Gaining weight by exercising more and eating less---Could it be starvation mode?
CorinnePina
Posts: 26 Member
Hello everybody, HELP!
My name is Corinne. I'm getting too fat for no explainable reason. I gained 6 pounds for no reason! I eat a way less than my BMR and workout!! My BMR is 1,685 calories per day.I eat about 1,500 calories a day and burn 600/day with exercise
My nutritionist says I need to eat more because my body is in starvation mode . She said that some weight gain is normal during the metabolic reset....I'm gonna look like a house for a while. It feels terrible!! But what do you think, should increase my calories slowly? d
My name is Corinne. I'm getting too fat for no explainable reason. I gained 6 pounds for no reason! I eat a way less than my BMR and workout!! My BMR is 1,685 calories per day.I eat about 1,500 calories a day and burn 600/day with exercise
My nutritionist says I need to eat more because my body is in starvation mode . She said that some weight gain is normal during the metabolic reset....I'm gonna look like a house for a while. It feels terrible!! But what do you think, should increase my calories slowly? d
2
Replies
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Starvation mode and metabolic reset are not things. Not in this context. Don't go back to that nutritionist.
How much weight are looking to lose? You are already a healthy weight.
Is 1500 calories before or after exercise? Are you weighing all solids and measuring all liquids? How long have you been logging and over what time period have you gained 6lbs?30 -
You need a new nutritionist. There are most likely two things that it could probably be. It's either just water weight from a new exercise routine, TOM, or a change in diet where there is more sodium, or you are eating more than you think you are. For your normal everyday person, starvation mode isn't really a thing, and anyone that is telling that's why you gained weight, should not be a professional helping people, then add on the whole metabolic reset. You probably don't think it's that bad, but it really is that bad, somebody in their position would tell you that.
Have you noticed recently, that every ad on TV, or Radio for the newest fad diet talks about resetting your metabolism, to get it in to fat burning mode. If you hear things like that RUN far away!9 -
Nope, just nope. If this 6lbs has appeared in a couple of days it's more likely to be mostly water retention. If not you are probably not logging properly either by underestimating your calorie intake or overestimating your calorie burns.
@VintageFeline asks some pertinent questions that should help get to the bottom of it.
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There's no starvation mode otherwise there'd be no anorexics
Your body may at first hold onto fat water if it thinks your starving yourself but that doesn't last long6 -
You need an RD and not a nutritionist.
Your NET calories is likely much less than a 1000 calories a day. 1500 minus 600 is 900 and you still haven't added in just regular NEAT (walking to your car, walking around work, walking around home, etc.) Say that's an extra 200 calories. Now you're at 700 calories a day. That's a VLCD and can play havoc with your metabolic rate.
Eating too little results in a lower metabolic rate. It's not "starvation" but adaptive thermogenisis.
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
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I just gained 6lb too. In my case it's just water retention, and if it's been less than 6 weeks, it could be that in your case, too.0
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I have nothing more to add--everyone above said it all. Starvation mode won't cause you to gain weight like that, and in medical literature is heavily debated as whether it actually causes weight gain.
Is your nutritionist a registered dietitian? If so, you need to find a new one. If not, you need to find one. A nutritionist can be anyone who wants to give nutritional advice, it is not a heavily regulated field. A dietitian goes to school specifically for this and should know their stuff in and out.7 -
Just what ninerbuff said..... Not enough going in. It will take a while to reboot your metabolism too. You might find it takes 3-6 weeks before your body realises your feeding it well and drops fat. X0
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My scale shot up 7 pounds when I started weight lifting again. Temporary water retention is common when one begins a new exercise routine - have you recently done so?
I also gain after eating Chinese food, premenstrually, at ovulation...lots of ups and downs. The important thing is that the overall trend is down.
