Starvation Mode: How It Works

rayneface

Bump

ladyhawk00

I have a general question....Not directly relating to me, but something I can pass on to my 16 year old ex step daughter. What if one eats in their calorie range one day, then eats nothing the next, and so on? So every other day, they eat absolutely nothing?? What does that do to your body weight wise as well as long term?

Depends on how much fat stores the person has, but generally, unless they're obese, they'll start to have metabolic issues - slower metabolism and loss of muscle mass. So weight loss will be slower, and there may be weight gain when they start to eat more normally - but that's generally temporary.

Also depends on what you mean by "in their calorie range" - for weight loss or for maintenance? If you're eating at maintenance one day, fasting the next, you're probably at a level of starvation mode (metabolic changes and loss of muscle mass). If you eat at a deficit for weight loss (say 500 cal deficit per day), then fast for a day, etc, you're essentially going to be at a starvation level for intake (beyond starvation mode). Obviously, the 2nd scenario is worse, but either way there will be metabolic damage.

But actually the issue that would be more of concern in that situation is malnutrition - the lack of macros (protein/fat/carbs) and micros (vitamins/minerals). Particularly for a 16 yr old, because they're still growing. Things like a lack of fat - the brain needs fat to develop properly. Or calcium - the bones need calcium. And a lot of the micros are something that HAVE to be replenished daily. So fasting for a day consistently (one day won't be a problem, but a prolonged pattern would be), especially at that age, could cause some permanent developmental problems.

That kind of pattern is also a very slippery slope - it can easily lead to an eating disorder (which is no fun, I've been there).

Does that answer your question?

(Please remember, I'm not an expert or medical professional - particularly about metabolic issues in children/teens. If she's engaging in those behaviors, I'd have the doc talk to her about the potential consequences.)

ladyhawk00

Bump

Lauriek70

bump- don't want to lose this out of my topics.

winneau

bump!!!

vettle

bump

atomdraco

bump

bbush18

always good info

pandatan

This is very interesting and has answerd aot of questions, thanks it all makes sence now.

atomdraco

bump

kdm97

bump for future reading

atomdraco

bump

dezcalouette

GREAT, concise information. Thanks!

happymom1197

Ty for the info! I will be reading thru all of the links that u posted! I feel like I'm doing what I need to do to lose weight, so I could really use this info to get losing again:)

martinh78

Good thread, thanks.

lenny1976

bump

ladyhawk00

Glad it's helped

juliapurpletoes

always a great read and RE-READ! thanks again so much!

sabified

Amazing info! thanks

ladyhawk00

Needed today, apparently...

pstaceyca

Lose my muscle and wreck my metabolism...I don't think so!! I'll stick with eating right and muscle building exercises!! After all who can maintain eating under 1000 cal a day for the rest of their lives? As soon as you start eating anything extra again...back comes the weight!!! I will pass!

carmenstop1

Bump~

Fat_2_Fit_Mommy

bump

lennykat

more bumping

medwards89

I could "bump" this post all day long!!!

My best friend just started MFP and came across another post from a blog about starvation mode being a big old myth and even suggested that a person can get by just fine on 500 cals a day!! I almost went through the roof!! I'm a nursing student wrapping up my sciences and am taught by doctors.
This post follows to the T, what those doctors have taught me. I congratulate someone who has lost a lot of weight, but look....not everyone starting MFP has the education to know any better and might take everything they read and put it into practice. 500 CALORIES?!?! That's irresponsible and I really wish there was better, if any? moderation of these threads.

Thanks for taking the time to spell it all out for everyone THE CORRECT way!!!

sarahmaryfearnley

Thanks so much LadyHawk - that info was presented in a wonderfully informative, nonconfrontational way. I thought this site was about support and information but after reading a lot of the threads, there are a lot of angry, confrontational, know-it-alls on here.

My fav part was (put-in-my-own-words), if you're fat (and I am), you have enough fat to power your body in most cases.

Small request - Can you do a similar post on the supposed dangers of water hypertension? I freely admit that I am not a doctor or an expert but it seems to me that most regular people, especially those of us increasing our exercise amounts in an effort to loose weight are in low danger of drinking too much water.

PS- Love that movie! Could Michelle be any more beautiful than as a hawk?

