Advice from those who have done it > those who haven't
jofjltncb6
Posts: 34,415 Member
I doubt this will be popular, but I'm going to say it anyhow. First, yes, everyone has an opinion and all are welcome to share their opinion. Remember that when you jump all over my opinion. 
However, I consistently see people who are at the very beginning of their journey giving advice as if it were Gospel fact and often in direct contradiction to those who have actually accomplished their goal. While I don't really have a solution to this, and I'm not saying that only those who have succeeded should have a voice here, but I would ask those who are just setting out on their journey to hesitate just a moment before sharing what they are absolutely convinced they think is true if they haven't actually seen it through to the end yet to really know if what they *think* works actually *does* work.
Am I the only one? Should I have kept this opinion to myself? Am I a bad bad person for saying this? Go ahead, say what's on your mind.
Oh, and here's a smiley in case I sounded like a jerk and made you mad:
However, I consistently see people who are at the very beginning of their journey giving advice as if it were Gospel fact and often in direct contradiction to those who have actually accomplished their goal. While I don't really have a solution to this, and I'm not saying that only those who have succeeded should have a voice here, but I would ask those who are just setting out on their journey to hesitate just a moment before sharing what they are absolutely convinced they think is true if they haven't actually seen it through to the end yet to really know if what they *think* works actually *does* work.Am I the only one? Should I have kept this opinion to myself? Am I a bad bad person for saying this? Go ahead, say what's on your mind.
Oh, and here's a smiley in case I sounded like a jerk and made you mad:
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Replies
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It's kind of a valid point. People who have had success appear to know what they are doing. However, those new to the healthy living weight loss phenomenon can frequently offer up new suggestions or ways to do thing that those who are successful may not have known about. As for my opinion you should always take it as gospel, I do.
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The one exception I would make to this is people who have done it before. There are lots of people who know how to lose weight.......They have done it before......some people many times.......Maybe they are just starting another "losing" cycle. They might be more qualified to talk about losing weight than someone who has only done it once. They probably should not offer any advice on keeping it off.0
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The one exception I would make to this is people who have done it before. There are lots of people who know how to lose weight.......They have done it before......some people many times.......Maybe they are just starting another "losing" cycle. They might be more qualified to talk about losing weight than someone who has only done it once. They probably should not offer any advice on keeping it off.
This.
Also, there are a lot of people who have lost a lot of weight who are full of crap too.
Judge the information given to you on its merit alone, not necessarily from who gives it.0 -
The one exception I would make to this is people who have done it before. There are lots of people who know how to lose weight.......They have done it before......some people many times.......Maybe they are just starting another "losing" cycle. They might be more qualified to talk about losing weight than someone who has only done it once. They probably should not offer any advice on keeping it off.
This. Just because you are good at failing does make you an expert at succeeding.0 -
What you say may not be very sensitive and heartwarming, but it's true. I honestly would not take advice from a person who hadn't been in my position and succeeded.0
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The one exception I would make to this is people who have done it before. There are lots of people who know how to lose weight.......They have done it before......some people many times.......Maybe they are just starting another "losing" cycle. They might be more qualified to talk about losing weight than someone who has only done it once. They probably should not offer any advice on keeping it off.
This.
Also, there are a lot of people who have lost a lot of weight who are full of crap too.
Judge the information given to you on its merit alone, not necessarily from who gives it.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/496770-misinformation?error_user_id=4004790&error_username=carrieogg&hl=misinformation0 -
The one exception I would make to this is people who have done it before. There are lots of people who know how to lose weight.......They have done it before......some people many times.......Maybe they are just starting another "losing" cycle. They might be more qualified to talk about losing weight than someone who has only done it once. They probably should not offer any advice on keeping it off.
I think this is my point. That the opinion of those who have actually done the thing once (or more) maybe...*maybe*...should be regarded with more weight than those who are actually doing it the first time and are basing their opinion on what they *think* should be true.
