Starvation Mode is Real, and ugly

foreverjade

I have definitely been there, done that. Many years ago when I thought water for breakfast and lunch was a good idea! So, I have confidence in telling you that your metabolism WILL recover... it may take time, but it will. Concentrate on eating small portions very often, eating as soon as you wake up in the morning, and exercise frequently. All of those things will remind your metabolism to get to work, and as long as you give yourself enough calories to do so, it will get back to normal. It totally sucks, but it will come back!!!!

Awesome eat more, lose more article:
http://www.beachbody.com/product/newsletters/nl_437.do

SHBoss1673

Ahhh, my dear Marla, from one MFP Lifer to another. I'm very proud of you. You know I'm a know-it-all S.O.B. but if you need help, don't hesitate to ping me.

I'm glad you came to this realization, I'm sad that it took this much pain to reach it, but I feel solidly that your metabolism will fully recover from this issue, and you will soon after, be that much stronger, and that much healthier, and in a unique position to help others not only by knowledge but by experience.

Sometimes, when I post things similar to your endo's conclusions, I get the feeling people are thinking "you don't know, you've never been in starvation mode". And that's probably not true (it's not, I have been, trust me), but it's easier for someone to relate when they have something in common with you. S now you can not only heal your self, but help others to heal as well. And be that much more strong and beautiful for it, outside and in!

congrats and best luck going forward.

-Banks

Marla64

Ahhh, my dear Marla, from one MFP Lifer to another. I'm very proud of you. You know I'm a know-it-all S.O.B. but if you need help, don't hesitate to ping me.

I'm glad you came to this realization, I'm sad that it took this much pain to reach it, but I feel solidly that your metabolism will fully recover from this issue, and you will soon after, be that much stronger, and that much healthier, and in a unique position to help others not only by knowledge but by experience.

Sometimes, when I post things similar to your endo's conclusions, I get the feeling people are thinking "you don't know, you've never been in starvation mode". And that's probably not true (it's not, I have been, trust me), but it's easier for someone to relate when they have something in common with you. S now you can not only heal your self, but help others to heal as well. And be that much more strong and beautiful for it, outside and in!

congrats and best luck going forward.

-Banks

Okay, so make me cry, why dontcha? I'm proud to be a lifer alongside the likes of folks like you, Banks-- you're the best.

I'm also proud of not giving up through this. It was proof to me that I'm NOT the same person who found this site. I never gave up. Never stopped exercising or counting my calories.

Sure, I now know that the counting and the reducing and the zig-zag and the veggie juice fasts (!!!!!!!!) and all the things I tried to "jumpstart" things was hurting me. But, still I never gave up.

The old me would've given up, and turned to food.

When this turns around, yes, I'll be stronger than before in many ways-- and I have to tell you, that it's the support and kindness of you folks that continues to strengthen me.

Thanks to all--

AwMyLoLo

:flowerforyou: :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:

thelima

Thanks so much for sharing! Your journey sounds very familiar.

These days, I'm taking it easy, making sure my base cals are 2000 (for a 5' 6" woman at a high weight) and when I burn a lot of cals (which I do daily), I eat well.

I've only been at this a few months, and taking things one step at a time.

lovetowrite73

If you love and respect your body it will love and respect you back. If you treat it poorly and try to beat it into submission then expect a fight. You will probably lose...

Man, I love this.

To the OP, I want to say how sorry I am that you are going through this. I pray that you will be able to reverse the damage and get your metabolism back on track.

SHBoss1673

oh, I'm shirking my duties. Ceelove, thanks, I meant to bump this earlier today.

lovetowrite73

Anyway-- early report so far, and I mean early-- I'm only just entering day 4 of the raised calories-- I'm down 2.5 pounds from Sunday morning. I know a lot of it's water, blah, blah, blah-- and I don't expect to keep up that rate of loss.

I obviously hadn't read past the last post I quoted. I'm rooting for you! Here's to the incredible power of the human body!

jcch00

Thank you for posting and sharing your story. This truly helps me realize that my continually eating 1200-1400 daily is probably not a good idea. I'm going to reevaluate my needs after reading this.

RunHardBeStrong

bump

Marla64

Thank you for posting and sharing your story. This truly helps me realize that my continually eating 1200-1400 daily is probably not a good idea. I'm going to reevaluate my needs after reading this.

Thank you, and PLEASE do reevaluate. You're younger than I am, so who knows how long you can skate before your body says enough. But, don't chance it.

Personally, right now I'm just totally thrilled that while I nearly doubled my calories, I haven't gained all week. A year ago when I freaked out about even thinking of doing what I'm doing now, I was terrified to do this. If I was gaining on 1400, I thought, why in the world would I want to raise it to 2100?

