are calories the only thing that matter?

thesweatybetty
thesweatybetty Posts: 107 Member
edited October 4 in Food and Nutrition
I feel like some people on this site don't even look into what you post and give you praise. If someone has a public food diary I will glance at it, just to see what others are eating and see if there is anything I could switch up in my routine. I have seen quite a few people who are eating terrible foods but still under their calorie goal, so people congratulate them. One day I was sick and ended up eating around 600 calories and got quite a few 'WTG's

Am I missing something? Is that the only goal, to stay under your calories? I have changed my whole life around so that I could make a healthy lifestyle for myself in the future, which includes eating as clean as possible. Yes, I'm not 100% perfect (but I am learning as I go) and don't claim to be an expert nutriontionist, but does this bother anyone else? Did I not get the memo that said as long as you're under your calorie goal you will lose weight?

Idk.. just wondering.
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Replies

  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    Did I not get the memo that said as long as you're under your calorie goal you will lose weight?

    Idk.. just wondering.


    While I agree with the premise of your post, the above is correct. If you are under your calorie goal you will lose weight.

    That being said, I think it would be foolish to ONLY look at calorie intake as the deciding factor of health. Macros/Micros certainly matter as far as health and body composition, they just don't play a significant role in scale weight.

    EDIT: And as far as goals, judging by the ridiculous things that people will attempt in order to lose weight, I would speculate that there's a large population of people on this site that are pretty much just trying to lose weight. Certainly not everyone of course.
  • katcod1522
    katcod1522 Posts: 448 Member
    I agree. I eat my calories in whole foods...fresh fruit and veggies..lean meat and all whole brown grains. Yet..I see diaries...of people eating 3 slices of pizza...and have a soft drink...its confusing.
  • deathstarclock
    deathstarclock Posts: 512 Member
    EAT WHOLE AND HEALTHY
  • LadyoftheDisc
    LadyoftheDisc Posts: 136 Member
    I have seen ppl ask this before. For those that use the apps on their phones, you cannot view someones diary to see what they ate, you only know that they were under calorie goal. This may be a reason you see comments praising ppl for eating unhealthy or coming in waay under goal. ??
  • HMonsterX
    HMonsterX Posts: 3,000 Member
    I agree. I eat my calories in whole foods...fresh fruit and veggies..lean meat and all whole brown grains. Yet..I see diaries...of people eating 3 slices of pizza...and have a soft drink...its confusing.

    I can help you with that confusion.

    They eat that...because it TASTES good. Is that so confusing? Not everyone has to eat 100% healthy 100% of the time!
  • godroxmysox
    godroxmysox Posts: 1,491 Member
    I never congratulate people for being under UNLESS I've looked at their diary and they've actually done a good job. Some people are in it for the right reasons (being healthy) and some just want to lose weight....
  • jgic2009
    jgic2009 Posts: 531 Member
    For weight loss, for most people, calories are what matters.

    For health, you want to look at the quality of those calories.
  • janetteluparia
    janetteluparia Posts: 318 Member
    a calorie deficit will result in weight loss, thats the science of it in a nutshell. 3500 calories to lose 1 pound. It does not however protect you nutritionally. You have to meet your energy needs or you will lose muscle mass and become a less efficient calorie burner and gain it all back. Eat a variety of low calorie density foods, choose half your plate with fruits and veggies and use discretionary calories wisely to make sure you take in all the nutrients, vitamins and minerals for good health.
  • Larius
    Larius Posts: 507 Member
    Some people are crazy, ignorant, and/or apathetic.

    Others feel that positive encouragement is valuable, despite less than stellar performance. When a young child falls off his bike, you don't scold him for falling (at least I wouldn't), you encourage him to keep trying and learning.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    Last night I had a whole pizza. A pretty good sized one. I think it was very healthy honestly.
  • frugalmomsrock
    frugalmomsrock Posts: 1,123
    I can't make other people's food choices. If they choose to try losing weight on Wendy's, McDonald's, and/or Pizza Hut, that's up to them. If they can stay under their calorie goals, then they'll probably still lose weight.

    I don't eat clean, but I'm usually under my goal. I try to make healthier choices and eat a lot of raw nuts and fresh fruits/veggies, but I also have my crap moments. Just last night I ordered pizza for us for supper because I have been dealing with sick kids and I've had minimal sleep. I had the calories, and quite frankly, I didn't care.

