Comments on Escape from Obesity: Sunday Scale, and Nutrition at 900 Calories

I just started going through your blog and I must ...

2012-01-23T16:49:34.283-08:00

I just started going through your blog and I must thank you for the wealth of information. I give you credit for your 900 calorie a day diet. I could never accomplish that without killing someone. I just started my own weight loss challenege and like everyone, I've run into my obstacles. Keep reaching toward your goal and you'll get there. Thanks again for all your information and inspiration.

Erika~ I agree eating fresh whole foods is best. ...

2012-01-23T08:02:45.559-08:00

Erika~

I agree eating fresh whole foods is best. I was not able to continue losing weight after I got down to 214 pounds doing that and counting calories and exercising. I stalled there for 20 months, which is why I decided to try something different.

I do tend to choose sweeter options when nutrition is approximately equal (all the Medifast meals have about the same nutritional stats, and I can choose any 5 per day, whether they be soups, bars, puffs, oatmeal, etc.) but yes, it is a low carb plan which does include low sugar.

I did a comparison post between Medifast hot cocoa and regular hot cocoa here:

http://www.escapefromobesity.net/2011/09/hot-cocoa-comparison.html

and there is also a link there comparing Medifast oatmeal to Quaker.

Hope that clarifies a bit.

This is your journey and your body, and you're...

2012-01-23T06:51:04.133-08:00

This is your journey and your body, and you're an adult. For me, the only way I've been able to lose weight and keep it off has been clean eating and exercise. And no processed foods (or limiting as much as possible). For me this is sustainable and makes me feel great. I will cheer you on whatever you decide.

I don't think it's so much the 900 calories that is worrisome. But I think the other day you posted your Medifast plan for the day and it looked like it was all meal replacement bars that were chocolate/sugar based. I don't know if MF is low sugar or not but I just can't imagine that eating that way the whole day is good for anybody.

But again, your body, your choice :-)

I think my biggest concern/issue is that your body...

2012-01-23T03:34:45.908-08:00

I think my biggest concern/issue is that your body will get used to only eating 900ish calories and require little more for maintenance. That's a pretty low range for the entire rest of your life, since I can say from experience that maintenance calories per day aren't THAT much higher than losing calories. It can be done, I think I generally maintain kind of lowish but not starving calories, but my history is also a bit different than yours and it took me much struggling to get to this point. I don't know, I'm kind of rambling in circles, but just be cautious. I know you view Medifast as sort of a temporary thing but really any way of maintained eating will affect your body in the long run, it doesn't just go away once you go to transition. Hopefully transition really does do all that it's supposed to, though, and maybe it won't be so bad...don't know.

To the person asking if the sample menu was "...

2012-01-23T03:17:57.956-08:00

To the person asking if the sample menu was "enough food"-for me personally, I don't think so. Only roughly 200 calories for dinner, and from soup would leave me really hungry. Also, I eat more veggies and fruit to help fill me up than this. Idk.

love that you use your brain! and i understand com...

2012-01-22T23:04:07.172-08:00

love that you use your brain! and i understand completely when i went on atlins and lost 80 pounds people were horrified. mind you i too was being very careful well a good friend whom i worked out with who ate low fat and i both got blood work and guess what mine was considered excellent whereas they got taken to task by the dr for how offkilter their results were. your body KNOWS what works if you'll just be quite and listen! great great work sweetie keep it up!

From anonymous commenter above: "Anyone who s...

2012-01-22T20:36:14.144-08:00

From anonymous commenter above: "Anyone who says that 900 calories a day is not enough just really hasn't thought it through much, in my opinion."

Hmmmm. You know, I don't exercise consistently at all, am only starting my weight loss efforts, and I am in no position (nor do I have the desire) to criticize Lyn or anyone else on a low calorie diet, especially when they are happy with their results. But when I read this statement, the first thing I thought is "I can't imagine doing much health-promoting exercise on 900 calories a day."

But I'm talking about myself here, and thinking back to the period in high school in which I slashed my calories to similar levels (and focused on getting complete nutrition within those 900 calories) and exercised daily, until I just couldn't exercise with the same vigor anymore. Well, and my hair started thinning at an alarming rate. And when I couldn't exercise anymore, I became "chicken fat skinny"...until I regained the weight and became plain old fat again. This was 15 years ago.

In short, I have experienced how both overeating and undereating can make one too lethargic to exercise, and how different combos of exercise and diet have resulted in different kinds of body composition for me, not to mention varying levels of energy and well-being.

Since most (not all) consider diet AND exercise to be important components of weight loss and long-term weight control, I'd like to hear people's thoughts on the relationship between calorie intake and exercise regimens...and long term success.

Hi Lyn, I've been reading your blog for a lon...

2012-01-22T17:35:44.391-08:00

Hi Lyn,

I've been reading your blog for a long time but I rarely comment.

What I continue to appreciate about you and your blogging is that you are making mindful decisions about how to lose weight. I might not choose the same things for myself that you have chosen, but that's really not the point. I enjoy reading the thoughts of someone who is intelligent and careful, even if (or maybe especially if) they are doing things differently than I am.

Lyn: Good for you, getting under 2oolbs, let me...

