Some posts on MFP are starting to concern me

SHBoss1673

Am I the only one from ages past that's still on here that's concerned with the amount of people starting threads about losing large amounts of weight in short periods of time? I can only speak for myself but as to that, I am worried that we will start drawing the wrong kind of person to this forum.

IMHO MFP should be about healthy, REAL weight loss as part of an overall plan to improve one's health, not about losing large amounts of weight in short periods of time in time for an event.

Sorry if this is polarizing, but it's how I feel.

-Banks

kerrilucko

I agree with you, but I have come to the realization that most if not all of the people posting such things cannot be swayed by our responses. They don't understand that huge weight loss in a short period is essentially starvation and even if they manage to lose any weight they will 1) fizzle out quickly and retreat to their old lifestyles 2) gain back the weight when they begin eating properly and/or 3) suffer health problems in the long run.

I'm just sick of explaining things to people that don't want to hear it. If people have real questions, I'm all for answering them, but when I see that advice is falling on deaf ears I really just try to steer clear.

startfromscratch

I haven't been here for a long time but I agree. I think this forum is about doing it the right/healthy way. Counting calories in while working on increasing the number of calories out. That's why I came here.

hollyroode

I've found there to be a lot of younger people who have real body image issues trying to lose weight when they don't need to. Also..is there an age requirement on this site? I don't know if 15 year old girls should be on here, if they have a serious weight problem it is something that they should be talking to their parents about and consulting a doctor or nutritionist to get help with. This site is a wonderful tool, so even if their parents used it in a positive way WITH their children.....because anyone under 18 years old are still children....

Carakkm

I am with you on this. This should be a life change not a short term plan. I am sure many of us have tried 'crash diets' and then instantly put the weight back on once we start eating properly, it is unrealistic to set goals that are unacheivable in the long term.

Like mentioned though people don't want hear that this is something that has to be worked at for a long time as we would all like instant fixes, but there is none out there other than hard work and a lifestyle overhaul.

sonjavon

I agree with you Banks! In the past when people came on asking for advice on losing large amounts in a short amount of time people on the message boards jumped all over that like white on rice explaining that it's not healthy. The good news is... the people looking to lose lots fast either leave just as quickly as they came or they are converted to the healthy eating way of life.

I'm concerned about the number of posts that are being posted about "short cuts", eating under 1200 calories, etc. and I think they should be monitored closely and closed if they are going the wrong way. Like the post last week where someone was looking for foods that have a laxative effect... people kept giving her ideas! Seriously?

When I started here at MFP - the thing that drew me in is that it was truly something that I hadn't seen before... I'd been told to "eat right and exercise" all my life - but no one could ever tell me "HOW" or what exactly that meant. If I wanted another "diet" or fad - there are plenty of other websites to find.

Maybe Mike needs Moderators?

kwardklinck

I agree. I also don't like the people on here telling people to give up bread or whatever. What does that accomplish? You lose weight but are you supposed to do without bread for the rest of your life? I agree we should try for whole grain choices and those that have fiber in them but are you really supposed to give up an entire food group (the one you're supposed to get most of your cals from) for the rest of your life?

amicklin

Agreed. Long term, sustainable weightloss and a healthy lifestyle, not a crash and burn weighloss fad. There does seem to be a trend with the younger people on the site as far as being in a healthy weight range but wanting to lose even more weight. I can't help but think that is based off of a body image issue instead of a real health based concern for weight loss.

Carakkm

There is an age restriction on the site of 16 and I agree alot of people seem to be trying to lose weight that they don't need to.

I've found there to be a lot of younger people who have real body image issues trying to lose weight when they don't need to. Also..is there an age requirement on this site? I don't know if 15 year old girls should be on here, if they have a serious weight problem it is something that they should be talking to their parents about and consulting a doctor or nutritionist to get help with. This site is a wonderful tool, so even if their parents used it in a positive way WITH their children.....because anyone under 18 years old are still children....

kerrilucko

There is an age restriction on the site of 16 and I agree alot of people seem to be trying to lose weight that they don't need to.