Wow-- do I wish I'd have gotten a clue sooner.

rcrea

sounds like insulin resistance and/or hormone imbalance, especially in light of your thyroid issues.

So far, all they've found is Hashimoto's-- I've been in their faces for almost a year, basically telling them what to look for. "Look for this. Okay, now look for that." They're getting tired of me, no doubt. I had three doctors blow me off as soon as the TSH came back fine with the "Well, you know, you are getting older," crap. Totally pissed me off.

I finally found a doctor who took me seriously and kept checking-- at my urging she checked for ovarian issues since I have a history of cysts, and while I do have small ones, they tell me they're not pertinent to my weight gain. I'm not so sure, but nobody will do anything about it.

They just did a full blood panel, and nothing is out of order in the sugar realm-- it's been maddening, to say the least.

Also, I have to add-- since being on a measly 25 mcg of Synthroid, my TSH and free t4 levels are now "within normal" range, so they won't even increase the dosage.

I've been dealing with thyroid issues as well. Synthroid really gave me no relief. My weight just kept increasing and I was told my metabolism was ruined after years of medication and dieting. Finally, I tried the natural way. There is a product call Raw Thyroid by Natural Sources. I get it from my local health food store. It's not a miracle product, but I find that it's working for me. With diet and exercise I'm starting to see results again.

I'm so sorry for what you are going through. Thank you for having the courage to share this for the benefit of others.

Marla64

sounds like insulin resistance and/or hormone imbalance, especially in light of your thyroid issues.

So far, all they've found is Hashimoto's-- I've been in their faces for almost a year, basically telling them what to look for. "Look for this. Okay, now look for that." They're getting tired of me, no doubt. I had three doctors blow me off as soon as the TSH came back fine with the "Well, you know, you are getting older," crap. Totally pissed me off.

I finally found a doctor who took me seriously and kept checking-- at my urging she checked for ovarian issues since I have a history of cysts, and while I do have small ones, they tell me they're not pertinent to my weight gain. I'm not so sure, but nobody will do anything about it.

They just did a full blood panel, and nothing is out of order in the sugar realm-- it's been maddening, to say the least.

Also, I have to add-- since being on a measly 25 mcg of Synthroid, my TSH and free t4 levels are now "within normal" range, so they won't even increase the dosage.

I've been dealing with thyroid issues as well. Synthroid really gave me no relief. My weight just kept increasing and I was told my metabolism was ruined after years of medication and dieting. Finally, I tried the natural way. There is a product call Raw Thyroid by Natural Sources. I get it from my local health food store. It's not a miracle product, but I find that it's working for me. With diet and exercise I'm starting to see results again.

I'm so sorry for what you are going through. Thank you for having the courage to share this for the benefit of others.

Thank you! I'll definitely look into it. I've read testimonials from Synthroid patients-- a lot of people say it doesn't work for them, either. It's hard to know if some people think it should be a magic pill and don't do their part, ya know? But, if patient after patient says the stuff sucks, you'd think something else could be done?? I don't know-- I'm no fan of the medical community, by any stretch, and if there's something I can do alternatively, I'd do it. So I'll look into this.

Thanks so much!

2bfitforever

Thank you and I wish you luck in getting everything back in sync.

EbonyGemstoneHealth

Thanks this really opened my eyes,sorry to hear you have to start again though,yes this should be a sticky!

Marla64

Okay-- well a full week into the new calorie intake-- got on the scale and I'm up 1.5 this morning from last Sunday. I know this is going to be a slow, arduous process so I'm not going to freak. I do believe I'm on the right path. My body is also gearing up for cyclical matters-- :blushing: sorry, fellas, if it's too much information. So I know extra weight is expected.

I was a little dejected, to be sure, with seeing the scale up. But, I know the initial loss that I'd reported earlier in the week now was due to my diuretic I'd taken Monday night.

What I'm seeing in hindsight now is that my body began to rebel a long time before I even realized it. I was on 1200 calories for over a year before I went up to 1400. Towards the end of 1200, my body began to cling to every drop of water. So, to combat it, I simply asked for a diuretic from my doctor-- with my history of mild hypertension and premenstrual water, blah, blah, blah, I got it no problem. So I started taking it daily to counteract the bloat-- more stupidity, I know.:noway:

As my body continued to shut down, one of the first things I noticed was that my face was oddly holding water in weird places. In addition to just looking bigger from weight gain, it had a weird cartoonish look to it around the cheeks when I'd smile. Nobody would notice it but me, probably-- but, this is what I'm talking about--



Yeah, I'm 47 years old, but those lines around my face are new-- I have a layer of water under the skin all over my face. This picture was taken yesterday-- and is a little, teeny bit better. But, I'll be charting this-- I want my face back.

