Registered Dietitian in TX here to answer questions.

<snip>
Never underestimate the power of a REAL education. With the group you mentioned, you may not know the whole story. There are many pills, drugs, steroids, etc which can help people 'appear' healthy. What's on the outside doesn't necessary represent what is on the inside. I would take advice of a doctor, registered nurse, or registered dietitian before listening to anyone else.
<snip>

I dont advocate the use of pills, juice, gear or steroids in any of my 1 on 1 clients nor do we mention this in our thread.
I believe in building the body up to its metabolic potential much like EMTWL by first finding TDEE then slowly cutting down calories till desire "Fat" loss is reached.
This method simply gets your body attuned with eating higher calories so it works more efficiently.
I think we can all agree that if you could lose 1lb of fat a week eating an average of 1800-2k a day, you would be happier than eating 1200 cals a day with a lower hormonal profile.
After reading this thread up to the point where my name was put in the category as "possible steroids" the RD does have some good points but some extremely bad points.

A greater discussion would be "why would you suggest eating below BMR/RMR if LPL is higher (promoting fat retention) T3 is lower (preventing fat loss) Cortisol is higher (antagonizing Testosterone preventing LBM retention and using LBM as fuel).

I think this was horrible advice and would never suggest it to a client for long term fat loss.

Just because they have a degree or a certification doesn't necessarily make RDs all knowing.
The human body is still largely a mystery in many aspects and the medical industry is continuing to learn and grow throughout the decades.
Hell, in the 80s Fat was bad and in the 90s carbs were bad.

You can't speak for others on what they do to their bodies in their personal closets. I thank you for your input about yourself, but it is beside the point. The point is, if someone isn't a professional they shouldn't be telling anyone who is correct and incorrect.

Technically Dr. Oz is a professional, but does that mean I'm going to run out and buy up as many green coffee beans as I can to lose weight? No. Helloitsdan has it right, and is making the point I wanted to make WITH the science behind it (I'm new to a lot of this and don't know a lot on that end, but am enjoying learning!). I think this dude has a lot of good advice to give on topics OTHER THAN BMR/TDEE. There, I really feel like he has it wrong, and is advising something that could be potentially harmful.

You can't speak for others on what they do to their bodies in their personal closets. I thank you for your input about yourself, but it is beside the point. The point is, if someone isn't a professional they shouldn't be telling anyone who is correct and incorrect.

Technically Dr. Oz is a professional, but does that mean I'm going to run out and buy up as many green coffee beans as I can to lose weight? No. Helloitsdan has it right, and is making the point I wanted to make WITH the science behind it (I'm new to a lot of this and don't know a lot on that end, but am enjoying learning!). I think this dude has a lot of good advice to give on topics OTHER THAN BMR/TDEE. There, I really feel like he has it wrong, and is advising something that could be potentially harmful.

Lots of professionals out there and lots of variation in advice. i soak it all in and find what I find worthy from each source and sample that. I then go from there. It's all exploratory. Just listen, read, soak, research and think. I do however appreciate ANYONE who gives me advice based on experience and/or education. I have been on forums, websites, read books, etc. MFP is the most unprofessional place i have yet to encounter of all of them, yet I have learned more here than anywhere. Are they professionals? . . .some of them .. yes. Many, it is based on experience. I am a changed person due to this place. That said, we can't discount ANYONE'S advice. We can only absorb and process and decide where to take that.

This thread has become incredibly sad....

I have a question regarding sugar..... I am always really good with my calories.. always equal or lower then my calorie goal, however I always seem to go over in my sugar. The only sugar I purposely eat is I allow myself 2 teaspoons of sugar in my coffee other then that I eat fruit, but such as watermelon, it has high sugar. Does sugar burn off fast with excercise? I have cut out alot in my diet that i would normally eat (I have a major sweet tooth) but it seems like everything has sugar in it even the healthy foods. what can I do to reduce my sugar ? or should I really concern myself with the sugar if my calories are good. I dont know if I should keep doing what I am doing or focus more on the sugars.... I am deployed so my food is limited, but I am trying.

So my question (and maybe it has been answered) but why wouldn't he want to help educate others by providing links or references to peer reviewed research? As someone who has a degree, wouldn't such info be pretty handy to have?

<snip>
Never underestimate the power of a REAL education. With the group you mentioned, you may not know the whole story. There are many pills, drugs, steroids, etc which can help people 'appear' healthy. What's on the outside doesn't necessary represent what is on the inside. I would take advice of a doctor, registered nurse, or registered dietitian before listening to anyone else.
<snip>

I dont advocate the use of pills, juice, gear or steroids in any of my 1 on 1 clients nor do we mention this in our thread.
I believe in building the body up to its metabolic potential much like EMTWL by first finding TDEE then slowly cutting down calories till desire "Fat" loss is reached.
This method simply gets your body attuned with eating higher calories so it works more efficiently.
I think we can all agree that if you could lose 1lb of fat a week eating an average of 1800-2k a day, you would be happier than eating 1200 cals a day with a lower hormonal profile.
After reading this thread up to the point where my name was put in the category as "possible steroids" the RD does have some good points but some extremely bad points.

