What's wrong with me?

copperdave

I've lost 24 pounds in about a month since I've been on MFP. Yes, I realize this was pretty fast weight loss, but I've had lots of people tell me that the more you weigh, the faster you lose -- at the start. After a few weeks, MFP had me re-calculate my caloric intake, based on my "new" weight...a reduction of 400 calories. I've now had the lowest-loss week so far. My question is: Is a 400 calorie reduction enough to put my body into starvation mode? Do I need to add more? Any help is appreciated!

chevy88grl

It's possible that it is enough to slow or stop weight loss. It could also be that your body is just going to slow down some as far as weight loss goes. They tell you that the first month or so is when the weight comes off the fastest. Once your body adjusts to your new lifestyle the weight loss slows down. Try adding back 200 of the 400 calories and see what happens.

Soon2Bfitmamaof3

You should start tracking sodium intake as well, also are you drinking enough water? I have been really bad with sodium and it definately slows the scale. Additionally have you tried switching up your workout?

skinnyjeanzbound

My understanding is that you would have to net less than 1200 cal/day for several days in a row to truly go into starvation mode. It may just be a plateau that your body needs a week or so to hurdle. I've also noticed that I tend to lose more when I eat under my net goal for a couple of days and then over for a couple of days (only by 200-300 calories). I've seen others refer to this as "zig zagging" your calories--it's something you could try if you don't see the scale start moving soon.

drasr

It depends upon your BMR. How many calories are you eating a day???
ANd you have to eat a majority of your exercise calories.

kendf60

It's normal to hit plateaus. I'd stick with what mfp suggests. My first month I lost at a faster pace too. I averaged about 2 lbs a week after that.

NoAdditives

My understanding is that you would have to net less than 1200 cal/day for several days in a row to truly go into starvation mode. It may just be a plateau that your body needs a week or so to hurdle. I've also noticed that I tend to lose more when I eat under my net goal for a couple of days and then over for a couple of days (only by 200-300 calories). I've seen others refer to this as "zig zagging" your calories--it's something you could try if you don't see the scale start moving soon.

The 1200 calorie "limit" is just an average, everyone's threshold is different. Through experimentation I have found that if I get fewer than 1400 calories I stop losing weight immediately. And I mean immediately.

NoAdditives

It's possible that it is enough to slow or stop weight loss. It could also be that your body is just going to slow down some as far as weight loss goes. They tell you that the first month or so is when the weight comes off the fastest. Once your body adjusts to your new lifestyle the weight loss slows down. Try adding back 200 of the 400 calories and see what happens.

I agree.

LuckyLeprechaun

I hit a plateau at the same spot. Just stay with it and whatever adjustments you make, give it 2 weeks to see how it turns out, before you change anything else. You can do this!!!

skinnyjeanzbound

My understanding is that you would have to net less than 1200 cal/day for several days in a row to truly go into starvation mode. It may just be a plateau that your body needs a week or so to hurdle. I've also noticed that I tend to lose more when I eat under my net goal for a couple of days and then over for a couple of days (only by 200-300 calories). I've seen others refer to this as "zig zagging" your calories--it's something you could try if you don't see the scale start moving soon.

The 1200 calorie "limit" is just an average, everyone's threshold is different. Through experimentation I have found that if I get fewer than 1400 calories I stop losing weight immediately. And I mean immediately.

Obviously everyone's body is different--I didn't mean to imply that there's a magic # that works for everyone. The 1200 is just an average and the average person's body doesn't go into starvation mode after one day of lowered intake.