So exactly when does all the bad stuff happen?

BoxerBrawler

So I am wondering when all the bad stuff that I keep hearing about e.g., ruined metabolism, muscle loss, starvation mode, etc. is supposed to happen? I have been going strong for a year and three months, still solid with a fairly substantial deficit and/or negative net at the end of the day about 90% of the time. I have not experienced any of the scary stuff people like to talk about. Honestly, I just continue to feel better and stronger with more energy and endurance...

Anyone else experience this? Anyone experience a "Real" crash and burn? Could it be that everyone is just different and some can tolerate and/or even thrive on extreme low calorie and hard work and others can't? I would love to understand this because many folks took great pains in 'warning' me of the dangers. Well, I am in deep waters and there are no dangers as far as the eye can see. Is there a magical time-frame like two years in? I know that a body can take a lot of abuse for a long time before breaking down, but how long exactly? Could it also be true that a body will actually learn to adapt to it's new environment when given no other choice?

I am not being sarcastic here, I really would like to hear some stories and opinions on all of this. And I don't mean opinions or nastiness toward me and please no lectures and no opinions on my own health and nutrition plan.

Just personal experience, personal perspective based on what we have heard, read, etc.
There is so much conflicting information!
I'd love to hear some real life experiences.

Thanks!

HerbertNenenger

One year and 7 pounds lost does not an expert make, or is that a real number? Doesn't seem like it was any big feat to begin with if those are your true numbers.

BigT555

ive been cutting cals for 8 months now and i dont feel any of the "bad stuff" either. that more for those who take the extreme approach and do VLC diets. if you set a reasonable calorie goal for yourself then you should be fine

to those other questions you asked, it is very dependent on the person, but there isnt really any solid info out there that allows us to do anything other than speculate

kk_140

*pokes with a ten foot pole*

I agree that it depends on the person. I'm not saying everyone should go out and eat 500 calories a day, everyone should aim for a moderate deficit . A moderate deficit is different depending on the people though. 1,200 calories is not moderate at all for a woman who is 6 feet tall, but also 1,200 calories is not much of a deficit for someone who is 4'10".

Also, starvation mode as it is commonly used on these forums is a myth.

_HeartsOnFire_

Do you weigh all of your foods?

How do you know you're burning 1000 calories with exercise? MFP calorie burns or heart rate monitor?

(I peaked your food/exercise diary). Personally, your burns seem high and if you are not weighing your foods then you are eating more than you think. So your deficit probably isn't as high as you think it may be.

_HeartsOnFire_

I'm also confused are you looking to find people who are on VLCD and have them tell you their experiences?

sfbaumgarten

*pokes with a ten foot pole*

You're brave. I'm just here to spectate

sevsmom

The word EXTREME is your first and largest mistake. Nourishing your body should never, in my humble opinion, include the word extreme. Unless you are saying the food you ate was extremely tasty, extremely spicy, extremely satisfying, or extremely disgusting. at 45 years old, you should have learned at least that by now. Extremes rarely do anyone long term good thing. Of course, you may be the extreme exception to the rule.

BigT555

check out her profile people. shes lost 50

DYELB

When your perceived calorie intake matches reality and you try to stay active.

gypsy_spirit

ETA: Posted before I was made aware of your cal. burns. Not sure how you are measuring those, but that changes my answer. You do you. Good luck.

healthygreek

OP has lost a lot more-she has 7 pounds TO GO!

OP, I don't see that you are on a VLCD. You are eating healthily and well within a decent goal.
You may not be burning as many calories as you think.
Congratulations on your loss!

rowboc22

I general stick to a 1200 cal deficit and dont eat back exercise cals, but evey 6-8months i do a VLCD and tend to find this is when i lose (and keep off) my biggest amounts.

Both VLC Diets i've done in the last year i've lost 8lbs each time and kept it off, i'm currently mid way through one and still attending my boot camp and feel no ill effect from doing this as a posed to when im eating more.

Im not saying eveyone should do these or even that they are a good idea as i understand the cons and the very real possiblilty of gaining back the weight but for me it works so i'm sticking with it. It gives me a much needed boost as 2 and half years into my journey i sometime lack that bit of motivation to keep going and doing a VLCD for a few weeks gives me that needed boost.

