"starvation" mode

catcrazy

@ Virgierox

basically you need to do what works for you and forget the numbers. If you are not losing eating your exercise calories dont eat them. Start by only eating 3/4 of them and work your way down til you are losing at a rate thats acceptable to you (2lb ish)

The numbers on here are only a guide, everyone of us is different. it says I need 2130 to maintain but i was still gaining 3lb a month on 1800 and working my way down until i was static saw me at 1300 so I have to go below recommendations to lose. I do it as healthily as possible, plenty of vegetables and a vitamin tablet. When I reach goal I will up my calories slowly, and healthily to , raise my "lowered due to dieting" metabolism but I realise I will never be able to eat what are considered "normal" sized portions

nsueflorence

If you have so many question on how the site is set up and what is right for you it is always recommended you consult your doctor before starting any fitness plan. So if you don't think what MFP is right with what it has laid out for you please see you doctor they will be able to help you break it down to your individual level. Every body is different. Your doctor can and will help you find out what is healthy for you. But please if you are having this many questions about whats going in and whats going out SEE YOUR DOCTOR!

ginnyroxx

my dr said it's calories in / calories out.
i've read enough here to see that there may be 2nd (3rd, 4th, 5th) opinions and i'm open to taking input from each one.

idk if you're post was directed at me, nsueflorence, but i don't think my questions are excessive. this is what the boards are for, no?

CroakerNorge

I think your question is totally reasonable. I don't get the whole "consult your doctor, this may not be the place for you" comment either. It IS all about calories in/calories out. If you have reasonable expectations, are honest with your food diary and consume less than you burn, you *should* lose weight.

Keep it simple & enjoy yourself.

SHBoss1673

my dr said it's calories in / calories out.
i've read enough here to see that there may be 2nd (3rd, 4th, 5th) opinions and i'm open to taking input from each one.

idk if you're post was directed at me, nsueflorence, but i don't think my questions are excessive. this is what the boards are for, no?

well, calories in vs calories out is the very simple explanation, and to a degree that's true, but it's also about quality of calories (I.E. you can't eat 1200 calories worth of twinkies for an extended period and expect not to have serious health issues). Eating less than you burn in a day is how you lose weight, but if you want to be sucessful IMHO, it's about changing your lifestyle so that you can keep the weight off, not just lose it.

ginnyroxx

Well, calories in vs calories out is the very simple explanation, and to a degree that's true, but it's also about quality of calories (I.E. you can't eat 1200 calories worth of twinkies for an extended period and expect not to have serious health issues). Eating less than you burn in a day is how you lose weight, but if you want to be sucessful IMHO, it's about changing your lifestyle so that you can keep the weight off, not just lose it.

Yes...I'm learning that along the way, as well. This past weekend was a bitter to pill to swallow when i stayed within my calories but ate out for various reasons. That sodium is a killer on me and I'm not full for as long.

Thank you for taking the time to help me understand. I finally do.

crissi66

OK...WARNING...THIS IS A RANT!


I'm so sick of hearing about starvation mode and how it could be sabatoging weight loss. I understand the principle, but enough already. To lose weight you have to take in less calories than you burn. Simple as that.

In my early 20's, I was working out at least 2-3 hours every single day (most of that was cardio with about 30 min strength or circuit training 3-4 times weekly). So while working out that much, I was eating MAYBE 1000 calories a day. MAYBE. Was that very healthy? Probably not. But you know what? I lost a ton of weight AND had a very firm toned body AND dropped my body fat significantly. So enough about starvation mode and how it's ruining weight loss. I hate that message for the 5 week prediction that if the daily calories is even slightly less than the targeted amount it mentions starvation mode. It's frustrating because I'm trying to do it right this time and I don't want to hear about starvation mode anymore.

I know a lot of people will disagree, but this post is not to start a debate or get people angry. I'm just frustrated.

End of rant.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU !!!!!!!! If one more person tells me I need to eat more, you guys are gonna be reading about me opening fire ang killing people in the newspaper. I eat when i feel hungry and snack if i want too. Eating like i was a bottomless pit got me in this situation!

sexygenius

personally i think it is different for everyone, for some people starvation mode may be a real factor, for others it might not matter how little they eat.

Chelsey8D

Then maybe MFP isn't for you.

What a rude thing to say on a site that is supposed to HELP and SUPPORT others during their weight loss.

Maybe you're just jealous that some people don't need to hit their calorie goal- everyone is different; just because 1200-1800 calories is the rule of thumb doesn't mean it is the correct thing for every single body type.

but anyways- here is a really interesting article about the subject-

http://caloriecount.about.com/truth-starvation-mode-ft28742

catcrazy

http://caloriecount.about.com/truth-starvation-mode-ft28742

THANK YOU for posting that AND AMEN! The main problem with going very low is when you re-introduce normal sized portions, it needs to be done slowly with the correct foods to bring it metabolic rate back up, if that is done you are no more likely to regain the weight lost than any other person

crissi66

Then maybe MFP isn't for you.

