My doctor vs MyFitnessPal and calories

I dont eat back the calories! Why work your butt off in the gym and burn all those calories, just to eat them back?? In order to lose weight you must burn MORE calories than you consume in a day! Otherwise your defeating the propose!! I never eat back the Calories... but i do feel i have hit a platoue in my weight lsoe. I too lost more of my weight in the first 2 weeks, this is week 3 of my journey and i have 17 pounds to go and i feel im stuck at only losing 15 so far!!

All you are doing is building a larger calorie deficit. If that's what you want, then fine. But always be aware of the deficit you are creating.

It's often quoted that there is a maximum 'healthy' rate of weight loss of about 1% of your total body mass per week. That equates to -

If you are 300 lbs - a max 1,500 calorie per day deficit
If you are 250 lbs - a max 1,250 calorie per day deficit
If you are 200 lbs - a max 1,000 calorie per day deficit
If you are 175 lbs - a max 875 calorie per day deficit
If you are 150 lbs - a max 750 calorie per day deficit
If you are 125 lbs - a max 500 calorie per day deficit

Whether you create these deficits through reduced food intake, or through exercise without eating back cals, is entirely up to you.

Note that these are just maximums based on that oft quoted maximum healthy weight loss rates. Even at these rates, you can be losing lean body mass (the good stuff, that looks sexy on the beach).

Sorry but if your only eating say 800 calories and shave off half of it from exercise.... No one can possibly survive with so low calories and have a healthy lifestyle... You should eat back all your calories if you are are only consuming 800-1000 calories a day because even at that level, it can be classed as starvation!


Just a note to other MFP members that say you don't have to eat back your calories: the OPs calories is at an extremely low rate where macro and micro nutrients is sparse and few, even if she was to do nothing, she would lose weight in a drastic way anyway - any lower net calories and it'll affect the metabolism big time, unless it has already!

Not sure where you got 800 from. I am on 900-1100 and most days I am at 1100 before eating anything back so not sure why you are saying that. =-S

It was an example hence the word 'say 800'... Also because 800 popped into my head for some reason :laugh:

at first I was dropping weight and then it stopped for 3 months without a loss. Then I read forums and updated my calories to 1500 instead of 1200 and I started losing again.

I haven't read all the responses so sorry if some of this is a duplication. I am short and started with almost 70 pounds to lose to be at the high end of a healthy BMI. IMO, if you do not have serious health concerns why are you in such a rush? What you are doing is almost certainly causing more muscle loss than is necessary, even if you are losing body fat %. Here's an example: starting weight 200, lean mass 120, so BF% is 80/200=40%. You lost 20 pounds in a month and now your BF% is 38.9%, which is lower...but it means that you just lost 10 pounds of muscle mass, because you now weigh 180 with 70 pounds of fat (70/180=38.9% BF%) and only 110 pounds of lean mass. This is just an example of course, has your doctor been monitoring your lean body mass change, not just BF%? If you lose too much lean body mass, it is going to be a real problem trying to maintain any weight loss, because you will have to eat much less just to maintain, and if you go back to your old eating habits with less lean body mass, you will end up at a higher weight than you started, eating the same as before (this is how people yo-yo and end up higher each time).

The first month of weight loss, on any plan, is likely to have much higher loss due to the initial water weight that most people lose when they reduce carbohydrates. You cannot expect this to continue.

You shouldn't need to net 500 calories a day to lose weight! I am eating 1550 per day (my sedentary TDEE at my goal weight) and eating back at least half of my exercise calories. The weight is coming off, not crazy fast (28 pounds since January), but I am OK with that because I have a lot of bad habits to unlearn and I need to be able to handle everything life throws at me eating at this level, indefinitely. When I understood the calorie level that will let me maintain at goal weight, I realized that depriving myself of everything trying to get this done, fast, wasn't the way to go, because there is no "done", no going back to the old or anything close to it unless I also want to be the old weight or more.

Your doctor knows you better than we do and better than some generic online calculator does. Trust him/her. Or get a second opinion.

But when it comes to the advice of a medical degree vs a website, always go with the medical degree.

My cousin works for a doctor who prescribes HCG for weight loss, which is illegal. There are doctors who put feeding tubes in people for weightloss. Sure you wanna stick with that statement??

Doctors are normal people, there are plenty out there who want to make $$$ off of vulnerable people.

HCG is NOT illegal! Who told you that? I am currently using it as prescribed by my doctor.

HCG is also sold in WalMart I believe...never tried it but it's definitely not illegal. And Doctors *generally* want the best for their patients. Everyone is bashing weight loss doctors (and family docs as well as others), but I bet if any of you had a serious medical condition you'd magically gain faith in Doctors again. Why are a lot of people hating on Doctors? I think the lady was originally asking if anyone had success without eating back all the calories..not if Doctors suck.

