Starvation mode? Warning:I'm new

iffy8

Any idea how long it takes someone to recover from starvation mode?

My story and why I believe I'm in starvation mode. As long as I can remember (minimum 10 years) I've usually eaten once a day. Sometimes I wasn't hungry, sometimes I was uncomfortable eating in front of people, or sometimes I was just too busy. It was never something I used as a diet. I have lost weight before (twice) with this eating habit but the weight came back with a change in careers and lifestyle. With MFP it's become very evident that I haven't eaten the correct amount of calories or other nutrients. While using the MFP app(using in for almost 2weeks) I've struggled getting close to the recommended calories. I was told by a several pals to force myself to eat. Well the past 2 days I have felt sick and bloated. Today was unbearable with how uncomfortable I was. I get to the gym and get on the scale to see I've gained 14lbs in 2 BLEEPING weeks...I'm so disheartened. Angry. Irritated. Could I be in starvation mode or could my body just be different? I saw some articles online that talk about starvation mode but only one gave a time frame of 3 months...but three months of 14lbs every two weeks?!?! That sounds ridiculous. Please help!! Sorry it's so long.

Cynclancurrie

How much weight do you want to lose? I also believe in starvation mode, but I have had a lifetime to create it:happy:

From your photo, you look pretty and very appropriate. I am wondering why MFP is recommending you eat so many calories. I would think 1300-1500 would be enough to reset your metabolism. If you read more on the message boards, I have seen a lot of people mentioning that you don't necessarily need to "re-eat" calories spent in exercise, which I think is probably true, because they do seem to overestimate the amount of calories used. But I'm no expert.

Don't despair. Don't feel bad. Maybe check your math. Are you really tall?

iffy8

How much weight do you want to lose? I also believe in starvation mode, but I have had a lifetime to create it:happy:

From your photo, you look pretty and very appropriate. I am wondering why MFP is recommending you eat so many calories. I would think 1300-1500 would be enough to reset your metabolism. If you read more on the message boards, I have seen a lot of people mentioning that you don't necessarily need to "re-eat" calories spent in exercise, which I think is probably true, because they do seem to overestimate the amount of calories used. But I'm no expert.

Don't despair. Don't feel bad. Maybe check your math. Are you really tall?

Thank you for responding I'm 5' 5" I've weighed anywhere from 115-242 (9months pregnant). I was at 115lbs 2 years ago (2 years after the delivery of my daughter) but I was working 60 hours a week at a physically demanding job and coming home to a toddler. With change of career I'm currently 184lbs according to the scale today. I would like to lose anywhere from 25-45 lbs. two weeks ago I was 170lbs (since using MFP for two weeks I'm up 14lbs)

Cynclancurrie

Maybe you can add food more slowly, or perhaps you are retaining water (any new salty foods or medications?); if you have time go to the Favorite Blogs (under Blogs heading) and read 700 Calories and Still Not Losing. It is a great article. On the other hand, I don't blame you for feeling freaked out. Drink lots of water! My personal opinion is that losing weight by being stressed to the last fiber and coming home to a toddler is not the perfect way to lose weight, but what do I know! Now your job is testing you with the opposite problem, in a crazy hard way. Don't jump on the bandwagon and be hard on yourself. You are still pretty, young, and you will figure all this out. I'm betting that in six months (will it be summer yet, please, please?) you will have lost that twenty-five pounds, and your new exercise regimen will tighten your abdominals and other muscles, and you will be looking really good.

iffy8

Thank you!! I hope so!

originalcookiemonster

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

Read this link and it will step by step show you how many calories to eat. It eliminates having to eat back exercise calories.

From what it sounds like, your body has been deprived of food/nutrition for a long time. Eating the correct amount of calories after not eating enough will have an effect on your body. And may take longer than 3 weeks. You will have to be patient with yourself. You will gain pounds. That is to be expected for someone in your situation. Give it time, eat well, exercise and you will see the weight taper off.

Also: If you lift heavy, and eat a good amount of protein, you will lose FAT while maintaining muscle mass.

Bottom line, be patient. Your body is adjusting to being fed. Its ok. Your weight will taper off. Keep eating right and enough and exercising.

fittiephd

You gotta give it more time. Don't go on the scale for 2-3 more weeks and just keep eating more even if you feel completely stuffed as in like bloated and lethargic full. It will start feeling SO much better if you keep it up for like a week and it's very true that you've been in starvation mode. Just keep going on doing what you should be doing and try to incorporate veggies and healthy foods and it WILL work out!!! I promise that you will lose more than you gain in the end you just have to keep going. good luck!

BarackMeLikeAHurricane

You need to be at an extremely low body fat percentage for starvation mode to be a possibility. Look up the Minnesota starvation experiment.