Rant: Starvation Mode

ColeyCannoli

I'm sorry all, you can ignore this cause I'm just gonna rant a bit. "Starvation mode" bugs the hell out of me. This isn't about whether or not starvation mode exists, I really just hate the name. I hate it. If you are in a situation where you have access to so much food that you have to forcefully keep yourself from it then you are NOT NOT NOT Starving! In no way are you starving! I lived in SE Asia for a while and was lucky enough to travel around to Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, etc and I saw people who were in "starvation mode." Protruding stomaches, spindly legs, rotting teeth - you know, like actual starvation. None of them were fat or counting their calories to get that way. I guess it just strikes me as such a sensational way to word "you might not lose weight like you want to." Getting below that magic 1200 calories (despite how some people just naturally have slower metabolisms) and you are suddenly in starvation mode. Even in the 1st world, how many anorexics do you think are eating 1199 calories a day?

I'm not saying that it isn't real. That your metabolism won't slow and once you give up (cause under 1200 is hard to maintain) and pig out again that you won't gain a lot back. The wording just seems insulting. There's always so much fighting on these boards about it and maybe it's partially because "starvation mode" sounds completely silly when talking about those of us who need to lose weight. Being fat sucks and not eating at all won't fix it, but really can't we come up with a better term? What would you guys name it?
/rant

taso42_DELETED

I feel you. I hate the term too. I also hate "cheat day".

MissAnjy

I would call it "re-fuel mode" because under 1200 you need to re-fuel, or GAS UP your tank!

HelenTheKitchen

I'd name it "starvation mode" because it's a medical term. Sorry. Your mind might not think that you're doing it, but it is physically what your body is going through. Starvation is when you do not have the nutrients to thrive, and if you don't eat enough your body does not have the proper nutrients, thus, starvation. Your body probably won't see the long term effects of it if you only do it now and then, but you could see short term effects.

mara232

When I see someone say "starvation mode" I don't really think of it as 'starving' but as a clinical term used to describe the body's physiology when you go below a certain amount of food/nutritional intake. I myself do not think going under 1200 means I am 'starving' - I do think it's better for me to stay at that level or above.

ColeyCannoli

I would call it "re-fuel mode" because under 1200 you need to re-fuel, or GAS UP your tank!

I like it

NightOwl1

This takes into account a fairly narrow definition of the word "starvation". Starvation does not refer simply to a crisis of lack of food. You can starve yourself of anything: Oxygen, attention, love, etc. So in this case, starvation mode does not refer to starving yourself of food, but starving yourself of calories. I think in that definition, starvation mode is appropriate.

QueenofCups

I can understand where you come from here.

I think if I were to rename it, I would call it self-deprivation. Mainly b/c we are depriving ourselves of needed nutrients and calories in an effort to be "healthier." Seems stupid to me.
I count my calories b/c I am an emotional eater. But if I am eating purely for sustenance, I know I am on track.

If I stay away from eating b/c I am happy, sad, mad, bored, etc and only eat when I am hungry or feel sluggish I feel good. Not eating when hungry is self-deprivation.

rherrin5

Iv been to Haiti and iv seen starving people. Starvation mode never struck me as a bad word. More of a medical term to help people understand what happens if they do not eat enough. People around the world at just starving. Not in starvation mode. Just starving period. Its hard to see people like that, but its real. Hmmm I cant think of another word than starvation mode. The way it sounds is exactly what it is. Your body switches mode. Im not argueing with you, just the word fits the bill. Also people can relate to it, whether or not its a real word hahha If I can think of something clever to call it, ill send ya a tell. Rant all you want. If people do not like it, they do not have to read it Good luck to ya!

cloud2011

Try to think of it this way: everyone expresses himself or herself differently. For some people trying to lose weight, the feeling of hunger is new. They do feel like they're starving for something, whether it's food or attention or love, or just normalcy. They're trying their best to eat 1200 calories a day. Their cells are calling for more, more, more. To them, it's real. Maybe they have actual hunger pains. Of course, they're not dying at this very moment, but they feel upset and hungry. And, they feel like they're suffering and maybe they are. It's possible that their blood sugar is out of whack, and they actually should get it checked. Or something else is going on. In any case, I look at it this way: my ancestors were famine survivors and my body is built to withstand famine, so when I reduce my calories, my brain sends signals to my gut, (or vice versa): Fix it, this is wrong.

dawnkitchen

I feel you. I hate the term too. I also hate "cheat day".

This.

jrt9999

I agree that it is over used; however, it was not made up on this site. Just google that term. The first page is all about this term and not one of the search results listed starvation in third world countries. Good luck getting rid of this term when it comes to dieting. You would have better luck changing ones opinion regarding it is not OK to willingly under-eat.

ColeyCannoli

I'd name it "starvation mode" because it's a medical term. Sorry. Your mind might not think that you're doing it, but it is physically what your body is going through. Starvation is when you do not have the nutrients to thrive, and if you don't eat enough your body does not have the proper nutrients, thus, starvation. Your body probably won't see the long term effects of it if you only do it now and then, but you could see short term effects.