2012-01-22T17:20:46.036-08:00

Lyn:
Good for you, getting under 2oolbs, let me just share something with you and anyone that has problems with your calorie intake. People always ask a person who is obese; how did that happen, how did you get so big. And because I am obese I can't answer for everyone but I will say its because of my calorie intake. With out even realizing it sometimes my calorie intake was over 4thousand a day.It explains why I am obese right. Well a lifetime change is lowering your calories. It takes bravery to stand up to food and say I am in charge again. So to the nay sayers keep posting your weight lost because lowering the calorie intake is the secret to keepin the weight off. Bravo Lyn Bravo!

Hi - I think it's just hard to lose weight and...

2012-01-22T16:48:18.816-08:00

Hi - I think it's just hard to lose weight and keep it off, that's all there is to it. Hey, if it were easy, there would be no fat people!

Congratulations on getting down below 200. It's a real struggle and you should be real proud of yourself for getting back down there after a "bump in the road".

The only thing I'd be worried about, being on a low cal diet, is that your metabolism might be slowing, making it harder to keep the weight off. I'm sure you know what you're doing nutrition-wise, but slowing metabolism can be a real bummer - just ask my best friend who lost a lot of weight, then had to deal with this problem!

Like another commenter, I've also just started reading your blog, and am appreciating reading your journey. Thanks for sharing your story!

2 eggs--140 baby spinach--15 bit of onion--15 Righ...

2012-01-22T15:13:58.049-08:00

2 eggs--140
baby spinach--15
bit of onion--15
Right Size Smoothie--110

Home made turkey chile--200
Green salad, dressing--150

Chicken wild rice soup--200
Veggies--50

Total 880. Enough left for a few servings of plain half and half in coffee.

Doesn't this sound like a lot of food, and really nothing to prompt a binge for someone with a simple carb addiction? Anyone who says that 900 calories a day is not enough just really hasn't thought it through much, in my opinion.

If your doctors agree that you are healthy, and it...

2012-01-22T14:21:29.167-08:00

If your doctors agree that you are healthy, and it is working for you, then you shouldn't worry about what other people think. You have to do what works best for your body.

short and sweet comment for you Lyn...DONT give a ...

2012-01-22T13:51:50.722-08:00

short and sweet comment for you Lyn...DONT give a flying F**K what anyone thiks YOU should do...I have been reading your blog from the beginning and all i keep saying over and over to myself is WOW!!!!!! You have come so far in just the realization of what it is like to fight and WIN an eating disorder...What you are to be admired most is how YOU know your own body..you have found what works for you and what is going to set you off..I know you care about your blog followers but really unless anyone has walked in your shoes, you dont owe ANYONE an explanation..You are doing all the right things..and following up with blood work is the only thing that will allow your Dr to see what is happening on the inside..I LOVE your blog because of your honesty. I LOVE the way you are able to articulate what it is that is going on in your head prior to a binge. You have helped me out in ways you would have no idea..keep moving forward Lyn..you are totally on the right path and when you are good and ready so writing that book on the addiction most of us have to food...ONWARD!!!! God Bless you and keep you strong and focused
Peace
Stacey
Sylmar, Ca

Good luck Lyn, yeah I think it's hard for peop...

2012-01-22T13:26:08.779-08:00

Good luck Lyn, yeah I think it's hard for people to grasp the MF plan. While it is low calorie, if you follow it correctly you do get in all your nutrients. When I did MF I got a lot of comments as well. While I did get off of it (I just didn't like the food enough) I still think it's a good plan.

Cheering you on for reaching onderland and for you...

2012-01-22T13:07:52.528-08:00

Cheering you on for reaching onderland and for your journey to a lower BMI.

I double dog dare you to stay on plan A (you'd mentioned plan B a few posts back).

I'm so happy for you and I know that your cute smaller clothes are waiting for you this Spring and summer.

Good luck and Take Shape for Life has been the missing weight loss piece of the puzzle for me. I've been studying up on a modified Paleo after my transition time for long tem maintenance.

Excited to follow along with you on meeting your goals in 2012 and beyond. Your knees will thank you and the weight loss will surely decrease your risk if you need surgery. Bravo, Lyn.

Thumbs up! Great post. Onward! :D Allie

2012-01-22T12:59:07.146-08:00

Thumbs up! Great post. Onward! :D Allie

I totally understand what you are saying. I start...

2012-01-22T12:57:03.264-08:00

I totally understand what you are saying. I started Ideal Protein two months ago and when people ask me how I lost my weight (30 pounds so far) they are very judgemental. At first, it bugged me a lot but now, with the great results, I don't care. I don't eat a lot of calories either but I don't have cravings anymore and I am NEVER hungry. Like every diet, I KNOW that when I'm done, I will have to work on my eating habits and the hardest part is to maintain. We have to remember that we got to that point for a reason so we need to change the old bad habits. Anyway, it's your journey and continue doing what you're doing. You'll be fine. You do whatever works for you. Good luck!

I just started reading your blog and I really love...

2012-01-22T11:54:58.332-08:00

I just started reading your blog and I really love it. I have a blog myself about weight loss and I find reading yours helps inspire me to keep up with my blogging and also to keep going on the weight loss journey. I added your blog to my blog roll too. Thanks so much for all the helpful information and great motivation :D