What works for you

EmmaKarney

"Do what works for you"

"this works for me"

...are things I see on these forums a lot.

However have people over considered that if they take advice from someone who knows better, then "what works for them" could end up working out even better!

concordancia

Blasphemy!

rduhlir

You mean...people actually taking the advice of other people? No! Will never work! :laugh:

BrownEyeAngel

:bigsmile:

EmmaKarney

"Eating 900 calories works for me"
"Skipping breakfast works for me"
"Eating two big meals a day works for me"

Jeez louise!

trogalicious

"Do what works for you"

"this works for me"

...are things I see on these forums a lot.

However have people over considered that if they take advice from someone who knows better, then "what works for them" could end up working out even better!

For the majority, what works is simply a caloric-deficit. The path to getting there is the arguable point. When I give the whole "I eat plenty of food, run, and pick up heavy things, and don't cut anything out of my diet" the typical next response is "well, you're wrong because I only lose when I eat negative amounts of carbs."

It's at that point that it just gets a lot easier to say "whatever works for you" because there is no convincing people that are set in their ways.

chubby_checkers

You hush. I know my body.

sunsnstatheart

I find that "do what works for you" is a polite way of saying "you're not listening so I'm not going to waste my time." I know it's not always used this way, but paying attention what people aren't saying is as an important a part of learning as is listening to what is said.

csuhar

However have people over considered that if they take advice from someone who knows better, then "what works for them" could end up working out even better!

I think one of the challenges we have, especially here, is knowing if someone knows better or not. They may simply be able to sound more convincing than others. The anonymity doesn't help, either. It's hard to tell if someone online really has the credentials and background they claim.

Of course, there are still people who won't listen to their own doctors, even if they're face-to-face.

concordancia

However have people over considered that if they take advice from someone who knows better, then "what works for them" could end up working out even better!

I think one of the challenges we have, especially here, is knowing if someone knows better or not. They may simply be able to sound more convincing than others. The anonymity doesn't help, either. It's hard to tell if someone online really has the credentials and background they claim.

Of course, there are still people who won't listen to their own doctors, even if they're face-to-face.

But it would help if people learned the difference between science and mumbo jumbo!

likitisplit

Well, there are different body types. Some people just hold on to fat better than others.

For me, my body has an upper limit on muscle mass - at my peak, I can bench 30 pounds, maybe 35, and that's it. I've worked with a trainer, etc. and that's all I've ever been able to do. However, I can lose body fat easily once I find a way to accurately monitor my intake/expenditure that fits into my lifestyle.

As another example, Weight Watchers is sent from heaven for some people. Other people struggle with the program because it doesn't fit their needs and/or lifestyle. Still others follow the program but plateau and can't shake the weight no matter what they do. I, personally, was in group 1 initially, but ended up in group 2 after having kids.

However, I understand what you're saying. There's a lot of people who do crazy stuff because "it works for them." All you can do is think "It won't in the long run" and let them see for themselves.

Susay2942

Trial and Error. Listening to everything, try half, throw out the rest

LovinDaNewLiz14

agree

LorinaLynn

But it would help if people learned the difference between science and mumbo jumbo!

You can't expect people to abandon their beliefs over science. I mean... even evolution is "just a theory."

concordancia

Well, there are different body types. Some people just hold on to fat better than others.

For me, my body has an upper limit on muscle mass - at my peak, I can bench 30 pounds, maybe 35, and that's it. I've worked with a trainer, etc. and that's all I've ever been able to do. However, I can lose body fat easily once I find a way to accurately monitor my intake/expenditure that fits into my lifestyle.

As another example, Weight Watchers is sent from heaven for some people. Other people struggle with the program because it doesn't fit their needs and/or lifestyle. Still others follow the program but plateau and can't shake the weight no matter what they do. I, personally, was in group 1 initially, but ended up in group 2 after having kids.

However, I understand what you're saying. There's a lot of people who do crazy stuff because "it works for them." All you can do is think "It won't in the long run" and let them see for themselves.

But this is exactly why people would be better off knowing more about their own bodies and the science behind different methods. I have the physiological makeup of people with insulin resistance/ metabolic syndrome/ prediabetes and diabetes is prevalent in my family. Sure enough, a lower carb diet works well for me. I also know it isn't necessary to go low, low carb because reduced carb diets and low carb diets have similar effects on blood chemistry and long term weight loss, but reduced carb diets have better adherence rates.

csuhar

However have people over considered that if they take advice from someone who knows better, then "what works for them" could end up working out even better!

I think one of the challenges we have, especially here, is knowing if someone knows better or not. They may simply be able to sound more convincing than others. The anonymity doesn't help, either. It's hard to tell if someone online really has the credentials and background they claim.