As things progressed, possibly due in part to stress, to boot-- the bags under my eyes were enormous--



Ignore the spaced out expression-- ha-- but check out the bags under the bags, under the bags-- I have horizontal lines from the puffing. Again, marginally better.

I've learned through this that my body also began to rebel on wheat bread in particular-- I seem to be able to handle some gluten products, but stone ground wheat? Holy Hannah-- put a pin in me, please, to release the pressure-- this is from this week, one hour after eating bread. Wayyyyy uncomfortable-- mental note. Stay away!!



My body went on a total autoimmune crisis, apparently-- psoriasis, hashimoto's, celiac-like symptoms-- people smarter than me will have to tell me if all related to malnutrition-- but, I'm pinning it on there, too-- my last weeks before the body simply said, "ENOUGH" in the fall of '09 I was going hogwild on nothing but plain yogurt, and rice cakes to get off the last few pounds-- ironic, eh? 1200 calories of rice cakes and plain yogurt, running 15 miles a week, 100 pushup challenges, crunches, walking, weight training-- the ol' bod just said "no freaking more," so it seems.

Positives since last Sunday? My appetite-- I'm hungrier. I'm feeding my body, and it wants more. Every 2.5 - 3 hours, I need to eat. Concentrating on proteins, lower carbs, blah, blah, blah-- eating clean, good food throughout the day.

Even though I'd never stopped exercising, my muscle tone had nearly gone, and was hidden by the layers of watery fat on my body. I was feeling weaker. This week, with better eating, even through 5 days of P90x, I feel stronger. My muscles are slowly, slowly seeming evident again-- the layer of glop is still very real, very there.

Also, my overall digestion has improved-- my body was not letting ANYTHING go-- I was not losing. I could not sweat. I was constipated. No matter how much I drank, little water was leaving unless I forced it with a diuretic.

But, the overall shape of my body through week one is a bit tighter as if my body seems willing to consider one day forgiving me, and ending its grudge, and allowing the fat to burn back off....IF I continue to treat it nicely.

I'm not going to rush it by any means. While I was hoping to see a loss right out of the starting gate, I am not deterred. I believe this could take months to iron out, so I'm staying committed to it.

Thanks again for everyone's support-- I'll be posting this in this thread and back with my black team. I've been blessed with a lot of support through this site, and it really touches my heart. Thanks to all.

cmriverside

M, I just saw this for the first time and read through the thread. I am so glad you are sharing this with the community, it is so important to be willing to use your experience for the common good.

I truly hope this is a turning point for you and you will start to see some relief. It has been a long journey.

Big hug for you.

Oh, what the heck? Have a flower, too :flowerforyou:

finncmh

bump. thank you

tgh1914

bump again; Thanks for being so painfully honest Marla

Michelle_J

Thank you for sharing your story...

Marla64

Okay-- so week two in the books. I've been trying to take note and record any changes positively and negatively from the increased calories. Not too many negatives.

My psoriasis has flared worse. Terrible on the scalp, and beginning under the breast area. Coincidence? My body simply confused... "Wait, is she starving me or feeding me? I don't know what to do?" Who knows-- again, this is where people smarter than me would have to weigh in.

I've done 2 weeks of P90x, lean version-- and 2300 or so calories per daily. I started at 198, and this morning am 196.5.

Eating every 3 hours or so, protein, good food. I've had some desserts here and there. Cutting out sugar totally is so flippin' hard with kids in the house..... But, measured portions, and very controlled.

Gentleman-- female information to follow-- read at your peril--

Just completed my cycle. I am always like clockwork, which totally confounded the doctors who wanted to lay my weight gain on simply being menopausal or premenopausal. Uh, hello? You can set your clock to me.

Past year my cycles were extremely fierce. No pain, but duration and scope, if you will, were off the charts. This week was "normal" for the first time in over a year. Again, coincidence? I don't think so. Time will tell.

I've added a green tea supplement to my repertoire. I know it's not a magic pill, nor am I looking for one now or ever-- but, the research I've done shows that it's an aid to metabolism. And Lord knows I need that. So I'm taking them with my morning and noon meals.

I ran 2 miles the other night for the first time in months. I was still in the midst of my cycle, and terrible waterlogged-- weighing over 200 pounds at the time-- but had more strength than I had in past runs.

