are people THAT naive??...... yes they are

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ludogx87
ludogx87 Posts: 286 Member
in Motivation and Support
i have this friend, who last year done the lighter life / cambridge diet, - (for anyone who doesnt know about this, you eat ONLY shakes and soups and rapily lose weight)
she done it and lost about 3 stone in 2 months and looked fab, however as with "fake diets" once she stopped the weight piled back on and she is now heavier than her starting weight.

i tried to explain about counting calories and was shot down with - "nope, doesnt work"

so anyway now shes doing the slim fast diet, you drink 2 shakes a day and have a 600 calorie dinner and one 200 calorie snack. looked at the shakes and they work out as 250 cals each so technically she is consuming 1200 calories anyway.

she done this for diet 2 weeks and lost 5lbs then binged out and gained 3lbs and was really feeling down about it and so we had a chat

again tried to explain that calorie counting has to work and again was slapped away with "no, doesnt, av tried, cant be dealing with counting calories"

bit of a slap to the face when she knows iv lost 75lbs counting calories eh??

are some people really that naive that they think reducing your calories and watching your food intake doesnt help???

does anyone else have any friends like this????
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Replies

  • WhittRak
    WhittRak Posts: 572 Member
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    It is kind of maddening. I am not one to talk about being healthy because I have over 125 lbs to lose. But I have lost the weight before, and it was through careful and healthy food choices, and portion control..PLUUUSSSSS exercise. That's all ya need I think. Diets are weird creatures, everyone wants to beat it with a stick. It really is that black and white.
  • AntWrig
    AntWrig Posts: 2,273 Member
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    i have this friend, who last year done the lighter life diet, - (for anyone who doesnt know about this, you eat ONLY shakes and soups and rapily lose weight)
    she done it and lost about 3 stone in 2 months and looked fab, however as with "fake diets" once she stopped the weight piled back on and she is now heavier than her starting weight.

    i tried to explain about counting calories and was shot down with - "nope, doesnt work"

    so anyway now shes doing the slim fast diet, you drink 2 shakes a day and have a 600 calorie dinner and one 200 calorie snack. looked at the shakes and they work out as 250 cals each so technically she is consuming 1200 calories anyway.

    she done this for diet 2 weeks and lost 5lbs then binged out and gained 3lbs and was really feeling down about it and so we had a chat

    again tried to explain that calorie counting has to work and again was slapped away with "no, doesnt, av tried, cant be dealing with counting calories"

    bit of a slap to the face when she knows iv lost 75lbs counting calories eh??

    are some people really that naive that they think reducing your calories and watching your food intake doesnt help???

    does anyone else have any friends like this????
    Actually she is correct. You don't have to count calories at all. What is more important is your macros.

    I suggest you read this:

    http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=121703981
  • seekingstrengthX2
    seekingstrengthX2 Posts: 771
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    She's not ready to work hard. The diets she's been doing are easy. People go through them like crazy trying to find one that will be that miracle diet. Not going to happen. She'll figure it out eventually.
  • ludogx87
    ludogx87 Posts: 286 Member
    Options
    i have this friend, who last year done the lighter life diet, - (for anyone who doesnt know about this, you eat ONLY shakes and soups and rapily lose weight)
    she done it and lost about 3 stone in 2 months and looked fab, however as with "fake diets" once she stopped the weight piled back on and she is now heavier than her starting weight.

    i tried to explain about counting calories and was shot down with - "nope, doesnt work"

    so anyway now shes doing the slim fast diet, you drink 2 shakes a day and have a 600 calorie dinner and one 200 calorie snack. looked at the shakes and they work out as 250 cals each so technically she is consuming 1200 calories anyway.

    she done this for diet 2 weeks and lost 5lbs then binged out and gained 3lbs and was really feeling down about it and so we had a chat

    again tried to explain that calorie counting has to work and again was slapped away with "no, doesnt, av tried, cant be dealing with counting calories"

    bit of a slap to the face when she knows iv lost 75lbs counting calories eh??

    are some people really that naive that they think reducing your calories and watching your food intake doesnt help???

    does anyone else have any friends like this????
    Actually she is correct. You don't have to count calories at all. What is more important is your macros.

    I suggest you read this:

    http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=121703981

    no what she says is that she cant count calories because its too hard and it doesnt work for her.
    when really shes not willing to try. she wants quick fix diets like lighter life where you drop a stone every 3 weeks
  • AntWrig
    AntWrig Posts: 2,273 Member
    Options
    i have this friend, who last year done the lighter life diet, - (for anyone who doesnt know about this, you eat ONLY shakes and soups and rapily lose weight)
    she done it and lost about 3 stone in 2 months and looked fab, however as with "fake diets" once she stopped the weight piled back on and she is now heavier than her starting weight.

    i tried to explain about counting calories and was shot down with - "nope, doesnt work"

    so anyway now shes doing the slim fast diet, you drink 2 shakes a day and have a 600 calorie dinner and one 200 calorie snack. looked at the shakes and they work out as 250 cals each so technically she is consuming 1200 calories anyway.

    she done this for diet 2 weeks and lost 5lbs then binged out and gained 3lbs and was really feeling down about it and so we had a chat

    again tried to explain that calorie counting has to work and again was slapped away with "no, doesnt, av tried, cant be dealing with counting calories"

    bit of a slap to the face when she knows iv lost 75lbs counting calories eh??

    are some people really that naive that they think reducing your calories and watching your food intake doesnt help???

    does anyone else have any friends like this????
    Actually she is correct. You don't have to count calories at all. What is more important is your macros.

