Ending 1200 Calorie Bashing: Respecting Your Peers

wmoomoo

This is a great post. Weight loss journey is different for everyone, 1200 calories/day might work for some but might not work for most (which is majority of the population). It's really up to the person to find their "right" calories to ensure a healthy lifestyle.

I actually went to see the 1200, and why it won't work post too. The guy from that post said, "......Let it be said that if 1200 is working for you, and you've found it to be easy to follow, your results are measurable and sustainable, there's nothing that the original post can do for you. The ideas and experiences in it were indeed meant to empower those of you confused or frustrated in finding other avenues to achieve your weight loss goals." And I do agree with his OP. I think he is just trying to inspire people to stop thinking that 1200 calories/ day is the magic number to weight loss. For those that have lose weight successfully all just try to inspire people, nothing wrong with that.

tmauck4472

What a great post. While I generally don't cater to the "special snowflakes" out there, I will say this. We all have different shoe sizes and different heights. Why can't we have different caloric needs as well?

I don't think there is a one size fits all when it comes to a losing weight, but there are some ways of eating (ie counting calories and getting in adequate nutrition like lean protein and veggies) that will help most people.

You have a great attitude, and I know you are going to be nothing but a success on your journey.

If you are open to advice, one thing I noticed is that you said you don't get much exercise. If it's possible, try lifting weights and building lean muscle. Lean muscle will burn more calories, even when you are at rest, allowing you to get more food, and still lose weight.

LMAO "special snowflakes" we are all special, bodies maybe are supposed to work the same way but they don't, making me "special" (ie...different). I'm tired of people saying you aren't special because our bodies all work the same, HELL NO they don't and it's a crock full of crap oh la when it's said to someone.

LiftAllThePizzas

Just look at this recent thread (and it's just one very very recent one; there are tons of others that are much more judgmental): http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/870685-i-feel-sorry-for-women.

That was the breaking point for me. I don't need someone to feel sorry for me.

I don't get it. I read half of the posts in that thread and not a single one of them said anything mean or negative about people eating 1200 calories. The OP was genuine and even said so. Apparently you are too cynical to see it that way. (And he also wasn't insulting people for eating 1200 saying they were doing it wrong or were stupid or anything of the sort.)

I also read the other thread about "why 1200 calories won't work" and I don't recall anyone actually bashing on anything or refusing to acknowledge that it's reasonable in some cases where there are medical conditions or extremely small people.

I've never seen a post on this forum that said "no human being ever, under any circumstances, without exception, can eat 1200 calories a day for the long term and be healthy." And I bet that if anyone did say that they'd get plenty of responses correcting them, mostly from the people who you seem to think are bent on attacking you.

The fact that people disagree over things doesn't mean they are bashing each other, or you. But it seems like you are feeling singled out and personally insulted whenever someone says that eating 1200 isn't necessary to lose for most people, unless they specifically mention your name as an exception or something. Shrug.

fightininggirl

the bashing was in the title I feel sorry for women the calories they eat. all the 1200 calorie commenters you are welcome to add me also. I am also tired of the starvation mode crap ironcially the people who tell me tihs eat a big mac and french fries in the same breath.

eyeshuh

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.

This is pretty much where I'm at as well. I'll admit that the forums have me posting snarky at times, but on the most part I try to be helpful. There are too many people that think MFP is telling them to eat 1200 calories flat, when really the site is telling them to NET 1200.

LiftAllThePizzas

People seem to forget about manors here. It's the idea that you don't have to deal with people IRL so who cares how mean I say it, Right? Thick skin is needed, because I don't think this will change any time soon.

In the US if you went into a grocery store and tried to haggle with the cashier over the price of a bag of carrots you'd probably be escorted from the store. In other countries the store owner might be offended if you didn't try to haggle. If someone were, based on that difference, to say, "people in that other culture are a bunch of argumentative jerks," they'd probably be called a bigot or ignorant or ethnocentric.

Whatever culture you were raised in, the internet is not that culture. It is a different culture, its own culture, with its own rules, mores, norms, standards, etc. If you're going to go on the internet at large you just need to accept that there are other people on the internet who do not share your vision of what it's supposed to be or how you are supposed to communicate, and you have no power over those people, and the more you try to nag or complain the more they get off on it, so as you said you might as well learn when to ignore or brush people off. Especially in a place like this where it involves people you don't actually know and are unlikely to ever meet, so even the most horrible string of insults anyone could type out is still nothing more than just words on a screen and ultimately has only as much power over you as you choose to give it.

