Metabolism and under eating

06cindy

I have been so busy this week that I didn't work out or eat enough. I'm a little worried my calories have been too low and my metabolism is going to slow down. Anyone know (generally) how long it takes of under eating to slow it down? Is it weeks, or days, or a few months?
I'm 5ft 5in and 125 lbs., 12-13% body fat. Thanks!

PeachyCarol

It takes quite a while before adaptive thermogenesis happens. You're fine. Months and months.

snowflakesav

This is an individual thing. I don't think there are going to be many women with under14% body fat who don't struggle to maintain that without being incredibly conscious about the quality of their nutrition and fueling their body for the 2 to 3 hours of training they are doing with a coach.

Your coach or trainer is your best resource here to get you back on track.

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ninerbuff

06cindy wrote: »

I have been so busy this week that I didn't work out or eat enough. I'm a little worried my calories have been too low and my metabolism is going to slow down. Anyone know (generally) how long it takes of under eating to slow it down? Is it weeks, or days, or a few months?
I'm 5ft 5in and 125 lbs., 12-13% body fat. Thanks!

I truly doubt 12%-13% body fat. Your arms and legs would be totally striated and you pic doesn't show that. You look to be between 20% and higher.
As to your question, any deficit will slow metabolic rate some. Duration will and amount will dictate to what degree.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

06cindy

Thanks for the reply. I had a hydrostatic body composition done that says I'm 13.6%BF. Are those often off that much? I went the hydro route since it was supposed to be most accurate.

livingleanlivingclean

Mine dropped about 500 cals in 10 weeks of hard dieting.....managed to get it back up though (plus some).

portugaline

can be days can be months...

diet is not the only thing that affects your metabolism, but 1 week is nothing to worry about..

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Charliegottheruns

06cindy wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. I had a hydrostatic body composition done that says I'm 13.6%BF. Are those often off that much? I went the hydro route since it was supposed to be most accurate.

Under weighing is the most common technique used in exercise physiology laboratories to determine body composition. Bone, muscle, and connective tissue (lean mass) sinks, whereas body fat floats. In essence a person's weight is compared with a persons' weight underwater to determine fat percentage. So to try and answer your question. Hydrostatic testing or Profile picture observation guesstimate ?

Jruzer

MrM27 wrote: »

06cindy wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. I had a hydrostatic body composition done that says I'm 13.6%BF. Are those often off that much? I went the hydro route since it was supposed to be most accurate.

They are wildly inaccurate and highly dependent on hydration. I have had instances where I was 10% and and got readings as low as 6.2%.

I'm genuinely surprised by this. I though immersion was one of the best methods out there. How did you know you were 10%, compared to the 6% measured by hydrostatic testing?

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06cindy

I had a dunk test done. They do two and average the total results.

Sued0nim

So you're down to essential bodyfat?

06cindy

rabbitjb wrote: »

So you're down to essential bodyfat?

IDK, because from my reading, essential BF for women ranges from 15-8%...depending on what source. I'd like to get to the 10% range, just to do it at least once in my lifetime...but I don't have quite enough motivation at the moment. I've been cutting and have lost a few pounds, but the past two weeks went off track and stopped counting macros altogether even though my overall calories have been low.

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Sued0nim

Yes

And it's a temporary stage ready state too

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Sued0nim

Are we sure OP is female? Did anyone ask?

TR0berts

Um... It's a picture of a female, and the profile says she's a female.

Sued0nim

TR0berts wrote: »

Um... It's a picture of a female, and the profile says she's a female.

Aiming for 10% body fat

What? You never heard of Bruce Jenner?

06cindy

OP is here...I'm a lady. I'm not making up the hydrostatic weight results. They state I am 13.6% body fat. Technically my height is 5 feet and a tiny bit shy of 5 inches. I do believe its entirely possible the underwater test results are not totally accurate. But, there is no way in hell I'm 20% BF. I have clearly defined abs and am quite lean. I've spent many years watching what I eat, and working out. Peace and Love to everyone.

Sued0nim

You do know what 20% fat looks like on a woman don't you ?

Sued0nim

06cindy

rabbitjb wrote: »

Yep.

06cindy

rabbitjb wrote: »

You do know what 20% fat looks like on a woman don't you ?

If I compare myself to those pics I'd say I'm a 14-15% BF. I guess my profile pic makes me look average.

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gothchiq

If it's just one week, I think you will be fine. to the best of my knowledge, it takes a full two weeks to begin to detrain if you miss all your workouts. If you're in decent health, your metabolism won't be that fragile. Just get back to your routine and take care of yourself.

star1407

Go on girl, stick a bikini pic up and shut up the doubters lol

06cindy

Here's a recent pic-

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