My favorite article on starvation mode: http://www.aworkoutroutine.com/starvation-mode/15 -
Girl, I don't have any advice for you except don't be so hard on yourself. You look amazing and I'd kill to have those stats. Good luck and take care of yourself!3
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My calorie burn is measured by my own Polar watch M600 that has my own Stats. I think you some of you have not read my printout correctly. My Resting Metabolic Rate is 1,685. I log my calories correctly and mostly drink water or calorie free sparkling water. I've been eating and exercising the same. If I eat below my RMR it kind of makes sense that my body goes into conservation. OK, I didn't lose weight on 1,200 calories, and not on 900 calories so I think lowering the calories is not working. Yes, my nutritionist is a registered dietitian and has a high success rate.
Here name is Lauren Antonucci and here are her credentials:
EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS
Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology from Binghamton University
Graduate Fellowship in Nutritional Biochemistry, University of California-Berkeley
Master's of Science in Nutrition and Food Studies, New York University
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (R.D.N.)
Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (C.S.S.D.)
NY State Licensed Certified Dietitian Nutritionist (C.D.N)
Certified Diabetes Educator (C.D.E.)
American Dietetic Association active member
American Dietetic Association Sports Nutritionist (SCAN) practice-group active member
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You need a new nutritionist. There are most likely two things that it could probably be. It's either just water weight from a new exercise routine, TOM, or a change in diet where there is more sodium, or you are eating more than you think you are. For your normal everyday person, starvation mode isn't really a thing, and anyone that is telling that's why you gained weight, should not be a professional helping people, then add on the whole metabolic reset. You probably don't think it's that bad, but it really is that bad, somebody in their position would tell you that.
Have you noticed recently, that every ad on TV, or Radio for the newest fad diet talks about resetting your metabolism, to get it in to fat burning mode. If you hear things like that RUN far away!
My TDEE is 2,364 calories. I'm not even close to that. If it's 1,700 it's very high.
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You need an RD and not a nutritionist.
Your NET calories is likely much less than a 1000 calories a day. 1500 minus 600 is 900 and you still haven't added in just regular NEAT (walking to your car, walking around work, walking around home, etc.) Say that's an extra 200 calories. Now you're at 700 calories a day. That's a VLCD and can play havoc with your metabolic rate.
Eating too little results in a lower metabolic rate. It's not "starvation" but adaptive thermogenisis.
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
She is an RD: Lauren Antonucci. www.nutritionenergy.com
EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS
Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology from Binghamton University
Graduate Fellowship in Nutritional Biochemistry, University of California-Berkeley
Master's of Science in Nutrition and Food Studies, New York University
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (R.D.N.)
Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (C.S.S.D.)
NY State Licensed Certified Dietitian Nutritionist (C.D.N)
Certified Diabetes Educator (C.D.E.)
American Dietetic Association active member
American Dietetic Association Sports Nutritionist (SCAN) practice-group active member
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You asked for help but ............ you believe your dietician is right. Not sure what you need. Do you track your intake accurately?15
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Looks like you have people with full access to your history and with significant testing resources available to them trying to help you deal with an adaptive thermogenesis situation.
I have two questions.
What do you expect the community with no access to you or your records to offer to you?
Why are you focused on losing WEIGHT at a BMI of 20?13 -
Google starvation mode myth and look at credible sources.
Perhaps your nutritionist is not up to date or you're not understanding her correctly?
Sadly even experts can give out dated information if they don't keep up. I found this true with my Dr:(.1 -
Looks like you have people with full access to your history and with significant testing resources available to them trying to help you deal with an adaptive thermogenesis situation.
I have two questions.
What do you expect the community with no access to you or your records to offer to you?
Why are you focused on losing WEIGHT at a BMI of 20?Looks like you have people with full access to your history and with significant testing resources available to them trying to help you deal with an adaptive thermogenesis situation.
I have two questions.
What do you expect the community with no access to you or your records to offer to you?
Why are you focused on losing WEIGHT at a BMI of 20?
I just want to lose 5 pounds. I was always 122-125. I just all of a sudden gained 6 pounds changing nothing. I mean how can "adaptive thermogenesis" be a myth? If my BMR is 1,685 calories and I eat only 1,400; my body goes into conversation mode.0 -
CorinnePina wrote: »Looks like you have people with full access to your history and with significant testing resources available to them trying to help you deal with an adaptive thermogenesis situation.