    If you don't feel you can/should tell them way to go, then don't. If they aren't the kind of friends you want to have, then dump them. I don't dump my friends for making bad choices. We (including yourself) didn't get to where we needed to lose weight by having a healthy relationship with food. It will take some longer than others to clean that up. And honestly-it isn't about depriving myself foods I like. It's about learning to have them in moderation.
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    Pretty much yes.

    I try to eat healthy-ish most of the time, but no, I don't eat "clean", I DO eat fast food, processed meat and even sugary cereal. Works for me.
  • dosesr4winners20
    dosesr4winners20 Posts: 362
    i just think most people don't really look at all. i've been defriended for saying things like "you shouldn't have 4 sodas in one day but good job on eating more greens today"
    i wasn't saying it to be rude :(
  • 4theking
    4theking Posts: 1,196 Member
    I agree. I eat my calories in whole foods...fresh fruit and veggies..lean meat and all whole brown grains. Yet..I see diaries...of people eating 3 slices of pizza...and have a soft drink...its confusing.

    I can help you with that confusion.

    They eat that...because it TASTES good. Is that so confusing? Not everyone has to eat 100% healthy 100% of the time!

    Exactly ^

    If you want to feel better about yourself, check out my diary LOL
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    . Some people are in it for the right reasons (being healthy) and some just want to lose weight....

    We all have different goals. I don't think that makes one right and the other not.
  • Regmama
    Regmama Posts: 399 Member
    I agree. I eat my calories in whole foods...fresh fruit and veggies..lean meat and all whole brown grains. Yet..I see diaries...of people eating 3 slices of pizza...and have a soft drink...its confusing.

    I can help you with that confusion.

    They eat that...because it TASTES good. Is that so confusing? Not everyone has to eat 100% healthy 100% of the time!
    exactly! I'm one who eats the good, the bad, and the in between. I'd go crazy if I didn't and would surely fail if I ate 100% clean.
  • jdavis193
    jdavis193 Posts: 972 Member
    Yes it is pretty much how many calories you take in and burn. It is good to eat healthy but to lose you can eat the same amount in junk food calories and still lose.
  • Enigmatica
    Enigmatica Posts: 879 Member
    Nutrition is priority for me, but a lot of people aren't ready to deal with the bigger picture just yet. They need to find their own way with it, and some need a lot of encouragement just to control one part at a time - as in the calories. I've seen several start out focusing only on calories, and watched them get very upset when anyone tried to guide them towards better nutritional choices, and then eventually they make the decision on their own to start eating better when it makes sense to them. (Often when they get sick or realize that others are doing better because they're eating better!!)
  • Pocket_Pixi
    Pocket_Pixi Posts: 1,167 Member
    I never congratulate people for being under UNLESS I've looked at their diary and they've actually done a good job. Some people are in it for the right reasons (being healthy) and some just want to lose weight....

    I am the same way. If their diary is open I will look at it and see whats going on in there to see how they did, if they ate all but like 100 calories from their day (after exercise) than I say WTG, but if they have only eaten 600 calories for the whole day I usually ask whats up?

    It does kind of bother me when you see a ton of WTG's for something that doesn't deserve a WTG.
  • katcod1522
    katcod1522 Posts: 448 Member
    Was simply stating that "I" need to eat cleaner...what works for one..doesnt work for all. Yeah...I go to wendys...and I get the grilled chicken sandwich..only lettuce and tomato nothing else..and it comes on a wheat bun. Its just about making a healthy..or healthIER choice. We all rock so..ppfftt ;)
  • robinogue
    robinogue Posts: 1,117 Member
    I have seen ppl ask this before. For those that use the apps on their phones, you cannot view someones diary to see what they ate, you only know that they were under calorie goal. This may be a reason you see comments praising ppl for eating unhealthy or coming in waay under goal. ??