Sounds more like malnutrition. Actual starvation in a medical sense is when the body resorts to eating itself. This happens after months of extremely small amounts of food. I come from a family of doctors and I've never heard "starvation mode" outside of weight loss ads and TV shows.

Though I agree, it is a real problem to eat too little. You can still get very sick.

LeeKetty1176

I'd name it "starvation mode" because it's a medical term. Sorry. Your mind might not think that you're doing it, but it is physically what your body is going through. Starvation is when you do not have the nutrients to thrive, and if you don't eat enough your body does not have the proper nutrients, thus, starvation. Your body probably won't see the long term effects of it if you only do it now and then, but you could see short term effects.

I agree

the name is "crap".... but I use the phrase as a term to remind me that its some place to try and avoid..... of course we are not "starving" like some people around the world..... that would be silly to say...... but it is a term used to say that your body reacts in the way.

take it for what is it... a term that should make you think that going there will do you no good...... rant over... sorry

ColeyCannoli

I can understand where you come from here.

I think if I were to rename it, I would call it self-deprivation. Mainly b/c we are depriving ourselves of needed nutrients and calories in an effort to be "healthier." Seems stupid to me.
I count my calories b/c I am an emotional eater. But if I am eating purely for sustenance, I know I am on track.

If I stay away from eating b/c I am happy, sad, mad, bored, etc and only eat when I am hungry or feel sluggish I feel good. Not eating when hungry is self-deprivation.

That's a good one... very true.

ColeyCannoli

Try to think of it this way: everyone expresses himself or herself differently. For some people trying to lose weight, the feeling of hunger is new. They do feel like they're starving for something, whether it's food or attention or love, or just normalcy. They're trying their best to eat 1200 calories a day. Their cells are calling for more, more, more. To them, it's real. Maybe they have actual hunger pains. Of course, they're not dying at this very moment, but they feel upset and hungry. And, they feel like they're suffering and maybe they are. It's possible that their blood sugar is out of whack, and they actually should get it checked. Or something else is going on. In any case, I look at it this way: my ancestors were famine survivors and my body is built to withstand famine, so when I reduce my calories, my brain sends signals to my gut, (or vice versa): Fix it, this is wrong.

Good point! Never thought of it this way.

kwardklinck

I always look at it more as slowing down my metabolism. That's what it does if I don't eat enough. Yeah, I really don't think any of us are in danger of starving to death.

rherrin5

I'd name it "starvation mode" because it's a medical term. Sorry. Your mind might not think that you're doing it, but it is physically what your body is going through. Starvation is when you do not have the nutrients to thrive, and if you don't eat enough your body does not have the proper nutrients, thus, starvation. Your body probably won't see the long term effects of it if you only do it now and then, but you could see short term effects.

Sounds more like malnutrition. Actual starvation in a medical sense is when the body resorts to eating itself. This happens after months of extremely small amounts of food. I come from a family of doctors and I've never heard "starvation mode" outside of weight loss ads and TV shows.

Though I agree, it is a real problem to eat too little. You can still get very sick.

Really??? I have a doctor who gave me tips on how to lose weight and he used the term starvation mode. He said for females 1200 was what my body needed in order to funtion properly. He joked about not eating and going into starvation mode and advised me to stay safe in that area. With you coming from a family of doctors I would figure it was a word that you would have a heard a time or 2. Odd...

ladyhawk00

I'd name it "starvation mode" because it's a medical term. Sorry. Your mind might not think that you're doing it, but it is physically what your body is going through. Starvation is when you do not have the nutrients to thrive, and if you don't eat enough your body does not have the proper nutrients, thus, starvation. Your body probably won't see the long term effects of it if you only do it now and then, but you could see short term effects.

Sounds more like malnutrition. Actual starvation in a medical sense is when the body resorts to eating itself. This happens after months of extremely small amounts of food. I come from a family of doctors and I've never heard "starvation mode" outside of weight loss ads and TV shows.

Though I agree, it is a real problem to eat too little. You can still get very sick.

The "scientific" term is adaptive thermogenesis, or famine response. Starvation mode is still accurate, because while in starvation mode (which doesn't necessarily require "extremely" small amounts of food or months - it can happen on 1500 cals after a matter of weeks - all depends on that individual's actual daily needs based on their BMR and activity) the body begins to break down muscle for energy, and lowers the metabolism to compensate for lack of energy coming in. The effect is just greater the lower the intake and the longer it goes on. It's a simple reaction to lack of energy (calories) and the body adapts and begins conserving where possible.

SeasideOasis

I totally understand your rant. It makes sense what you are saying.