    I suggest you read this:

    http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=121703981

    no what she says is that she cant count calories because its too hard and it doesnt work for her.
    when really shes not willing to try. she wants quick fix diets like lighter life where you drop a stone every 3 weeks
    Whoops, I missed that part. Yeah... sorry. She needs to wake up.
  • MissYogapants
    MissYogapants Posts: 106 Member
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    Aaargh, some people you just wanna slap in the face! Yes, people are that naive they think that counting calories doesn't work because they've "tried it" and it didn't work for them. Sometimes I think people are just rushing through different diets and failing them immediately just to believe that it's not a food issue for them, that it must be something with their body and it has nothing to do with what they eat.

    And, people are lazy and are often ignorant just so they don't have to do work to get what they want. I think some of those people just want excuses to say "I've tried every diet there is and nothing works so I'm just gonna eat whatever I want from now on", because that's the easier path to take.
  • PrincessLou71186
    PrincessLou71186 Posts: 747 Member
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    People do them for a quick fix because they don't have the motivation to change their lifestyle.

    My MIL is doing the SlimFast Diet, I asked her what she was going to do once she finished, she queried what I meant so I said "When you stop the diet, are you going to watch your calorie intake or do what most people do and not pay think that once you've lost the weight it will stay lost?" Her response "I just won't stop it."

    Fact is, she's lazy and can't be bothered to get off her *kitten* and work, sees it as a quick fix.
  • neo200120018
    neo200120018 Posts: 106 Member
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    those shakes are gross, people are just naive! I know lots of people that do atkins and lemon detox which just destroy ur muscle cells and a really unhealthy!!! The people doing these are Doctors and Nurses too!! So yes peopleare naive!
  • ♥ChUbByCoyLe♥
    ♥ChUbByCoyLe♥ Posts: 267 Member
    Options
    i have this friend, who last year done the lighter life diet, - (for anyone who doesnt know about this, you eat ONLY shakes and soups and rapily lose weight)
    she done it and lost about 3 stone in 2 months and looked fab, however as with "fake diets" once she stopped the weight piled back on and she is now heavier than her starting weight.

    i tried to explain about counting calories and was shot down with - "nope, doesnt work"

    so anyway now shes doing the slim fast diet, you drink 2 shakes a day and have a 600 calorie dinner and one 200 calorie snack. looked at the shakes and they work out as 250 cals each so technically she is consuming 1200 calories anyway.

    she done this for diet 2 weeks and lost 5lbs then binged out and gained 3lbs and was really feeling down about it and so we had a chat

    again tried to explain that calorie counting has to work and again was slapped away with "no, doesnt, av tried, cant be dealing with counting calories"

    bit of a slap to the face when she knows iv lost 75lbs counting calories eh??

    are some people really that naive that they think reducing your calories and watching your food intake doesnt help???

    does anyone else have any friends like this????

    I was one of those girls like your friend......i was always looking for a quick fix but you soon realise that it is only a quick fix.

    Don't become too frustrated with your friend.

    PS...you look fab....great work!!
  • ckmama
    ckmama Posts: 1,668 Member
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    She's not naive, just lazy.

    I've totally been where she is before and fight the urge for the quick fix all the time. If my weight loss isn't instant or I don't "feel" thinner I get frustrated and think maybe I should do "slim fast" or fill in the blank.

    But I never do. Because I know how that works lose a little and gain back more. Been there done that, have the weight to prove it.

    You can do the same type of quick fix with calorie counting too if you aren't really following a healthy diet. I would let it go and not talk to her anymore about weight loss etc...
  • Inglebert
    Inglebert Posts: 39 Member
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    Lighterlife and Slimfast are both calorie-limiting diets, as you've identified, and all she's doing is leaving it to someone else to count her calories. She's still been calorie-counting and it has worked for her.

    But there's no point arguing with her, she's not ready to take responsibility and to change the way she eats for ever.

    Not sure I am. That "for ever" is a scary thing.
  • emmiexjay
    emmiexjay Posts: 146 Member
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    Yep! I had a nurse who was overweight telling me that i need to go on the lighter life or the slimfast diet. .now she's overweight and she also told me to cut out carbs.. no.. i wont cut out carbs.. i've lost nearly 45lbs had so many non scale victories i have lost count!
  • michael300891
    michael300891 Posts: 275
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    [/quote]
    Actually she is correct. You don't have to count calories at all. What is more important is your macros.