Of course, there are still people who won't listen to their own doctors, even if they're face-to-face.

But it would help if people learned the difference between science and mumbo jumbo!

True, but that still doesn't really solve the issue of figuring out whether someone posting here on MFP really knows better. There are plenty of discussions here where people get to the "do what works for you" thing where all people have done is to say "you need to do X because Y" without ever referring to studies or providing links to their sources.

Even when they do refer to "experts", there can be contradictory arguments out there that are provided by others. Just yesterday, I saw an article that said people don't need to focus on muscle confusion because you can build muscle in adaptation mode, then not much later the same article said you can't build muscle doing bodyweight exercises because your body becomes adapted to the amount of weight used. I don't remember if it was here or somewhere else, but I saw someone make the point that we're challenged by the relative newness of scientific study into exercise, diet, and health.

And in some cases, especially if we're talking lifestyle, it does boil down to doing what works for an individual. I know people who swear by exercising first thing in the morning. I, personally, hate it because I stay up better than I wake up and I don't like having to rush my exercise to meet another deadline. (Just this morning, I cut my run workout in half because I didn't kow when a VIP was coming by the office.) So I do "what works for me" and rely on exercising in the evenings.

green022

"Do what works for you"

"this works for me"

...are things I see on these forums a lot.

However have people over considered that if they take advice from someone who knows better, then "what works for them" could end up working out even better!

For the majority, what works is simply a caloric-deficit. The path to getting there is the arguable point. When I give the whole "I eat plenty of food, run, and pick up heavy things, and don't cut anything out of my diet" the typical next response is "well, you're wrong because I only lose when I eat negative amounts of carbs."

It's at that point that it just gets a lot easier to say "whatever works for you" because there is no convincing people that are set in their ways.

I think this is the best way I have EVER seen this explained!

bcattoes

I don't understand. If something is working, why would one change? If something wasn't working and advice was sought, that would be different. But if advice is offered without being sought, why would you expect them to take it? In fact, if something is working for person 1 and person 2 says 'try this instead', isn't person 2 in fact just saying 'try what worked for me'?

chocl8girl

Your common sense does not belong here.

RhonndaJ

I found offense in the term 'someone of knows better', to me it would be better stated as 'someone with more experience'. Though experience certainly doesn't mean they know what they're talking about. All you have to be is employed to know this for a fact.

I think 'what works for you' is more about what gets you into an effective mindset because when it comes down to brass tacks all successful people in weight loss do the same thing, as has already been said, calorie deficit.

The thing is there are plenty of different ways to get that. Low carb, high carb, paleo, vegan, vegetarian, all things in moderation, etc. and any number of combinations. Some ways are healthier than others. Some ways make you fitter than others. But the final solution. Calorie deficit.

And as human beings we want to share our successes with other people. So when someone is looking for help, you'll hear a lot of "this is what worked for me" alongside "this is the only thing that will ever work properly". Which side is "better" or more "experienced"? On these forums? Neither.

So yeah, I think "What works for you" is a good response in many cases, right alongside whatever advice a person wants to offer up.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

jofjltncb6

"Eating 900 calories works for me"
"Skipping breakfast works for me"
"Eating two big meals a day works for me"

Jeez louise!

I skip breakfast and generally only eat two big meals a day.

Hmph...guess I'm doing it wrong.

:kicks rocks:

ETA: Time out. What are your credentials and where is your support for these two things being a bad idea? (Dagnabbit! I almost fell into the very trap she was warning us all about.)

dinosnopro

The point of this thread will soon be lost.....R.I.P. common sense.

CoderGal

For me, my body has an upper limit on muscle mass - at my peak, I can bench 30 pounds

What people don't understand is that the physiology and thermodynamics is exactly the same for everyone. The variables are in the results, but the process works for every living human being. People reject this idea, unfortunately. But, if everyone would get on board and understand this, it would be much easier to have a conversation about what to do in different situations. It's actually very simple. A lot of people get too hung up in details rather than step away. It's not about "what works for me" as much as it is about what generally works for all humans. Like calories in/out. It's very simple at a high level. There are some details, and there are variations in the results, which means I might be able to eat 2800 calories and you might have to eat 1600, but the physiology and science is identical for both of us.

jofjltncb6

The point of this thread will soon be lost.....R.I.P. common sense.