Any site can set its own standards to be more of a subculture but unless it is closely moderated you are still going to have rude people, snark, sarcasm, etc. If anyone finds it incredibly important to have a place to discuss things within their own set of standards they can just make their own forum. I own/operate a forum (not about weight loss or fitness) and it's a very civilized place, so I am not just saying that.

pichild

Very well put...many here do not agree with the way i eat...frequently falling below 1200...no im not starving myself ....i subscribe to the philosophy if you are hungry eat , if you are not hungry dont...i listen to my body not my mind.

I can definitely appreciate your live and let live attitude

brower47

I'll be honest and say that while your post is really important in that it's a great reminder that MFP is supposed to be a supportive community and not a bunch of attack dogs, I think there is a valuable reason behind why people discourage others from eating 1200 cal diets and refer people who do to IPOARM.

Not everyone has all of the issues you described - a lot of the people doing 1200 are not obese and do not have medical issues. You get to be the special snowflake. Not everyone can also afford to see dietitians or use a bod pod. Blanket advice is very useful and I would say that for 99% of people 1200 calories is too low. Metabolisms do vary, but that's why BMR uses an average and people are encouraged to play around with their numbers after giving eating more a try.

I'm also going to point out that saying "1200 calories is ok for me! It's ok for you too!" seems a bit irresponsable given that you are medically recommended to do so. I'm expecting swarms of "I do 1200 calories and I love it so everyone telling me to eat more should shut up" comments.

But yes. You are correct. Supportive community, blah blah. Play nice, blah blah.

^ This. OP, sounds like what you are doing is good for you. It would not be good for me or many others. We are each different and we must each find what works for each of us as individuals. Good luck with your journey.

70davis

Bump

TooTatToTrot

I loved your post. I started at 1200 recommended by my Doctor but at the same time he said it, he also told me to find what works for me. I've been on a long hiatus from the site but eat around 1400-2000 depending on what I did that day. My metabolism is pretty high, but somedays I'm just not hungry.

And I must say, I don't give a damn if people have been jerks since the Internet was created. This site is about being on a journey and finding exactly what works for you. Constructive criticism is fine but the *kitten* remarks have got to go. That's not appealing to someone who just joined the site and is looking through the threads.
It's not about having thick skin, trust I've had a crap life, my skin can't get thicker, it just pisses me off when I see people being blatantly rude, it makes others not want to take your advice, even if it's right.
It's all about your tone.

brower47

There will be the "you are lying" crowd, the "you can't count" crowd, and the very soapboxy "snowflake" crowd.

What's a "snowflake" crowd?

A blizzard.

dangerxbadger

Great post! I, too, am insulin resistant and am on a low carb diet as a result and I hate it when people talk about how "it doesn't work". I haven't been attacked yet, but I could definitely understand how that would make me feel.

CoachReddy

There will be the "you are lying" crowd, the "you can't count" crowd, and the very soapboxy "snowflake" crowd.

What's a "snowflake" crowd?

A blizzard.

:laugh:

dangerxbadger

I loved your post. I started at 1200 recommended by my Doctor but at the same time he said it, he also told me to find what works for me. I've been on a long hiatus from the site but eat around 1400-2000 depending on what I did that day. My metabolism is pretty high, but somedays I'm just not hungry.

And I must say, I don't give a damn if people have been jerks since the Internet was created. This site is about being on a journey and finding exactly what works for you. Constructive criticism is fine but the *kitten* remarks have got to go. That's not appealing to someone who just joined the site and is looking through the threads.
It's not about having thick skin, trust I've had a crap life, my skin can't get thicker, it just pisses me off when I see people being blatantly rude, it makes others not want to take your advice, even if it's right.
It's all about your tone.

