Vent/curiosity of diet advice I received
Options
Lizzypb88
Posts: 367 Member
So I started with a new psychologist as my old one moved.. so not normal to think I would be even talking about my dieting since it's been going well...
So I start out by saying I've lost 80 pounds this last year, but gained back almost 10, and seeing a nutritionist has helped me lose the rest.. the guy went on to ask me what I eat, and right away goes.. oh no honey, your nutritionist sounds crazy, you can talk to me about dieting, I've lost as much as you have and gained most of it back, so I'm back into dieting too, and I know the ropes
... he went on to say that I should look at that "my 600 pound life" show and the Atkins diet and realize that I won't lose unless I eat under 20g of carbs a day... me having a brain, I said- well that's not sustainable long term though? And he went on to say that's why he gained most of his weight back was because he started eating carbs again...
This guy sounds like a wack job, and insulting my nutritionist and telling me to come to him for any weight loss advice... no thanks, I'm doing fine.
Why is it that people think it's okay to insert their opinions when you're doing well with what you're working with, and why why do people think that these VERY low/no carb diets like atkins are sustainable long term? Or am I overreacting? To each their own, until you start telling me that I'm going about my way wrong.
So I start out by saying I've lost 80 pounds this last year, but gained back almost 10, and seeing a nutritionist has helped me lose the rest.. the guy went on to ask me what I eat, and right away goes.. oh no honey, your nutritionist sounds crazy, you can talk to me about dieting, I've lost as much as you have and gained most of it back, so I'm back into dieting too, and I know the ropes
... he went on to say that I should look at that "my 600 pound life" show and the Atkins diet and realize that I won't lose unless I eat under 20g of carbs a day... me having a brain, I said- well that's not sustainable long term though? And he went on to say that's why he gained most of his weight back was because he started eating carbs again...
This guy sounds like a wack job, and insulting my nutritionist and telling me to come to him for any weight loss advice... no thanks, I'm doing fine.
Why is it that people think it's okay to insert their opinions when you're doing well with what you're working with, and why why do people think that these VERY low/no carb diets like atkins are sustainable long term? Or am I overreacting? To each their own, until you start telling me that I'm going about my way wrong.
5
Replies
-
I'd be looking for a new psychologist. He has no training in nutrition and sounds like a low carb fanatic who ignores science.18
-
... he went on to say that I should look at that "my 600 pound life" show and the Atkins diet and realize that I won't lose unless I eat under 20g of carbs a day... me having a brain, I said- well that's not sustainable long term though? And he went on to say that's why he gained most of his weight back was because he started eating carbs again...
This guy sounds like a wack job, and insulting my nutritionist and telling me to come to him for any weight loss advice... no thanks, I'm doing fine.
He sounds awful, forcefully insisting you have to follow his ideas when you have had success already -- plus the under 20 carbs a day is just wrong. He sounds like an uneducated control freak. Run!
6 -
Lol - he gained it all back so that makes him more knowledgeable! That's fabulous. That's like saying I failed kindergarten so since I had to do it twice I am a genius.21
-
A good therapist knows that one size does not fit all - in all aspects of life. Find a new one.12
-
A guy who gained all the weight back and still claims to be an expert? Bizarre. Move on to someone else.10
-
My granddad would say "If you hire a plumber to do your electrical work, your house WILL burn down".
He needs to stick to his job of being a psychologist. Unfortunately, he does not sound like he is competent in that arena, either. He has set up an environment that reduces trust by showing a bit of fanaticism/evangelism towards a subject he has very little substantive, fact-based knowledge in. Additionally, if you have to be dishonest with him to have a peaceful, nag-free session in regards to going low-carb, how can you hope to be honest about other areas you are supposed to be seeing him about? Do you really want this guy messing around with your head? What recommendations do you think he'll make towards your mental health if he is so willing to dismiss the advice of a trained professional in regards to physical health, and, well, basic science?
Stay strong, and hopefully either you put your foot down with this guy or a better practitioner will be available soon!16 -
Red flag! Don't trust this guy with your head or your stomach. Find a new doctor.9
-
Ignore him and get a new psychologist.4
-
oh no honey, your nutritionist sounds crazy, you can talk to me about dieting, I've lost as much as you have and gained most of it back, so I'm back into dieting too, and I know the ropes
... he went on to say that I should look at that "my 600 pound life" show and the Atkins diet and realize that I won't lose unless I eat under 20g of carbs a day...