People on this site probably arent anywhere near starving, however, cutting your appetite too quickly, or not eating enough, will definitely take a toll on how your body reacts. However, you look at the scientific definition of starvation mode and starvation, one can tell they are not the same thing. One has more to do with calorie intake and how your body processes it. Starvation gets deeper with malnutrition, lack of nutrients, etc etc etc. There are different categories for wealth, nutrition, natural disasters, etc that all get one overall word use or thought, none the less, they are all very different when you break the actual words being used down. You are affecting the overall functionality of the body when you change your diet and calorie intake, so no matter if you weight 600 pounds, or 60 pounds, and you arent eating enough, your body still reacts in certain ways, the question is, how extreme are these differences? Which leads to two phrases, which sound the same if you just look at them, but are obviously two completely different thought processes if you do the research.

Ironically, I was just watching 'Beyond Boarders' a couple nights ago, which actually led me to do all sorts of research on this overall topic. It also struck a cord when I spent so much at the grocery store this week, when people dont have anything And here I am worrying about 1200...argh...These people would look at 1200 calories like a 'thanksgiving feast' for lack of a better phrase.

LainMac

Self-starvation mode?

obifatkanobi

I agree wholeheartedly, it's a poor term that doesn't fit the situation, I like yours much better, if I don't consume enough calories in a twenty four hour period over a period of time, I will most likely suffer from malnutrition, but I doubt I would begin to starve. Seriously, starving people are skinny to the point of skin over bone, yet in starvation mode, I can't lose weight? Sorry, it just doesn't make a lot of sense to me, either. As for the term cheat day, I don't like that, either. My wife and I are on this journey together, and we do like to take a day off, but we don't "cheat" on anything. We still eat healthy and in accordance with our new lifestyle, we just allow ourselves to go over slightly on our calories, usually as a result of it being our day to take a break from exercising, too. We call it our refresh day, kind of like taking a mini vacation.

dixiechicdana

I totally agree with Helen

ColeyCannoli

I'd name it "starvation mode" because it's a medical term. Sorry. Your mind might not think that you're doing it, but it is physically what your body is going through. Starvation is when you do not have the nutrients to thrive, and if you don't eat enough your body does not have the proper nutrients, thus, starvation. Your body probably won't see the long term effects of it if you only do it now and then, but you could see short term effects.

Sounds more like malnutrition. Actual starvation in a medical sense is when the body resorts to eating itself. This happens after months of extremely small amounts of food. I come from a family of doctors and I've never heard "starvation mode" outside of weight loss ads and TV shows.

Though I agree, it is a real problem to eat too little. You can still get very sick.

The "scientific" term is adaptive thermogenesis, or famine response. Starvation mode is still accurate, because while in starvation mode (which doesn't necessarily require "extremely" small amounts of food or months - it can happen on 1500 cals after a matter of weeks - all depends on that individual's actual daily needs based on their BMR and activity) the body begins to break down muscle for energy, and lowers the metabolism to compensate for lack of energy coming in. The effect is just greater the lower the intake and the longer it goes on. It's a simple reaction to lack of energy (calories) and the body adapts and begins conserving where possible.

Thank you. That clears things up. There are some smart people on this site. I have heard "famine response" before which now makes more sense to me. I will say that I have the flu right now and thinking isn't really working that well.

Thanks everyone for your responses. This is interesting.

123456654321

Self-starvation mode?

When I think of self-starvation I think of people who suffer with with anorexia and the like.

....I agree, the term "starvation mode" has always kind of bothered me too.

Neliel

I agree. 'Starvation' is SUCH an exaggeration! I like the re-fuel mode idea! Or we could call it 'in the red' like when your car is nearly out of petrol.

"You are 'in the red'. You need more fuel than that." or "You're running on fumes!"

sophiajackson99

I have heard "starvation mode" described as what happens when you eat below 1200 calories, but I have always thought of the phrase more in terms of how I respond. In other words, when I don't eat enough calories, my body tells me to EAT LIKE I AM STARVING! I never understood it as a medical response, just an apt description for my behavior (haha). Thanks for an interesting discussion!

SivirSarah

Lets just give it the actual name. Its call ketosis. Its when your body gets below that "magic number" and doesn't have enough fuel to funtion. So it starts to pull from the fat surplus in your body but not only that it starts to pull from protien. That would be your muscles and organs. So your bady actually starts to "eat" its self. Prolonged esposure to this is what causes those sticking our tummies and spindling legs in third worl coutries. In 3rd world countries that is literally "starving" by our definition of the word but it is what literaly starts to happen in your body. But hey if "starvation mode" bothers you simply call it ketosis. also malnutrition is when your body doesn't get enough of something like vitamin c or any other of the vitamins, minerals or amino acids we need to function. This is (for example) what causes scurvy. A deficent of vitamin c over a prolonged period of time. There is a defernse between "starvation" and "malnutrition" though usually they are link together bc ppl who are actually starving are not getting anything near to what they need to survive

jacolyncoker123

You do realize that, like every disease and illness, there are stages to starvation mode, right?

As a recovered anorexic I think it's really irrational of you to be so offended. That's like saying YOU CAN'T CALL IT A COLD IF YOU ONLY HAVE A RUNNY NOSE, YOU NEED TO COUGH TOO!

everything starts somewhere, hun.