Starvation mode

Why is it that when I eat just under my allowance, I am told that I am in starvation mode, when I eat regular meals, but small portions. I can't seem to lose any weight at all, even If I exercise.

Replies

  • kellykw
    kellykw Posts: 184 Member
    What's your allowance? How many calories are you eating?

    Don't stress, you can figure this out. :flowerforyou:
  • jas303
    jas303 Posts: 7
    It's 1200 and i'm eating 1167!
  • klcalliari
    klcalliari Posts: 60 Member
    Are you working out?
  • toothpastechica
    toothpastechica Posts: 250 Member
    Try upping it to 1300 or 1400 (and then eat that) and see if that makes a difference. You might not be losing anything because your body is storing everything because you are not getting enough.
  • jas303
    jas303 Posts: 7
    I was working out loads before, but have calmed it down cos I wasn't losing weight. I'll try to up the calories a bit. thank you. I wonder if it could be stress, as I'm under a lot lately.
  • K_Serz
    K_Serz Posts: 1,299 Member
    Someone or some thing told you that you were in starvation mode?
  • jas303
    jas303 Posts: 7
    It says at bottom of page when I total up.
  • kellykw
    kellykw Posts: 184 Member
    I am of the belief that 1200 net calories is not going to put you into starvation mode unless you have a metabolic problem or you are working out on top of that. Are you sure you are accurately logging every single thing you eat? If you're working out, are you eating any of your exercise calories back? How much are you trying to lose?
  • cbbn11
    cbbn11 Posts: 121 Member
    Bottom of what page? I have never seen that on MFP.

    I hate that term Starvation mode. You would have to go a LONG period of time without proper calorie intake before this happens.

    From Wikipedia:

    "Starvation mode is a state in which the body is responding to prolonged periods of low energy intake levels. During short periods of energy abstinence, the human body will burn primarily free fatty acids from body fat stores. After prolonged periods of starvation the body has depleted its body fat and begins to burn lean tissue and muscle as a fuel source.[2]

    Ordinarily, the body responds to reduced energy intake by burning fat reserves first, and only consumes muscle and other tissues when those reserves are exhausted. Specifically, the body burns fat after first exhausting the contents of the digestive tract along with glycogen reserves stored in muscle and liver cells.[3] After prolonged periods of starvation, the body will utilize the proteins within muscle tissue as a fuel source. People who practice fasting on a regular basis, such as those adhering to energy restricted diets, can prime their bodies to abstain from food without burning lean tissue.[4] Resistance training (such as weight lifting) can also prevent the loss of muscle mass while a person is energy-restricted."

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starvation_mode
  • K_Serz
    K_Serz Posts: 1,299 Member
    It says at bottom of page when I total up.

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  • yarg93
    yarg93 Posts: 1
    Told me that too, freaked me out. I was 150 under lol
  • tmauck4472
    tmauck4472 Posts: 1,785 Member
    Try upping it to 1300 or 1400 (and then eat that) and see if that makes a difference. You might not be losing anything because your body is storing everything because you are not getting enough.

    Your body does NOT hold on to the fat or store it up if you don't eat enough. Come on people. Look at someone who's anorexic and tell me their body stored up all that fat. If your short you may actually be eating more than you should be. Some people have issues with carbs, you just have to figure out what will work for you. And give a change more than a week to start working, your body needs to adjust to changes made before it will start doing what it is supposed to do. And always always remember your needs are not the same needs as someone else. We are all "special snowflakes" although some on here like to think other wise.
  • vicksterb
    vicksterb Posts: 1
    I am having exactly the same problem and am really fed up. Today I decided to abandon the plan and go on a protein diet and not worry about calories. I have added up cals anyway and am still under but feel fuller and more satisfied. I just hope that it spurs on some weight loss.
  • jas303
    jas303 Posts: 7
    Yea logging it all. I'm not working out a lot now though. Want to lose only one and a half stone. Ill try and eat a bit more and work out a bit more and see how it goes. Thanks everyone. :)
  • HulaHawaiiGirl69
    HulaHawaiiGirl69 Posts: 27 Member
    Aloha,

    It has been my experience that I need to eat less than my calorie goal and exercise to lose weight. I need to burn more than I take in. It doesn't matter what it tells me, I know this as "my" fact. So I keep at it and use the calorie counter as a guide, not as my rule. I realize the more I burn the more I lose, and thats important to me. so I eat less than my goal and I go exercise to be even more less, if possible. I also find that its what I eat that makes a difference, I do no carb, no sugar and that works for me cause my body needs sugar for energy and if Im not eating any, then it has got to go look for stored sugar for energy somewhere in my body, which forces my body to pull the sugar from whats stored already, "my fat is that stored sugar, causing weight loss.

    Good Luck.


    45780886.png
    Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Nutrition Facts For Foods
    45780886.png
    Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Nutrition Facts For Foods
  • cbbn11
    cbbn11 Posts: 121 Member
    We are all "special snowflakes" although some on here like to think other wise.