This this this this

hollyjane77

Thank you for posting this, Natalie. We are not all the same! That's for sure. I know my metabolism. And if I don't stay closer to the 1200-1300 end of things, I don't lose weight. That's just how it is. You just have to do what works for you & not let those know-it-all types at the forum bring you down. Great post!

frettie

You go girl-you said it all. We have to respect our differences. I am 5ft1inches tall and my maintenance level is 1500 calories.I run or walk every day yet if I eat 1200cals every day I lose only .8 lbs per week!!. For someone weighing 300lbs this is a starvation diet. For me, this is normal..This is an extremely slow weight loss for me so I get discouraged easily.
I only need to lose 10-15 lbs but at this calorie level it seems impossible.
Any suggestions from short people?

hisgirl86

I love how you can tell so many people comment when it's so obvious they skimmed over the original post and didn't get the main points.

nataliescalories

the bashing was in the title I feel sorry for women the calories they eat. all the 1200 calorie commenters you are welcome to add me also. I am also tired of the starvation mode crap ironcially the people who tell me tihs eat a big mac and french fries in the same breath.

Thanks; exactly! I don't know how anyone would miss the explicit judgement being passed there.

pattybattin

I am loving the positive feedback. We are all here for a reason. This site has helped me so much. Yet I have some friends who have tried and it didn't work for them. We are all different and unique individuals. Keep doing what your doing and be proud. I love what you had to say.

samantha1242

Very well written. Thank you for putting the time in to share this with everyone.

LiftAllThePizzas

And I must say, I don't give a damn if people have been jerks since the Internet was created.

I don't give a damn either. Gravity exists. If you want to rage against gravity for being a jerk then go for it.

This site is about being on a journey and finding exactly what works for you. Constructive criticism is fine but the *kitten* remarks have got to go. That's not appealing to someone who just joined the site and is looking through the threads.

That's your opinion. I happen to agree with much of it, but within the bounds set by the owners/operators of this site, the culture that exists here is a pure democracy. Your value judgment about it (or mine if I had one or cared to express it) is no more powerful than anyone else's.

You're welcome to argue with me about whether or not it's right, but I really don't care because it is neither right or wrong. It is simply true.

I don't know how anyone would miss the explicit judgement being passed there.

I missed it. Can you please explain it to me? Are you talking about the title of the thread? As I've said in other places I have trouble inferring what other people mean, and the comment you were replying to contained several possibilities.

alison590

This is a great post. I often read the boards and am usually disgusted by the behaviour I see. Often 1200 is enough and I definitely am not starving. I don't know why people feel the need to be rude to others. Must reflect on their personal lives outside these boards.

nataliescalories

And I must say, I don't give a damn if people have been jerks since the Internet was created.

I don't give a damn either. Gravity exists. If you want to rage against gravity for being a jerk then go for it.

This site is about being on a journey and finding exactly what works for you. Constructive criticism is fine but the *kitten* remarks have got to go. That's not appealing to someone who just joined the site and is looking through the threads.

That's your opinion. I happen to agree with much of it, but within the bounds set by the owners/operators of this site, the culture that exists here is a pure democracy. Your value judgment about it (or mine if I had one or cared to express it) is no more powerful than anyone else's.

You're welcome to argue with me about whether or not it's right, but I really don't care because it is neither right or wrong. It is simply true.

I don't know how anyone would miss the explicit judgement being passed there.

I missed it. Can you please explain it to me? Are you talking about the title of the thread? As I've said in other places I have trouble inferring what other people mean, and the comment you were replying to contained several possibilities.

Sure, I'll pull out some of the negative comments from that thread.
1) Women at 1200 calories must hate life
2) Women who eat 1200 calories have to be too short, otherwise they aren't doing it right
3) "If people would eat food that didn't screw up their bodies ability to regulate fat mass they could eat far more than that. Having to constantly go through life hungry is no way to live. And it honestly breaks my heart"

The problem with #3 of course being the implication that we are screwed up in some way and caused our own metabolic problems and, again, that we are starving and living unenjoyable lives.

This basically goes on and on with every few posts. There is a repetitive assumption that anyone on a 1200 calorie diet is suffering and hurting themselves. It is offensive. You might want to say "nah it's just what they think," but...it offends me. It offended several others. That's inarguable. The pity was just oppressive and unnecessary in a world where there is so much actual suffering to concern oneself with.

LottieLou13

I'll be honest and say that while your post is really important in that it's a great reminder that MFP is supposed to be a supportive community and not a bunch of attack dogs, I think there is a valuable reason behind why people discourage others from eating 1200 cal diets and refer people who do to IPOARM.

