Is this starvation mode? Help!

jynnantonnyk

Ok, I am still trying to get to grips with this after a week on MFP.

My target is 1200 cals daily. So say my food total is 800 cals, leaving me 400 under target... and my exercise cals burned is 800... adding another 800 on to my remaining 400.

That gives 1200 remaining at end of the day, almost calorie neutral. Is this what starvation mode is?

I know people are split on whether to eat what you burn... but at the very least, should I be hitting 1200 on food alone?

Am I being too mean to myself? The only point I struggled over the past week was last night as T.O.M arrived yesterday and I really did feel very weak and dizzy (these are sometimes my symptoms at this time) but I felt my food intake that day did not help.

Just had a massive argument with my other half about this as they say that I'm having three meals a day and still under, so what's the problem? I'm trying to explain about eating too little can be bad but they keep saying my problem is exercising.

Have I got this all wrong? My diary is open, not sure if I need to do something for you guys to look at it. I recall a day where after exercise I had about 1000 cals remaining.

4 lbs lost so far, yet I feel like crying lol

ribena1958

Eat ALL your calories each day, or, you can save some calories each day and use some extra's for the weekend, take things over a week if that is better for you. Fill up on nice healthy filing foods that fill you up for longer. Earning extra calories working out you can eat them. Just make sure the calories burnt are an accurate amount appertaining to your exercise

diemodemdie

What is your current height and weight, if you don't mind my asking?

tmauck4472

Starvation mode is a term made up to scare you into eating more...if your losing your not stalling out.
Google Starvation mode and read both sides then make up your own mind on if it exists or not.

jynnantonnyk

What is your current height and weight, if you don't mind my asking?

I'm 5'6" and 206lbs.

chantels1

A good general rule is TDEE -15-20%. Calorie neutral is going to make you get progressively more tired and weak feeling, and too lazy to do your exercise. You can do it for a short time to drop weight quick, but long term it will set you back! Good luck!

Smuterella

ummm, if your goal is 1200 and your calories at the end of the day are still 1200 then you may as well be eating nothing. this is dangerous. You need to ensure you eat that full 1200, whether you eat what you burn back is up to you, but you should probably do this too.

jayayach

I would suggest eating more. Not for any particular scientific reason, but because I like to eat. That's how I got here in the first place.... Now I just know how to eat more and still lose weight and get healthy. You can eat more and still lose weight, too! So, if you feel bad or hungry, and you think its because you aren't eating enough... the remedy would be to eat more!

Quasita

This is dangerous, and considered to be starving yourself. This is the same state that many bulimics are in... They eat very little, and instead of purging through vomiting, they just work out to burn off all the calories they eat.

Clinical starvation mode is NOT a scare tactic. It's a real medical condition that comes with many dangers. You also risk a problem called refeeding syndrome when/if you decide to increase your calories.

The goal on MFP is to not drop your NET calories under 1200. If you're working out 800 calories burned, that means you need to eat 2000 calories.

You should know that 1200 is the bare minimum that the medical field will use to rehabilitate people that are starving. It is generally considered inadequate to drop below that, especially without supplements. A gastric bypass patient is generally set to 1000 calories, at the very lowest, and they take loads of supplements to avoid malnutrition during their weightloss. I always tell people, if a bypass patient, who is at the "last chance effort" stage, is still eating more than you are, what does that say about your habits? If a starving person is considered someone that gets less than 1200 calories a day... why would you do that to yourself?

Frankly, you're eating at diagnosable anorexia levels. I would seek guidance from a medical professional, a nutritionist, and a counselor.

myfitnessnmhoy

You're basically in a position of eating nothing. Your body needs to sustain itself, so it's going to start burning stored calories. Which is great, since fat is a stored calorie, but no so great because your body also needs protein and will start burning muscle, too.

Look, whether you want to eat your exercise calories back or not is up to you. The site is geared around eating them back, and the general idea is that you set a fixed and reasonable calorie deficit to lose weight slowly, easily, and safely - and you work out to be fit. The two are separate. I find eating at least most of them back is working just fine for me. Others prefer not to. I can't sustain good workouts and get weaker if I don't. That's a personal call.

But no matter how you slice it... you are in a position where you are, for all intents and purposes, eating nothing every day. You aren't entering some mythical "starvation mode", you are literally starving yourself. Great way to lose weight, terrible way to maintain health.

jynnantonnyk

Not sure if some of the repliers looked at my food diary, but this is not every day and I only started MFP a week ago.