I've found there to be a lot of younger people who have real body image issues trying to lose weight when they don't need to. Also..is there an age requirement on this site? I don't know if 15 year old girls should be on here, if they have a serious weight problem it is something that they should be talking to their parents about and consulting a doctor or nutritionist to get help with. This site is a wonderful tool, so even if their parents used it in a positive way WITH their children.....because anyone under 18 years old are still children....

It's actually 18. Or at least it used to be. The only way younger people are logging on is by lying and inputting 18 as their age.

arewethereyet

double post

Ellie113

I think it depends on how much weight you have to lose like with me i have well over 100lbs to go so i tend to set myself higher goals than say somone with 20lbs to lose but as my weight loss continues i will ajust my goals accordingly.

arewethereyet

I think of MFP the same way I think of Church. I do not bring guests with me to Church to make them change their ideals to mine.
Rather I hope they will hear something that changes them. Maybe to help others, or to be a better parent.....or just know they are loved.

So MFP is like that for me. If there are people here who think they can lose 10 pounds in a week, the reality will hit them soon enough. Our posts showing people like Kerriskinnyasslucko lost 50 pounds and looks HOT over a long period of time and is KEEPING it off.......that is the best lecture of all.

I love to jump into a thread on here and tally up the weight loss........and maintaining of same........of all the MFP peeps!!

So let them come........we are here to show them how it should be done and help them in their journey to make life altering changes.

:flowerforyou: Jeannie

arewethereyet

I think it depends on how much weight you have to lose like with me i have well over 100lbs to go so i tend to set myself higher goals than say somone with 20lbs to lose but as my weight loss continues i will ajust my goals accordingly.

I am so proud of you!! WOOT for losing almost 30 pounds already!!:drinker:

My concern with low calorie intake at a high weight is: Where will you go when you have 20-30 pounds to go? If your body is already used to 1200-1400 calories, you will have to add a LOT of cardio to continue losing weight. I did this. Went down to 1200 without eating my exercise cals when I started here at around 170.

I was so happy to lose 2 pounds a week. But once I was down 10-15 pounds........my weight loss came to a screeching halt.

So all I am saying is, keep this in mind and maybe stagger the calorie intake.

Again your doing a wonderful job!! :drinker:

CharityD

I used to be one of those people that was after the quick fix. I've lost 10 lbs now (15 more to go!) and this is the first time in my life I have done it the RIGHT way. No pills or fad diet....just counting calories and exercising. Unfortunately, It's taken me over 2 months to lose it, but I know I will be able to maintain it this time. Slow and steady wins the race

sonjavon

I agree. I also don't like the people on here telling people to give up bread or whatever. What does that accomplish? You lose weight but are you supposed to do without bread for the rest of your life? I agree we should try for whole grain choices and those that have fiber in them but are you really supposed to give up an entire food group (the one you're supposed to get most of your cals from) for the rest of your life?

I agree with you as long as you're not talking about posts that may involve people talking about eating gluten or wheat-free. I've seen posts recently where people were utterly slammed for suggesting that someone who is having digestive issues might want to look at cutting out gluten. Gluten and Wheat allergies are very prominent. It doesn't mean that they're not eating carbs... just that they're eating rice, potatos and beans instead of wheat, cereal and bread.

alisonengland

Hi, I haven't been here long so I don't know how it was in the past but I think the issue is a wider cultural one. Life is all about speed and quick solutions. When I was a teenager I would get the subway 30 minutes to the local record store and queue up outside to get the new album by my favourite band. Today you can download it in a minute. Food is generally "fast food" and any kind of medical intervention is marketed through its quick results and fast remedies. Shows like The Biggest Loser (which I love btw) exacerbate the belief that you can lose weight fast simply due to the programming schedule. In the UK we get the US and The Australian Biggest Loser shown daily so each week we see these people that are shedding 7-10 kgs regularly. It creates an illusion that this kind of super-fast transformation is possible. Every time i am online I am bombarded by ads that promise massive weight loss in a few weeks...Speed and the possibility of things happening faster has taken over all aspects of culture from education to sport and leisure. If I were to be cynical then I would also suggest that this is good news for the weight loss industry as it enables them to sell and re-sell these quick fixes again and again. JMO!

savvystephy

Am I the only one from ages past that's still on here that's concerned with the amount of people starting threads about losing large amounts of weight in short periods of time? I can only speak for myself but as to that, I am worried that we will start drawing the wrong kind of person to this forum.