Everybody is different. this website is a tool and for everyone to use. A beginer is going to have different grasp on information than someone who has already been using the site and meeting goals.

What i believe this site is not for is negativity!

DestinyWeight

That is true. That starvation mode thingy is annoying. IF IM NOT HUNGRY THEN IM NOT STARVING.

fxst78

"Starvation mode" as a reason for no losing weight is a load of garbage.

If not then why did they POWs in Vietnam (who were on about 800-1000cal of rice a day) not come out fat??"

They didn't! They had lost all of thier body fat and alot of lean muscle mass.

The issue with going too low on cals is that you can lose muscle mass. That is starvation mode. It is when you are losing too much lean muscle mass to sustain your metabolism. I can assure you will still be losing weight though!

edorice

The issue with going too low on cals is that you can lose muscle mass. That is starvation mode. It is when you are losing too much lean muscle mass to sustain your metabolism. I can assure you will still be losing weight though!

Aw, but by any means necessary. That is all they care about. When they have malnutrition issues, can't walk up stair, struggle lifting their children and have osteoporosis in their 40's then they will wonder how it all began...

elainegsd

I hear ya there! My calorie allowance for the day is 1200 calories and I don't normally hit that mark... but I'm healthy and not starving! I get lectured by my friends to eat more- but I'm not usually hungry for more. The "starvation mode" is different for every person because every body metabolizes differently!

Yes, this is exactly it. I've heard it pointed out that "people who starve to death don't stop losing weight", and that is true. It is also true that people who starve to death aren't healthy and haven't been healthy for a while.

There IS a real and significant danger of harming your body, and even harming it permanently, by consuming too few calories. There is no magic number of calories that will prevent this harm. In general, our bodies won't shut down if we average 1199 calories instead of 1200 per day for a period of time. Other people WILL have their bodies shut down if they average 1300 calories per day for a period of time.

The thing is, use common sense. If you are feeling healthy and fit and being as active as you would like, then you are probably OK. The discussion of how many calories is right for you is one that should occur between you and your doctor if you have any concerns. It isn't as black and white as some people here seem to believe.

ClaireElanB

Thank you for posting this

ginnyroxx

Aw, but by any means necessary. That is all they care about. When they have malnutrition issues, can't walk up stair, struggle lifting their children and have osteoporosis in their 40's then they will wonder how it all began...

whew!
i'm so glad my honest questions about "how to make this program work for me" threadjack didn't derail the cynical rant value of the thread. i was worried for a sec.

proceed.

ashley0616

I think the starvatoin thing actually holds some water, at least in my personal situation. For me, I got to a point where I was sick of my weight and instead of doing it the right way, I severely restricted calories and upped my activity. However, I also had binge moments where I would eat a TON of calories in a sitting one day. There's an article in one of the sticky posts at the top of this board that explains why I was great at maintaining my weight, but not losing. I was always so frustrated that I was eating as little as 900 calories a day and not seeing anything drop, then getting depressed and binging just to start the whole thing over agian.

I joined this site 2 weeks ago. I lost 1 lb the first week. Then, I started reading why you should eat more to lose, and I did. I gained 4lbs in just a few days. Today, I weighed myself and I have lost not only those 4lbs, but another 1.4 on top of it. I'm eating between 1300 and 1500 a day (which is torture, but I know it has to be done) healthily and working out 30-45 minutes 3-5 times a week, or as often as I can basically. So far, I am really pleased with the progress and totally believe in starvation mode because I honestly think that's where I was for so long.

Of course, that's just my situatoin and story, but I thought it would add something.

shhhhpassiton

I totally agree! some days I have only "eaten" somewhere between 500 and 1000 calories when I include exercise but i'm not hungry if I was hungry I would eat! and I have lost weight quickly. I've read from some people that at night they eat all of the exercise calories as there dinner.. I dont understand how that can work out in your favor. I'm glad you mentioned this because I was so worried about eating too little and I never lost weight but not worrying about it for the past 2 months I have lost close to 10 pounds. totally worth it.

Glucocorticoid

I agree with what most people are saying.

People are different. There is no one golden meal frequency strategy that will work for everyone. You have to do what works for you.

The bottom line is that there is no scientific research that supports the notion that you must eat every 2-3 hours in order to keep your metabolism running optimally. That notion was actually disproved a long time ago. At the end of the day, the thermic effect of food will still end up being the same.
It takes a much longer starvation period for your metabolism to be effected.

ginnyroxx

I think the starvatoin thing actually holds some water, at least in my personal situation. For me, I got to a point where I was sick of my weight and instead of doing it the right way, I severely restricted calories and upped my activity. However, I also had binge moments where I would eat a TON of calories in a sitting one day. There's an article in one of the sticky posts at the top of this board that explains why I was great at maintaining my weight, but not losing. I was always so frustrated that I was eating as little as 900 calories a day and not seeing anything drop, then getting depressed and binging just to start the whole thing over agian.

