Dr. Goes against MFP

golferd
golferd Posts: 400 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I realize this advice will be different of MFP followers. I am going to see if his method works

5' 9" male 35. 250lbs

So, I scheduled a meeting with the doctor. My complaint I can't lose weight. His advice: south beach diet and calories of 1500. Asked about continuing p90x/insanity/running hybrid. I have completed rounds of both before. Toughmudders, weight lifting, etc. working out is not the problem.

I asked the following:
BMR concerns, said nope
Dairy: ok
TDEE: nope
Net vs gross: told me to eat total 1500 based around south beach regardless of activity
No soda, alcohol, diet soda (already in place).

So, The main difference will be breads, pasta,

I also am having blood work testing done.

Replies

  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    Is the Dr specialist or a general practitioner?
  • thisismeraw
    thisismeraw Posts: 1,264 Member
    I personally wouldn't take nutrition advice from anyone but a dietician or a nutritionist. Doctors go through very little nutrition and diet training while in school... it's not something they specialize in.

    At your height, being a male and your weight... along with if you are doing any form of workouts, 1500 calories isn't nearly enough. I'm shorter than you, lighter than you, younger than you and I'm a female and I lose on 1500 plus a day.

    Unless there's some medical issue you have yet to find out about 1500 would be far too low. If you need the help maybe see a nutritionist who will be better able to help you reach whatever goals you have.
  • jdm_taco
    jdm_taco Posts: 999 Member
    I ask my doctor nutrition advice just for the laughs :)
  • ldrosophila
    ldrosophila Posts: 7,512 Member
    Be interested to see what your labs look like, and I would have asked for evidenced based the south beach diet works.
  • AmyRhubarb
    AmyRhubarb Posts: 6,890 Member
    Doctors aren't always right, in many areas - personal experience!

    I'm a 5' 8", 45 year old woman, and I have lost plenty of fat while eating 1800-2000 calories a day, lifting dumbbells 3 days a week and running 3-5 miles the other 3 days - I would think you being taller, younger, male, and working out harder than I am would mean you would need a higher calorie intake than I do. :tongue: I'm not a doctor or medical expert, but that just seems like common sense to me.
  • taiyola
    taiyola Posts: 964 Member
    Doctors aren't always right, in many areas - personal experience!

    I'm a 5' 8", 45 year old woman, and I have lost plenty of fat while eating 1800-2000 calories a day, lifting dumbbells 3 days a week and running 3-5 miles the other 3 days - I would think you being taller, younger, male, and working out harder than I am would mean you would need a higher calorie intake than I do. :tongue: I'm not a doctor or medical expert, but that just seems like common sense to me.

    This. I've had many bad experiences with doctors - One kept telling me I had the flu for 9 months until it turned out I actually needed throat surgery x 2!

    My diary is set at 1850 and I'd say I'm lightly active. I walk my dog for 30-60 mins and usually 6 times a week. I also go to the gym a couple of times depending on my work shifts. This week I went once purely for weights. I usually burn 1500-2000 a week.

    I'm 23, female, 5'4" and my BMR is about 1440... 1500 is pathetic for a male, imo. Calories in vs. calories out. Simple.
  • taiyola
    taiyola Posts: 964 Member
    Looking at your diary for the last month or so you barely log, and when you have, it's something like below 1000 calories.

    I would start by logging daily and honestly and getting at least 2000 calories.
  • zornig
    zornig Posts: 336 Member
    Maybe you could try adopting some of the principles of South Beach (the low carb, whole foods, etc), but up the calorie amounts a bit. I agree with everyone else that 1500 calories sounds way too low for someone of your age/height/activity level.
  • GuybrushThreepw00d
    GuybrushThreepw00d Posts: 784 Member
    1500 NET would work.
    1500 not taking account any of your exercise would be far too little calories for you.
  • MyaPapaya75
    MyaPapaya75 Posts: 3,143 Member
    My specialist goes against MFP in regards to my goals ...however she does think its a great tool and guide. I think its different for everyone....I don't think MFP set out to offer medical advice or take the place of a Physician or specialist at all hence the disclaimer at the bottom, those that choose to overlook the advice of their own medical advisors I would have to wonder why they even have them.
  • golferd
    golferd Posts: 400 Member
    This is my first doctor visit. However, every diet and system can be disputed by someone. He gave me a referral to the lab and will be testing everything possible. If his plan does not work maybe he can refer me to a dietician, and insurance will pay for it.

    I just completed p90x legs and back and did not crash. Time will tell on this.


    I do appreciate everyone that took time to comment.
  • crazyvermont
    crazyvermont Posts: 171 Member
    at very similar size......at least starting out, I'd say you will have extremely tough time maintain that regiment. More calories, weight lifting and aerobic and you will lose
  • ashleyisgreat
    ashleyisgreat Posts: 586 Member
    Just to add: I was sitting in a campus cafe the last week doing some grading, and I overheard a ridiculous conversation about nutrition coming from the other table. Two medical students. Some of the gems:

    Eating after 7pm will automatically turn everything into fat because you don't burn calories when you're sleeping.
    Junk food will always turn into fat because the body can't metabolize it correctly.
    Caffeine inhibits weight loss.

    I will admit that these were just two students, but it was laughable. I can't imagine that they were beginning students either, based on age and some of the other things they talked about. I would take anything that a doctor says with a grain of salt, and if you really want better info, talk to a dietitian (not a nutritionist). A dietitian has a 4-year degree in nutrition.