I would get a new psychologist, this guy sounds incredibly unprofessional. For one thing, calling you 'honey' seems pretty inappropriate and giving diet advice when he has no qualifications in that field could do a lot of damage.10 -
Look_Its_Kriss wrote: »At this point you can either not see him again or pretend you are doing low carb and just keep doing what you are doing lol
But if it was me, it would be hard for me to take him seriously just from that lol
Ah yes that totally makes sense, like now I just feel like eh I don't trust you about anything now!
Thanks everyone for your input, definitely seeking someone else!5 -
Any time you talk about your weight loss with someone you invite their opinions. Don't talk about it if you don't want input.
There are a lot of diet plans out there that don't talk about calories or care about sustainability. People want fast big losses like on reality shows. Carbs have been the devil for a decade or so. People want to believe that it was the carbs not them eating too much. A lot of people don't know weight management is all about calories no matter what diet you follow.
Sounds like you've done great.
2 -
Definitely get a new psychologist! One professional should never degrade or interfere with another's treatment plan. Maybe a "you should ask your nutritionist about blah blah diet. It worked for me." but never should he degrade another professional.3
-
I think I'd have to be frank on the issue. "We're not going to talk about diet anymore. You've found a way that works for you but you clearly don't understand how it all really works, and it's not worth the debate. You're a psychologist. Do your job."3
-
I'm eating below 20g of carbs a day for therapeutic reasons, and dude, it's the worst. I hate it. It's just as extreme as any medication regime I've ever been on. If the metabolic change helps limit my seizures, fine, but I have NO idea why anyone would do this for weight loss. Do you have any idea how much spring mix I have to eat to get enough plant based nutrition into my body?? It's insane! Outlawing fruit is insane, living on meat and cheese is insane, carefully limiting my Brussels sprouts intake is INSANE.
I'm just bitter because most of the resources on maintaining this crap is by and for dieters, and I just.. why. Yeah, bread and pasta should be limited and no one needs the amount of sugar we eat, but I'm limited to half a cup of blackberries daily, and I have to schedule that in. This isn't sustainable for the average person. This is madness. Don't listen to anyone who demonizes a goddamned sweet potato, okay?14 -
Any time you talk about your weight loss with someone you invite their opinions. Don't talk about it if you don't want input.
There are a lot of diet plans out there that don't talk about calories or care about sustainability. People want fast big losses like on reality shows. Carbs have been the devil for a decade or so. People want to believe that it was the carbs not them eating too much. A lot of people don't know weight management is all about calories no matter what diet you follow.
Sounds like you've done great.
I'd agree - but she was talking to her psychologist. That's supposed to be a safe and constructive place... not what she described. You're trusting this person with your mental health... I don't see how she was inviting their opinion. Losing 80 pounds affects you more than just physically.
4 -
The therapist is a therapist, not a nutritionist. He really shouldn't be talking about other fields like that, nor should he be giving diet advice outside of eating disorder help. That is not what he was doing. Its also very unprofessional for a therapist to say the nutritionist sounds crazy. That would be enough of a red flag for you to consider dropping him.
The way he talked down to you with the "oh no honey" is also problematic. It comes across as condescending and invalidating the fact that you are happy with your nutritionist.
I also have an issue with him pointing to a medically supervised pre-gastric bypass diet mentioned on a reality tv show as proof for a diet. Your therapist, should not be the one providing a medically supervised diet.
Honestly once you find a way that works, don't mess with it.
I say all this and I love and follow a very low carb diet. I also fully recognize there are many ways to lose weight and no one size fits all. Low carb can be a great way, but it is not the only way. As far as doing low carb long term, there's no reason someone can't. Most people that follow it long term tend to be using it to also control other health issues.5 -
I have huge issues with a psychologist disclosing such personal information (their weight loss struggles and methods and beliefs) to a pretty new patient in a clinical setting. Deeply unprofessional and inappropriate.12
-
I don't think I would be jumping to ditching him right off the bat. I mean...is he a good therapist, because those can be hard to come by... If so I would be clinging to that despite his diet ramblings.
My take from what you wrote isn't that he was pressuring you to change your way of eating so much as being overly annoying/enthusiastic about what works for him. If this were discussed as a side subject vs as part of your actual therapy session I would blow it off. If it continues then you have a problem, but I doubt you will.
People are always going to want to voice their opinions on anything and everything. We have to pick and choose what's really worth getting in a twist about.2 -
I watched my carbs for a week and lost more than usual... But it's not sustainable nor enjoyable for me personally. Carbs are yummy.0
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 391.4K Introduce Yourself
- 43.5K Getting Started
- 259.7K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.6K Food and Nutrition
- 47.3K Recipes
- 232.3K Fitness and Exercise
- 390 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.4K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.7K Motivation and Support
- 7.8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.2K MyFitnessPal Information
- 22 News and Announcements
- 922 Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.3K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions