Dr. Recommendations

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XoXoLJFitness
XoXoLJFitness Posts: 48
in Fitness and Exercise
I am 5'2" weighing around 165 now I believe. I just completed my annual physical and my Dr. says that I need to take my nutrition and weight loss serious because I am almost calculating into the obese zone of 30 BMI which triples your risk factor for many issues of concern.

I was doing a good job for a few weeks logging my food (staying within my 1,200 calories) and working out Tuesday and Thursday evenings. I slacked a lot on MFP and even in my workouts when I wasn't having the results I was looking for. My Dr. recommended that I reduce my calories to 1,000 and work out at least 5 times a week if I really want to get serious about my weight loss because the regime I was on would only maintain my weight.

I am working 3 jobs trying to get school loans paid off to purchase a home and expand my family and wanted some helpful suggestions on how to get my workouts in and if eating 1,000 calories would put me into the starvation mode and not be as successful for me as 1,200?

Thanks!
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Replies

  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
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    Wow, I don't understand why your doctor would say that 1200 calories a day would be maintenance. Or why he would recommend 1000 a day. That is so low and seems unnecessary. I really don't know what else to say. I'm also 5'2". I don't want to lose weight and I am very active. But, if I were to eat 1800, I would lose weight.

    I have a family member that is in exactly the weight situation as you. Same height, same weight. She has health problems, but once she gets stabilized I want to try and help her lose weight. She used to weigh 105, but gained from taking prednisone for serious asthma.
  • axialmeow
    axialmeow Posts: 382 Member
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    Your doctor sounds like an idiot. Sorry. That isn't helpful but get a 2nd opinion. I would be skeptical about any MD who recommended 1000 calories a day and working out 5 days a week in addition. Not to mention the working 3 jobs thing you have going on.
  • XoXoLJFitness
    XoXoLJFitness Posts: 48
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    I am thinking maybe she was really concerned about my weight and perhaps was giving me a quick way to loose weight but not really a reliable way to lead a healthy lifestyle? Any suggestions on workouts or should I just give up my few hours in the morning and hit the gym at 5 and loose some sleep when I have it?
  • georgina1970
    georgina1970 Posts: 333 Member
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    Hi, I'm only 5foot. 1200cal is my daily goal + what I earn with exercise. I may or may not eat all of my exercise calories. Depends on the day if I'm hungry or not. I suggest you try searching for the group 'eat more to weigh less.' It's better to be fit and overweight than unfit and thin. Listen to your body. Hope this helps. Cheers Gina
  • yksdoris
    yksdoris Posts: 327 Member
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    I am 5'2" weighing around 165 now I believe. I just completed my annual physical and my Dr. says that I need to take my nutrition and weight loss serious because I am almost calculating into the obese zone of 30 BMI which triples your risk factor for many issues of concern.

    I was doing a good job for a few weeks logging my food (staying within my 1,200 calories) and working out Tuesday and Thursday evenings. I slacked a lot on MFP and even in my workouts when I wasn't having the results I was looking for. My Dr. recommended that I reduce my calories to 1,000 and work out at least 5 times a week if I really want to get serious about my weight loss because the regime I was on would only maintain my weight.

    I am working 3 jobs trying to get school loans paid off to purchase a home and expand my family and wanted some helpful suggestions on how to get my workouts in and if eating 1,000 calories would put me into the starvation mode and not be as successful for me as 1,200?

    Thanks!

    I'm 5'1 and when I started here my BMI was just above 30; so in kind of a similar position to where you are now. I kept to the 1200 calories per day limit, and my workout days were Tuesday and Thursday also. Though, to be honest, sometimes I'd skip some and only very rarely would I do an extra day. Sure, the weight didn't magically disappear, it took time. But now I'm solidly in the "normal" weight range and plan on staying here.

    So, my advice would be: get a 2nd opinion. 1200 kcal per day is limitation enough and as in any journey, persistence is key. Keep to the limits you set, if you do cheat (as we all do), write it down, don't lie to yourself. Do the gym thing but don't overdo it because if you get an injury this early in the game (or any time, really), you're sabotaging yourself. slow and steady wins the race!
  • jzammetti
    jzammetti Posts: 1,956 Member
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    When I began this journey I was 5'2" and 197 pounds. I also ate at 1200 calories a day until I stalled and plateaued for 5 months. Calculated my TDEE and BMR and now I eat 1700 - 1800 calories a day and got off the plateau and am just 4.5 pounds from my goal. I have consistently lost every month since I changed to TDEE method. I suggest you calculate your BMR and TDEE and give your body 4 weeks to adjust and I bet you will feel better and consistently lose weight.