I joined this site 2 weeks ago. I lost 1 lb the first week. Then, I started reading why you should eat more to lose, and I did. I gained 4lbs in just a few days. Today, I weighed myself and I have lost not only those 4lbs, but another 1.4 on top of it. I'm eating between 1300 and 1500 a day (which is torture, but I know it has to be done) healthily and working out 30-45 minutes 3-5 times a week, or as often as I can basically. So far, I am really pleased with the progress and totally believe in starvation mode because I honestly think that's where I was for so long.

Of course, that's just my situatoin and story, but I thought it would add something.

that's awesome! i'd love to know how you're doing that while watching your sodium levels. or do you not track that? i checked out your diary bc i'll have close to 1000 calories for dinner after my workout and i'm at a loss on how i'm going to get that done w/o going over my sodium level. there's NO WAY i could eat what you had. my body is a sodium sponge.

hmmm....i think i need to search low sodium foods and see what i get.

either way, i thought i'd ask you bc i've been convinced today that this is the way to go.

edorice

2500 mg guideline for sodium is based on a 2,000 calorie diet. If you are going over or reaching 2,500 mg of sodium then your sodium intake is too much for less calories. Taking in 1,000 calories in one meal is not a great plan for weight loss, especially at dinner.

Eat like a king for breakfast.
Eat like a prince for lunch.
Eat like a pauper for dinner.

ginnyroxx

2500 mg guideline for sodium is based on a 2,000 calorie diet. If you are going over or reaching 2,500 mg of sodium then your sodium intake is too much for less calories. Taking in 1,000 calories in one meal is not a great plan for weight loss, especially at dinner.

Eat like a king for breakfast.
Eat like a prince for lunch.
Eat like a pauper for dinner.

yeah...i understand that. but seeing as though i just wrapped my head around this eating my exercise calories thing this afternoon, it's a little too late for that tonight.

thanks for the help tho

ginnyroxx

2500 mg guideline for sodium is based on a 2,000 calorie diet. If you are going over or reaching 2,500 mg of sodium then your sodium intake is too much for less calories. Taking in 1,000 calories in one meal is not a great plan for weight loss, especially at dinner.

Eat like a king for breakfast.
Eat like a prince for lunch.
Eat like a pauper for dinner.

also i tried to view your diary to get some tips...but it's private. :ohwell:

Glucocorticoid

2500 mg guideline for sodium is based on a 2,000 calorie diet. If you are going over or reaching 2,500 mg of sodium then your sodium intake is too much for less calories. Taking in 1,000 calories in one meal is not a great plan for weight loss, especially at dinner.

Eat like a king for breakfast.
Eat like a prince for lunch.
Eat like a pauper for dinner.

yeah...i understand that. but seeing as though i just wrapped my head around this eating my calories thing this afternoon, it's a little too late for that tonight.

thanks for the help tho

You can choose to believe anecdotal stories that have worked for people, like above. But I could also show you anecdotal stories that worked for people doing exactly the opposite. Last night, I pretty much had all my calories before I went to sleep.

"Taking in 1,000 calories in one meal is not a great plan for weight loss, especially at dinner. " edorice, could you show some evidence to back that statement up?

I think some people are confusing what the OP was trying to argue. Your caloric requirements should be met based on your goals. The deficit created may vary, again, depending on your goals.

But don't tell me WHEN during the day I should eat and how often because I will get fatter and my metabolism will slow down if I don't follow this golden rule. It's simply a myth that is long overdue to die.

ClaireElanB

There's a diet on the bodybuilder forums that advocates not eating anything all day then all your calories for dinner - supposed to mimic the old caveman hunter thing of being out all day and eating the rewards of the hunt at night.

At the end of the day there's no 'right' answers - some do well on different regimens than others. There's no merit to passing judgment. The only thing people should be leaving here is their own personal experiences IMO.

Ngolden1

I 100% agree with you!!!! Starvation mode is SOOOO overblown on here. I think people are wayyy too worried about it, to the point it most likely derails their progress. In my life, whenever I have restricted calories, I have lost weight and kept muscle tone by working out.

Heliconia

So what is TFR and how does someone boost their calorie intake correctly?

Heliconia

You know when I see pictures of people in concentration camps or from countries suffering from famine, I seldom see a chubby whose body resisted weight loss due to "starvation mode."

gnutrifitness

I'm totally agree with the post! Me too I'm just 5' and I gain If I eat 1200 cal. I know my body a lot and I know how it works, for me 900 cal it's perfect and I try to eat this amount....People who usually say that they don't lose when they eat less than 1200 for the "starvation" theory is because they binge on weekends or during the week for the big calorie restriction they're doing and because they really need to eat more...I really feel full and satisfied eating less than 1200 but somedays I feel hungrier to eat more and I do it...I think we have to listen to our bodies, and that's all...