"Self-preservation mode" by MFP blogger

CeeBeeSlim

Can this happen? Or nonsense? Aka "starvation mode". The below was from one of the MFP articles today:

4 Signs You're Eating Too Little When Trying to Lose Weight

4. YOU CAN’T LOSE THOSE LAST FIVE POUNDS

More isn’t necessarily better. You usually lose weight when you run a calorie deficit — burning more calories than you’re consuming — you can actually hold on to weight for a period if you’re creating too large of a deficit. If you’re finding you just can’t lose those last few pounds, it’s possible you’re either training too hard, eating too little or some combination of the two. Smaller deficits (think 250-500 calories) are all you really need to see longer-term weight loss. Plus, this won’t trigger your body to go into self-preservation mode, which may provide you with quick weight loss in the beginning, but set the stage for you to gain it back in the future.

TR0berts

Pretty much all of the "MFP" blogs should be ignored.

VintageFeline

TR0berts wrote: »

Pretty much all of the "MFP" blogs should be ignored.

Uh huh.

Plus, this should probably be in the Debate section. Not that there's anything to be debated, it's unscientific nonsense.

Tacklewasher

I read this as well and was going to comment. I thought the first three points were fine, but yeah. Point 4 just looked like Starvation Mode in disguise.

CeeBeeSlim

Just how I like it! Quick and to the point. Now I know how much of little veracity to put into the blogs. But that brings up a question - why do they allow this to be published - while monitoring other posts/subjects they deem inappropriate. I guess cuz they feel it's still "debatable?"

zyxst

I don't believe anything posted by/in the MFP blog.

VintageFeline

I don't think MFP monitors the articles really, they get paid for clicks, articles create clicks, happy MFP.

Alatariel75

MFP only relatively recently got rid of the warning that you might go into starvation mode when you try and close your diary at under 1000 cals.

I think the thing to remember is that some very small proportion of MFP users use the forum - less than 10%, I believe. So while people try and create a science based woo-free zone, the knowledge of the forums does not necessarily reflect what MFP promotes as a whole.

Remember, even the mods (with a few exceptions) are volunteers and are only involved in the forum side of things - they have nothing to do with the MFP business as a whole

FatPorkyChop

In my country, all personal trainers I ve came accross, nutritionnists interviews and people in general are adament about the starvation mode.... it's going to take time to change minds ...

tinkerbellang83

Alatariel75 wrote: »

MFP only relatively recently got rid of the warning that you might go into starvation mode when you try and close your diary at under 1000 cals.

I think the thing to remember is that some very small proportion of MFP users use the forum - less than 10%, I believe. So while people try and create a science based woo-free zone, the knowledge of the forums does not necessarily reflect what MFP promotes as a whole.

Remember, even the mods (with a few exceptions) are volunteers and are only involved in the forum side of things - they have nothing to do with the MFP business as a whole

The amount of starvation mode comments as advice I see in my newsfeed is unreal

jemhh

CeeBeeSlim wrote: »

Can this happen? Or nonsense? Aka "starvation mode". The below was from one of the MFP articles today:

4 Signs You're Eating Too Little When Trying to Lose Weight

4. YOU CAN’T LOSE THOSE LAST FIVE POUNDS

More isn’t necessarily better. You usually lose weight when you run a calorie deficit — burning more calories than you’re consuming — you can actually hold on to weight for a period if you’re creating too large of a deficit. If you’re finding you just can’t lose those last few pounds, it’s possible you’re either training too hard, eating too little or some combination of the two. Smaller deficits (think 250-500 calories) are all you really need to see longer-term weight loss. Plus, this won’t trigger your body to go into self-preservation mode, which may provide you with quick weight loss in the beginning, but set the stage for you to gain it back in the future.

To be fair, the above doesn't match up with what people commonly describe as starvation mode. Generally starvation mode is purported to be a state where your body holds onto fat despite a large deficit. The above mentions holding onto weight, which is possible due to increased cortisol production as a result of steep deficits and leading to water retention.

sakomeow

I'd tell you to take it with a grain of salt but you'd need so much it'd mess up your sodium for the week.

CeeBeeSlim

@sakomeow That's ok. My sushi craving today already did that!

heiliskrimsli

You'd think a registered dietitian would know better than to spout starvation mode nonsense.