I have two questions.
What do you expect the community with no access to you or your records to offer to you?
Why are you focused on losing WEIGHT at a BMI of 20?Looks like you have people with full access to your history and with significant testing resources available to them trying to help you deal with an adaptive thermogenesis situation.
I have two questions.
What do you expect the community with no access to you or your records to offer to you?
Why are you focused on losing WEIGHT at a BMI of 20?
I just want to lose 5 pounds. I was always 122-125. I just all of a sudden gained 6 pounds changing nothing. I mean how can "adaptive thermogenesis" be a myth? If my BMR is 1,685 calories and I eat only 1,400; my body goes into conversation mode.
adaptive thermogenesis is not a myth,starvation mode is. look up adaptive thermogenesis to get a better understanding of it. you are also not going into "conservation" mode. something may be going on but with only 5 lbs to lose its going to take awhile to lose, weight can go up for any reason,its not starvation mode as that doesnt exist,starvation does on the other hand. if you are weighing all your food,logging correctly then you may have a health issue. but if your BMR is 1684,you would be losing weight eating under it.something is off somewhere.The last few lbs are hardest to lose anyway so be patient,5 -
I have to ask why you bothered asking here since you apparently already know everything and don't want to hear any answers?23
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I was asking if anybody else had experienced this.Tiny_Dancer_in_Pink wrote: »You asked for help but ............ you believe your dietician is right. Not sure what you need. Do you track your intake accurately?
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CorinnePina wrote: »
I was asking if anybody else had experienced this.Tiny_Dancer_in_Pink wrote: »You asked for help but ............ you believe your dietician is right. Not sure what you need. Do you track your intake accurately?
When I wasn't tracking accurately I was not getting anywhere. I was spinning my wheels.5 -
CorinnePina wrote: »
I was asking if anybody else had experienced this.Tiny_Dancer_in_Pink wrote: »You asked for help but ............ you believe your dietician is right. Not sure what you need. Do you track your intake accurately?
Most of us have experienced it and 90% of the time it comes down to inaccurately logging our food. The other 10% is medical issues. If you don't weigh everything you eat start there. If you do weigh everything and you aren't losing, see your doctor for blood work.15 -
But subtract your exercise (600) and any NEAT (say 300) and you're under 500 calories NET for the day. Metabolic rate will slow down. It's inevitable especially with so little to lose.CorinnePina wrote: »Looks like you have people with full access to your history and with significant testing resources available to them trying to help you deal with an adaptive thermogenesis situation.
I have two questions.
What do you expect the community with no access to you or your records to offer to you?
Why are you focused on losing WEIGHT at a BMI of 20?Looks like you have people with full access to your history and with significant testing resources available to them trying to help you deal with an adaptive thermogenesis situation.
I have two questions.
What do you expect the community with no access to you or your records to offer to you?
Why are you focused on losing WEIGHT at a BMI of 20?
I just want to lose 5 pounds. I was always 122-125. I just all of a sudden gained 6 pounds changing nothing. I mean how can "adaptive thermogenesis" be a myth? If my BMR is 1,685 calories and I eat only 1,400; my body goes into conversation mode.
A 6 pound weight gain is likely water retention and could be caused by any number of reasons.
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
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Got it. But you stated "nutritionist" not RD. Big difference when comparing the 2 and not obvious it was an RD in initial post.CorinnePina wrote: »You need an RD and not a nutritionist.
Your NET calories is likely much less than a 1000 calories a day. 1500 minus 600 is 900 and you still haven't added in just regular NEAT (walking to your car, walking around work, walking around home, etc.) Say that's an extra 200 calories. Now you're at 700 calories a day. That's a VLCD and can play havoc with your metabolic rate.
Eating too little results in a lower metabolic rate. It's not "starvation" but adaptive thermogenisis.
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
She is an RD: Lauren Antonucci. www.nutritionenergy.com
EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS
Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology from Binghamton University
Graduate Fellowship in Nutritional Biochemistry, University of California-Berkeley
Master's of Science in Nutrition and Food Studies, New York University
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (R.D.N.)
Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (C.S.S.D.)
NY State Licensed Certified Dietitian Nutritionist (C.D.N)
Certified Diabetes Educator (C.D.E.)
American Dietetic Association active member
American Dietetic Association Sports Nutritionist (SCAN) practice-group active member
I see your Indirect Calorimeter test and again, if you go by the numbers and you state you eat only 1400 calories, your NET calories are right around 500. That's the diet they put OBESE people on (VLCD).
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
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I've been dieting for six months straight and have not experienced adaptive thermogenesis, starvation mode, or conservation mode. As I understand it adaptive thermogenesis happens when a person eats a low calorie diet over a long period of time. Your print out is interesting, but it does not answer all our questions. How long have you been tracking your calories and body weight? When did you gain six pounds? Are you measuring your food portions with a scale, measuring cups, or estimating?2
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I am nowhere near your stats (I wish I were!) and when this happens to me it is water weight, sometimes from something that didn't show up as salty on the MFP stats, so I wasn't expecting it. I'm too old for this issue, but could you possibly be pregnant? I would think your dietician has checked, or had you check, but if it is theoretically possible, you might want to check it out.0
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jennybearlv wrote: »I've been dieting for six months straight and have not experienced adaptive thermogenesis, starvation mode, or conservation mode. As I understand it adaptive thermogenesis happens when a person eats a low calorie diet over a long period of time. Your print out is interesting, but it does not answer all our questions. How long have you been tracking your calories and body weight? When did you gain six pounds? Are you measuring your food portions with a scale, measuring cups, or estimating?
You're also not BMI 20 and creating a deficit that cannot be supported by your available fat stores.
Having said that, the weight "gain" fluctuation is not what adaptive thermogenesis is about.
And having said that the OPs focus on weight while at a low normal weight and with a build that is unlikely to be skinny fat given her exercise levels is of concern to me at least.4 -
True, but when I was a BMI of 20 I still lost weight when I didn't eat enough.
And since were editing, I did not say her weight gain or adaptive thermogenesis had anything to do with fluctuation. I don't have the OP's situation figured out, hence the questions.2 -
This was me this time last year. I'm 5'6", athletic, have always been around 118-123. Early 2016 I got injured and became slightly more sedentary - my weight shot up 8lb in 2 werks. Made no sense. I started training again and counting calories, netting around 1000-1300 each day, depending on my training schedule, and I could NOT lose any weight. But I stuck to the lifestyle because it helped me be more mindful about what I ate and I thought it was the right thing to do anyway.
This went on for about 10months - no weight loss. Then beginning of this year - my weight dropped. 6 lb in 2 months - and I didn't feel like I changed anything. Again, it did not make any sense to me - but through this process, I learned to not obsess over the whole weight thing, and completely revamped my eating habits.
I know this probably didn't help you much - I was in your shoes, and know how frustrating it could be. But since you asked for similar experiences, I thought I'd share. At the end of the day - take the long-term view -- do your best with eating well and within limits, the weight will drop, and you'll be healthier. As for increasing calories - if you feel good eating 1,500 at the current activity level, then I wouldn't raise the caloric intake. I don't think starvation mode is all it's cracked up to be.3 -
I'm using measuring cups. I gained the 6 pounds in the last month; haven't changed anything.jennybearlv wrote: »I've been dieting for six months straight and have not experienced adaptive thermogenesis, starvation mode, or conservation mode. As I understand it adaptive thermogenesis happens when a person eats a low calorie diet over a long period of time. Your print out is interesting, but it does not answer all our questions. How long have you been tracking your calories and body weight? When did you gain six pounds? Are you measuring your food portions with a scale, measuring cups, or estimating?
I've been under eating and over exercising for many years. I also had anorexia from from age 15-30. I just want to get it "right" this time. I don't lose any weight restricting calories any further; I tried that for the past 15 years too. I used to eat 1,200 calories a day and workout 3 hours a day and not lose any weight. My weight seems to have these sudden fluctuations.
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