Dumb advice people have given you...

245

Replies

  • Samstan101
    Samstan101 Posts: 699 Member
    "I don't have to count my calories, and I weight 95lbs. Just eat what I eat" <-- My MIL, everyone. :neutral:

    Also to the previous post. I have terrible knees, and my family was not thrilled when I started jogging. Since starting, my knees have become more stable, and they are usually the last thing that gets sore. :smiley:

    Haha

    Glad running has helped. I reckon being over 300lbs and unable to walk up stairs without panting was far worse for me knees than losing 130lbs and running marathons is! But hey, I guess I should listen to the person who thinks walking 3miles twice a year in a park is hiking LOL
  • emmycantbemeeko
    emmycantbemeeko Posts: 303 Member
    When I was low-normal BMI and in my lifetime best shape:

    "Of COURSE you can have a second piece of cake, you're skinny."
    "Why are you only eating that ["that" being a nutritionally balanced meal of ~500 calories]? You're thin, you can eat whatever you want."
    "You shouldn't stress about fitting in workouts, you're not even fat."
    "You're wrong about these portion sizes being too big. What would you even know about diets? You're not fat."
    "You have a much faster metabolism than I do, that's why you're thin."

    And basically every other manifestation of the bass-ackwards notion and advice based on the idea that slender people are slender effortlessly and can and should eat whatever, because they have Achieved Thinness and that's some kind of permanent state of being, rather than the outcome of cumulative behaviors over a long period, and one that can change if they start eating more and moving less.

  • lml852014
    lml852014 Posts: 243 Member
    Samstan101 wrote: »
    Running is bad for your knees. No... Just no!
    My practitioner told me this before as well as mother who has developed arthritis in her knees? I always notice my knees hurting after I run too.
  • kaylajane11
    kaylajane11 Posts: 313 Member
    I also once posted a transformation photo on Facebook of my 30 pound loss. I then received a PM from a girl I am only acquaintances with, trying to get me to buy "Visalus" from her to help with weight loss. Really? I've already lost weight without your high priced garbage; why would I want it now? I couldn't think of a response that wasn't rude, so I just didn't respond at all.
  • TheBeachgod
    TheBeachgod Posts: 825 Member
    I was mega skinny for years, 5'9" 110 lbs. I went to a weight clinic in my mid 20s and the consultant suggested I start a weekly program of steroid injections (at a significant cost). I was ignorant and poor at the time (some things never change) so I asked my Doctor what he thought about it and he freaked out. He asked me the name of the place and where it was. They were out of business very shortly after that.
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    You need this product/program from Advocare Shakeology, Herbalife, etc.
  • hapa11
    hapa11 Posts: 182 Member
    I had someone tell me to smoke during pregnancy. That I wouldn't gain as much weight and my baby would be smaller and easier to push out. I wish I could shut this person out of my life like, forever. But, they're "family". Ironically enough, they're in healthcare too.

    That takes the cake!
  • Mapalicious
    Mapalicious Posts: 412 Member
    edited February 2016
    I don't drink a lot of alcohol anymore...usually though it's because 1. I have no tolerance anymore and 2. I can't control my food choices once I have a couple. The worst advice: That you should EAT MORE to break your weight-loss plateau/jump start your metabolism. Just NO.

    :D:D I don't GIVE this advice to people...but I took it and it has worked for me! A couple days of maintenance, and I usually am back on track to losing. I wouldn't call it a "jump start" and I have zero science to back it up, but it's worked for me 3 or 4 times I've hit plateaus. Even if it's unrelated, it's sure nice to eat maintenance for a few days.

