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Unhealthy trends on peertrainer

I have left 2 groups now due to members posting unhealthy goals/practices. I really like some of my groups/teams because of the support, connection, and good ideas. I'm struggling with whether or not peertrainer is shifting to be a site that promotes unhealthy weight loss and the idealization/glamorization of disordered eating. Is there any way for peertrainer to intervene with people who log unhealthy behaviors? I have a great deal of experience with eating disorders and have concern that if someone were to die from anorexia, that her parent or partner could look towards peertrainer as a responsible party. There must be some liability involved, despite any disclaimers.
Is anyone else frustrated with people posting about not eating, restricting calories beyond healthy limits, over exercising, binging/purging?


Sat. Jun 2, 4:26pm

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Hmmm

This is an interesting topic.

My first thought is to tell you to ignore the unhealthy people and do your own thing but if someone is posting about binging/purging/eating 80 calories a day, geez, I don't know...

Maybe PT should make it so a person could report a user to a PT doctor or something? For a good scolding? I haven't encountered anyone like that and if I did, I know I'd have a hard time keeping my mouth/fingers shut.



Saturday, June 02, 2007, 4:37 PM

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Interesting topic indeed

It is hard to say what is the right thing to do. At least people are being honest on this website, which is what they need to do in order to discover things about themselves. If they were perfect people they wouldn't need a site like this. I would try to encourage your fellow peeps to continue being honest and to not give up on doing things the right way and having healthy goals. However, you need support as well, and you may not feel comfortable with being supported by a person who may not be able to help themselves. I'm sure you didn't set out to join a website so you can support a lot of unhealthy people's emotional and/or destructive habits, so then it is the right thing to do to switch groups. I just wouldn't worry about the other people so much and keep the focus on you. Sometimes worrying about other people's problems can keep us from dealing with ourselves. That's happened to me before, and I'm sure it can't be good for fitness and diet related goals. You sound like a smart, caring, and passionate person with regard to this subject and I bet you'll turn it around and something positive will come out of it. Best of luck!

Saturday, June 02, 2007, 4:56 PM

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I think it's blossomed a lot with all of the People magazine coverage...not that I haven't had anorexic members in my groups before, but there is suddenly quite a proliferation of the "I'm 5'9" and 135 lbs, and I need to lose 20 lbs" type. Sometimes I wonder why they join a bunch of people who are 180-200 lbs...is it to feel better about themselves in an at-least-I'm-not-THAT-fat way? And then there are the ones who puke if they eat more than 800 calories in a single day and sound suicidal if they don't lose at least 4 lbs a week. Another element that the media coverage has brought is an influx of teenagers - the last thing they need is to see that you can lose 15 lbs a month if you shove your fingers down your throat after dinner every day.

So yes, a flagging system of some sort would be welcome, whether it be for legal or ethical reasons.

Saturday, June 02, 2007, 5:15 PM

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Wow, so many angry anorexics on PT on a Saturday night...

Saturday, June 02, 2007, 9:43 PM

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I am so happy this topic has been brought up. I also recently left a group because of a member who ate SO very little it was ridiculous. In no way something like this can be sustainable, or long-term, or, last but not least healthy. When I pointed it out to the person, she, first, called me jealous (WHY would I ever be?!? Jealous of what?!?), and, second, she started attacking me on my own log, and personal problems I was having at that time. I left the group immediately.

Then, for all those people who comment something like 'mind your own business', well, you know, it doesn't really work that way. If someone in your group of four people is starving herself, for me there's just no way staying in the same group. Yet, why should I be the one leaving? Especially if the rest of the group have similar goals to mine, and even the group is called, let's say, 'healthy eaters', or, I don't know, making it up now, 'long-term goals' or whatever.

Being 200 pounds is extremely unhealthy, same as is keeping oneself on 200ccal a day.

I would welcome a flagging system.