    Turns out my BMR was higher than 1200 calories a day (1350) so I damaged my body's ability to function properly eating at 1200 calories. I think your doctor is wrong and would get a second opinion - or just try TDEE and see for yourself.

    If I plug in your info to the calculator I used this is what I get (I guessed your age at 27 and your goal weight at 125 - these number would change if those guesses are not accurate, but just as an example):


    "Entered information: 27 year old female, 62 inches tall, weighing 165 pounds.

    From the information that you entered, you'd like to weigh 125 lbs.


    Harris-Benedict Formula


    There are a few different methods to calculating yourbasal metabolic rate (BMR). One of the most popular, developed in the early 1900's is called the Harris-Benedict formula. Based on this formula, your current BMR is 1537 calories.


    How Many Calories Should I Eat?


    Based on your goal weight, the following chart was generated. The chart shows the number of calories that you should eat on a daily basis to reach your goal weight. At Fat 2 Fit Radio we advocate eating like the thin, healthy person that you want to become. The calorie levels you see in the chart are not extreme, but they do create that all important caloric deficit that is required to get you to your goal weight in a safe manner. Once you reach your goal weight, you will continue eating the same number of calories for the rest of your life to maintain that weight. You'll never be on a diet again.

    Based on how much activity you do on an average day, the calories in the right column will be the number of calories that you will be able to eat at your goal weight. If you start eating those calories right now (eating like the thinner you), you will eventually become that thinner person. As you get closer to your goal weight, your weight loss will start to slow down. It is OK to eat a few hundred calories less per day (200-300) to speed up your weight loss at this point.



    Activity Level

    Daily Calories



    Sedentary (little or no exercise, desk job)

    1636



    Lightly Active (light exercise/sports 1-3 days/wk)

    1874



    Moderately Active (moderate exercise/sports 3-5 days/wk)

    2113



    Very Active (hard exercise/sports 6-7 days/wk)

    2351



    Extremely Active (hard daily exercise/sports & physical job or 2X day training, i.e marathon, contest etc.)

    2590


    NOTE: Please remember that this calculation is just a guideline. Your metabolism may be higher or lower based on the amount of lean muscle you have. Use these numbers a a starting point and tweak them up or down based on your weight loss or gain. It may take a couple weeks to get your exact calorie level."

    REMEMBER: these numbers are estimates based on my maybe-incorect guesses of your age and goal weight. You can go to fat2fitradio.com's calculators to enter your own info. If you do, start with the Military body fat calculator, then the BMR calculator to get your TDEE results. Based on my guesses above: being sedentary, you should be eating 1600+ to lose weight; lightly active would be 1875ish to lose weight. It guesses your BMR at over 1500, which means your organs cannot function properly at less than that for an extended period of time. Maybe ask your doc about these numbers or just try them out to see how it goes.

    Best of luck to you, my new MFP friend!
  • Lalouse
    Lalouse Posts: 221 Member
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    See a nutritionist. You are not tall and BMI has been shown not to be as accurate on shorter populations (from a public health perspective).

    Make sure your nutritionist measures your waist circumference, which will be a better gauge of your actual health risks. And body fat % is also much more accurate than your weight.

    Once you have those numbers, you can figure out what your next steps are.
  • ilovedeadlifts
    ilovedeadlifts Posts: 2,923 Member
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    Your doctor sounds like an idiot. Sorry. That isn't helpful but get a 2nd opinion. I would be skeptical about any MD who recommended 1000 calories a day and working out 5 days a week in addition. Not to mention the working 3 jobs thing you have going on.

    agreed.
    doctors are not nutritionists......
  • MidwestAngel
    MidwestAngel Posts: 1,897 Member
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    Get a new doctor.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
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    Your doctor sounds like an idiot. Sorry. That isn't helpful but get a 2nd opinion. I would be skeptical about any MD who recommended 1000 calories a day and working out 5 days a week in addition. Not to mention the working 3 jobs thing you have going on.

    agreed.
    doctors are not nutritionists......