IMHO MFP should be about healthy, REAL weight loss as part of an overall plan to improve one's health, not about losing large amounts of weight in short periods of time in time for an event.

Sorry if this is polarizing, but it's how I feel.

-Banks

I agree Banks. But, those who are trying to do it in unhealthy ways will most likely not be deterred from it. As much as it would be nice to give everyone the realization about losing weight to be healthy and making it a lifestyle change, we just can't do it. So we just have to hope that they stumble upon your old posts so that they can get some insight or that they may see enough people who have lost weight the right way on the success forum. :flowerforyou:

spicy618

I've noticed the same thing, Banks.

I also notice some of those threads are people who joined about January (New Year's Resolution) and are now getting frustrated that they've been "Working really hard" for "So long now" (3 months) and haven't lost the 30lbs. they thought they would. :laugh: :flowerforyou:

Just like at the gym. I think those "New Year" crowds will be thinning out soon.

Also, Kudos to those "Vets" I see responding to the same questions over and over. :flowerforyou:

jdcole67

Right on, CharityD! I was just like you, and now because of yo-yo dieting, I have over 100 pounds to lose...slow and steady is how the weight came on, and how it should come off...

I think the best advice for those that want to lose lots of weight in a short amount of time comes from the failure they will experience...there are no shortcuts!

Banks - let them eat cake (or not, if they are cutting carbs!) - those of us who want to make a life change will, and you will always have those looking for that quick fix - let them fail a few times and maybe they will get the message the rest of us are preaching here...

Kudzu

I understand what you are saying!!! :happy: And I agree....that's what I love about this site... It's a great guide for relearning how to eat right and be healthy! The weight I have lost is all about watching the calories going in and the exercise to burn them off...and just how many doctors have told me that AND just how much money have I spent or say blew!!! We can hope by our success' and the great wisdom on here that someone who is looking to lose a lot of weight quickly will "see the light" and reform!! That's all we can do.....in everything we do! Be a good role model!! You can "lead the horse to water, but you can't make him drink"!! :laugh:

Ellie113

I think it depends on how much weight you have to lose like with me i have well over 100lbs to go so i tend to set myself higher goals than say somone with 20lbs to lose but as my weight loss continues i will ajust my goals accordingly.

I am so proud of you!! WOOT for losing almost 30 pounds already!!:drinker:

My concern with low calorie intake at a high weight is: Where will you go when you have 20-30 pounds to go? If your body is already used to 1200-1400 calories, you will have to add a LOT of cardio to continue losing weight. I did this. Went down to 1200 without eating my exercise cals when I started here at around 170.

I was so happy to lose 2 pounds a week. But once I was down 10-15 pounds........my weight loss came to a screeching halt.

So all I am saying is, keep this in mind and maybe stagger the calorie intake.

Again your doing a wonderful job!! :drinker:

Thanx for the input.....I started my first few weeks at 1300 cal to kick start my weight loss but then have added 50 every week, so I am now up to 1550 with the aim of going to 1600 (my suggested intake) I know this may not work for everyone but I am pleased to say for me it has so far.
Thanx for the words of encouragement.:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

willywonka

I agree totally!! I work with someone that every year when it gets time for Spring I see popping diet pills before lunch every day and then headed out to get fast food. It took me almost two years to lose my weight- slow and steady wins the race.

kwardklinck

I agree. I also don't like the people on here telling people to give up bread or whatever. What does that accomplish? You lose weight but are you supposed to do without bread for the rest of your life? I agree we should try for whole grain choices and those that have fiber in them but are you really supposed to give up an entire food group (the one you're supposed to get most of your cals from) for the rest of your life?