While her point is legit, did you overlook the fact that the examples she used were actually examples of and continuations of the very problem?

bcattoes

What people don't understand is that the physiology and thermodynamics is exactly the same for everyone. The variables are in the results, but the process works for every living human being. People reject this idea, unfortunately. But, if everyone would get on board and understand this, it would be much easier to have a conversation about what to do in different situations. It's actually very simple. A lot of people get too hung up in details rather than step away. It's not about "what works for me" as much as it is about what generally works for all humans. Like calories in/out. It's very simple at a high level. There are some details, and there are variations in the results, which means I might be able to eat 2800 calories and you might have to eat 1600, but the physiology and science is identical for both of us.

I doubt many people are talking physiology or thermodynamics when they speak of what works for them. They are more likely talking about how they make the physiology or thermodynamics of weight loss work for them. They are often talking about the psychology of weight loss. How they can successfully apply these undeniable rules in their life. We humans are emotional beings. Things like satiety and enjoyment matter.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

ILiftHeavyAcrylics

"Eating 900 calories works for me"
"Skipping breakfast works for me"
"Eating two big meals a day works for me"

Jeez louise!

Sooooo you're saying there's something wrong with skipping breakfast or eating just two big meals?



It's acceptable to me for someone to say "Not eating after 7 pm works for me because if I eat later I'll be tempted to eat more calories."

It's not acceptable to say "If I eat anything after 7 pm, even if I'm under my calorie goal, it will immediately be stored as fat. That's how my body works. Don't tell me about science, this is what works for me"

CoderGal

What people don't understand is that the physiology and thermodynamics is exactly the same for everyone. The variables are in the results, but the process works for every living human being. People reject this idea, unfortunately. But, if everyone would get on board and understand this, it would be much easier to have a conversation about what to do in different situations. It's actually very simple. A lot of people get too hung up in details rather than step away. It's not about "what works for me" as much as it is about what generally works for all humans. Like calories in/out. It's very simple at a high level. There are some details, and there are variations in the results, which means I might be able to eat 2800 calories and you might have to eat 1600, but the physiology and science is identical for both of us.

I doubt many people are talking physiology or thermodynamics when they speak of what works for them. They are more likely talking about how they make the physiology or thermodynamics of weight loss work for them. They are often talking about the psychology of weight loss. How they can successfully apply these undeniable rules in their life. We humans are emotional beings. Things like satiety and enjoyment matter.

I understand what you are saying. I think you give others too much credit. Based on what I read many other say, they truly think they are different.

People come onto this site with very little actual knowledge of what's going on. No big deal there. But, then they'll argue their point with no real basis except to say, "I'm just different. That doesn't work for me". But, they don't really know because they've only been at it for 6 weeks. And, then, a week later, I'll see them post a random post asking what TDEE is. LOL. I mean, it's good that they listen and start to slowly put the pieces together. But, why argue when you don't really know. And, if you know, then why are you asking? A case in point, they ask why they are stalling. A bunch of people tell them they might need to eat more than 1200 calories, and netting 600 a day. then they argue and say that they tried that and it didn't work. LOL. It's just funny, more than anything. And, a little sad.

Because they dropped down to x calories. Saw they gain (temporary) weight on x calories.. Tried x+y calories for a short period of time, saw that the gained (temporary) weight. Didn't question anything and deemed themselves knower of allz. I feel sorry for a few of my friends with metabolic diseases that go through this process, but give themselves more time. I've convinced a few irl friends to let me do scientific experiments on them lol. They all ended up being able to eat significantly more then they thought. One of them later cried and thanked me. They don't know that changing some of the variables can help them and they need to apply the right math for them and give it time, that's all.

Also because they have no idea how much they were eating before, do not have a food scale, and are terrible at estimating.

AndyLL180

I don't understand. If something is working, why would one change?

Because a lot of fads, dieting myths, and other pseudo-science ideas are 'working' for a short time but are not sustainable over the long term which means they really are not working.

This, and every other weight loss forum, is filled with posts from people complaining that their: 1200 cal diet or cleansing diet or juicing diet or their 6 200 calorie meal/day diet is no longer working.

The nice thing about MFP is you can go into the success forum and find page after page of people who successfully lost 75-150 pounds. When I read their stories I'm not seeing any of them championing any of the common fads or diet myths we see mentioned here every day. I see people that understood BMR, TDEE, proper calorie deficits and hard work.

EmmaKarney

"Eating 900 calories works for me"
"Skipping breakfast works for me"
"Eating two big meals a day works for me"

Jeez louise!

Sooooo you're saying there's something wrong with skipping breakfast or eating just two big meals?



It's acceptable to me for someone to say "Not eating after 7 pm works for me because if I eat later I'll be tempted to eat more calories."

It's not acceptable to say "If I eat anything after 7 pm, even if I'm under my calorie goal, it will immediately be stored as fat. That's how my body works. Don't tell me about science, this is what works for me"

Ok so bad examples. Should have just stuck with the 900 cals one