Before yesterday I didn't really feel hungry, which is why I started wondering now if I'm doing it wrong and didn't know. I've been having my regular meals and stuff, they just have been very lean and coupled with the exercise - which is part of my goal, it's kind of seeming like I started off eating leaner and exercising more - maybe it should be just one?

For example, on a day I work out a lot - increase my cals etc and on a day where I don't get to exercise much, focus on a leaner food day?

Carried away in the first week? Maybe. Developed an eating disorder overnight? Unlikely.

madmex569

I'm not sure about the "starvation mode" thing. I have been under my calorie goal everyday for 2 months. I'm still losing weight. I slowed down a little bit. Maybe a 2 week period where i didn't lose as much, but now I'm losing at a quicker pace. The only advice i can give is what works and what doesn't work for me. I have upped my protein and lowered carbs. Almost no sugar. ZERO SODA and fruit juices. It's all sugar and doesn't fill you up. All water. All the time. Eat more than 3 times a day. Even if it is a snack. I'm 6'0" 235lb now. on Mar 7th i was 274lbs. I eat around 1200 cal a day but mostly protein. When i workout i can still keep my muscle up. I also don't weigh myself everyday. Every week. That way if you have a bad day you don't have to see it on the scale the next day. I don't eat any junk food either. Don't know if not eating processed food has helped but i don't want to find out. My 3 main foods. chicken, tuna, broccoli. I hope all the info you get from different people help. Again i'm not saying what i do is the best way. But it 's working well for me. Good luck.

diemodemdie

Not sure if some of the repliers looked at my food diary, but this is not every day and I only started MFP a week ago.

Before yesterday I didn't really feel hungry, which is why I started wondering now if I'm doing it wrong and didn't know. I've been having my regular meals and stuff, they just have been very lean and coupled with the exercise - which is part of my goal, it's kind of seeming like I started off eating leaner and exercising more - maybe it should be just one?

For example, on a day I work out a lot - increase my cals etc and on a day where I don't get to exercise much, focus on a leaner food day?

Carried away in the first week? Maybe. Developed an eating disorder overnight? Unlikely.

I think that people had a bit of a knee-jerk reaction here. I kind of got what you were putting down.

I think it's dependent on what foods you consume. For example, I am regularly well under my caloric goal, but it's also based on the dietary needs I have. I eat a lot of fat and protein throughout the day, and it is VERYfilling. My doctor said my blood pressure and cholesterol have dropped significantly since starting the new diet, in addition to the 25 lbs lost.

It also depends on what you are consuming during the day. Some days, you just might not be hungry. Hell, some days I only eat one meal (unintentionally) and don't think twice about it. However, I do NOT have an eating disorder! I'm not saying that it's healthy to do that, but I'm saying that the long-term adverse effects are likely minimal to nonexistent for an incident or two.

As long as it is not a sustained, regular sort of drop in calories, then I think you should be fine. Don't sweat it, but do try to get above that 1200 calories when you can!

PinkKitty724

ummm, if your goal is 1200 and your calories at the end of the day are still 1200 then you may as well be eating nothing. this is dangerous. You need to ensure you eat that full 1200, whether you eat what you burn back is up to you, but you should probably do this too.

That's what I was thinking! Eat MORE! I am having an issue with not losing lbs and everyone's telling me to eat more.. and I am eating right around 1200 calories a day. You're basically eating nothing. Highly dangerous. And please take a good multivitamin!

pg3ibew

I have a question for you.

Where are you getting 1200 hundred calories from?

I just punched your height and weight and age into the MFP guided plan. With a somewhat active lifestyle, you should be eating 1420 cals a day to lose two pounds a week.

jynnantonnyk

So say I have my breakfast cereal, a jacket potato and filling for lunch, some chicken and broccoli for dinner, a coffee, some water, an apple during the day...

If this isn't reaching my 1200 cals, then what should I be eating? Trying to find foods that are maybe higher in cals - to get me to my cals target - but lower in sugar and fat, so I don't go over on those. I think thats what I'm trying to say!

I think I focussed on things that were low fat and sugar... but they were also low in cals so that's why I ended under for the past week.

kimmers1027

Anything under 1200 calories is unhealthy.. You should eat more even if your not hungry. It works !!

jynnantonnyk

I have a question for you.

Where are you getting 1200 hundred calories from?