Running 5 miles on poor nutrition, in hindsight, was miraculous. I'm proud of what I accomplished especially, now, in light of the poor nutrition I was providing my poor body. Truly, I have some grit-- and I'm proud of that.

the bloating is still off the charts. I won't share my picture here, but on my black thread I posted a picture of the muffin top from hell, as I forced myself into my size 12 jeans. End of May 2010, I was size 8. Now I can't fit into 12, and some old 14s I found are tight.

Trying to stay positive. This is very emotionally draining. To have worked so hard and have it all taken away is just so, so upsetting. Knowing I did it to myself is worse.... Dope!

I still read so much on these boards about starvation mode, and people refusing to eat back their calories from exercise and I just want to scream. However, I know most people aren't going to listen. While I'm sharing my tale and will keep updating via this thread, I'm not going to be the voice of experience popping into every thread and sharing this cautionary tale. It will be pointless to a large degree.

I appreciate the folks who have shared this. I've seen a few people post this link on other threads. I never envisioned myself as the poster girl for Starvation Mode-- I was rather hoping to be the poster girl for the mothers of many children, who CAN get control over their eating and their bodies and turn their lives around. I turned mine around, but not in a sensible way. And it turned right back!

I'm rambling-- sorry-- other positives, I guess-- my skin is tighter on my face.... A bit. Seems the layer of water is slightly less. I did have to end up taking a diuretic towards the end of my cycle. My body never, ever likes to release water-- never has. So, I will take the help when I need it.

And, again, my, uh, excretory system is better. My body seems thrilled to be able to function normally-- "oh, so THIS is what it's like to be fed consistent, normal, good, healthy food.....!!!!!!!"

Major positive-- two weeks of increased calories, and I'm down 1.5 pounds. I know it's going to be slow. I have to be patient. But, this is progress.

So, eat those calories, people-- share this tale. I'm going to post weekly updates.

shanhawk

Thanks so much for sharing your story...I can't even begin to imagine havinng to go through something like this. It does, however, make one think about what they are doing and how they are fueling their bodies. Its always good to be able to learn from others when we can.

susioryan

bump

DeeDeeLHF

Marla, this was intense!!! I can't believe what you have gone through. Scares the **** out of me!! I have been slowly dieting for almost 6 years. It has taken a very long time to lose it. I am maintaining at 1350 plus I eat most of my exercise calories. After reading your stuff I am left wondering.

I read your quote "if I am gaining at 1400 then why would I want to increase?" and I think that you are reading my thoughts!!!

:noway: Scared to death to increase the calories. It has taken so long to get here I never want to go back!

I finally just "accepted" that a lower calorie life was just how it is.

You have given me so much to think about.

D

Marla64

Marla, this was intense!!! I can't believe what you have gone through. Scares the **** out of me!! I have been slowly dieting for almost 6 years. It has taken a very long time to lose it. I am maintaining at 1350 plus I eat most of my exercise calories. After reading your stuff I am left wondering.

I read your quote "if I am gaining at 1400 then why would I want to increase?" and I think that you are reading my thoughts!!!

:noway: Scared to death to increase the calories. It has taken so long to get here I never want to go back!

I finally just "accepted" that a lower calorie life was just how it is.

You have given me so much to think about.

D

Well, Donna, what doesn't help in my particular situation is having the genetic makeup that I do-- I come from obese people. My body apparently is just doing what it wants to do in the first place. I'm just the dope who enabled it.

I'm encouraged that through 2 weeks of 2300 calories, there has been no gain.

scagneti

Thank you so much for sharing. I've been very lucky to find this site and heard right away to eat exercise calories, so that's the path I went down. I've been losing consistantly, but there's always that nagging voice in the back of the head that says "why are you taking so long -- if you ate less, you'd totally lose faster. Why are you waking me up at 5:45am to exercise if you're just eating it all back??" Most of it is from posts on here and from 35 years of being a female. Your thread and updates show that faster is not better, and is in fact often worse. I've got 70 odd years to lose this weight. Doing it a month faster is not going to make any difference at all.

As for being the "poster girl for starvation mode", I completely understand your reluctance to jump into every thread asking about eating exercise calories. It's frustrating to see so many people not get it. Plus I think that with sharing your story, you've done more than enough and have helped more people than you can imagine.

The body's an amazing thing and it will get better. Thank God you didn't bother listening to the quacks who think because they took one day of nutrition in med school that they have any business giving food advice.

lovetowrite73

Thank you for updating your story! I peek in here every now and then just to follow your experience.

yanicka

Bump, need this info

MrsSanthoff

BUMP! Thank you for this!!!

SlimLittleMrs

bump