Saturday, June 02, 2007, 10:02 PM

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Yes, I am glad that this was posted because I (who needs to lose about 30 lbs) have noticed that people who don't really need to lose weight will post questions and I never know what to say. They ask if it makes sense to eat only 800 c. and of course it does not but I thinbk that it is wrong for me to tell them what to do. I don't think that PT staff will intervene at all in such a circumstance. they are trying to make money so they only intervene if a post threatens their money making potential -- like calling out spam

Saturday, June 02, 2007, 10:48 PM

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I don't really understand what the people who want a flagging system intend for it to do. I share the feeling that there are some people doing very self-destructive things, but while it's not too hard to add a button to flag something, I don't see any realistic action that the site operator can take other than to send some kind of form email to the person, or exclude them from the site. I guess I've been fortunate to not have any seriously disturbed people show up actively in my groups. Maybe something about the group profiles discourages them from joining.

Saturday, June 02, 2007, 10:59 PM

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I used to come to the community lounge to read about interesting and supportive topics with a few soap opera-like items thrown in. Now it seems that in every potentially helpful dialogue like this one, there are at least one or more really nasty and immature responses, like the mind your own business one posted before. It is quite a turn off. I wish that PT could turn these threads that contain a nasty attack on another person into another color. Then we could choose whether to read it or not without interfering in someone's ability to rant.

As for a disturbing or even unhealthy person posting in your group, I just leave those kinds of groups. I am here for my own benefit and really only feel I can help other people whose goals are similar to mine. I'm not qualified to judge another's behavior, but I certainly don't have to expose myself to it. However, I feel quite strongly that if I see some kind of behavior I don't agree with, I don't attack the person... maybe I'm a chicken, but I usually just ignore poor behavior and try to encourage behavior I think it positive. Sometimes I might say that I am concerned that a certain behavior is not healthy and give my opinion why (ie, low caloric intake and metabolic rate). But if things don't get better, I am very grateful that we can come and go as we like.

Saturday, June 02, 2007, 11:32 PM

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Wow, if this thread is anything to go by, the ED crowd is really just a bunch of teenage crackheads.

Eating 600 calories worth of Slimfast every day to become 30 lbs underweight because 10 lbs underweight isn't thin enough is a SICKNESS, not an improvement.

Now go sleep off your chemically-induced tempers and remember to eat a real breakfast in the morning, but without the syrup of ipecac chaser.

Saturday, June 02, 2007, 11:50 PM

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11:50
love the post-so so funny

Sunday, June 03, 2007, 4:48 AM

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I don't think that PT should be blamed for people's eating habits. I don't feel that they promote unhealthy lifestyles.There are lots of links about healthy choices and activities. If you have ever seen a proanorexic site you would see that peertrainer is mild in comparison. What they should do to cover themselves is state in a rules and regulations kind of setup when you sign up that peertrainer in no way promotes anorexic lifestyles and discourage people that have chosen that path not to sign up.

"mind your own buisness" ---- If you don't want someone to comment on your eating habits DON'T JOIN A GROUP! We are all in there so that ppl can comment on how we are doing and how we can achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Get over yourself.



Sunday, June 03, 2007, 8:21 AM

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Wow! There are some sick people on PT. I thought this would be a great place for support and accountability but it seems that no matter how innocent a post starts out to be there are always rude, radical or downright mean responses at some point. Maybe the ability to be anonymous overrides any manners we learned as children.

Sunday, June 03, 2007, 2:07 PM

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I have seen a couple of people posting what they eat and it adds up to between 300-800 calories per day most of the time. It makes me feel uncomfortable to "watch" someone starve themselves but I don't think there is much you can do but find a new group.

Sunday, June 03, 2007, 4:17 PM

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11:32 poster, why are you so angry yourself? Attacking that other person like that, what good does it give to you? It seems to me that whatever the situation was, I would like to be in one group with EITHER of you two.

As for the problem of the topic, I definitely agree that there are definitely some unhealthy people posting on the PT. My suggestion is: just leave those kinds of groups. As for 'mind your own business' posters, I can not agree more with the 8:21 poster: DO NOT JOIN THE PT if you do not want to be commented by others, whether it is a criticism or compliment.

