Starvation Mode?
Kaylsabails
Posts: 5
So for years I have been eating between 700-900 calories a day and working out hard 6 days a week for 1-2 hours each workout plus daily regular activities like walking my puppy etc. I am 28 5'6'' and began to gain weight fast, despite my workouts and healthy eating.. I should also mention that I am a vegetarian. I gained 20 lbs and counting.. I also have gained inches everywhere my clothes aren't fitting ... and I am devastated.. could the lack of calories for my energetic lifestyle be the problem? I have no idea what to do.. please help.
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Replies
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Yea ide say you're starving.. I'm 5'3 166 active all day every day i eat 1600 and sometimesi don't eat enuff. . So just for over all health, ide start eating double what u do.0
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ya thats way to few calories a nd u will go into starvation mode
u didnt mention hoew much u weigh so i cant tell u how many calories u really need0 -
I agree with the others, you need to eat more and considering that you're vegetarian, you have the option to eat much more in volume then the rest of us omnivores so please do it.
Many years ago, I was in a similiar situation as you, droped 70 lbs in about 5 months, but my reward from that was always being hungry, under-eating, occasional fainting and a long evening in the ER. Not worth it.
You need to have a realistic eating schedule, even if you're exercising more or not. It's not like there is an end date where you can stop and that weight will be you the rest of your life. Know your body and know yourself.0 -
is this a joke?0
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is this a joke?
This. It is very hard to gain weight at 700-900 calories IMO starvation mode or no.0 -
Could you be pregnant?0
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is this a joke?
Joke, or maybe a mistake.
I just tried the bmr calculator using 5' 6, 28 yo female and tried 40 kg, which gave a result of 1100 cals a day.
So, the OP is either mistaken, dead, less than 40kg or pulling our legs.0 -
you can't gain weight when eating in a deficit..unless you have somehow found a way to defy the basic laws of physics and math ...
Also, true starvation mode is eating nothing for 72 hours...so you are not in starvation mode...
However, you probably have jacked up your metabolism by eating so few cals and working out so much...0 -
There was an article floating around on here that a doctor or a dietitian wrote about a woman who only ate 700 calories a day and was frustrated because she was still overweight, I think she was over 200 pounds, basically the doctor/dietitian explained that, because your body burns over 2000 calories a day just by say you were to do absolutely nothing but wake up eat, lay on the couch all day, then go back to sleep etc. and you go and only eat 700 calories, so because of this your body isn't getting enough fuel to at least maintain those basic functions, so the body then goes into starvation mode, so when it does that what happens is, it slows everything down in your body, your metabolism etc and so that slows and essentially stops all fat burning, no matter how much exercise you do and it starts storing fat instead, so whatever amount of fat you consume, no matter how small, your body holds unto that fat and stores it in order to protect your body. Your body basically slows your metabolism down, that way your body is running at minimum capacity so your systems don't shut down all together, for example your heart, liver, kidneys, etc from lack of nourishment.0
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There was an article floating around on here that a doctor or a dietitian wrote about a woman who only ate 700 calories a day and was frustrated because she was still overweight, I think she was over 200 pounds, basically the doctor/dietitian explained that, because your body burns over 2000 calories a day just by say you were to do absolutely nothing but wake up eat, lay on the couch all day, then go back to sleep etc. and you go and only eat 700 calories, so because of this your body isn't getting enough fuel to at least maintain those basic functions, so the body then goes into starvation mode, so when it does that what happens is, it slows everything down in your body, your metabolism etc and so that slows and essentially stops all fat burning, no matter how much exercise you do and it starts storing fat instead, so whatever amount of fat you consume, no matter how small, your body holds unto that fat and stores it in order to protect your body. Your body basically slows your metabolism down, that way your body is running at minimum capacity so your systems don't shut down all together, for example your heart, liver, kidneys, etc from lack of nourishment.