    also agreed.
  • Barbellerella
    Barbellerella Posts: 1,838 Member
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    Your doctor sounds like an idiot. Sorry. That isn't helpful but get a 2nd opinion. I would be skeptical about any MD who recommended 1000 calories a day and working out 5 days a week in addition. Not to mention the working 3 jobs thing you have going on.

    agreed.
    doctors are not nutritionists......

    thirded. (that's not really a word)
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
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    OP - set yourself at a reasonable caloric deficit and eat to that number, which by the way will not be 1,000 calories gross.
  • sanndandi
    sanndandi Posts: 300 Member
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    I am 5'6" so not your same height. But a few years ago when the weight was first creeping on I went to my Dr. for a physical and mentioned I wanted to do something about my weight. He handed me a Xerox type flyer and said, " eat 1,000 calories a day, you WILL lose weight". I took the sheet and left. And never went back to him again. Even back then before I knew anything about healthy weight loss, I knew that sounded like very un-sound advice. smh.

    edit to add that the flyer contained a ridiculous list of Low Fat/ Low Cal foods I was "allowed to eat".
  • Barbellerella
    Barbellerella Posts: 1,838 Member
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    My Drs. Office sells HCG drops............

    Nuff said.
  • cadams1696
    cadams1696 Posts: 4 Member
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    It may be more connected to what calories you are eating. You may want to contact a nutritionist to get advice on changing what you are eating. Do 15 minutes of exercise 4 times a day. It does not need to be an hour at a time. At least get some exercise in each day to help keep stress hormones in check.
  • sylviatx
    sylviatx Posts: 156 Member
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    I don't like your doctor, and we have never even met!

    I disagree with the 1000 calorie recommendation. I could see doing it for a week maybe for a jump start? But not long range.

    It's a long range goal, this healthy weight thing. Set your MFP weight loss to 1 lb a week, and then don't eat more than it says. It will work, I promise you.

    The only other recommendation I would say is - working out 2 times a week is not enough. Can you fit in 3 or 4 workouts? That would help you, I'm sure of it.

    Best of luck! You can do it!
  • nixirain
    nixirain Posts: 448 Member
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    I am 5'2" weighing around 165 now I believe. I just completed my annual physical and my Dr. says that I need to take my nutrition and weight loss serious because I am almost calculating into the obese zone of 30 BMI which triples your risk factor for many issues of concern.

    I was doing a good job for a few weeks logging my food (staying within my 1,200 calories) and working out Tuesday and Thursday evenings. I slacked a lot on MFP and even in my workouts when I wasn't having the results I was looking for. My Dr. recommended that I reduce my calories to 1,000 and work out at least 5 times a week if I really want to get serious about my weight loss because the regime I was on would only maintain my weight.

    I am working 3 jobs trying to get school loans paid off to purchase a home and expand my family and wanted some helpful suggestions on how to get my workouts in and if eating 1,000 calories would put me into the starvation mode and not be as successful for me as 1,200?

    Thanks!

    If your doctor is concerned about your weight this may qualify you to be recommended to a nutritionist by your physician. Most family physicians I know personally would not give any advise about nutrition and send you to a nutritionist.

    I would recommend to tell your doctor what you told us. You want a long term goal to lose weight and you don't feel you have the tools or mindset to lose weight by cutting that many calories off your intake. Tell her you are serious about wanting to lose weight and would feel more comfortable with a consultation with a nutritionist to make sure it sticks long term.

    I wouldn't say your doctor is an idiot (I have in past posts and I have now changed my tune) but she is probably not a specialist in nutrition and hasn't taken a class since that WAS what you were told to do.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
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    hey if your doctor said so, it must be legit, right?
  • Valera0466
    Valera0466 Posts: 319 Member
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    I spoke with a nutritionist once and she said Doctors are not required to take a single nutrition course to earn their degree. Nuff Said!
  • 1holegrouper
    1holegrouper Posts: 323 Member
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    Your doctor probably means well but just doesn't get how to really accomplish this. You need better advice than what came from some medical school textbook providing generalist advice. One size does not fit all. That's where a personal trainer and nutritionist can really help you. I was able to get both in one person. Sell something if you have to- it is worth the $$. Just make sure you are 100% committed to the progress plan and then maintenance once you hit your goals.

    There is more than one way to get to your goals but why not accomplish them as smart and injury free as possible and develop good diet and exercise routines that you can live with for a lifetime.

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