Sunday, June 03, 2007, 8:54 PM

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8:21 poster, I totally agree

As for a flagging system, can you imagine crazy people like the ones that show up in these forums, screeching their heads off with unbelievable manners and language having the ability to "flag" sane PT members because they don't agree with them. Or heaven forbid we do something crazy like comment about healthy eating in a group or take an interest in people's public logs? What busy bodies we are!

I say just leave the group if your very unhappy with a particular member. I know it stinks especially if you were there first or you like your other members. You can always start another private group and invite people you want to be with. There are plenty of great groups out there. I get so much great support from mine and appreciate it when they stick their nose in my business and gently point out thoughts or suggestions that I might change to improve my health and well being.

I'll take the bad with the good. Despite the nut jobs that are inevitable on any world wide web site, I love PT and think its an invaluable resource for people to get support.

Sunday, June 03, 2007, 10:14 PM

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I agree

I am so glad somebody brought this up! It drives me crazy when I see group members who barely eat/exercise too much/have unrealistic goals. It also bugs me when ppl say they want to lose weight/lose more weight when they really don't need to. For me, I'm 5'2'' and my highest weight is 138. I know I'm not necessarily overweight, but I want to shed this extra fat all around my body. I'd like to reach 118 and gain muscle. I think that's reasonable. I see other members trying to maintain 1200 calories a day and I wonder how they can do that. For me, I'm trying to maintain 2000 and have a healthy relationship with food.

Sunday, June 03, 2007, 10:55 PM

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To 12:45: Well I'm still young (20) and that's how many calories I should consume (I read that too). Before, I'd binge and eat more than 3000 calories. I mean I see ppl who are my age and they're are eating very little (1200-- and I consider that to be almost starving yourself). I understand ppl have different needs but I still think that 1200 is too little. In a story in Shape magazine there was a girl who was struggling to lose 20 pounds that she regained (she lost I think 70 or 90 pounds all together) and she ate 1200 calories and ran 45 min most days of the week. After a several months, she lost no weight. So she boosted her calories to 1800 and lost 14 pounds in 2 months! Her body was in starvation mode. That's why I'm saying 1200 calories is too little.

Monday, June 04, 2007, 12:59 AM

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I am not jumping to conclusions. Falling below 1200 calories is unhealthy at any age. Furthermore, I doubt most ppl can sustain 1200 calories for the rest of their lives. That's why I notice ppl on this site who try to eat 1200 or even 1500 end up binging and have trouble staying consistent. Furthermore, people put on weight because they overeat (I am an example) so suddenly trying to drop to 1200 calories is not realistic.



Monday, June 04, 2007, 1:25 AM

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Is it possible that some of these people that seem so disturbing are lying about what they eat, or forgetting to fill in meals? I was for a little while worried about one group mate who seemed to eat very little and to never eat dinner. When I asked, it turned out this person was eating very large dinners v. late at night, so not logging them.

Just to point out the obvious, this is the internet, and a person who logs 800 calories may really be consuming 3800.

Monday, June 04, 2007, 6:35 AM

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Oh no, they're very different from lazy loggers. First, they are fanatical about listing everything and actually tend to overestimate things, e.g. "veg-only salad, no dressing, 400 calories" - that salad would need to be 16-20 cups of vegetables to clock up that many calories. But the biggest giveaway is their Logs - they tend to be attention-seekers, they want people to notice (and I daresay they want those of us with real weight problems to be jealous). The two I've come across so far went apesh*t in their Notes if they didn't lose weight every single day.

Monday, June 04, 2007, 9:25 AM

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OOoooooo 9:38 - "good" argument I can see you put a lot of thought into managing your side of the debate. What a profundly deep answer.

Monday, June 04, 2007, 9:41 AM

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Here is one reputable reference on 1200 calories. Other pages on the same website have sample meal plans, etc.

I cannot lay my hand on the reference, but remember a paper somewhere, I think also with a Mayo affiliation mentioned, discussing 1200 as a floor for maintenance diets for hospital patients on bed rest, on the rationale that it was problematic to sustain nutrient levels below that and it seemed preferable to just not go there. Bear in mind there are special considerations with someone in this situation - although they are by definition very inactive, they're also presumably in the hospital because they have a significant illness, and supporting their healing is a higher priority than weight control.