Ow ow ow ow
Ice cream headache from reading that..0 -
You say what you've been eating is "healthy". You're eating half or less of what you need to function...eventually something was going to go wacky and it seems it did. Please consult a nutitionist....this sounds like riding the ragged edge of an eating disorder.0
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Someone is being funny? you cannot gain weight at 700 to 900 calories a day even if you didn't exercise sorry but its not possible0
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Even if they have messed up their metabolism with the hormonal issues caused from a long-term very calorie-restricted diet, AND if they also suffered hypothyroidism ... they'd still likely never gain weight on 700-900 calories.you can't gain weight when eating in a deficit..unless you have somehow found a way to defy the basic laws of physics and math ...
Also, true starvation mode is eating nothing for 72 hours...so you are not in starvation mode...
However, you probably have jacked up your metabolism by eating so few cals and working out so much...0 -
If you're asking for an honest answer, visit your doctor. Something is not right.0
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After reading the OP's profile, I can say I am in no way qualified to offer any advice. In fact, I doubt there are many here that can.0
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Your previous three posts are regarding your hypothyroidism that you were recently diagnosed with. You'll get better advice from fellow people suffering from the same problem (which you've already asked for and been answered) or your doctor.0
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You're not accurately logging0
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Your previous three posts are regarding your hypothyroidism that you were recently diagnosed with. You'll get better advice from fellow people suffering from the same problem (which you've already asked for and been answered) or your doctor.
Uhm...no...The OP eats 700-900 calories a day and workout"hard" six days a week.....Don't think fellow hypothyroidism sufferers can help with that.... A therapist maybe? Together with her doctor.....0 -
Honestly i would say that it is very likely that it is starvation mode. I went through a similar experience. Typically a normal weight for someone of your height should be around 130 pounds, and since you work out frequently, i would say to sustain a healthy weight you should be taking in 1900-2000 calories. Starvation mode is initiated when your caloric intake is or at least half of what your daily recommended amount of calories is per day. And for those in disbelief it is likely, for someone to eat too few of calories and work out, to gain weight because the body's metabolism slows so much- it wants to make sure there is enough energy to sustain functionality until the next meal.
So, in conclusion, keep up the exercise and slowly increase your calorie intake (make sure its healthy calories, not fatty calories) and you should be good to go.0 -
Looking at your profile and what you've posted here, I think you are better off seeking the help of dietitian and someone who can assist you with your history of eating issues (which appear to still be in existence) and not MFP.
I wish you luck & I hope you get the help you need. Take care of your body/mind and love yourself.0 -
There was an article floating around on here that a doctor or a dietitian wrote about a woman who only ate 700 calories a day and was frustrated because she was still overweight, I think she was over 200 pounds, basically the doctor/dietitian explained that, because your body burns over 2000 calories a day just by say you were to do absolutely nothing but wake up eat, lay on the couch all day, then go back to sleep etc. and you go and only eat 700 calories, so because of this your body isn't getting enough fuel to at least maintain those basic functions, so the body then goes into starvation mode, so when it does that what happens is, it slows everything down in your body, your metabolism etc and so that slows and essentially stops all fat burning, no matter how much exercise you do and it starts storing fat instead, so whatever amount of fat you consume, no matter how small, your body holds unto that fat and stores it in order to protect your body. Your body basically slows your metabolism down, that way your body is running at minimum capacity so your systems don't shut down all together, for example your heart, liver, kidneys, etc from lack of nourishment.
Ow ow ow ow
Ice cream headache from reading that..
You didn't have to read it as simple as that, or for that matter comment on it!!!0 -
I weighed 125 lbs and shot up to 136lbs and now 146lbs... without any diet changes or exercise changes... and yaaa it is possible because it is happening to me... I log every calorie that goes down my throat... pretty sure for those of you that are questioning me... that I have better things to do than to come on some site and make **** up... just saying... ya I realize that my caloric intake is wayyyy to low I have come to the conclusion that I will have to steadily but slowly increase it.. but im petrified that if eating practically nothing was leading me to gain 20 pounds... whats to come with the calorie increase... bahhh brutal feeling I just want my body back..0
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this is a good read:
http://www.fitcorefitness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Caloric-Restriction.pdf
Doesn't necessarily answer your question, but it does explain a lot of the studies about reduced calorie diets...
