my meeting with the dietician this morning was very odd. david and i left kinda unsettled.

first, she even said that 1200 calories is starvation mode. in fact, she doesn't want me to count calories AT ALL. which was kinda sad because if 1200 is too low, i want a new guideline!!! she only said that 2400 will maintain my current weight. ok, fine. but i don't want to maintain, lady!!

then she basically classified me, from my history and also family history, as a "chronic dieter." i told her that didn't seem right, because this is the first time i've really tackled it. but she said i have the characteristics and the way i'm headed, i will be. she also decided that with my exercise history, that i may just be one of those people who is a fit, heavy person. grrrrr. (and i'm not fit now, i may have been in high school.)

basically, her angle was all psychological, which i admit i *do* have a problem with. basically, i need to respond to my body being hungry and full. stop eating when i'm full (got a big problem with that one), and give it what it needs when it is hungry.

i'm going to these classes she's offering (it's through my school, so it's cheap) but david and i left still puzzled -- we wanted a game plan and that is not what we got.

what happened here? anyone else get this advice before?

we think we're going to still do the counting calories thing (i just started that and it helps me feel in control) but allow myself to get up to 1500 if my body wants it. going to keep exercising, etc.

argh.

wow, I dont know what to say!! I have always heard dont go below 1200 a day. I dont think 1200 is starvation but under it is. Just getting 1200 is a minimum I allow myself right now. Sometimes I go up to 1400 or 1500 depending on the day. Just take what she says with a grain of salt and do what feels right to you!!

laura
313/235.5/160
77.5 down!!

Personally, Holly, I would find another dietician. Find someone you feel comfortable with and who you feel can help you and wants to help you. She doesn't sound like she's able to work with you so regardless of whether her advice is good or bad, you won't feel as comfortable taking it as you would from someone you believed wanted to help you. And if you go against her advice and try to lose, she probably won't be especially supportive. It could be a real downer of an experience. Good luck with your weight loss efforts!!!

I've never been one for counting calories, but if it works for you, go for it! I think the quality of those calories counts for just as much as the quantity -- i.e., one could eat 1200 calories worth of candy bars all day! (hey, I know you're not doing that!)

I'm with Jeanne on finding another dietician. Or not having one at all ... do your own research ... would be an option! Especially if money is an issue. If it's classes you're interested in, perhaps you could look into some other type of class ... exercise, support group, sport teams, etc.

Pen
265/214.5/150ish

I agree with Jeanne...find someone you're more comfortable with!

yep she sounds like she doesn't agree with you, on the other hand I do think 1200 is low for plus size ppl. They say don't go below 1200 and that is the lowest to go, that's fine if your like 140 pounds and want to shed 5-10 but if you need to shed alot more then your better of having a plan that you can stay on for 6 months minimum. Do you ever have trouble sticking to 1200?
Me I allow for 1600-2000 if I have 1200 for the day great but since it's really not going to happen for me I do something I can do and not get hungry with an still lose weight. Slow is best for weight loss unfortunatly as you are much more likely to keep it off.
You do get there over time. Ive lost 25 pounds since August takes me a longer time but it's alot less like a diet more like a change of lifestlye.

Bah. I think 1500 is a more reasonable goal.

But at the same time, find another dietician. This one sounds like she was coached to catch eating disorders in the early stages & doesn't want you to become a statistic on her watch.

thank you guys for your input. yeah, i think i will want someone else's advice, although i'm not going to go get another dietician right away. i was just disappointed. =(

and i liked what PrettyFace said about the statistic thing -- she totally grilled me about whether i purge. i can sure binge, but can't do the purging thing.

i'm doing very well staying between 1200-1500 calories. i don't have much of a problem with being right at 1200, unless i eat out or someone makes me a wonderful dinner where i want seconds. i find that i'm full/satisfied all day. some nights i have to eat something extra to hit 1200.

it's just that i'm still in the "figuring out what works" stage. there are all of these theories and ways to go about it, and i want to find the best one for me.