I've heard from people who claim to maintain over long periods (1 year +) at just under 1200. I think this is rare but not unheard of. I'm sure there are people on the site who are doing unwise things, but there are also people in special case situations.

Link

Monday, June 04, 2007, 11:05 AM

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Yes, it can be hard to see someone doing that, and it can be hard to be a part of a group where that is revered (undereating).

On the other hand, nobody really knows what someone's 'ideal weight' is. I'm 5'5 and I've looked very cut at 115-118 because I have a very small bone structure. Right now I'm 126 and I still have fat which I want to lose on parts of my body and I see nothing unhealthy about trying to drop down another 8-10 pounds but I don't talk about that obsessively because society in general tends to police people close or at a weight where they look lean (in clothes). My therapist actually told me that she wasn't worried about my goal to go leaner, but any more than that and she'd step in because at my age (40s) a little fat is actually good to have to counterbalance the drop in production of estrogen by one's reproductive organs.

Society also polices larger people too - I'm not saying it doesn't. I think it's far more rampant for people to look down on a larger person and to make comments on their choices of foods, or come to conclusios about their personalities.



Monday, June 04, 2007, 12:19 PM

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1200 calories per day is a rule of thumb. It does not apply to everyone. It's what an average person can get down to, while doing everyday-type activities, w/o going into starvation mode. Someone who is taller than average (and the average Caucasian woman is 5'4"), or someone who exercises regularly (i.e. the person who runs for 45 minutes, several times a week) will need more. Someone who is young and still possibly growing will need more. Someone who is very short, and not particularly active, may be able to function just fine on less. Your body type also influences how much you need. However, it is difficult to get all the nutrients you need (i.e. the variety of foods you should consume) without eating at least 1200 calories. Not impossible, just difficult. As you reduce your calories, you need to be more careful about which calories you choose, and it becomes a more difficult puzzle. No, you cannot eat 10 snack-sized bags of Baked Lays a day (I believe a bag is 120 cals...??) and be healthy.

Monday, June 04, 2007, 12:29 PM

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Was wondering the same thing

I've HAD an eating disorder and the only reason why I posted it on my log is to let people who join my group know there is a little more then weight loss going on. I got help when I got preggers. It's still something I battle with but not something I'm proud of or glamorize. Sadly when I was younger I use to be apart of the the pro-ed movement...not anymore.

Monday, June 04, 2007, 1:04 PM

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The Difference

There are diets like Optifast where the calorie count is well below 1200. These people are supposed to be following up regularly with their MD.

We must be very careful about how we judge each other. We all are very unique beings with unique needs. Someone 5'5" will feel at their best at 160 lbs while others need to be at 120.

If someone has such a low opinion of themselves, let's learn how to love and encourage them instead of criticizing them. In the process we can learn about ourselves. This is what brings about maturity.

Monday, June 04, 2007, 3:20 PM

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Consuming around 2000ccal per day is perfectly fine if you are an active person, on 1200 one (a regular Caucasian female) simply would not have enough energy to be active, at least for a long time. In my opinion there is definitely a middle way of an average recommended 1600-1800, and then each person can +/- a few hundred depending on their build, and activity level.

Also, scroll up and recall that this thread did not start with discussion of those who eat 1200ccal a day (which is perfectly healthy for a small and rather inactive person), but of those, who eat 200ccal a day. I have seen such people on the PT, too.

5:14 poster, take some anger manangement therapy, and stop attacking your peers. I wonder how do your groupmates handle your outbursts. Jesus!


Monday, June 04, 2007, 5:36 PM

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its not that they are playing God...maybe they are just concerned for their peers...this is, after all, a "peer" thing. don't argue..so what if they want to be concerned- just can just ignore what they have to say and move on to a topic of conversation that you actually like.

Monday, June 04, 2007, 5:36 PM

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2000 to maintain

I find this whole 'debate' about 1200 calories to be most interesting. I only need about 2000 to maintain my weight and I workout 4-5 times a week. 1200 calories is not an issue for me. When eating the right foods - wholesome, healthful foods - hunger isn't a problem. I have plenty of energy and I can work out. Someone who consumes thousands of calories to maintain an overweight body will of course feel hunger and food withdrawal when cuting back, but to say that 1200 calories is unrealistic for most people isn't accurate. I'm small enough that if I eat much more it will take me 5 years to lose these last 10 pounds!