I just punched your height and weight and age into the MFP guided plan. With a somewhat active lifestyle, you should be eating 1420 cals a day to lose two pounds a week.

I'm getting 1200 calories from the thing that set up when I joined, I didn't choose this.

pg3ibew

I have a question for you.

Where are you getting 1200 hundred calories from?

I just punched your height and weight and age into the MFP guided plan. With a somewhat active lifestyle, you should be eating 1420 cals a day to lose two pounds a week.

I'm getting 1200 calories from the thing that set up when I joined, I didn't choose this.

I just did it with your age/height/weight/gender and it said 1420. Maybe I am doing it wrong. But maybe you should double check it.

myfitnessnmhoy

So say I have my breakfast cereal, a jacket potato and filling for lunch, some chicken and broccoli for dinner, a coffee, some water, an apple during the day...

If this isn't reaching my 1200 cals, then what should I be eating? Trying to find foods that are maybe higher in cals - to get me to my cals target - but lower in sugar and fat, so I don't go over on those. I think thats what I'm trying to say!

I think I focussed on things that were low fat and sugar... but they were also low in cals so that's why I ended under for the past week.

Based on your diary, you can afford some more carbohydrates and certainly some healhy fats. Your proteins are high, which is good, but you need to bring the other two up.

I'm thinking nuts, maybe some extra virgin olive oil, a little good quality bread, and a small amount of cheese (which, by the way, would make an awesome meal).

ridergirlsandra

Eating is a balance of food for health and exercise! if you are starving yourself you will not stay on the diet and you will gain the weight back and more, therefore if you are eating below your goal and you are hungry eat!!! Eat something heathy like vegetable sticks and dip or fruit! Eat watch your calories!! Don't eat fatty foods! Eat every thing that comes from the earth. Read lables. Stay away from things that factories make as they are full of all kinds of bad stuff. Like sugar and salt and stuff I for one have never heard off. Stay away for drinks full of sugar and soft drinks so bad for you. You can eat everything just watch your portions. Read lables. I know it sound a lot of work! Well it is however once you get going and know what your body needs you will be looking great in no time.

crystalvoid

I've been concerned about this, as my daily caloric intake goal is 1200 as well. This seems low to me, yet I can't seem to make it happen regularly. I work as a waitress PT (2 days a week), so I get to munch at work on slow days (usually soups, salads, bread, etc). Occasionally I'll order a full meal (steak, potatoes, some kinda veggie), which would normally add up to the appropriate calorie amount, but it's those days I get the most food, that I have the least amount of time to work out (I'm also in school 4 days a week). When I eat when I'm not hungry (ie; forcing myself to fullness) I spend FAR too much time in the bathroom.... It's painful and disturbing. I have a thyroid issue so I know balancing all these things out in order to regulate my metabolism (eating smaller meals more often throughout the day for example) is a huge to-do.... Any ideas on what approach is best?

ShrinkingShawna

I see a dietician every week, and because the foods I eat are lean and healthy (and high in protein) I have a hard time hitting 1200 as well. She wants me to hit at least 1,000 a day minimum, and work my way up to at least 1200. Because I eat a lot of protein, I feel full fast. Do NOT EAT if you aren't hungry (this is per my dietician, who I have asked this question). It will stretch your stomach. You may have to change to something healthy but higher calories (like greek yogurt instead of fat free yogurt). I also eat snacks that consist of 20 almonds (92 calories) but are easy to stomach or a light string cheese (50 calories). Starvation mode is very real, but it's not going to happen in a week. Eating healthy for life takes some adjustments, don't panic just yet.

ridergirlsandra

It sounds like you need balance in your intake! Follow the Canadian Food Guide on how much vegetable and fruit you need for example for 1200 intake : Fruits 3-4 servings daily,( serving is 1 piece or 1/2 cup) Vegetables 3-4 servings daily (1/2 cup cooked or raw 1 cup leafy greens), Low-fat free fat dairy 2-3 servings daily 1 cup milk or yogurt 11/2 oz. cheese. Lean meat, fish & poultry 2 servings daily, Whole grains 3 servings daily. 1 slice bread or 1/2 rice or noodles Healthy snacks Then create your own meals. If you are still not feeling well then up your calories. Remember what is good for one person does not mean it is good for another!! We are all different and we all have different life styles!

saral8981

A good general rule is TDEE -15-20%. Calorie neutral is going to make you get progressively more tired and weak feeling, and too lazy to do your exercise. You can do it for a short time to drop weight quick, but long term it will set you back! Good luck!