I think like you say everyone is different and it will come down to how you change your lifestyle as well as eating at the calorie deficet you choose. At the end of the day it all comes down to CALS in vs CALS out whether you chose to do that with a small deficit or a large deficit is up to you. Do what works for you.

BoxerBrawler

One year and 7 pounds lost does not an expert make, or is that a real number? Doesn't seem like it was any big feat to begin with if those are your true numbers.

No. It's one year and over 80 pounds. I have seven vanity pounds to go.
And I don't claim to be an expert at anything. Thanks anyway.

DeguelloTex

Your diary for the last week shows you eating 1300 - 1600 calories per day. It looks like you are not doing an extreme diet. I believe the "bad stuff" happens when you restrict calories BELOW what is healthy for that individual. You know, the people that are netting 300 - 600 calories a day.

I have been at 1500 - 1600 calories - give or take - for 2 and 1/2 years. I'm fine too. Because I meet my macros, meet my calories. So, what is the point of this post?

The OP wrote that she has been at , "...a fairly substantial deficit and/or negative net at the end of the day about 90% of the time." Negative net. You don't think that's extreme?

elliej

Whether you have 'ruined' your metabolism won't be apparent until you start eating at maintenance... that's kind of the point.

Muscle loss is almost inevitable at a high deficit, and it is a 'bad thing' but it's not the end of the world. The point is to try and preserve musculature which will help with how your body looks as the end result (You've probably heard of 'skinny fat', also a bit of a myth but I'd sure rather not have loads of soft saggy bits)

Starvation mode doesn't exist unless you are starving (as in real famine, not a bit fat and a bit hungry)

(edit to correct typo)

paperpudding

I didn't have any bad stuff happen to me - but I didn't eat a VLCD, just stuck to the calorie goal MFP gave me.

Will add I didn't have great amount to lose so not sure if my experience is relevant.

BoxerBrawler

Do you weigh all of your foods?

How do you know you're burning 1000 calories with exercise? MFP calorie burns or heart rate monitor?

(I peaked your food/exercise diary). Personally, your burns seem high and if you are not weighing your foods then you are eating more than you think. So your deficit probably isn't as high as you think it may be.

Thanks. Yes I weigh and log my foods and am pretty specific about it. Not perfect of course but I'd say 95%. For my calorie burns I use a combination of numbers on MFP, Fitbit, Nano step tracker, HRM and my machines that are set for my personal stats. I have to say all of the numbers are pretty close to each other with MFP on the high side and Fitbit on the low side.

DeguelloTex

Whether you have 'ruined' your metabolism won't be apparent until you start eating at maintenance... that's kind of the point.

If you're eating at maintenance, how will your "ruined" metabolism manifest itself?

_HeartsOnFire_

Your diary for the last week shows you eating 1300 - 1600 calories per day. It looks like you are not doing an extreme diet. I believe the "bad stuff" happens when you restrict calories BELOW what is healthy for that individual. You know, the people that are netting 300 - 600 calories a day.

I have been at 1500 - 1600 calories - give or take - for 2 and 1/2 years. I'm fine too. Because I meet my macros, meet my calories. So, what is the point of this post?

The OP wrote that she has been at , "...a fairly substantial deficit and/or negative net at the end of the day about 90% of the time." Negative net. You don't think that's extreme?

That is extreme, though looking at her diary, if she's not weighing her food, then she's eating more than she things. Also, pretty sure those burns are estimates that come from MFP - which we all now are incredibly high. So while OP thinks she's been on an extreme diet, she probably hasn't really been.

ETA: Okay, OP says she weighs her foods and believes the calorie burn...

So OP, just wondering the point of the post? If you are netting in the negative are you trying to promote this to other people? You want to find out when the 'bad' stuff happens, no one can give you a timeline. You'll know though if your hair starts falling out, your nails become brittle and if you have an EKG and it shows something is off with your heart. Not saying any of this is going to happen, but stay on a VLCD long enough and it will...along with other stuff.