Monday, June 04, 2007, 6:44 PM

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I can't believe this has become an argument. I am just concerned. That is all. I appreciate those of you who did not attack me and those who understand where I am coming from.

All I am is saying is that this needs to be a healthy lifestyle change for life and it really bothers me when I see other members trying to eating 1200. It works for them for awhile, but they end up bingeing because they cannot handle it. We live in a society today where there are two extremes-- obesity and eating disorders. I find suddenly constricting yourself to 1200 calories to be unhealthy and in the long run, it's not going to work anyway and you end up overeating, gaining weight, and the cycle continues. There needs to be a middle ground. People should focus on nutrition and giving your body nutrients and a treat everyday (balance) rather this obsession over restricting calories. Before, I was trying to stick to 1800 calories. It was common for me to eat 3,000 calories, so even 1800 was tough for me and I would end up bingeing. Now what I have been doing is eating to feel satisfied. I try to stay within 2000 calories, but if I go over, that's fine. My goal is to attain a healthy relationship with food and not abuse it.

Monday, June 04, 2007, 9:33 PM

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In support of 9:33...

That eating too little (and 1200 calories definitely qualifies for just about every functioning adult) leads to bingeing, feelings of failure, and quitting is something that "beginner" and even "intermediate" dieters either don't understand or don't want to hear. Keeping off the weight you lose is about making sustainable changes, and feeling a little bit hungry all the time and relying on the vagaries of your will power is not a recipe for success.

Monday, June 04, 2007, 10:56 PM

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WOW!! I can't believe the amount of hostile comment for what seemed like a concerned question. First I don't think PT should be liable for any behavior here. Second this site was created for one reason, so people could get the kind of support and accountability they needed from small, hopefully intimate and insightful groups. There are always going to be thin people who want to be thinner and why such mean nasty remarks about these people. After all they have issues also. Maybe they have distorted body images as most women seem to have about one thing or another. I know some women who are underweight and they see themselves as fat but here I am 30 pounds overweight and they think I look great. My point is most people who are anorexic or bingers or any sort of eating disorder have a very bad image of themselves. They can't see themselves how others might see them. I have noticed a horrible trend of being nasty, rude and downright disgusting on the community board and its really sad that so many people are so pissed off. If you don't like what you read why bother answering, whats it accomplishing? Are there that many bitter people out there. I think its great that this is a board where we can say what we think about things and call group members on it as well. But there is always going to be the people who just can't hear the truth no matter what and they will attack and be full of anger in return even though they asked for an opinion or help, thats just the way it is. Learn to ignore the nasty remarks. If enough of us ignore it they will eventually stop writing the nasty mean crap.

Monday, June 04, 2007, 11:24 PM

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I am 38 and consume between 1200- 1600 a day, most days average 1375, I am very active, workout 1.5 hours a day 6x week, have 2 toddlers, and am out and about most days. Am I unhealthy? I don't think so, I am still 12 pounds from goal but plugging away.

I think most of these nasty comments are made by a group of the same people. I bet they have miserable lives that they have to pick apart everyone else. So sad.

Monday, June 04, 2007, 11:29 PM

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i think it was made by one person. And i think she is the person that the OP is talking about.
I havent had that problem with any of my groups or teams. I am lucky i guess.

Monday, June 04, 2007, 11:55 PM

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I'm not sure if I am offending anyone with my opinion about those consuming merely 1200 calories but that was never my intention. I've had so many members during my stay (it's been over a year now) and it just really upsets me when I see many girls/women suddenly restricting themselves to 1200 calories and just think they're going to magically be able to sustain that, especially after eating much much more than that before. That's really my point. I mean a person is eating 1200 and they don't feel like they are starving themselves and they are getting the nutrients they need, then I would guess it's fine.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 12:27 AM

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I come here to find motivation and the last thing I need is to read things that really bring me down. (I lost my temper today and was verbally abusive to my kids; I didn't want to upset him so I ate dinner and then later puked.)

