Starvation mode is a myth!
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I use VLC to mean very low carb but nevertheless, I won't argue your point because all I have is N=1 to go from.
I don't think that I've EVER eaten very low CALORIES, ha! I've seen some people on here who eat 700 a day AND workout (not saying net cal). I don't know how they do it cos I'm a girl who eats!
For about 18 months in my mid-20s, I couldn't shift some weight that I'd have preferred not having, though I was eating nothing above 1400 calories a day -- tracking religiously -- and I worked out the norm for back then: running 3mi/ 3x/wk and ST twice a week with girlie weights (you know what I mean, it was the early 90s).
I was NOT told that I was in starvation mode but I basically said, 'I'm tired of feeling restricted' and began eating more. I am SURE that they were UNhealthy choices. Knowing myself, it was probably pizza. I went from 122 to 112 doing the same workouts, the only difference was I'd upped my calorie intake to 1800-2000 a day.
::shrugs:: This lasted years and I never dropped down to where I'm SUPPOSED to eat again (nothing over 1400) -- unless I'm trying to lean out but even then, I eat more than what 'they' say I should.
I think there's something going on with leaning when we fuel their workouts.
I also think when most people say they've plateaued, they're not tracking their intake and expenditure correctly, 100% of the time. But I *was* tracking and I dunno. What they say to do was definitely not 'my' zone!0 -
People don't stay away from the starvation mode because it makes them not lose fat. People stay away because it is unhealthy to deprive your body of essential fruits, veggies, vitamins, and minerals. Your body will feed on muscle first. That's why you continue to lose. That's why starving people are weak but a lot don't die on very little calories. The body knows how to survive. If starvation mode weren't existent, doctors would put all overweight patients on 500 calorie diets. Some of what you say is true: you will lose SOME fat and your metabolism from one week of VLCD won't be harmed much, but there is such a thing as starvation mode.
Edit to say: this is why people who suffer from anorexia have bodies that look unhealthy. They are "skinny fat people". All fat and no muscle due to starvation mode
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MFP right away had me at 1200 cal per day. i have mostly stuck to that and have been losing like im supposed to. i weigh and measure everything i can. there are days that i go over (a few times alot) and most days i am under. i exercise and eat almost all of my calories back. i have read so many posts that say not to go that low and heres all these bad reasons why. well every week i am down just like im supposed to be and i dont feel tired or weak or starving. i averaged out my calorie intake from day 1 until now and i average 1500 cal a day without counting my exercise. ive tried going by my tdee and all this other scientific stuff. But what works for me is if im losing im gonna keep doing what im doing if i stop or gain well i adjust as needed.
im not thin this is my second time on mfp and this time im going all the way. the difference is this time i figured out how to make it work for me.
thank you for this post OP. it was needed!!0 -
Thank you for posting this. I have been really frustrated when I feel like I have lost but the scale isn't budging. This is usually when I give up.
I guess I will keep going and see what results I do get0 -
I have a guy at work who loves to remind me every day that he is on a low carb (10 carbs or less a day) diet. He also loves to tell me that my continuous cardio will stop be from burning calories. IE being on an ARC machine for 30 minutes means after 10 my body will no longer burn calories.
2nd ... regarding the stoppage of burning calories from continuous exercise ...
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If starvation mode didn't exist, how did Hurley stay so fat on the island on LOST?!0
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TL;DR but i thought id put my 2 cents worth in anyway
okay so we should all know that we get our energy from food (i mean, calories are literally just units of energy). we need food to live an all that. but as far as i know from experience (and health class), starvation mode appears to just be a plateau from the lack of vitamins that encourage the metabolic cells to do their work. without these, we can't turn fat (or protein or carbs) into useful forms of energy. and we all know that these metabolic cells go for the carbs first, then the fat and then the protein.
once again, starvation mode is just a lack of vitamins.
Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B6 and B9 all contribute to the process of metabolism. (:
It really depends how low calorie we are talking about, here. I was thinking like less than 600 and also, once again, it really matters on what kind of food you are eating. I guess I was kind of basing this off of my diet, but most people here probably eat really well haha.0 -
thank you so much for sharing - i am just beginnging my journey and i really enjoyed reading your post!0
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OP i literally love you0
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Anecdotally, I tend to agree. I've been on 1,200 calories a day for three months, and I feel better than I ever have. I have energy to spare and I'm sleeping great. I'm eating more protein, lifting weights, and seeing a decrease in fat while muscle is on the increase. I have about 15 more pounds to go, I'm losing a steady amount each week, and I have not plateaued a bit.0
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I have a guy at work who loves to remind me every day that he is on a low carb (10 carbs or less a day) diet. He also loves to tell me that my continuous cardio will stop be from burning calories. IE being on an ARC machine for 30 minutes means after 10 my body will no longer burn calories.
2nd ... regarding the stoppage of burning calories from continuous exercise ...
I tend to try to ignore his little statements like that. He can be quite the pain in the *kitten*.0 -
If starvation mode didn't exist, how did Hurley stay so fat on the island on LOST?!
why do you think people kept "disappearing"?0 -
If starvation mode didn't exist, how did Hurley stay so fat on the island on LOST?!
why do you think people kept "disappearing"?
:drinker:0 -
So if starvation mode really doesn't exist why do so many people stop losing weight after periods of eating low levels of calories? There are many answers. My belief is a lot of people suck at counting calories. Many people measure solid foods in things like cups and tablespoons.
QFT Right on ! :drinker:0 -
Great post, OP!
To those who don't agree, watch Naked and Afraid on Discovery Channel.0 -
TL;DR
starvation mode isn't easy to get into
but you can really harm your health if you consistently undereat
namaste0 -
Interesting commentary and post.0
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I have a guy at work who loves to remind me every day that he is on a low carb (10 carbs or less a day) diet. He also loves to tell me that my continuous cardio will stop be from burning calories. IE being on an ARC machine for 30 minutes means after 10 my body will no longer burn calories.
Well damn, then what we should do is have people get on a ARC machine for 30 min everyday and then after 10 minutes they can turn a crank on a generator. Since they are no longer burning calories turning that crank requires no energy and yet produces energy. Free sustainable energy for all. Glad we solved that problem, I was beginning to think perpetual motion was bunk.0 -
TL;DR
starvation mode isn't easy to get into
but you can really harm your health if you consistently undereat
namaste0 -
a mythical mode where fat loss stops and the body fuels itself on unicorn tears and good intentions simply doesn't exist!
:laugh: :drinker:0
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