HCG is NOT illegal! Who told you that? I am currently using it as prescribed by my doctor.

*cough* non-prescription... yes it is *cough*

http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm281333.htm

HCG is NOT illegal! Who told you that? I am currently using it as prescribed by my doctor.

*cough* non-prescription... yes it is *cough*

http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm281333.htm

I couldn't help but to read this when I was reading the link provided.....

A Potentially Dangerous Diet
Living on 500 calories a day is not only unhealthy—it’s hazardous, according to FDA experts. Consumers on such restrictive diets are at increased risk for side effects that include gallstone formation, an imbalance of the electrolytes that keep the body’s muscles and nerves functioning properly, and an irregular heartbeat.


Just sayin'....

You need to choose who you're going to listen to.

If you want to listen to your doctor then just use MFP as a tool to track calories and ignore the warnings.

If you want to listen to MFP then don't go to your doctor any more.

I can't tell you who is right. You have to make that choice yourself.

This is generally good advice. At the end of the day you have to pay attention to the signals your body gives you and go from there. My personal preference is NOT to purposefully eat back exercise calories, but I will eat some of them if I am hungry.

From everything I have read both for/against 'starvation mode' I cannot say whether it is a legitimate concern. Apparently you were on a lower calorie diet and had no energy therefore you needed more calories. My guess is that the 16 lbs you lost on the first month were a combination of water/body acclimation/early data anomalies. You have lost 4 lbs in two weeks...I would love to see that.

I would say first listen to your body and its signals, second listen to your doctor (if you doctor gives you something you do not like then you can modify and talk to the doctor), third listen to other sources (MFP, etc.).

Good luck on your journey. :-)

Unless there is a medical reason you need to lose weight in a short period of time and this reason outweighs the possible problems associated with extreem low calorie diets, then it would be illogical to follow your MD's advice.

The logic: A smaller calorie deficit (such as recommended by mfp), along with exercise, and continuing education about portion sizing and nutrition will result in a healthier body, as well as the education and tools you will need to maintain.

It is not logical to starve yourself thin and then try to undo the harm done by your methods to get there, and then re-learn propper nutrition and eating.

Just my take on the situation. (and no, most medical doctors do NOT recieve enough education on nutrition)

I have a serious issue on my hands my doctor has me on a 900-1100 calorie diet MFP wants me not to go under 1200. However, on days I exercise which is 4-6 days a week and I burn 500-800 and MFP wants me to eat back all of those calories. My doctor (who does specialize in weight loss)says no! She says of course if I feel hungry eat, but I should not "force myself" to eat all of them back if I am not hungry just because "the computer tells me so." But I have seen so many post that my weight lost will stall which it seems like it has. I am down 16 pounds my first month but in the last 2 weeks I have lost 4 so most of the weight I lost was in the first few weeks. I am really concerned that my weight lost will stall. My body fat is dropping so I am not losing muscle which is good. It is really hard to eat back that much calories.

So the question really isn't who to listen to, but more does anyone NOT eat all their exercise calories back and still have steady weight loss?

My opinion ---- Keep working with your doctor. Introduce MFP to her. Print and show her some of your food diary reports too. Make this a team effort. Your doctor working with you and your preferred tool. Low calorie diets 'for awhile' may be what is needed to get your going, but your method, calorie count etc. should change some as your body changes. If you have lots to lose you will lose a lot more at first and eventually slow down to a slower but more steady loss while your body adapts. Keep educating your self. Be good to yourself and be aware how you feel. Energetic, lethargic, etc. You are the one ultimately in control. PS I usually eat most but not all my exercise calories back. If I was not hungry, I did not eat.

I would say the same. Your doctor wants you to lose weight. Keep an exercise diary and show it to her. She will adjust accordingly.

yeah, I think it is time to find a new doc! How much weight are you trying/needing to lose? 900-1100 calories in my opinion is way too low and can cause a lot of other health issues. Your body needs proper nutrition to function every day. Please, I beg of you, go find another dr. Remember that just because they were able to get a degree doesn't mean they are good at their job. I have gone to doctors and actually had to teach them how to read my blood tests. Needless to say, I immediately found a new doc.

Thanks for your concern, not sure how much I "need to loose yet" according to some I need to loose 100 pounds others 70. Lol, I have never been a normal weight as an adult I have been up and down and in between and always dieting or engaging in some unhealthy behavior to maintain some unnatural size so I really am trying to figure out what is a healthy weight I can realistically maintain.



I have been to ALOT of doctors some world famous (I.e. Duke University's Atkin's Diet Clinic its self) and I thought the guy was a complete and total quack. So I hear ya, a degree does not automatically mean anything. But I also, that every medical weightloss clinic I have ever been to calories are far less than any websites suggested and I am not sure if that is b/c a website legally can't suggested that b/c they are medically supervising you or if it's really not safe...you know?