Um, no thanks, I'll move along.

I suggest you do the same.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 12:37 AM

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I am 24 and weight 136 at 5'6. I count my cals to make sure I get at least 1200 in with my schedule. There are days that I eat more of course and those are the days that I am awake longer (and I dont care about it when I do go over-you need to change things up). I do at least an hour of cardio five days a week if not more though and do not have an ED whatsoever. If I am not at 1200 I eat more fruit or veggies until I am but sometimes more than that is like gorging myself. People are speaking in absolutes here when they can really only speak of themselves. I was never super overweight to begin with so I am not going from 5000 cals a day to 1200

Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 2:44 AM

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Yeah if 1200 calories is what you've always consumed then I see no harm in that. But what I'm trying to make a point to is that it bothers me when I see people who think they can automatically dip down to a low calorie amount when before they overate for most of their lives. They'll eat like that for a few weeks and then eventually binge..and this is from personal experience too.

It's funny because I've been on this site for more than a year, yet I just started posting on the message boards yesterday and now I've created controversy lol.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 3:57 AM

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welcome to the lounge sister!!!!! Either let things roll right off your back or you will be eaten alive. Some of these men and women are sharks :)

Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 4:51 AM

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You can't solve everyone's problems. You don't know those people and what their needs are. If you don't like it, move to another group. People need to take accountability for themselves. Focus on you, isn't that what you're supposed to do?

Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 9:20 AM

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I think 9:20 poster has some very skewed perception of what a community is.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 9:54 AM

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LOL - you said it. Those who have the eating disorders are first to jump down others throats for wanting to help.




Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 10:04 AM

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I stay under 800 calories a day - I am on a liquid diet though - doctor recommended. Some days I have only 500 calories. To each his own, but I have about 100 more pounds to lose. And it's not starving, I eat six meals (shakes, soups, puddings, etc) a day.

If a person only has a few pounds to lose and is eating that little without Dr. supervision - yeah - they have a problem.



Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 10:07 AM

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It scares the hell out of me that there are doctors who think that 800 calories a day is okay for anyone. Someone with 100 lbs to lose (been there) maintains on about 2000 a day without exercise. I'll bet the success rate for maintenance after that diet is about the same as it is for weight loss surgery - 1 in 10.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 10:35 AM

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10:04
I don't have an eating disorder and I am not jumping down anyone's throat. You should consider learning to comprehend what you are reading. I simply stated you can't control everyone, if there's someone in your group (and yes, I know what a community is!) then leave the group and start or join another where you can be comfortable, learn, and teach others. I didn't take any one side at all. You can't control others so let them do whatever they are going to do. If people choose to be pro ana-mia, that's their choice--whether we think it's unhealthy or not is our opinion, not the person who has that life style. If you choose to do an Atkins diet and others find it appauling, should they tell you not to do it or simply find another group that fits their needs?

Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 10:41 AM

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Less and less and less...

Some concern isn't out of line when you see group members going lower and lower in their calorie count in an effort to shake off the pounds. As many have noticed when in a plateau, sometimes the best way to get off of it and back to losing is to do something different at the gym, or actually eat MORE! When I see people obsessing about having 5 almonds as being an over the top splurge, it's a little scary. Losing weight at any cost shouldn't be encouraged. Supporting others in finding their best healthy body is my objective, and if I think they are missing a piece, I'll say so.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 11:18 AM

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11:02

THANK YOU for backing me up! I wrote the 9:20 and the 10:41 notes and I can't believe how people personally attacked me for stating they if they don't like it, go to another group--exactly as the first poster did. But these liberals who feel they need to solve everyone's problems and be in everyone's business all the time are really not helping people with true eating disorders--that's up to their friends and family to help them, not someone who knows how to type. I've NOT ONCE stated my opinion on the topic--only my opinion on the very first comment which started this which was is everyone frustrated with people doing this on PEERtrainer--NO, i'm not. I've ran into that and didn't chose that group because it didn't fit my needs.



Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 11:38 AM

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11:02 from 10:35

Not sure why I'm bothering to respond to someone who thinks all "experts" should be blindly followed and never questioned and argues like a melodramatic teenager, but...

My 70-lb overweight doctor and his normal weight predecessor offered me a food list. It's not their area of specialty. I work with someone who has an ivy league master's degree in nutrition and dietetics and 20 years' experience who obviously practices what she preaches. I'd say I'm the one dealing with the expert.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 11:39 AM

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11:39--are you willing to share that list? I'd love to see it! My insurance doesn't cover nutritionist, and therefore, I am doing it on my own.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 11:52 AM

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Its interesting to me that so many are commenting about eating disorders when 1200 cal is brought up and getting so heated about it. Isn't it true that even people overweight have an eating disorder of some sort? We are all here for the same issues, getting support from our peers and ideas, advice and opinions. Why is everyone so hostile? Although I can tell that the poster making the nasty comments are coming from 2-3 different people but the same people, I can tell by the style of writing and the same words spelled incorrectly and poor grammar.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 1:34 PM

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Jesus!!!

:)

Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 1:55 PM

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Take your godliness to the other threads.
Hehe...couldn't resist.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 2:11 PM

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Hey there! Don't drag us liberals into it!!! :)

Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 2:28 PM

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i've been eating 1200 calories for three months, i've lost 30 pounds, i'm never hungry because i space my "meals" throughout the day. and...... i haven't binged yet.... yay for me!

Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 2:39 PM

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I too have noticed that many people get quite angry if you suggest that they change anything that they do. Even if you're actually concerned about them. It's hard to say what to do. I'm in the opinion that severely restricting calories is NOT the way to go, and that better, healthier results will come to you quicker if you DO eat a little more. I've done my own research, and that's the conclusion I came to.

I'd be curious myself the reasoning behind a starvation-type diet (eating less than 50% of the calories your body needs daily adjusted for exercise). I guess I'm just the type of guy who likes to go on facts before I do something to my body (I'm trying to keep it around as long as possible after all!).

If you can back up your extreme diets, and exercise, then all the more power to you. I'm not talking about the "I don't feel hungry, so I must be okay" sort of thing.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 5:19 PM

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Both practices of overeating and undereating are not correct. I think that's the point most people are trying to make. That's the entire point I've been trying to make with the 1200 calories. All I'm saying is that there needs to be a balance. Most of our society does not know where the middle ground of eating is.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 8:14 PM

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7:58, with that kind of venom towards fat people on a weight/fitness site, you must be one of the stick insect anorexics we're all complaining about. You should find a more appropriate site to feed your diseased mind.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 8:17 PM

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8:17; Though I'm not the 7:58 poster and in fact I really think he/she might be a bit mentally unstable and incredibly crude, I'd like to point out that "stick insect anorexics" is really not very pleasant either.

Why is everyone so bitter on this site? The OP posted a topic of understandable concern to most of us, and yet everyone has turned this thread into a war between thin people and larger people. Jut because you're thin, you're not "anorexic" and just because you're large doesn't mean you're laying around eating cake and marshmallows all day.

We're all here for the same reason; we're trying to be healthier and mindful about our bodies, diets, etc. Can't we focus on that? I believe that's what the OP was trying to do by pointing out that many women on this site are bragging about unhealthy habits and it's offensive and concerning to those of us who are here for support, advice, companionship and organization within our healthy lifestyles.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 8:28 PM

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I like the flagging idea - like if 3 different people mark someone as using this site to abuse their bodies, a PT moderator could subjectively determine if the person is an unhealthy contributor and cut them off. I have no grasp of the legalities behind it though - but it's a free site, I imagine they can exercise some kind of proprietary right.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 8:59 PM

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This forum is ridiculous

It seems like almost every other thread ends up turning into "Fat people vs. skinny people" No matter what the original post was about.

Getting mad at overweight people? There's a difference between "getting mad at people who eat less than 1200 calories a day" and being genuinely concerned about somebody's health. If somebody was on here advocating eating too much calories, people would be concerned about them as well. Not mad.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007, 9:53 PM

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10:30, why couldn't you have just stopped with "Look at your post and you will see that you are most certainly being the exception... " because your sarcasm actually made a good point. I didn't really realize that what I had said was a bit bitter in itself until I re-read it just now.

