Doctor advice conflicts with MFP

I would find a new doctor as well... I know that *I* don't burn that many calories in my exercises, but I'm on the next to lowest setting on the eliptical and only doing 20-30 minutes right now. If you've worked up to a higher level of exercise and doing it for a longer period of time, I don't doubt that you are losing over 400 calories a day. Plus, what she said about eating 1200 calories no matter how much you exercise doesn't really make since given that weight gain or loss is dependant on the number of calories you are consuming - the number of calories you are burning. Yes, find a new doctor.

My mom is 48 years old and eats 1200 calories a day at maintenance level. She's 5'4, 120 lbs, and exercises every day. Your doc may not be totally nuts.

Wow! I can't believe she basically called you a liar then told you to eat only 1200 calories NOW or you'll just keep getting fatter. Run, don't walk, to a new doc.

Remember that just because docs have medical degrees doesn't mean they know everything. Weight loss (and having a good bedside manner) clearly isn't her specialty.

I couldn't have said it better!

So basically, because your doctor didn't tell you what you wanted to hear, and her advice conflicts with the advice you get on a message board full of mostly people who have very little actual knowledge of metabolic processes, aging, and nutrition science, you think she sucks and you should find a new doctor? Her job isn't to "encourage" you. I'm sorry to disagree with just about everyone, but I think you're writing your doc off a little too quickly. Why not actually try what she advised you to do, and see what happens?

So I went to my Internist last week for my 6-month checkup, and just about everything she told me was against what I’ve learned and what I’ve read on MFP. I think I need to find a new doctor!

I was frustrated because I hadn’t lost any weight in over 3 weeks, but I’d started eating healthy (from eating whatever I wanted) and had added a 2nd round of exercising several days/week. When I mentioned I burn between 400 - 900 calories in a day through exercise, she said there is no way I could burn that many unless I was a younger, very athletic person. When I told her I used a heart rate monitor, she informed me those aren’t a reliable measure of caloric burn.

She also said the only way for me to lose weight is to eat 1200 calories per day, regardless of how much I exercise. And that if I don’t lose the weight now, I will really balloon up once I hit menopause (I’m 45). How’s that for encouragement?

So I think I’ll find a new doctor before my next checkup!

Uggh yeah, I would find a new one as well. I remember when I was doing 2 hours of boxing/kickboxing and bootcamp classes and I wasn't losing weight, my doctor looked at me as if I was lying about all the exercising, she sent me to a nutritionist, who said she knew I wasn't lying due to my HDL levels going up. But she put me on more calories than 1200 because of the fact I was working out 2 hours a day in a very high intensity workout.

I'm 49. My doc told me 1,200 is not enough calories. She wanted me on 1,500...which I'm still doing 1,200. lol....she said exercise, watch what you eat and low calorie. Same as it's always been. BUT, yes, it's harder at this age to take it off. I NEVER had a problem getting weight off before the last few years. Although, I have also noticed I have gotten more sedentary...so I'm kicking it up a notch...ugh!

Why not actually try what she advised you to do, and see what happens?

Personally, I wouldn't trust the advice of anyone, doctor or not, who says that the only way to lose weight is to eat 1200 calories regardless of exercise.

I don't use a HRM but I have read that the less fit you are, the less accurate they are. So unless you have been exercising regularly over a period of time, it might not be giving you an accurate reading. Get a second opinion if you feel it's necessary, but don't willy nilly take advice of MFP members over your doctor.

So basically, because your doctor didn't tell you what you wanted to hear, and her advice conflicts with the advice you get on a message board full of mostly people who have very little actual knowledge of metabolic processes, aging, and nutrition science, you think she sucks and you should find a new doctor? Her job isn't to "encourage" you. I'm sorry to disagree with just about everyone, but I think you're writing your doc off a little too quickly. Why not actually try what she advised you to do, and see what happens?

Doctors don't have a strong background in nutrition or exercise science. They are trained in pathology. It's why we have a nutritionist round with us every morning on my unit. 1200 is below BMR, and not eating exercise calories on top of that puts you at a severe deficit for your body to function appropriately.

Just as you are railing against what other people are saying here, I'm not really interested in what your mother is doing because it is no indicator of a healthy routine.

When I told her I used a heart rate monitor, she informed me those aren’t a reliable measure of caloric burn.

Without a shadow of a doubt she is correct about that point.

Those monitors use algorithms to estimate caloric burn. There are many algorithms and they are all based on theoretical models and maybe statistical averages. They don't actually measure your caloric burn.

See a dietition for a second opinion, not an internist.

sorry to hear about your frustration... i am 40 yrs/o, want to loose 50lbs & want to shed 1lb/week; i'm eating more than 1200cals/day. i see a medical doc who specializes in weightloss management; his advice to me was-
#1 join MFP.
#2 stay within my calorie goal.
#3 eat 5 fruits & veggies /day
#4 exercise 15 minutes at a time at least 4 times a week &
#5 exercise is ONLY 10% of weight loss. (i hate exercise so this 1 i remembered)

with that being said -i belive what matters the most in our journey to be fit & healthy is all about our diet (what & how much we eat). i've been a mfp member for about 8 weeks & have lost 12lbs. I do my 60minutes of exercise/week & try really hard to stay within my caloric intake.

keep at it you WILL be successful.

When I told her I used a heart rate monitor, she informed me those aren’t a reliable measure of caloric burn.

Without a shadow of a doubt she is correct about that point.

Those monitors use algorithms to estimate caloric burn. There are many algorithms and they are all based on theoretical models and maybe statistical averages. They don't actually measure your caloric burn.

I'm curious to know what does do this accurately then? If something doesn't actually measure your caloric burn but uses averages and models then what else would be better? Just because it doesn't say this is how many you burn for a fact doesn't mean it's unreliable, suggesting it is just completely wrong is not correct i don't think.

I don't know your current weight or your caloric intake, so can't say much about the doctor. I was in my best shape ever bicycle riding when I was in my 40's, so your doctor doesn't know what she is talking about. I was riding 20+ miles a day. To help you with the plateau your stuck on, look at your fat and carb intake. can you make some more cuts there and still eat healthy. I have also noticed MFP tends to give you more calories than you really need. They are erring of the side of safety. Why don't your try to cut another 100 or 200 off your daily caloric intake. There a spot on the board where you can make that change and let MFP determine what the proper carbs, fats and proteins should be.

My other thought is that not everyone is or should be skinny skinny skinny. You might be one of those people where it is better for them to not be skinny.

Today's doctors don't really know what they are doing, you have to be in charge of your medical health and not just trusting that your doctor has your best interest in mind. Many doctors are controlled by or do the bidding of the pharmaceutical industry, pushing drugs whether you need them or not. Most of today's drugs damage your liver and you need a healthy liver in order to be alive. Dying of liver failure is not a pretty sight. I now have a naturopathic NP as my health practitioner. I only go to her when I think I need her help. Cholesterol drugs destroy your liver, I will take my chances without the use of those drugs. I am now 67 and am looking to live another 25 to 30 years. There is a herbal alternative for cholesterol therapy that is safe and effective.

Most physician's no little to nothing about nutrition. I think its our jobs to do our own homework about what will improve our health as the experts are not always experts.