    ETA: I would *especially* take a doctor's advice with a grain of salt if they are outright dismissing BMR and TDEE as important guidelines. Not all docs would do that, so I would be a little skeptical of your specific doc's knowledge of nutrition and weight loss. Just my opinion. I don't think all doctors are uninformed about nutrition, but some certainly are. These two students in particular were just woefully unaware of how silly their conversation was.
  • donyellemoniquex3
    donyellemoniquex3 Posts: 2,384 Member
    My Dr. LOVES MFP.
  • Docmahi
    Docmahi Posts: 1,603 Member
    I realize this advice will be different of MFP followers. I am going to see if his method works

    5' 9" male 35. 250lbs

    So, I scheduled a meeting with the doctor. My complaint I can't lose weight. His advice: south beach diet and calories of 1500. Asked about continuing p90x/insanity/running hybrid. I have completed rounds of both before. Toughmudders, weight lifting, etc. working out is not the problem.

    I asked the following:
    BMR concerns, said nope
    Dairy: ok
    TDEE: nope
    Net vs gross: told me to eat total 1500 based around south beach regardless of activity
    No soda, alcohol, diet soda (already in place).

    So, The main difference will be breads, pasta,

    I also am having blood work testing done.

    I guess I am your MFP twin mate - 5'9.5 male starting official MFP weight was 257 (270 was highers)

    current weight is 182.5 lbs

    my loss was done with little to no cardio, heavy lifting and consuming around 2300-2400 calories a day with a refeed day once a week of 4000 calories (low fat high carb moderate protein refeed) I always kept my protein at at least 200g.

    you could do 1500 and cardio and shred the fat but if you look at my profile pics you will see I have put quite a bit of muscle on during the transformation - plus I just effing hate cardio

    and contrary to whatever the above person said I did have quite a few nutritional science classes throughout my medical school career that being said I suppose I did do a lot of research on my own
  • Hadabetter
    Hadabetter Posts: 942 Member
    6' 0" male 60. 179lbs (down from 203)

    I've lost 25 lbs since January 1st, averaging 2500 calories/day and not giving up ANYTHING! I call my diet the "just eat what you want but less than your TDEE" diet.

    Your doctor is poorly informed on this subject.
  • lvsglass
    lvsglass Posts: 90 Member
    I ask my doctor nutrition advice just for the laughs :)

    ???? Too funny!
  • SteelySunshine
    SteelySunshine Posts: 1,092 Member
    Your doctor is an idiot /thread
  • NanaWubbie
    NanaWubbie Posts: 248 Member
    There are studies out there saying its ok to lose fast, and others that say its best to go slow. As long as your doc is monitoring your progress and you are doing ok, I say you are paying for his advice. Hear him out. It will either work or it won't.
  • muzio
    muzio Posts: 35 Member
    I'm a doctor (of course, not your doctor, this is not medical advice) and I think MFP is a great tool, and used in conjunction with a healthy eating plan (which includes many of the South Beach Diet principles) can be very powerful.

    Nevertheless, the above posters are correct; physicians receive little training in nutrition. If you're truly looking for nutritional advice, ask for a referral to a registered dietician.
  • golferd
    golferd Posts: 400 Member
    Blood work is normal except HDL and was told to add additional fish oil pill. Down 2 lbs for the week. Still eating gross 1500 and net 800-1000. Asked should I be concerned about BMR or TDEE? His response was no. Using south beach phase 1 for another week.

    I am not trying to start an argument, but trying to help those that are not moving and have tried many options. To keep trying or visit doctor. I am not bonking at all. I do take multi vitamin, b12, fish oil, vitamin d.


    I will not change from this until my personal medical official advises.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    I realize this advice will be different of MFP followers. I am going to see if his method works

    5' 9" male 35. 250lbs

    So, I scheduled a meeting with the doctor. My complaint I can't lose weight. His advice: south beach diet and calories of 1500. Asked about continuing p90x/insanity/running hybrid. I have completed rounds of both before. Toughmudders, weight lifting, etc. working out is not the problem.

    I asked the following:
    BMR concerns, said nope
    Dairy: ok
    TDEE: nope
    Net vs gross: told me to eat total 1500 based around south beach regardless of activity
    No soda, alcohol, diet soda (already in place).

    So, The main difference will be breads, pasta,

    I also am having blood work testing done.

    Is it possible your Dr. interpreted your statement as that you want to lose weight no matter what kind of weight, fat or muscle? Also that he knows this level of cals and food restriction is sure to result in SOME weight loss and will make him absolutely "right" no matter what? He sure gave you a surefire way to accomplish the goal of "weight loss" whether it will be the lasting kind or the muscle sparing kind or the low energy kind might not be of concern to him if it did not seem like a concern to you.
  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    I realize this advice will be different of MFP followers. I am going to see if his method works

    5' 9" male 35. 250lbs

    So, I scheduled a meeting with the doctor. My complaint I can't lose weight. His advice: south beach diet and calories of 1500. Asked about continuing p90x/insanity/running hybrid. I have completed rounds of both before. Toughmudders, weight lifting, etc. working out is not the problem.

    I asked the following:
    BMR concerns, said nope
    Dairy: ok
    TDEE: nope
    Net vs gross: told me to eat total 1500 based around south beach regardless of activity
    No soda, alcohol, diet soda (already in place).

    So, The main difference will be breads, pasta,

    I also am having blood work testing done.

    I guess I am your MFP twin mate - 5'9.5 male starting official MFP weight was 257 (270 was highers)

    current weight is 182.5 lbs

    my loss was done with little to no cardio, heavy lifting and consuming around 2300-2400 calories a day with a refeed day once a week of 4000 calories (low fat high carb moderate protein refeed) I always kept my protein at at least 200g.

    you could do 1500 and cardio and shred the fat but if you look at my profile pics you will see I have put quite a bit of muscle on during the transformation - plus I just effing hate cardio

    and contrary to whatever the above person said I did have quite a few nutritional science classes throughout my medical school career that being said I suppose I did do a lot of research on my own

    Listen to this cat.

Categories