I just want to know if I eat maybe only 1/3-1/2 of my exercise calories back is it going to be detrimental to my weight loss. Is there anyone here that doesn't eat all their exercise calories back?

I am older than some on here and it seems to me that some of the dieting standards have changed over the years. When I was younger it was not unusual for the typical diet to recommend 900 - 1000 calories. I do know that did not work for me. I have lost on here and reached my goal by eating between 1200-1400 calories plus some of my exercise calories. By doing that I feel I am allowing for any err in calculating either my exercise or food calories. It is what has worked for me, but everyone is different. You need to do what you feel is right for you and I wish you success.

Your doctor knows you better than we do and better than some generic online calculator does. Trust him/her. Or get a second opinion.

But when it comes to the advice of a medical degree vs a website, always go with the medical degree.

My cousin works for a doctor who prescribes HCG for weight loss, which is illegal. There are doctors who put feeding tubes in people for weightloss. Sure you wanna stick with that statement??

Doctors are normal people, there are plenty out there who want to make $$$ off of vulnerable people.

HCG is NOT illegal! Who told you that? I am currently using it as prescribed by my doctor.

HCG is also sold in WalMart I believe...never tried it but it's definitely not illegal. And Doctors *generally* want the best for their patients. Everyone is bashing weight loss doctors (and family docs as well as others), but I bet if any of you had a serious medical condition you'd magically gain faith in Doctors again. Why are a lot of people hating on Doctors? I think the lady was originally asking if anyone had success without eating back all the calories..not if Doctors suck.

HCG is ILLEGAL if not prescribed. And just to re-enforce the 'any doctor who would prescribe this unless a last resort is a quack. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hcg-diet/an02091

Quoting the whole article.

No on both counts. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised consumers to steer clear of over-the-counter weight-loss products that contain HCG.

HCG is human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone produced during pregnancy. As a prescription medication, HCG is used mainly to treat fertility issues. HCG is not approved for over-the-counter use, nor has it been proved to work for weight loss. Companies that sell over-the-counter HCG weight-loss products are breaking the law.

So why has there been so much talk about the HCG diet? Perhaps it's because the diet recommends severe calorie restriction — typically just 500 to 800 calories a day. People who follow such a very low calorie diet are likely to lose weight, at least in the short term. However, that level of calorie restriction has risks, such as gallstone formation, irregular heartbeat, and an imbalance of the electrolytes that keep the body's muscles and nerves functioning properly.

If weight loss is your goal, there are safer ways to lose weight. Talk with your doctor or other health care provider about how to make healthy changes that lead to permanent weight loss, such as eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise.

Also, anybody who takes their doctors' word without thoroughly investigating everything is a fool. If it sound hinky, time to ask questions. If the doctor refuses to answer those questions, time for a new doctor. There are bad doctors, there are pompous ones that assume they know more than they do and let's not forget EVERY SINGLE ONE of those famous fad diets is endorsed by - you guessed it, a doctor.

A PHD doesn't make them all knowing and all seeing. Do your research. Ask questions. Your health IS your responsiblity. Don't just trust it to anyone with a damned degree.

ok I LITERALLY saw them on the shelf myself at Walmart... I don't think Walmart would be selling something that's illegal. I don't know how safe they are or whatever, but I do know that I saw them.

http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=hcg+drops&ic=16_0&Find=Find&search_constraint=0

http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm281333.htm

If your question is whether or not to eat your exercise calories back, then by MFP's standards, yes, you should.

It's my opinion your doctor has you on a much too low calorie diet already which is only increased by any workouts you do. When you eat at a very low calorie limit for an extended period (weeks or more), your hormones get thrown off and your body will actually hold on to the fat. In prolonged extreme calorie deficits, you actually lose your lean body mass (muscle), making your body less efficient at burning calories at rest. This is why 'crash dieters' often gain back any weight they lose and then some - they've caused metabolic damage which can take a lot of time, patience, and healthy habits to try to reverse.

I have several friends who, through hard work and adherence, have managed to lose over 100lbs or more. It wasn't always quick and it definitely wasn't always easy - you have good days and bad days, but general adherence, staying active, and watching your diet can get you the results you want - no lap band or crash diets necessary.

Please know that if you choose to increase your caloric intake, you should do it gradually over the case of a few weeks. Any time you increase your intake, you are bound to gain a little weight, whether it's water weight or your body holding on to those calories for dear life since it gone without for so long. Don't let this worry you or cause you to back off from your plan. Give any changes at least 6-8 weeks (and make sure you document everything very well) before you decide something won't work for you. Weight loss is a science experiment, you just have to try to remove the emotional side of it and concentrate on the results.

Best of luck.