just Like You

OMG, if you think that was bad, try saying that you don't eat grains in the forums, and by god, don't dare try to help someone based on your own experience. I've decided to embrace the "special snowflake" title instead of fighting it. My lifestyle choice is based on just as valid info as anyone elses, in fact, I've usually done far more research on nutrition, metabolism, physiology, anthropology, food politics, etc than the person ridiculing me, and I actually base my opinions on direct experience. But "it's just the internet, suck it up?" When did people start believing that it's ok to be a jerk as long as they are behind a computer?

^this x1000

RunDoozer

When did people start believing that it's ok to be a jerk as long as they are behind a computer?

Since the internet was created.

peckish_pomegranate

Great post OP, you rock.

cherilyn221

Bravo!!

cherilyn221

You've made very well written and valid points that I've thought several times here in forums. I even had to delete contacts who weren't respectful of me and my food diary. Thank you for saying what needed to be said.