    I like that.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Have you ever talked to a doctor? There can be all sorts of issues that prevent you from losing weight. One of mine was that I was vitamin D deficient. I also was on a medication that slowed my metabolism by about 10%. It could be any number of things. Personally, if "doing it right" isn't working I'd see a doctor. The calorie goal MFP gives you has a built in weight loss deficit for you...it works for the vast majority...if it's not working it's likely you have some underlying medical issue, allergy, or medication issue.

    Also, while I believe starvation mode to be widely misunderstood, it can happen, especially if you're already fairly lean. If you're fat, it's not going to happen. That said, there's a lot of other issues that come with under nourishing your body so take that into account as well. Being 100 calories or whatever either way of your goal isn't necessarily a big deal...but just look at some of the folks who drastically under eat by netting 500 calories per day or whatever. There are plenty of threads in this RE with people losing hair, losing their periods, etc. It's important that you're getting your proper nutrition, which is that much more difficult to do while eating a deficit of calories, especially a large deficit.
  • Mrskatie
    Mrskatie Posts: 27 Member
    If you're eating clean, and listening to your body (like, whether you're still hungry or lightheaded, etc,) then I would ignore the message on the MFP page. I think they just throw that in there for legal reasons.
  • maybeazure
    maybeazure Posts: 301 Member
    If you say "Complete Entry" on the Food page and you are even one calorie under 1200 MFP will say:

    "*Based on your total calories consumed for today, you are eating too few calories. Not only is it difficult to receive adequate nutrition at these calorie levels, but you could also be putting your body into starvation mode. Starvation mode lowers your metabolism and makes weight loss more difficult. We suggest increasing your calorie consumption to 1200 calories per day minimum."

    Personally I ignore it. I figure being a few calories one way or another isn't going to put anyone into starvation mode, particularly in the short term, and 1200 is the minimum for *most* adults.

    I would suggest attempting to add some exercise if possible, that will make a big difference.
  • jas303
    jas303 Posts: 7
    Ok thanks
  • kellykw
    kellykw Posts: 184 Member
    Hmm introduce my self I guess :P (Don't really know what to do here)

    -Goal 95
    -500 net
    -Anorexic
    -Weight at the moment 100.2

    I hope you are under a doctor's care.
  • ckone4me
    ckone4me Posts: 108 Member
    I am on 1200 calories.. never eat that much, so it says I am in starvation mode too, after I submit my daily meals for the day.... but oddly enough, it claims if I keep eating like that I will loose more weigh sooner, then at the higher calorie intake... this seems to be a contradiction. I am not starving believe me, lol. I have lost 28lbs since the end of March and it is due to making good choices and exercise!

    Let's say, A Calorie is not A Calorie! Not all calories are equal, lol

    I mean 500 calories in cake is not equal to 500 calories in veggies. Everything needs to be considered. Fat, carbs, sodium, cholesterol.....ect. A balanced diet is the key to weight loss. My bad habits is why I gained weight!

    So we need to do more then look at the calories, we need to make new healthy choices.

    I hope my input has helped and or encouraged! Just dont give up!
  • PepperWorm
    PepperWorm Posts: 1,206
    Hmm introduce my self I guess :P (Don't really know what to do here)

    -Goal 95
    -500 net
    -Anorexic
    -Weight at the moment 100.2

    This website is not a place for supporting pro-Ana tendacies. Please seek help.
  • jas303
    jas303 Posts: 7
    Yes this has helped i'll carry on eating under 1200 then and do some more exercise. Hopefully will work.
  • PepperWorm
    PepperWorm Posts: 1,206
    Yes this has helped i'll carry on eating under 1200 then and do some more exercise. Hopefully will work.

    Please consider eating according to your activity level instead.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/912920-in-place-of-a-road-map-3-2013

    I won't tell you that if you don't, you'll go into starvation mode or whatever. I will tell you that restricting is not the answer nor is it sustainable for long term weight loss and maintenance. Your hormone levels, hair, skin, nails and lean body mass are at a potential risk on a low calorie diet.

    Good luck, OP.
  • nolanerinbryon
    nolanerinbryon Posts: 80 Member
    Hello everyone, a friend recently shared this with me (as I'm trying to figure out a good daily caloric intake) - I thought many of you may find it helpful: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/975025-in-place-of-a-road-map-short-n-sweet?hl=road+map&page=1#posts-14887744
  • PepperWorm
    PepperWorm Posts: 1,206
    Hello everyone, a friend recently shared this with me (as I'm trying to figure out a good daily caloric intake) - I thought many of you may find it helpful: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/975025-in-place-of-a-road-map-short-n-sweet?hl=road+map&page=1#posts-14887744

    Beat you to it! lol.

    :flowerforyou:
  • I am a petite 40-something female of average activity level, and my MAINTENANCE calorie range is 1200-1400 I know this by experience, not because MFP told me. MFP cannot know our unique builds or metabolisms and they just have an equation for everyone. I'm more than an equation, I know what I know.

    And yet I've managed to lose 134 pounds. =)