    Worst advice I've gotten is "calories in, calories out" with no elaboration. Without knowing about calorie density, how to eat to feel full, how to use a food scale, etc...all the things that made "calories in, calories out" work for me personally. When I hear people go on and on about "how it's just a fact" I'm like no *kitten* sherlock, but "knowing" something doesn't make me magically start losing weight because the fact is in my head now, does it. It took 2 years after "knowing" that fact for me to learn the other stuff and actually start losing. Now 125 lbs down woo hoo!
  • cosmo_momo
    cosmo_momo Posts: 173 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    I don't really think that advice is all that dumb OP...not that people can't lose weight while drinking alcohol in moderation, but alcohol can be a real impediment. Alcohol calories cannot be stored like calories from other things...which sounds brilliant right? But while you have alcohol in your system, you shut down all metabolic processes to process the alcohol...so while you have alcohol in your system, you will not oxidize fat and you will not burn calories consumed while you are intoxicated. Beer in particular is a whammy because while the alcohol in the beer can't be stored, the carbohydrates in the beer can...and they will be stored because you're body is only working on metabolizing the alcohol.

    You figure it takes about an hour for your body to metabolize one drink...so you go tie one on and have, say six drinks...that's essentially six hours that you are for all intents and purposes, shut down your metabolism.

    I am in no way disregarding this information, but I am curious. Is there anything you can link me to with information on the metabolic processes with alcohol? I'm taking a biochemistry course right now and this seems relevant. I really am just curious :)
  • icemaiden37
    icemaiden37 Posts: 238 Member
    After coworker (who currently does *no* exercise) commented on my weight loss...
    Me: thanks, I'm only a kilo away from a healthy BMI
    Coworker : you know, you should do 5 mins of running at the end of your gym session. I've done jogging and that helped me lose weight
    Me : I hate running
    Coworker : well if you want to lose that kilo that's what you need to do
    Me : (walks away)
    I've managed perfectly well to lose the other 8kilos without running, I don't see what makes this particular kilo any different!
  • FunbagsMcGee
    FunbagsMcGee Posts: 36 Member
    "Life is too short, you shouldn't waste it counting calories."
    I don't know about you guys, but shame-eating a pizza doesn't really feel like living.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    You should quit lifting heavy and do body pump instead so you don't get bulky. It also makes you just as strong as heavy lifting with less work.
  • missblondi2u
    missblondi2u Posts: 851 Member
    "Being overweight is like being born into poverty. There's not much you can really do to change it."

    This was in an article on a "feminist" website! BS!!!
  • WeekendWarriorTX
    WeekendWarriorTX Posts: 1,844 Member
    had a dude tell me that for my carbs i shouldn't eat bread, but pasta and potatoes were good for me. what's the difference?
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    A man in the gym came up to me while I was doing heavy Reverse Barbell Lunges. He said "you want to slim down your thighs, right" (first of all, wtf?!), and continued with "You should stop all this lifting and start cycling".

    I hate that guy.
  • Meganthedogmom
    Meganthedogmom Posts: 1,639 Member
    "You shouldn't eat that; that's not diet food."

    "You shouldn't be eating pasta if you want to lose weight."

    Human: "You should try this chia seed wellness drink for weight loss!"
    Me: "what exactly does this do for you?"
    Human: "it helps! Because of the proteins!"
    Me: *reads nutrition facts on the back of it* "it has 2 grams of protein. My yogurt has 12 and the same amount of calories."
    Human: "well... Still it has proteins that help!"
  • starwhisperer6
    starwhisperer6 Posts: 402 Member
    The Chef at my work keeps telling me I can eat whatever I want as long as I move more. Possibly true if I wanted to spend my days pole vaulting large buildings but I don't, so I think I will stick to watching what I eat.
  • zyxst
    zyxst Posts: 9,149 Member
    arditarose wrote: »
    A man in the gym came up to me while I was doing heavy Reverse Barbell Lunges. He said "you want to slim down your thighs, right" (first of all, wtf?!), and continued with "You should stop all this lifting and start cycling".

    I hate that guy.

    Guy obviously has never seen a cyclist.
    quads-dana-996.jpg
  • crewbprice
    crewbprice Posts: 38 Member
    You have to use a food scale to count calories well

    You cant gain strength well with bodyweight, you need to lift free weights
  • dwaterfield
    dwaterfield Posts: 34 Member
    You guys have covered so many of the ones I've gotten...but here are a few silly things I've been told:

    "Just eat half of whatever is on your plate." (um...I can put a lot on a plate! Plus, my mom told me not to waste food)
    "Eat nothing but greens if you wanna be lean." (I like soul food but come on....)
    "You should do push-aways...you know, push-away from the table." (told to me by a beanpole of a man who never weighed more than 140 lbs in his life)
    "Exercise doesn't matter, just diet." "Diet doesn't matter, just exercise." (I was told both of these at a party one night...fortunately by different people)
    "Eat only white meat."
    "Alcohol calories don't really count because they burn fat." (the person who told me that was apparently trying very hard to prove his theory...)