    I suggest you read this:

    http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=121703981
    [/quote]

    Only half agree with you there. Macros are very important but it is the overall amount of calories you consume per day vs the amount you burn that determines your fat loss. Simple as that. So in effect, you cant control your macros without watching your calories.
  • RachelT14
    RachelT14 Posts: 266 Member
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    Before i started logging on MFP i really believed calorie counting didnt work for me. I have never stuck to loosing weight for this long before. It doesnt feel like a chore, it isnt difficult and i am still amazed by continued weight and inch loss each week by doing something so simple.

    I think you have to be at the point where you really truely want to change things for the better that youa re determined to put in the effort and stick to it before you are prepared to do somehting like this, otherwise yo do just turn to the quick fixes, spend lots loose loads and then put it back on. You have tried to help your friend out but if she doesnt really want to help herself then nothing you say is going to help. You have done a great job be proud of that and if she doesnt want to try what you are suggesting more fool her.
  • kag1526
    kag1526 Posts: 210 Member
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    Aaargh, some people you just wanna slap in the face! Yes, people are that naive they think that counting calories doesn't work because they've "tried it" and it didn't work for them. Sometimes I think people are just rushing through different diets and failing them immediately just to believe that it's not a food issue for them, that it must be something with their body and it has nothing to do with what they eat.

    And, people are lazy and are often ignorant just so they don't have to do work to get what they want. I think some of those people just want excuses to say "I've tried every diet there is and nothing works so I'm just gonna eat whatever I want from now on", because that's the easier path to take.

    I honestly think I did this for a while... I decided nothing worked and it was genetics since my whole family was fat.

    Then my sister lost her weight and now my whole family -1 was fat... Then I realized that when my mother got married at 19 she barely weighed 100 lbs... Wait this can't be genetic. but I still didn't do anything about it.

    Then my blood pressure that was always prehyper tension got worse and I started realizing that if I want kids I need to get this under control.

    I started on Dec 1st (proud of myself for not saying Id wait till after christmas) I have now lost 19 lbs, and even better for the last 3 weeks my blood pressure was normal. I get it checked again in about an hour (I do it weekly at work)...

    However I must say when I tried counting calories before I was doing it on paper, only looking at calories and if I forgot to do it right away wouldn't have the information. I also stopped eating fresh stuff since it didn't have labels... So this site was a huge help for that.
  • mudya
    mudya Posts: 128 Member
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    I've stopped telling the people around me that I count calories, instead I just say, 'I'm really watching what I eat and its working for me'. You see when I tell some people I count calories their initial thought is 'Thats a bit over the top/obsessive'. But for those who are serious about losing weight, calorie counting is the way to go, and I tell those individuals about MFP. I did get my sister on to MFP after persuading her for months, and I know its one of the best decisions she has ever made!

    Why don't you sit your friend down alongside you and show her how MFP works, show her the forums, that may motivate her?
  • La1210
    La1210 Posts: 99 Member
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    Yes, people are that naive. And I used to be one of them, out here trying all these diet schemes dropping major weight quickly only to regain more. I wanted that quick fix, didnt realize or want to accept that losing weight is about a healthy lifestyle consisting of counting calories/fat etc and exercising regularly. It's not about popping a pill or downing a shake because eventually you have to discontinue those methods then what? You go right back to your poor eating habits and unhealthy way of life and regain more weight. Since your friend doesn't want to listen, you can probably show her better than you can tell her. Continue to do your thing and drop pounds and finally she will get with the program. Good luck!
  • debswebby
    debswebby Posts: 326
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    And then you get celebs like Pauline Quirk advertising Lighter Life by saying she is "doing away with fad diets like counting calories and points"
    Huh? :noway:
  • Partyofpugs
    Partyofpugs Posts: 105
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    Eat less, move more. Tracking is key to achieving life style results. Permanent weight loss is hard work and I expect that I will spend the rest of my life tracking calories and getting on the scale. I've tried the others and they don't work long term. People are not committed to permanent weight loss. Yes they really are that naive!
  • Te2005
    Te2005 Posts: 173 Member
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    I've had this convo so many times with people. The problem is, when diets end what are you left with? The same crappy eating habits you had when you started the diet. What works? A healthy lifestyle. Of course you are going to see results when you consume nothing but shakes, you are still shocking your body. One of our biggest problems when losing weight is we want to see a quick fix that doesn't mean any work on our part. So I drink two of these shakes, i'll lose weight and I don't have to work out?! SOLD! In a society of quick fixes and fast food its hard to get people to see the big picture. When people notice my weight loss (which is just 13 pounds, so it's not as easy to see yet) they want to know what i've done. When I tell them I eat healthy and worlout daily they look at me like I just grew a second head. You keep doing what you're doing, the proof is in the numbers and you're doing fantastic!

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