A greater discussion would be "why would you suggest eating below BMR/RMR if LPL is higher (promoting fat retention) T3 is lower (preventing fat loss) Cortisol is higher (antagonizing Testosterone preventing LBM retention and using LBM as fuel).

I think this was horrible advice and would never suggest it to a client for long term fat loss.

Just because they have a degree or a certification doesn't necessarily make RDs all knowing.
The human body is still largely a mystery in many aspects and the medical industry is continuing to learn and grow throughout the decades.
Hell, in the 80s Fat was bad and in the 90s carbs were bad.

All I can say to this is as you said, "the body is a mystery". If it weren't we would all be fit and healthy. So many of us want it, so many of us have the right intentions, work ethic, time and dedication, but still fail. All I was saying is "as a whole, you never know what people are doing to look good". I wasn't meaning you or Sara or any of the others mentioned are for sure druggies, etc. I stand corrected. i just meant that she was incorrect to assume Tony wrong and everyone else doing it, "the right way". I meant, as a whole, you just never know. Even professionals do drugs. We've all read the news. What was that hot biker's name" I just was pointing out that no one can discredit one person and validate another. It's just wrong. It was wrong of her to do.

I think we have valid points. However, I don't think Tony's thread is the place to discuss it. I would like to respect him as a professional and start our own thread to debate.

I do like the way you tactfully addressed this. I appreciate your politeness. Shall we move on? Can you create a thread and we can bounce there and let Tony have his?

I'm happy as long as we understand that the above mentioned names all work hard, eat right, recover properly and have the physiques to show for it.
We offer our views to anyone willing to listen.
Most who take the advice get similar results and eat at or near TDEE.
It's about patience and efficiency.
It's a way of life.

Hugs!

I worry about stevia... I have always heard "fake" sugar is worse then the real thing

This thread has become incredibly sad....

It's not sad, it's just derailed. We'll get back to it. I do hate when people take over someone elses thread. He does have a Facebook page. I'm there and it is drama free if you'd like to step over. I promise, as accused, he is NOT selling a thing. He is just loaded with information. Love him!

Agreed, this happens all the time. Same chit different day!

^^ I'm just gonna say this to get it out of the way .... Pop Tarts !

Bumping these

Hello

I have a hypo thryroid problem and take 200 mcg a day. I have struggled with my weight after being sick with Hashimoto's disease about 15 years ago. I work in a stressful job situation and have had trouble losing weight and thought it may be from the situation I'm in.
I lost 20 pounds on a low carb, low sugar diet and then went off the program and gained the weight back very quickly. Not overeating, just eating more carbs and a little more sugar. When I joined MFP. I was eating 1200 calories and then someone suggested I should recalculate on calories by saying I only want to lose 1 pound a week. MFP recalculated the calories to 1450. I began eating 1450 for four weeks and gained 7 pounds. Then I decided to go back to eating 1200 calories to try to lose the 7 pounds and I have bounced between 223 and 225 for going on two weeks now without losing anything.

What do you suggest I try? Eat lower than 1200? I can't exercise much because of planter's and a bad knee.

Thank you for answering questions. It's very kind of you and informative.

Do macros matter? Does too much carbs really hinder weight and/or fat loss, or is total calories all that matters? I read somewhere that carbs cause water retention and hence mask weight loss, but in the long run if I keep up with my calorie deficit will I still be a few lbs heavier just because I'm always in a high carb diet?

Also, does eating before sleeping cause bloating especially in the face, even if you're within your caloric goal?

Opinions on low carb, high protein/fat diets?

Like 100g of carbs, lean body weight in protein, and the rest of your calorie needs taken care of by fat?

I just started on this, but Im pretty nervous about it. Just so much fat sounds backwards.

Im 5'11", 218 lbs, about 22% body fat. Been doing Starting Strength as well.

So what Ive been eating is about 100g of carbs, 125g of fat, 210g of protein. About 2500 calories.

I need nutrition advice in general. I have been told so many different things about if I should now eat on a deficit, maintenance or surplus level. I'm pretty sure I don't want to be eating a surplus, though, so I basically want to know if I should stay on a deficit (if so, how much before it'll impede muscle growth) or maintenance.

I'm 5'7 and about 135lbs - healthy BMI, and now, as vain as it sounds, I'm just working on looking better - I guess lowering bf% (though I don't know what mine currently is). I've started lifting heavy so as to build muscle, but so many people are telling me that lifting will be pointless if I'm eating at a deficit. I think I'd like to be about 125-130 lbs if possible though, so a deficit is necessary - but that being said, I don't know what I'd look like at 135lbs, just with a lower bf%, so maybe I don't need to lose those vanity pounds?

I basically just want some sort of advice on if eating at a deficit will slow the rate of change of body composition - or speed it up? Also, I'm not sure what my macros should be set at - I guess I need to increase my protein intake but I'm such a fruit addict that I generally have quite a large carbohydrate intake just from that, so will I need to cut down on fruit?