Not everyone has all of the issues you described - a lot of the people doing 1200 are not obese and do not have medical issues. You get to be the special snowflake. Not everyone can also afford to see dietitians or use a bod pod. Blanket advice is very useful and I would say that for 99% of people 1200 calories is too low. Metabolisms do vary, but that's why BMR uses an average and people are encouraged to play around with their numbers after giving eating more a try.

I'm also going to point out that saying "1200 calories is ok for me! It's ok for you too!" seems a bit irresponsable given that you are medically recommended to do so. I'm expecting swarms of "I do 1200 calories and I love it so everyone telling me to eat more should shut up" comments.

But yes. You are correct. Supportive community, blah blah. Play nice, blah blah.

^ This completely.

I just want to add that I went through a month of eating 1200 calories before realising that I could lose the same amount of weight per week eating up to 2000 calories a day.
I never started this to find a quick fix. I wanted and want to be healthy and fit and to have a long and happy life and future. If that means that I have to go through 6 months of feeling hungry, moody and just all round grumpy then no thank you (my own personal experience of eating @1200). My other option is to extend that timescale to 18 months but eat what I want (IIFYM) and feel like I'm not restricting myself...ever. That for means that this is maintainable for the rest of my life.
I also just want to add that I have Grave's disease (thyroid disease) and PCOS.

pkw58

Great OP... I am an accountant for a living, and I am always amazed at how much more there is to life than just numeric results. Numbers are just ways to guide us, not rule us. Our daily logging can record the number on the scale, how many calories in and out, our measurements.. We can get tests done by a doctor that give us good or bad results or need to improve results.

None of that matters if we dont feel good. I have days when i want to eat many multiples of my plan, but most days now i do struggle to get all my maintenance calories in. Every day i get more activity and strength training in.

Too bad we cant measure numerically our satisfaction with life level. For me, the daily discipline of logging is very comforting and reading how others are working thru finding the right fitness "mix" is always helpful.

amy1612

I don't think the issue is with those people like yourself, OP, that have been to a doctor, have specific reasons for being on a low calorie diet, I think its with those people who blanket follow the calorie MFP 'guidelines' to the letter. Because that's what they are, guidelines. Yes, you can lose weight at 1200 calories. I did, but it set me off on a calorie counting obsession that literally took me YEARS to get over. Panic at buying yoghurts, constantly worrying that I was going to 'put the weight back on' if I made the 'wrong choice'. I lived on soup. Spent hours a day in the gym.

If I can stop someone else going through that craziness, then I will try, because life shouldn't be all about how many calories is in your rice cake and peanut butter breakfast. Sometimes theres a fine line between watching what you eat, and being obsessive, and its easy to slip over it.

Its not '1200' calories that people have an issue with, its the obsessive low cal, low fat, low carb, high cardio that comes with the 1200 calorie mindset. 'I MUST lose weight as quickly as possible'. Not everyone on a 1200 calorie diet are hurting themselves, but for every one who isnt, I'd venture a lot more are.

Good luck with your weightloss

Chadomaniac

what u gain weight on 200cals and u over 300pounds? impossible

BurtHuttz

There is a much bigger problem on MFP with people eating 1200 calories a day, suffering, and not losing weight, than there is a problem with people who are on a medically supervised diet being counseled against it. I will continue to err on the side of the majority. I will not concern myself with the small minority that comes to MFP for a second opinion on their doctor's orders, because that already indicates faulty logic. OP - sounds like you aren't in either of those groups; I would probably be upset too.

AntWrig

Most immediately jump to 1200 calories, because they believe they will reach their goal faster. I can understand doing such a thing out of ignorance. However, that won't last long.

The "everyone is different" mantra is getting quite old. No, everyone is not different. You can't defy the laws of thermodynamics. 1200 calorie diets coupled with an exercise program should not be "prescribed" to anyone. I don't care how big and or how much weight you need to lose. Weight loss is not a short term solution, it's a long term endeavor.

SamanthaClarexo

I'm glad somebody finally posted this!

Unless I eat 1200 cals I really struggle to lose weight. I get people commenting on my diary sometimes criticising my meals and telling me to eat more. What people don't understand is - I won't take advice from them.

I take advice from my doctor and the personal trainers at the gym.

x