I especially note the studies that show that RMR drops in response to some levels of caloric restriction - so if your RMR is 500...then you are eating at a surplus even though you think you are not...sounds possible to me, but I am not a doctor.0 -
So for years I have been eating between 700-900 calories a day and working out hard 6 days a week for 1-2 hours each workout plus daily regular activities like walking my puppy etc. I am 28 5'6'' and began to gain weight fast, despite my workouts and healthy eating.. I should also mention that I am a vegetarian. I gained 20 lbs and counting.. I also have gained inches everywhere my clothes aren't fitting ... and I am devastated.. could the lack of calories for my energetic lifestyle be the problem? I have no idea what to do.. please help.
please see your doctor to talk to about this. Eating that little and exercising so much is very damaging for your body - it's what's on the inside that counts too, remember? If you go on like this and damage your organs there will be lifelong health problems. I lose weight eating 1600-2000 a day and exercising + strength training.
If you have/have had an eating disorder, it's very important for you to talk to your close family and a health professional. They/we all want what's best for you, and we are all speaking the truth when we say you need to eat more, you need to aim for a healthy weight for your height (within the BMI range). I am sure there are many things you want in live - travel, family, children etc - if you live like this none of it will be attainable.
edit: you body doesn't just require calories, it requires nutrients and all these good things to be happy. Nor possible for you to get enough of that on 700 cals0 -
is this a joke?
This. It is very hard to gain weight at 700-900 calories IMO starvation mode or no.
Agreed. Go to a doctor. This doesn't sound like starvation mode.0 -
Your previous three posts are regarding your hypothyroidism that you were recently diagnosed with. You'll get better advice from fellow people suffering from the same problem (which you've already asked for and been answered) or your doctor.
Uhm...no...The OP eats 700-900 calories a day and workout"hard" six days a week.....Don't think fellow hypothyroidism sufferers can help with that.... A therapist maybe? Together with her doctor.....
agreed, however hypothyroidism is a contributing factor to metabolisms out of wack (I have it!), however not to this extent. I assume it's a mixture of undereating and hypo, though she should definitely speak to her doctor and close relatives about this to get proper support
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No, no, no......there is one smidge of truth in here and a truck load of nonsense.Honestly i would say that it is very likely that it is starvation mode. I went through a similar experience. Typically a normal weight for someone of your height should be around 130 pounds, and since you work out frequently, i would say to sustain a healthy weight you should be taking in 1900-2000 calories. Starvation mode is initiated when your caloric intake is or at least half of what your daily recommended amount of calories is per day. And for those in disbelief it is likely, for someone to eat too few of calories and work out, to gain weight because the body's metabolism slows so much- it wants to make sure there is enough energy to sustain functionality until the next meal.
So, in conclusion, keep up the exercise and slowly increase your calorie intake (make sure its healthy calories, not fatty calories) and you should be good to go.0 -
is this a joke?
This. It is very hard to gain weight at 700-900 calories IMO starvation mode or no.
I went through the same thing. I started losing weight when I quit working out..then increased cals. It IS very much so possible to gain weight at 900 cals a day if your body has adjusted to maintaining at only 700-800 cals a day. I lived the horror. The only way to fix it is to eat..and eat and eat. I've been resetting for over a year now. I can eat 1700-2000 cals a day and not gain. I strongly urge you to find the group EatMore2WeighLess they can help you. Wanted to add, also, that I began working out again once I got my eating balanced.0 -
Looking at your profile and what you've posted here, I think you are better off seeking the help of dietitian and someone who can assist you with your history of eating issues (which appear to still be in existence) and not MFP.
I wish you luck & I hope you get the help you need. Take care of your body/mind and love yourself.
Amen.0
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