That said, there is the danger of those who have actually done the thing believing that the way they accomplished it is the "one true way" even if it was less than optimal.0 -
The one exception I would make to this is people who have done it before. There are lots of people who know how to lose weight.......They have done it before......some people many times.......Maybe they are just starting another "losing" cycle. They might be more qualified to talk about losing weight than someone who has only done it once. They probably should not offer any advice on keeping it off.
This.
Also, there are a lot of people who have lost a lot of weight who are full of crap too.
Judge the information given to you on its merit alone, not necessarily from who gives it.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/496770-misinformation?error_user_id=4004790&error_username=carrieogg&hl=misinformation
Yup. That's a great post!0 -
I would not listen to someone just because they made it to goal, losing a lot of weight and being healthy can be two completely different things. I have seen people on here that have lost 100+ lbs, but they only eat 1000 calories a day and are 5'5. On here everyone seems to have different opinions, with rarely any evidence to back up their statements, or evidence that they are biasing towards their side of the argument. If we really want advice we should just do some research ourselves and form our own opinion, unless we are basing our opinion based on experience:)0
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The one exception I would make to this is people who have done it before. There are lots of people who know how to lose weight.......They have done it before......some people many times.......Maybe they are just starting another "losing" cycle. They might be more qualified to talk about losing weight than someone who has only done it once. They probably should not offer any advice on keeping it off.
This.
Also, there are a lot of people who have lost a lot of weight who are full of crap too.
Judge the information given to you on its merit alone, not necessarily from who gives it.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/496770-misinformation?error_user_id=4004790&error_username=carrieogg&hl=misinformation
Thanks. I must have missed that on my search for an existing topic on this...(er, uh, okay, fine...maybe I didn't actually search at all).
I'll give that a read through now...and I'll be more inclined to listen to what he says because he looks to be in better shape than me. 0 -
YOU Jerk ! :-) Lol. No it is a valid point and from one point of view sometimes I admit to seeing someone give advice but then realising they are not v far along their journey and it does kind of discredit . BUT I have lost a weight before and read/studied loads (lots of theory v little practice) and I would hate to think my opinion wouldn't count for anything. (even though my ticker tells you all how I failed at this weight loss thing).
And yeah there are a lot of people who have lost loads who should be heavier because they are full of crap!0 -
I doubt this will be popular, but I'm going to say it anyhow. First, yes, everyone has an opinion and all are welcome to share their opinion. Remember that when you jump all over my opinion. However, I consistently see people who are at the very beginning of their journey giving advice as if it were Gospel fact and often in direct contradiction to those who have actually accomplished their goal. While I don't really have a solution to this, and I'm not saying that only those who have succeeded should have a voice here, but I would ask those who are just setting out on their journey to hesitate just a moment before sharing what they are absolutely convinced they think is true if they haven't actually seen it through to the end yet to really know if what they *think* works actually *does* work.
Am I the only one? Should I have kept this opinion to myself? Am I a bad bad person for saying this? Go ahead, say what's on your mind.
Oh, and here's a smiley in case I sounded like a jerk and made you mad:
I love people that speak their minds. All of these whiny brats that will reply that you have somehow offended them are simply amusing :-)
I am one of those that has lost before and is now losing again. I know what worked for me before and I know what happened that I gained it back. I don't give advice unless it is asked for, and even then I make sure to specify that it happened to work for me and doesn't mean it will work for someone else.0 -
The one exception I would make to this is people who have done it before. There are lots of people who know how to lose weight.......They have done it before......some people many times.......Maybe they are just starting another "losing" cycle. They might be more qualified to talk about losing weight than someone who has only done it once. They probably should not offer any advice on keeping it off.
This.
Also, there are a lot of people who have lost a lot of weight who are full of crap too.
Judge the information given to you on its merit alone, not necessarily from who gives it.
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/496770-misinformation?error_user_id=4004790&error_username=carrieogg&hl=misinformation
Thanks. I must have missed that on my search for an existing topic on this...(er, uh, okay, fine...maybe I didn't actually search at all).
I'll give that a read through now...and I'll be more inclined to listen to what he says because he looks to be in better shape than me.