I agree with you as long as you're not talking about posts that may involve people talking about eating gluten or wheat-free. I've seen posts recently where people were utterly slammed for suggesting that someone who is having digestive issues might want to look at cutting out gluten. Gluten and Wheat allergies are very prominent. It doesn't mean that they're not eating carbs... just that they're eating rice, potatos and beans instead of wheat, cereal and bread.

No I'm not talking about that. I know people who have gastro disorders and can't have gluten. I'm talking about people eating 700 cals a day and advising their friends to give up bread to lose weight.

iRun4wine

Banks, I've always had some concerns over people on MFP (and in general) that feel like if they go over on their calories one day they MUST go out and exercise it all off. As you say, and I agree- this is a lifestyle change. Unless someone can say they'll never have a day where they eat more than they should/need to (which I don't think any of us can say) then I think people just need to learn that on a given day, it wasn't their best and move forward. I almost tend to think sometimes that without balance and a strong mind, people can easily develop obsessive-compulsive behaviors and/or eating disorders on this site- not because of the site, but because of the wants, goals, and mindset of some users. It's not that I don't support them, I just often do not respond, because I don't believe that my comments will truly change them. :ohwell:

sculley

I totally agree..


BUMP

TuscanySun

I've found there to be a lot of younger people who have real body image issues trying to lose weight when they don't need to. Also..is there an age requirement on this site? I don't know if 15 year old girls should be on here, if they have a serious weight problem it is something that they should be talking to their parents about and consulting a doctor or nutritionist to get help with. This site is a wonderful tool, so even if their parents used it in a positive way WITH their children.....because anyone under 18 years old are still children....

I find this to be a huge concern too. there was one post from a 13 year old the other day...she stated she was 13 but her profile says 18.

mehapp

So let them come........we are here to show them how it should be done and help them in their journey to make life altering changes.

I agree with you, Banks!!! Kerri, you too - you are an absolute inspiration. Jeannie, does however, have an interesting perspective. The thing I love about MFP is the level of personal accountability. Through using the tools, we can learn HOW to eat - good, nutrient dense foods, healthy portions, etc.

I think one thing we - who are of the same mind - can do is to stay proactive. Obviously, we cannot police every one of our friends, but when we start to notice something, speak up (in an encouraging, positive way.)

**I've especially noticed a disturbing trend with my friends. When someone logs in and it says they were "under their calorie goal," they receive lauds and accolades. I thought the idea was to remain within a few calories of your goal, and that eating healthily was the main objective. It seems that we're promoting calorie deficits. Honestly, when I first read that someone was below their goal, I thought, "Wow, gotcha...." - then the congratulations started in and I had to take a step back. Maybe, I'll be the first to promote a new trend, and call people out on their deficits. :laugh:

Are others noticing this trend with the daily log, or am I merely overreacting?

Channing

Asolutely... For the people on this site that ARE dong it the right way, congratulations and that's why you're still here and successful. What those who want shortcuts will find out very soon is that it won't work and they'll give up.

Slow and steady baby! I love living life healthy!

mamacassi

Well a goal is never bad. As long as they're doing it safely and taking care of themselves. I've seen people lose a lot of weight the healthy way by their goal. And even if they dont, they still keep on. A goal is just motivation. This topic is almost funny because without a motivation who would be here trying?

savvystephy

**I've especially noticed a disturbing trend with my friends. When someone logs in and it says they were "under their calorie goal," they receive lauds and accolades. I thought the idea was to remain within a few calories of your goal, and that eating healthily was the main objective. It seems that we're promoting calorie deficits. Honestly, when I first read that someone was below their goal, I thought, "Wow, gotcha...." - then the congratulations started in and I had to take a step back. Maybe, I'll be the first to promote a new trend, and call people out on their deficits. :laugh:

Are others noticing this trend with the daily log, or am I merely overreacting?

I definitely see where this could be a problem. I have thought about it too - since it doesn't let the friends know by how much is the person under. It could be by 5, 50 or by 500 cals and would have the same message displayed. That is where it would concern me. I just hope that people are eating healthy and staying close to their calorie goals.