Hi Tony, I'm 49, 50 in May, I weigh 273 at 5'9 1/2" tall, not sure about my BF. I have been here since Jan and have lost 14lbs on a daily intake if 1700 cals or so. I am trying to get some exercise in and have a treadmill, which I am still to heavy to use, and a Gazelle, that I have been using for about 30 min every 2-3 days. On those days I also lift weights on a Smith Station Gym in my basement. I never really paid attention to my proteins, fats, etc. Recently I went to the Dr and was advised I am pre-diabetic, hence the new diet regime, he also advised that my BP was low so I needed to increase my sodium intake. I now have a canned soup 2-3 times a week as we don't use much salt in my home. I am also on meds for ADHD.

So my question is about supplements, you mentioned Whey protein earlier. Are supplements a good thing, positives and negatives? Can't you get all your nutrition from proper diet? If you already take a multi vitamin will supplements help in other areas?

Thanks,
Dave (Moj)

I have a question regarding sugar..... I am always really good with my calories.. always equal or lower then my calorie goal, however I always seem to go over in my sugar. The only sugar I purposely eat is I allow myself 2 teaspoons of sugar in my coffee other then that I eat fruit, but such as watermelon, it has high sugar. Does sugar burn off fast with excercise? I have cut out alot in my diet that i would normally eat (I have a major sweet tooth) but it seems like everything has sugar in it even the healthy foods. what can I do to reduce my sugar ? or should I really concern myself with the sugar if my calories are good. I dont know if I should keep doing what I am doing or focus more on the sugars.... I am deployed so my food is limited, but I am trying.

I worry about stevia... I have always heard "fake" sugar is worse then the real thing

Rumours suck. Better than aspartame (which can lead to Aneurysms) and most certainly better than pure sugar!

I keep my sugar under 24g a day easy.. I have learned to do without excess sugar, stevia I take is in my protein powder. I don't add sugar to anything.. may be worth it for you to either learn to live without adding sugar to your drinks or find an alternative.

As someone who has had an aneurysm rupture on her, please could you cite me a reliable source that actually says this so I can do some research on it?

Hi Tony,I have that same question

I am a 54 year old menopausal woman. Started MFP back in Sept. 2012 at 225.5 lbs. and now I weigh 186. I'm really happy with losing nearly 40 lbs. in 6 mos.

I started at 1200 cals/day and was losing 2-3 lbs. per week. I did not eat back exercise calories.

I then upped my calories to 1350 in mid-December because I got more active. I started losing MUCH slower, about .5-1 lb. per week. I still did not eat back my exercise calories. Very disappointing.

I went back to eating1200 cals/day about mid-February, and began eating back half my exercise calories. I exercise every day and burn an average of 300 calories/day. Still losing at a turtle's pace at .5-1 lb./week and getting discouraged.

What do you advise?

Thank you.

I worry about stevia... I have always heard "fake" sugar is worse then the real thing

Rumours suck. Better than aspartame (which can lead to Aneurysms) and most certainly better than pure sugar!

I keep my sugar under 24g a day easy.. I have learned to do without excess sugar, stevia I take is in my protein powder. I don't add sugar to anything.. may be worth it for you to either learn to live without adding sugar to your drinks or find an alternative.

As someone who has had an aneurysm rupture on her, please could you cite me a reliable source that actually says this so I can do some research on it?

You are more than welcome to use Google, for example, to your avail as what sources I think are reliable may be ones that you feel are not reliable and I'm not looking into getting into a debate (should you disagree). :flowerforyou:

"people like helloitsdan, heybales, sidesteel, Sarauk2sf "

Just wanted to say that I am friends with these people and every one of them is SUPER helpful and supportive and nice. You can see from their diaries and posts how hard they work out and what they eat and that they have earned every bit of their physiques the right way. And even though they look amazing they all have their own insecurities just like the rest of us. I find some of the comments in this thread unbelievably rude and way off target.

Report Post button is a viable option. I think this among other points have been taken and the users mentioned have been able to speak for themselves without an entourage to do so for them. Not trying to be rude here (and not saying this is me) but some people actually care about what OP has to say. OP never insulted these users specifically, someone else did. Report it cause these folks have worked hard. No need for a thread to be ruined.

I worry about stevia... I have always heard "fake" sugar is worse then the real thing

Rumours suck. Better than aspartame (which can lead to Aneurysms) and most certainly better than pure sugar!

I keep my sugar under 24g a day easy.. I have learned to do without excess sugar, stevia I take is in my protein powder. I don't add sugar to anything.. may be worth it for you to either learn to live without adding sugar to your drinks or find an alternative.

As someone who has had an aneurysm rupture on her, please could you cite me a reliable source that actually says this so I can do some research on it?

You are more than welcome to use Google, for example, to your avail as what sources I think are reliable may be ones that you feel are not reliable and I'm not looking into getting into a debate (should you disagree). :flowerforyou:

Well, that is just it, I have searched and I have not seen any so was hoping you could point me to them. I do not need to debate them here, but as I have had an aneurysm rupture on me I thought in the interests of community spirit you would share. Obviously not.