Ending 1200 Calorie Bashing: Respecting Your Peers

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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?

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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