    this is my problem too, I use my phone so I can't see what you've eaten but I see you were under your goal. I will post WTG because you are making progress, making changes in your diet and lifestyle to keep yourself under the goal that you've set. To me that in itself is a accomplishment.
  • ddeckard46
    ddeckard46 Posts: 9 Member
    Like HMonterX said - I think it's important to remember that we aren't all perfect all the time - but maybe that was obvious. I'll do my best to eat healthly, clean, better (insert whatever word would best describe it for you) foods for the majority of the day/week, but if on Friday my kid is invited to a birthday party where they ordered pizza, I'm probably going to have a slice (or the forbidden 2 slices) if I have the calorie allowance left to do that. I'll drink my water everyday, and eat well rounded meals that include all food groups. But if one day I want my sandwich on white bread rather than wheat bread, I'm going to do that, too. We should all strive to be healthier, make healthier choices, etc. - but above all, we need to realize that none of us are perfect - and if any of you decided to have a chocolate milkshake today after having your salad for lunch, well - I wouldn't judge you...:wink:
  • Matttdvg
    Matttdvg Posts: 133 Member
    Different people lose weight in different ways. Some people make lifestyle overhauls where they completely change their diet and eat solely healthy foods and keep their micro & macro nutrients as close to their goal as possible. Others try to focus on calories and try to eat unhealthy foods in moderation rather than cut them out all together, and don't place such an emphasis on nutrients. Both will lose weight, but the former is obviously far healthier. Although the latter is easier. Not everyone has the will power to totally overhaul their diet to such a degree and to manage their nutrients so religiously. It is a very viable method for weight loss. It's far better than trying to overhaul their diet, failing and going back to their old ways - which is something a lot of people do.

    So yeah, both are viable methods of weight loss. Your method clearly works for you. Other people's methods work for them. Everyone is different and as long as the number on the scales is going down (and they're not doing something crazy & unhealthy that isn't giving them anything close to the nutrients their body requires to function) I don't see any reason to criticize anyone.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,990 Member
    I feel like some people on this site don't even look into what you post and give you praise. If someone has a public food diary I will glance at it, just to see what others are eating and see if there is anything I could switch up in my routine. I have seen quite a few people who are eating terrible foods but still under their calorie goal, so people congratulate them. One day I was sick and ended up eating around 600 calories and got quite a few 'WTG's

    Am I missing something? Is that the only goal, to stay under your calories? I have changed my whole life around so that I could make a healthy lifestyle for myself in the future, which includes eating as clean as possible. Yes, I'm not 100% perfect (but I am learning as I go) and don't claim to be an expert nutriontionist, but does this bother anyone else? Did I not get the memo that said as long as you're under your calorie goal you will lose weight?

    Idk.. just wondering.
    Well almost. You SHOULD meet your essentials daily. If not, then you body will retaliate. I eat good about 85% of the time with 15% for my junk food.
  • foremant86
    foremant86 Posts: 1,115 Member
    No it's not all that matters.

    Unfortunately some people just put up a quick "way to go" without ever actually looking at anyones diary..i guess that's their way of being "supportive"

    I always look at my friends diaries and only give a "way to go" if they're actually doing a good job(i don't necessarily judge what they eat but if someone is eating 500 calories, i don't tell them good job)
  • AshleeHans
    AshleeHans Posts: 12 Member
    It all depends on the person...If a person used to eat 3 slices of pizza and a regular soda for a meal and they cut it down to 2 slices per meal and diet soda, technically they are making a good choice *for that individual*. I guess what it comes down to is that you don't know what they were eating before they started MFP so you can't look at someone's diary and say they are making horrible decisions.

    However, they will probably still lose weight until their weight drops to a point where their body will adjust to the amount of calorie intake. At that point they will have to make healthier choices to continue to drop weight.
  • thesweatybetty
    thesweatybetty Posts: 107 Member
    wasn't trying to be critical of anyone. i stated that i wasn't perfect either.. i allow myself free days where if i want something not 'clean' i will allow myself.. but seeing some people consume over 1,000 in one meal and get congratulated for being under bothers me.

    just my opinion. apparently i wont post topics with my opinion anymore.
  • joejccva71
    joejccva71 Posts: 2,985 Member
    Can I still eat my bacon, peanut butter, and drink my chocolate milk?

    If not then I'm gonna go cry now.
  • MIMITIME
    MIMITIME Posts: 405 Member
    Different people have different goals and make different choices. A nutritionist told me a calorie is a calorie but obviously some calories are way better for you than other calories. There is no memo telling people what works best for them. Each person makes their own decision. People trying to lose 5 pounds and going on and on about having trouble losing the weight but eating only egg whites and about 400 calories a day irritate me so I quit reading their post because it is their decision not mine.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member

    just my opinion. apparently i wont post topics with my opinion anymore.

    Do you feel like someone attacked you? It sounds like it based on the above. It looks to me like you posted your opinion and people started a discussion. Isn't that what you wanted?
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