HAHAH! I don't think your post is jerk-ish at all really, and I think there's some merit to listening to people who are fitter and leaner and doing the things you want to be doing for yourself, but take that advice with some consideration also. I've heard some total bull**** from superfit people before. 0 -
YOU Jerk ! :-) Lol. No it is a valid point and from one point of view sometimes I admit to seeing someone give advice but then realising they are not v far along their journey and it does kind of discredit . BUT I have lost a weight before and read/studied loads (lots of theory v little practice) and I would hate to think my opinion wouldn't count for anything. (even though my ticker tells you all how I failed at this weight loss thing).
And yeah there are a lot of people who have lost loads who should be heavier because they are full of crap!
To be clear, even if my post is a valid point, that doesn't necessarily mean that I'm not still a jerk.
=P0 -
I doubt this will be popular, but I'm going to say it anyhow. First, yes, everyone has an opinion and all are welcome to share their opinion. Remember that when you jump all over my opinion. However, I consistently see people who are at the very beginning of their journey giving advice as if it were Gospel fact and often in direct contradiction to those who have actually accomplished their goal. While I don't really have a solution to this, and I'm not saying that only those who have succeeded should have a voice here, but I would ask those who are just setting out on their journey to hesitate just a moment before sharing what they are absolutely convinced they think is true if they haven't actually seen it through to the end yet to really know if what they *think* works actually *does* work.
Am I the only one? Should I have kept this opinion to myself? Am I a bad bad person for saying this? Go ahead, say what's on your mind.
Oh, and here's a smiley in case I sounded like a jerk and made you mad:
You have a very valid point buddy. Even though I am just starting to lose weight I have been lifting and running for 8-10 years now and know alittle bit about nutrition and exercising, but then their are people that just started completely that state their opinions and points on subjects that they have no clue the actual consequences that occur. Many times their completely wrong and can harm someone that takes their opinion. Thanks for voicing a valid poind0 -
HAHAH! I don't think your post is jerk-ish at all really, and I think there's some merit to listening to people who are fitter and leaner and doing the things you want to be doing for yourself, but take that advice with some consideration also. I've heard some total bull**** from superfit people before.
Indeed. This is likely going to be the topic of the *next* topic I start.0 -
I have lost 19lbs in 2 months...I wouldn't even begin to tell someone else what to do to achieve their goal. In reading the boards I noticed the same thing, people that have only lost a few pounds giving advice. It seemed a little weird to me!0
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As a nutrition science major, I've seen a lot of people on here who have lost a decent amount of weight posting advice that is not scientifically sound. They may have good general suggestions, but that doesn't mean they're necessarily more well informed than those who haven't lost the weight.0
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The simple fact is that there are a lot of right ways to lose weight. Low carb, low fat, primal, paleo, high protein, low calories, vegetarian, vegan, just meet your macros, not obsessing over fat, carbs, protein or calories, exercising a lot, exercising a little or not at all. It can all work.
Take everything as a suggestion only. If it sounds too good to be true, assume it is. If it sounds reasonable and like something you could live with long term, give it a try. If it's not working, give something else a try.
The only right way to lose weight is that one that works for you long term.0 -
As a nutrition science major, I've seen a lot of people on here who have lost a decent amount of weight posting advice that is not scientifically sound. They may have good general suggestions, but that doesn't mean they're necessarily more well informed than those who haven't lost the weight.
Good point. Maybe I should have broadened my complaint to the quality of *all* advice on the MFP forums...(but I think that dead horse has been sufficiently beaten).
Now I'm thinking about the advice/information/opinions *I've* given on MFP wondering if I've ever been guilty of this.
EDIT: But maybe I have somewhat of an out because of my own "success" story...6', reasonably lean guy, dieted down from 183ish (7/2011) to 150ish (1/2012) and have been intentionally slowly gaining from there to 162ish now...both directions with a change in both what (which I believe significantly affects your ability to stay "on plan") and how much I ate (which ultimately drives either weight gain or loss).0 -
I see your point, especially if the advice isn't safe or based on good health practices.0
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All I can do is share what works for me and expect the person being given advice will do further research. I don't, however, proclaim myself to be the "be all end all" of diet and exercise; this is supposed to be a journey. Right?0
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I've only lost a few pounds and don't have too much more to go.