This! google fat 2 fit website, then use the BMR calculator to get your TDEE number. then eat 15% less than your tdee number. you can custom set your calorie goal in MFP. eating 1200 calories a day is not susatainable in the long term. also check out the group on mfp called "eat more to weigh less" and read all the stickys :flowerforyou:

MicaelaFW

I don't mean this in a rude way... because I have gone the no carb route and mainly protein... the thing is, you can't eat like this forever...and when you stop you gain weight with carbs, correct??? what happens next??

gaiareeves

An adult human body generally requires at least a NET calories of 1200 a day.

This means if you exercise more, you eat more.

If you did no exercise whatsoever (other than the usual moving around throughout the day) then you would eat 1200 calories only.

But say if you exercise and burn 400 calories, that then means you should eat 1600 calories on that day, to bring your NET total up to 1200.

Forget all this starvation mode crap; you can eat nothing for a week and you'll still lose weight because that's just how the body works. It's not about 'starvation mode'. It's about being healthy. If you are eating less than your body requires to function normally, then (no surprises) your body will stop functioning normally.

I used to suffer with EDNOS, and I ate on average 400 - 800 calories a day. I lost weight, a lot of weight, no doubt about that, but I also got extremely sick, tired, cold, my digestive system messed up entirely, and it was all n' all not very fun. And if you don't eat right, this can happen to you at ANY weight; 100lbs, 200lbs, 400lbs, it doesn't matter. If your body isn't receiving enough to function properly, then function properly it will not.

secretlobster

The biggest mistake you can make is using your calorie goal as a "max". As in, don't eat over this number.

You want to shoot for that exact number, if at all possible. It's better to be slightly over than slightly under. Remember that MFP has already calculated your deficit for you. You won't lose weight faster by eating 800 calories a day.

Christine1110

Eat more!! at least 1200 if your working out even more!! Eat nut, avocado...and other foods that are good for you, but high in calories!

Quasita

Not sure if some of the repliers looked at my food diary, but this is not every day and I only started MFP a week ago.

Before yesterday I didn't really feel hungry, which is why I started wondering now if I'm doing it wrong and didn't know. I've been having my regular meals and stuff, they just have been very lean and coupled with the exercise - which is part of my goal, it's kind of seeming like I started off eating leaner and exercising more - maybe it should be just one?

For example, on a day I work out a lot - increase my cals etc and on a day where I don't get to exercise much, focus on a leaner food day?

Carried away in the first week? Maybe. Developed an eating disorder overnight? Unlikely.

I think that people had a bit of a knee-jerk reaction here. I kind of got what you were putting down.

I think it's dependent on what foods you consume. For example, I am regularly well under my caloric goal, but it's also based on the dietary needs I have. I eat a lot of fat and protein throughout the day, and it is VERYfilling. My doctor said my blood pressure and cholesterol have dropped significantly since starting the new diet, in addition to the 25 lbs lost.

It also depends on what you are consuming during the day. Some days, you just might not be hungry. Hell, some days I only eat one meal (unintentionally) and don't think twice about it. However, I do NOT have an eating disorder! I'm not saying that it's healthy to do that, but I'm saying that the long-term adverse effects are likely minimal to nonexistent for an incident or two.

As long as it is not a sustained, regular sort of drop in calories, then I think you should be fine. Don't sweat it, but do try to get above that 1200 calories when you can!

I just want to be clear that I'm not having a "knee jerk" reaction. Refeeding syndrome can impact a person in as little as 24 hours of starvation, and it can be a serious condition. I stand by my statement that 1200 is barely adequate to begin with.

You are possibly already undereating based on what you're talking about, so actually starving your body even for 1 day risks complications with your metabolism. People like to say that it's a myth or a farce because they can't fathom the overweight being starving. I personally am an example of someone that starved and gained. I gained because by eating less than 900 calories a day, it made my body latch on to what I ate when I binged a whopping 1600 calorie day.

I'm just very serious with people about this stuff because it's been hell fighting the uphill battle after starving.

MrsKosal

Someone beat me to posting about BMR, TDEE, and the cut. You have to at least be eating your BMR daily or your body is in starvation mode, you'll be tired, etc. Even if your BMR is roughly 1600, you need to eat 1600 AT LEAST. Then if you workout and are below BMR, you eat back up to BMR.

Check out this site!

http://scoobysworkshop.com/calorie-calculator/