Then you had to throw in a bunch of childish nonsense, further proving the point I tried to make in my post.

Isn't there a moderator around to close this thread by now?

Wednesday, June 06, 2007, 12:05 AM

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12:05, you didn't sound bitter in your earlier post. 10:30 is either a nutjob or a child.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007, 12:24 AM

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I second 12:24: 10:30 definitely has some issues, but based on the comments, rather than a nutjob I think she/he is a child.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007, 8:55 AM

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To get into great shape for my wedding, I ate 1200 cal. each day for a period of four months. I felt great, worked out 5 days a week, lost 20lbs (5'7 & 130lbs) & looked my personal best. I maintain my weight now by eating 1200 cal. every week day & take the weekends off. I have been very successful with this strategy...we all have different needs.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007, 3:50 PM

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I kind of agree with 7:58. Although this thread is about something else, the users that eat 3,000 calories per day are no different than the ones that eat in the low thousands.

If you're starving yourself, you are no different from a person eating 3,000 calories per day. You're just at opposite ends of the spectrum and you both really need to find a middle ground when it comes to food. Both practices are extremely unhealthy.



Wednesday, June 06, 2007, 4:36 PM

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3:50--thanks for the tip. I always fail at diets because the weekends are always so hard with a husband who eats only meat and potato meals and a 6 and 7 year olds who can eat anything. and because i fail on the weekends, i give up during the week. but i like your idea of dieting during the week, take the weekends off.

Thanks.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007, 4:40 PM

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I agree with 3:50 also. Some people are perfectly healthy eating less than others. I personally eat 1200-1500 calories per day and exercise 6 days a week. I lost 20 pounds this way and have kept it off. And yes I am thin and no I'm not anorexic.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007, 5:00 PM

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I totally agree that 1200 calories a day is low, but fine, especially for a smaller person. Yet, there are a few people on the PT, whom I personally have encountered, who do it as little, as, I would make my guess based on their logs, as 200-300ccal. For weeks and weeks and weeks. I think the whole point of this thread is that THOSE (AND those who are eating 3000-4000 and more ccal a day) are the people who should be flagged as PT members that have an issue with reaching their goals in a sustainable manner.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007, 5:07 PM

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Here here 5:13 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Big Brother watching me - No Thank You!!!!!!!

Wednesday, June 06, 2007, 5:59 PM

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So where does Sun worshipping rank for destructive behavior? I mean the person who might be tanning without sun lotion is taking their life into their own hands.
Same holds true for tagging poor eaters

Wednesday, June 06, 2007, 6:29 PM

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THREAD CLOSED

Wednesday, June 06, 2007, 8:45 PM

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i cant believe how long it worked once you said thread closed. I had to do this though-sorry :)

Tuesday, June 12, 2007, 1:34 AM

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Almight and powerful person who has the power to stifle people's opinions by saying thread closed .......

Bite Me

Tuesday, June 12, 2007, 8:59 AM

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I must confess. It was me. And I thought it was pretty funny.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007, 9:55 AM

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After skimming through the hostile comments,
I really think that the onlly way PT can prevent "flaming wars" (i.e. people jumping all over each other based on their views) is by changing the community section to no longer be anonymous. People tend to hide behind their anonymity to be a lot more direct about cutting others down.

On the subject of eating disorders, I think that the OP does have a point regarding people with unhealthy behaviors. It seems to me that the best thing one can do for someone with an eating disorder is to approach them about their behavior. Of course, we're on the internet, so we dont' truly know who is posting and who is being honest about their caloric intake and exercise, but then we knew that when we joined PT.

I would, however, feel some kind of responsibility if something happened to a fellow teammate because the issue of ED was not discussed-- my sister was borderline anorexic and it really hurt me to see her indulging in such self-destuctive behavior. At 1 point, I confronted her,and she sought help. She is far happier and healthier today....

Tuesday, June 12, 2007, 12:30 PM

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