Doctor recommendation sounds crazy...suggestions

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droolie2
droolie2 Posts: 17
in Health and Weight Loss
I am a grand 315lbs. I have dieted all my life and have lost and gained continuously over the course of my 41 years. Recently I went to my doctor (general pract) to get assistance with my weight loss goals. Now I have mildly high blood pressure, but no glucose or cholesterol issues. I also have degenerative joint and disk disease...so exercise is very difficult for me. Her suggestion was a low carb, low fat diet limiting me to 1200 calories and 10 carbs per day. Now in all my conversations, research and past dieting I've never seen carbs so low and for my start weight MYFITNESS plan has me at 1800 calories per day. Honestly I am ready to blow off her plan as ridiculous and just go the whole foods route while watching my calories (as per MYFITNESS). Any suggestions? Should I be managing my carbs, fat, proteins and calories all at the same time???? Help!
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Replies

  • peachyxoxoxo
    peachyxoxoxo Posts: 1,178 Member
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    10 grams of carbs?? That's pretty low! I would try at least 30-40 grams to start... and even that is still quite low.
  • peachyxoxoxo
    peachyxoxoxo Posts: 1,178 Member
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    Or...... did she mean 10 carbohydrate exchanges?
  • mcarter99
    mcarter99 Posts: 1,666 Member
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    A low carb/low fat diet? So she/he wants you to live off protein and... alcohol?
  • PeaceCorpsKat
    PeaceCorpsKat Posts: 335 Member
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    Be balanced, pick a calorie level you can maintain and feel comfortable at. Eat balanced - a moderate amount of carbs, protien and good, heart healthy fats.

    The whole food route isn't a fad, it works - 102 pounds in 6 months - at about 1,600 calories per day, and I am not hungry, because I eat more veggies than I know what to do with!
  • geekyjock76
    geekyjock76 Posts: 2,720 Member
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    10g of carbs is rather unrealistic for many people to maintain even for just a few days. 50-100g per day is a lot more sustainable and allows for more variety in meal planning. How many grams of fat did she suggest?
  • coreymo
    coreymo Posts: 25 Member
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    If I were in your shoes, I would find a new doc. and ask as many questions as possible as to why s/he is suggesting what s/he is. Maybe try it your way first for a week or two and see if you get any weight loss going. If you start loosing, then keep it up. However, if after two weeks you haven't lost any weight, then try docs advice to at least get started? A few diets (atkins, south beach) recommend no carbs in the first few weeks, then gradually add only good carbs back in...best wishes on your journey.
  • HorseWithNoName27
    HorseWithNoName27 Posts: 188 Member
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    I think that's wayyyy too low in carbs...even fruit and veggies have carbs, so ten or less a day would be literally half an apple's worth of carb! Maybe she meant net carbs (carb - fiber = net carb).

    Either way, you have to make a choice. You need to create a caloric deficit, as you are well aware amigo. :) The question is...would it work better for you and your body to have 1800 cals, or 1200 cals? You don't want to go too low, and wear yourself out/slow your metabolism, and you want to eat a balanced diet, including fruits/veggies/grains that all have carbs.

    Theorhetically, you can do either approach, but I think your doctor is just applying the "desperate times call for desperate measures" solution...which is not the only solution.

    Do what is right for you.
  • ShannonMpls
    ShannonMpls Posts: 1,936 Member
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    I wouldn't tell anyone to ignore a doctor's recommendations since I don't know the full story.

    That said, here's an anecdote. I've lost 123 pounds in a year. The lowest I ate was around 1500. Currently my calorie goal is 2100. I eat plenty of carbs (around 150g a day). I eat loads of fat (40% of my calorie intake usually). I work my a** off in the gym. I weigh and log my food religiously, taking 2-3 days completely off-diet a month.

    One doesn't need to starve to lose significant weight; what's required is a reasonable deficit, smart choices, and dedication.
  • raeleek
    raeleek Posts: 414 Member
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    I would see a nutritionist if you can. General practice doctors are just that. Im not being disrespectful to them but they know the basics they are not specialized. What works for some doesn't work for others but I am leery when anyone tells you to cut out a food group. Clean healthy food of all groups is the way to go in my opinion.
  • graelwyn
    graelwyn Posts: 1,340 Member
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    I would try something more along the lines of 40 carbs, 40 protein and 20 fat, or 40 carbs, 30 protein and 30 fat, for a more balanced approach but still not overdoing the carbs, and 1200 is pretty low. 1500 might be more appropriate.
  • wolfi622
    wolfi622 Posts: 206
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    If I were in your shoes, I would find a new doc. and ask as many questions as possible as to why s/he is suggesting what s/he is. r journey.

