Starvation Mode

Suez2012

Hi

Can anyone shed some light on the issue of "Starvation Mode" I have heard and read that it is both real and a myth, can anyone tell me what I am supposed to believe.

Sue

melaniecheeks

It is real, but it doesnt kick in after only one day of eating under 1200 calories.

beckysweetpea

i have heard of diets where you fast for 24 hours every 2-3 daily. i dunno whether its real or myth but all i know is when i miss a couple of meals etc, when i then go back to eating properly i put the weight back on. have heard that it only happens under 1200 calories.

nonohomes

Starvation Mode is something that is really stressed in WW. If your body is not digesting something then it is technically not doing anything i.e. starvation mode. This is the theory behind eating small meals more often so that your body is contanstly working and the more it "works" the higher your metabolism is, so that it can keep up with you. So when you eat every 2-4 hours your body is technically burning more than if you're only eating 3 big meals a day.

Hope this helps.

H_Factor

first of all, some of these comments are completely incorrect. science shows that most folks don't go into starvation mode for at least 72 hours. you don't need to eat every 2 to 4 hours to avoid starvation mode. Also, folks who do intermittent fasting the correct way usually have positive results. For 3 months (not counting last week), I have fasted for 24 hours once a week (sometimes twice a week) and have enjoyed positive benefits from doing this. You can read about my experience with IF on my blog if you'd like. I'm not suggesting that you or anyone else try IF, but I write this to debunk the uninformed comments left earlier on this thread. I also know folks have had success with other forms of IF (i.e., leangains.com). Again, I'm not suggesting that you try IF, but you don't go into starvation mode in just 24 hours.

Anyway, here's the deal. MFP will calculate your daily calorie target based on your weight loss goal. Your body doesn't work in 24 hour cycles, however. Sooooo, what you should be aiming for is to hit your weekly MFP calorie goal, no matter how you get there. By way of example, if your goal is 1,500 calories per day....that would be 10,500 calories per week. You can achieve 10,500 calories per week in a number of ways without hitting starvation mode. Here are some examples:

I. eat 1,500 calories each day of the week

II. eat 1,100 calories per day for 5 days of the week and eat 2,500 calories per day for 2 days of the week.

III. eat 1,200 calories per day for 6 days of the week and eat 3,300 calories one day of the week.

IV. fast for one day and eat 1,750 calories per day for 6 days.

V. fast for two days (not consecutively) and eat 2,100 calories per day for 5 days

VI. I could go on, but you get the idea.

NOTE: if you exercise, you should also eat back your actual exercise calories burned. I say "actual" calories burned because the MFP exercise estimates are not actual, and are often overstated by quite a bit.

Suez2012

Thank you for your replys. I spoke to a weight loss specialist today and they were in favour of the intermittent change idea too. I seem to not be eating enough cals each day so was concerned but she assured me that if I mix it up a little I sound be ok.

grannygethealthy1111

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=35501&sc=801

MDWilliams1857

It all depends on who you ask. You will get 1000 different answers. Personally, I dont think there is any such thing as starvation mode.

robinreed10

Wow! I was just about to ask about this. I dont understand...I am doing a 1200 calorie a day diet. I am working out 2 times a day, so MFP is adding those calories to my daily intake. I always thought the way to loose weight was to consume less calories then you burn! I DO understand that my body is burning calories ALL the time, but I DONT understand why I should eat MORE when I workout more. This week I have been under 1200 calories and "earned" an extra 700-1400 xalories aday. I am eating VERY healthy and feel great...isnt that what matters?

jennajava

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/390234-does-starvation-mode-exist-and-what-is-it

You do need to net 1200 a day. That does mean eating back exercise calories. Take it or leave it-- but keep in mind I've lost 50 lbs.

MisterDubs303

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/ladyhawk00/view/starvation-mode-how-it-works-98802
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/390234-does-starvation-mode-exist-and-what-is-it

+ Read these ^^^.
+ Set up your plan properly in MFP.
+ Trust the system to work, give it an adequate chance to work, then make adjustments.
+ Eat back your exercise calories (I try to be within +-100 of my target)
If you don't, you're not following a plan anyway.
Why bother with the setup to begin with,
or even bother to track your calories?
+ You will lose weight safely at a reasonable rate.

(I should be completely honest, though. I did spend 2 months on a lower than 2 lb./week deficit in an attempt to meet a goal. I'm not sure if it was worth it or not).

MisterDubs303

I always thought the way to loose weight was to consume less calories then you burn! I DO understand that my body is burning calories ALL the time, but I DONT understand why I should eat MORE when I workout more.

Because your target NET calories already accounts for the calorie deficit you are seeking. If you are set up to lose 2 pounds per week (for example) at 1200 calories a day, EATING BACK YOUR CALORIES will result in you losing 2 pounds per week. That's what the MFP setup is all about. That's how it works. If you don't eat back your burned calories you may lose more than your target of 2 pounds per week, which sounds great, but may not be a healthy rate due to what some call 'starvation mode.'

❤B☩❤

first of all, some of these comments are completely incorrect. science shows that most folks don't go into starvation mode for at least 72 hours. you don't need to eat every 2 to 4 hours to avoid starvation mode. Also, folks who do intermittent fasting the correct way usually have positive results. For 3 months (not counting last week), I have fasted for 24 hours once a week (sometimes twice a week) and have enjoyed positive benefits from doing this. You can read about my experience with IF on my blog if you'd like. I'm not suggesting that you or anyone else try IF, but I write this to debunk the uninformed comments left earlier on this thread. I also know folks have had success with other forms of IF (i.e., leangains.com). Again, I'm not suggesting that you try IF, but you don't go into starvation mode in just 24 hours.

Anyway, here's the deal. MFP will calculate your daily calorie target based on your weight loss goal. Your body doesn't work in 24 hour cycles, however. Sooooo, what you should be aiming for is to hit your weekly MFP calorie goal, no matter how you get there. By way of example, if your goal is 1,500 calories per day....that would be 10,500 calories per week. You can achieve 10,500 calories per week in a number of ways without hitting starvation mode. Here are some examples:

I. eat 1,500 calories each day of the week

II. eat 1,100 calories per day for 5 days of the week and eat 2,500 calories per day for 2 days of the week.

III. eat 1,200 calories per day for 6 days of the week and eat 3,300 calories one day of the week.

IV. fast for one day and eat 1,750 calories per day for 6 days.

V. fast for two days (not consecutively) and eat 2,100 calories per day for 5 days

VI. I could go on, but you get the idea.

NOTE: if you exercise, you should also eat back your actual exercise calories burned. I say "actual" calories burned because the MFP exercise estimates are not actual, and are often overstated by quite a bit.

WOW!