  • slabs57
    slabs57 Posts: 3 Member
    i'm not judging, but sometimes, people might call an advice "dumb" when it's something they don't want to hear. I don't think it's unreasonable for someone to suggest cutting out alcohol for 1 month and see if it changes anything. yes, the alcoholic drinks may be accounted for in the daily goals, but they're basically empty calories -- 7 calories per gram of alcohol + 4 calories per gram of carbs. "A few beers on Friday and more on Saturday" every weekend adds up to a lot of calories. I would agree with your friend -- try it for 1 month and see what happens. If she's right, then you win b/c it means you'll lose weight. If she's wrong, then you still win -- you get to rub that in her face AND you'll be a few bucks richer b/c drinking is an expensive habit!! :p

    Anyway, a dumb advice would be "stop eating!" (true story) and "you'll never have a flat stomach, just save up money for lipo" (also true story).

    and yes...i would agree that some of the other advices are ridiculous!
  • samanthachen
    samanthachen Posts: 360 Member
    Samstan101 wrote: »
    "I don't have to count my calories, and I weight 95lbs. Just eat what I eat" <-- My MIL, everyone. :neutral:

    Also to the previous post. I have terrible knees, and my family was not thrilled when I started jogging. Since starting, my knees have become more stable, and they are usually the last thing that gets sore. :smiley:

    Haha

    Glad running has helped. I reckon being over 300lbs and unable to walk up stairs without panting was far worse for me knees than losing 130lbs and running marathons is! But hey, I guess I should listen to the person who thinks walking 3miles twice a year in a park is hiking LOL

    Haha exactly! Of course, I'm sure there are ways to hurt your knees with jogging/running, but there are also good ways that can strengthen everything. And you are so right... My 5'4'' 200ishlbs *kitten* was doing a ton more damage than that jog :smiley:
  • Asher_Ethan
    Asher_Ethan Posts: 2,430 Member
    Word for word conversation.
    D bag at gym: you are lifting way too heavy for a girl. If you really want to tone up you should be lifting half that weight.
    Me: I really want to tell you everything wrong with what you said, but I would rather finish my workout.
  • lyndseybellz
    lyndseybellz Posts: 62 Member
    i particularly love hearing "a moment on the lips forever on the hips," when i am eating something i "shouldnt" because i've lost weight. like shut up. i can have a piece of cake if i want to and it won't destroy my weight loss. i just can't eat 3 pieces of cake.

    i also love getting unsolicited advice from people who clearly do not know anything about health and nutrition. =|
  • AnthonyThrashD_
    AnthonyThrashD_ Posts: 85 Member
    Everything I read in the book "4 hour body"
  • pvju
    pvju Posts: 115 Member
    Fast one day a week
    Fast 3-5 days every month
    Take a cheat day on the weekend - please - math people!
    Exercise more (doing as much as I can and over-exercising just makes me ravenous)
    People who have never struggled with their weight or tried to diet should just zip it - if weight loss was all that easy, no one would be fat!
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    You have to eat breakfast! It's not healthy to skip it.
    You shouldn't eat right before going to bed, ALL those calories will be stored as fat.
  • chaoticdreams
    chaoticdreams Posts: 447 Member
    Co-worker once:

    "You'll lose weight if you just keep your stomach sucked in all the time, especially when you eat."

    I was speechless. I honestly didn't know how to respond to that much stupid.....
  • mkakids
    mkakids Posts: 1,913 Member
    You have to exrcuse and your heart rate must remain a constant 140 to lose weight. Thats the ONLY way to lose weight.
  • missblondi2u
    missblondi2u Posts: 851 Member
    LOL! Just heard this little gem today--

    "Any exercise that doesn't last for at least 30 minutes doesn't count."