    Gee, that only took 7 posts in the thread.

    I would go back to the doc that recommended the diet and ask HER the questions. All you'll get here is an echo chamber of "your doctor's an idiot".
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,554 Member
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    I'd be asking for a referral to a nutritionist for more specific guidelines. I can't imagine how you could only get in 10g of carbs a day and still eat any fresh fruit and veggies. And I've never heard of a healthy diet recommendation without fruit and veg.

    If it was me I would ignore the doctor and try MFP's way for a few months - but without knowing all your background, that might not be the best path. A professional who specialises in healthy eating is probably what you need.
  • wyomingmama
    wyomingmama Posts: 71 Member
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    Hi!

    Glad to see you wanting to work hard!

    I have lost 90 pounds between all of my babies so yeah I know it's hard! I eat 1200 everyday! (Now that I started on my diet after baby #3!) It can be hard at first. Your body will adjust to 1200 cals. You stomach will shrink, but drink a large glass of water before and after every meal bc you only get bout 300 cals!!! Choose smart foods! Asperagus, egg whites, grilled chix, spinach...ect! Totally stay away from sugars!
    So 10grams of carbs is super low, but the point is strive to keep it as low as poss! It REALLY helps the wt to come off fast! Protein is your friend...but it must be lean! You have plenty of extra energy stored so go for it! And you must Hit the Gym or walk or get moving!!!

    Here is the plus, you should see a few pounds a week come off! How would you like that scale to read in the 200's in a few weeks! It can!

    I believe in you! Do YOU believe in You?

    Need a friend to boost you? You can add me!

    Good Luckl!!!!!!
  • wolfi622
    wolfi622 Posts: 206
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    Should I be managing my carbs, fat, proteins and calories all at the same time????

    Even if you don't go your doctor's route, I think the answer to this is yes.
  • rahrah6459
    rahrah6459 Posts: 23 Member
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    Surely the doctor meant 10 servings of carbs a day?! When I had gestational diabetes and was injecting three insulin shots a day they limited me to 9 servings (135 grams) a day. And I lost weight on that.
  • wolfi622
    wolfi622 Posts: 206
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    Surely the doctor meant 10 servings of carbs a day?! When I had gestational diabetes and was injecting three insulin shots a day they limited me to 9 servings (135 grams) a day. And I lost weight on that.

    This sounds like a reasonable conclusion.
  • lmelangley
    lmelangley Posts: 1,039 Member
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    My personal belief is that each of us needs to find a plan that works for us, and to stick with it. A nutritionist isn't a bad idea. Personally, I'm cheap, though. I lost slowly, but what I did was take the recommendations MFP made to heart, and worked to both stay under calorie goal and to make better food choices- but choices I could live with. You could start doing that, and work toward your doctor's recommendations. The bottom line is, lots of people fail because they try to be too restrictive, and then can't sustain it. As long as you reduce calories, you'll get there.
  • JosieMomGramma
    JosieMomGramma Posts: 727 Member
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    I agree with seeing a nutritionalist for advice. Or if you are able to talk to a hospital dietitian. When I first started with MFP site I was at 277lbs., & it had me at eating 1200 calories to lose. I found it way too low & knew I could not keep it up, I felt too hungry & deprived. So I changed it to 1450 calories & now have lost 34 lbs. I think you have to try different amounts, until you are losing consistantly & feeling ok with the calories. I do think 10 gr of carbs a day are way too low. More like 25 to 35 would be more exceptable, my opinion. I do know when I eat more protein with my calorie goal for the day, I do lose better. I try to eat a low carb, low fat diet with lean protiens. Always if you question a doctors opinion , go for a second opinion. That is my moto!! Wishing you success!
  • wyomingmama
    wyomingmama Posts: 71 Member
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    Surely the doctor meant 10 servings of carbs a day?! When I had gestational diabetes and was injecting three insulin shots a day they limited me to 9 servings (135 grams) a day. And I lost weight on that.

    This sounds like a reasonable conclusion.

    Totally agree! Go for it! :drinker:
  • peachyxoxoxo
    peachyxoxoxo Posts: 1,178 Member
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    Surely the doctor meant 10 servings of carbs a day?! When I had gestational diabetes and was injecting three insulin shots a day they limited me to 9 servings (135 grams) a day. And I lost weight on that.

    This sounds like a reasonable conclusion.

    Yes, this is what I meant in my post earlier when I said 10 carbohydrate exchanges.

    Each exchange is 15g of carbs. Even a very low carb diet would surely allow at least ONE serving of carbs haha.

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