BUT I'm here every summer to tighten up and get performance ready for the year. Illness and disability usually hit me hard by the end of the year so I nip it in the bud right away during summer. It doesn't mean I'm not experienced in what I say just because my ticker is smaller.0 -
You are a such a JERK!! ( LOL...thats why you are one of my favs here!)
And I kept reading, thinking, oh dear lord...he's talking about me...which I so hope isnt the case! I agree with you to a point...but I also think that, especially for woman, they need the encouragement and motivation that they can do the weight loss thing. I know, when I started just a few months back, I was very overweight...had never exercised a day in my life, ate crap from the moment I woke to the minutes I went to bed at night. I welcome ALL advise. I was truly lost. Some of the advise in hind-sight, was, well, STUPID...but I believe all gave in good faith.
You are incredibly disciplined, in shape and healthy- you should prob not take advise from someone like me, that has very little tried and true things that work. i have rambled entirely TOO much... I think bottom line, most people here just truly want to help others that are struggling.0 -
Oh, I can tell you how to lose weight. I've done it many times. Not sure I'd listen to my advice, though. My techniques, while arguably effective, haven't always been healthy and certainly haven't been sustainable.The one exception I would make to this is people who have done it before. There are lots of people who know how to lose weight.......They have done it before......some people many times.......Maybe they are just starting another "losing" cycle. They might be more qualified to talk about losing weight than someone who has only done it once. They probably should not offer any advice on keeping it off.0 -
You kind of forgot to include the people that say "My ________ lost 150 lbs. doing ______. They might know what they are talking about also.0
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Totally agree!!!! I love to offer advice to people, but what I hate are excuses and 'well so and so did it this way'. I'm not saying my way is the right way, but I may know my stuff just a little. It annoys me, but that's when I realize those people that give their crazy advice and still deliver excuses aren't ready for a lifestyle change. Simple as that0
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I don't always trust people's advice even if it appears they've been successful. This is why I don't normally ask for advice!
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The simple fact is that there are a lot of right ways to lose weight. Low carb, low fat, primal, paleo, high protein, low calories, vegetarian, vegan, just meet your macros, not obsessing over fat, carbs, protein or calories, exercising a lot, exercising a little or not at all. It can all work.
Take everything as a suggestion only. If it sounds too good to be true, assume it is. If it sounds reasonable and like something you could live with long term, give it a try. If it's not working, give something else a try.
The only right way to lose weight is that one that works for you]/i] long term.
My thoughts as well - we all have to find what works for us. The only time I share what I'm doing is when someone is asking about that particular "method" specifically, and then that is all I do . . . I just tell them what and/or how I do it and whether or not it's working for "me" - I never push it as "gospel" and often preface it with, "I'm not an expert - this is just what I've been doing". I like knowing what others are experiencing with similar efforts, whether they've reached their goal or not. The success isn't always in the goal - sometimes it's just sustaining and making progress.
P.S. The original post was in no way "jerk-like". :flowerforyou:0 -
The simple fact is that there are a lot of right ways to lose weight. Low carb, low fat, primal, paleo, high protein, low calories, vegetarian, vegan, just meet your macros, not obsessing over fat, carbs, protein or calories, exercising a lot, exercising a little or not at all. It can all work.
Take everything as a suggestion only. If it sounds too good to be true, assume it is. If it sounds reasonable and like something you could live with long term, give it a try. If it's not working, give something else a try.
The only right way to lose weight is that one that works for you]/i] long term.
This directly reflects my opinion as well and I have successfully lost, repeatedly. Losing is not the hardest part, after all. Maintaining is. I do not feel like I can maintain a "diet" but I can learn healthy habits that are life long as well as life sustaining. I look to those who have been successful at maintaining when choosing whose advise I pay the most attention.0
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