Russellb97

Starvation mode stinks,
I did a talk and mini-consult with about 20 ladies and most of them claimed to eat well under their base metabolic rate, exercised, and yet couldn't lose weight. That is the definition of starvation mode! I know some may lie, and some may exaggerate, but I know it happens because it's happened to me so many times in the past.

This is a great post, keep it bumped.

d2footballJRC

So dumb question...

I am currently having problems eating with some pills I'm trying to get adjusted. I've been worried about this starvation mode.

I have a BMI of 48 (yes super high) and I'm currently eating around 1400-1500 calories a day. I know from the charts and calculators it says I have to eat 3600 calories to stay the same. I've been worried that such a low calorie count eaten a day would kick me into starvation mode. What I'm reading here is since I'm eating, my body isn't saying it's hungry, I'm working out, and taking multi-vitamins, that my body will eat the fat before muscle since I have so much?

I've been low calorie count like this for about 3 weeks now. I have a ton of energy though and I have lost weight.

ladyhawk00

So dumb question...

I am currently having problems eating with some pills I'm trying to get adjusted. I've been worried about this starvation mode.

I have a BMI of 48 (yes super high) and I'm currently eating around 1400-1500 calories a day. I know from the charts and calculators it says I have to eat 3600 calories to stay the same. I've been worried that such a low calorie count eaten a day would kick me into starvation mode. What I'm reading here is since I'm eating, my body isn't saying it's hungry, I'm working out, and taking multi-vitamins, that my body will eat the fat before muscle since I have so much?

I've been low calorie count like this for about 3 weeks now. I have a ton of energy though and I have lost weight.

With a BMI of 48, you're not likely at risk of starvation mode (for now.) The main concern would be more about nutrition. For the average man (around 5'9"), it's difficult to get sufficient macros and micros with less than 1500-1600 cals, particularly without a pretty clean diet that is carefully planned.

So unless you're fairly short, I'd try to at least keep it closer to 2000 - which is about a 1500 deficit, for 3 lbs per week, the maximum loss per week recommended by health experts. Even though you aren't risking starvation mode, there are other risks associated with rapid weight loss, so it's best to keep it at a reasonable pace.

Obviously, if you're having issues with medication, you kind of have to do the best you can. When possible, increase cals. But if you aren't able to sometimes, you really need to try to make sure that what you DO eat is very nutritionally dense - good protein, healthy fats and complex carbs, without empty calories. Try to ensure you're meeting micro goals, as well (take a multi vitamin if necessary, but it's best if they come from food.)

Does that help?

d2footballJRC

So dumb question...

I am currently having problems eating with some pills I'm trying to get adjusted. I've been worried about this starvation mode.

I have a BMI of 48 (yes super high) and I'm currently eating around 1400-1500 calories a day. I know from the charts and calculators it says I have to eat 3600 calories to stay the same. I've been worried that such a low calorie count eaten a day would kick me into starvation mode. What I'm reading here is since I'm eating, my body isn't saying it's hungry, I'm working out, and taking multi-vitamins, that my body will eat the fat before muscle since I have so much?

I've been low calorie count like this for about 3 weeks now. I have a ton of energy though and I have lost weight.

With a BMI of 48, you're not likely at risk of starvation mode (for now.) The main concern would be more about nutrition. For the average man (around 5'9"), it's difficult to get sufficient macros and micros with less than 1500-1600 cals, particularly without a pretty clean diet that is carefully planned.

So unless you're fairly short, I'd try to at least keep it closer to 2000 - which is about a 1500 deficit, for 3 lbs per week, the maximum loss per week recommended by health experts. Even though you aren't risking starvation mode, there are other risks associated with rapid weight loss, so it's best to keep it at a reasonable pace.

Obviously, if you're having issues with medication, you kind of have to do the best you can. When possible, increase cals. But if you aren't able to sometimes, you really need to try to make sure that what you DO eat is very nutritionally dense - good protein, healthy fats and complex carbs, without empty calories. Try to ensure you're meeting micro goals, as well (take a multi vitamin if necessary, but it's best if they come from food.)

Does that help?

Greatly! I've been very worried about hitting starvation mode. I am taking a multivitamin, been doing that for awhile now. I just didn't want to be cancelling out everything I'm working hard to do. Thank you again!