Am I in 'starvation mode'? Am I getting out of it?

13

Replies

  • the_sal
    the_sal Posts: 3 Member
    I'm glad my post helped - but I can't stress this enough - go and see a doctor, too (glad you said you would)!

    If you need more motivation, most of the horrible things you've been experiencing (depression, anxiety) are most likely a result of your starvation diet. Check out the info on the Minnesota Starvation Experiment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minnesota_Starvation_Experiment - especially the 'results' section. Increasing your food intake is absolutely essential to help to treat your depression and anxiety - please see a specialist who can help you with this, and be honest with them!
  • auxiliaa
    auxiliaa Posts: 31 Member
    I have spoken to my doctor about it, and I had a blood test yesterday. So I have taken some steps towards getting professional help, and I'm researching dietitians in my area now. Posting here has really made me realise how bad I had become. I ate about 1000 calories today, and I'm increasing again tomorrow.
  • the_sal
    the_sal Posts: 3 Member
    Aww, I'm glad! Take care, it's hard but you can do it. Don't feel like you need to freak yourself and your body out too much, just take it slow and steady if you need to, and once you get someone professional helping you out, it'll be much easier. Don't be afraid to shop around for a nutritionist or therapist if you feel like the one you get isn't helping, too.
  • auxiliaa
    auxiliaa Posts: 31 Member
    Thank you :)
  • TheDreadPirateRoberts
    TheDreadPirateRoberts Posts: 225 Member
    Aww, I'm glad! Take care, it's hard but you can do it. Don't feel like you need to freak yourself and your body out too much, just take it slow and steady if you need to, and once you get someone professional helping you out, it'll be much easier. Don't be afraid to shop around for a nutritionist or therapist if you feel like the one you get isn't helping, too.

    You're right in your previous post to me and I was a bit OTT and apologise. I was just very (overly) concerned for the OP and was wanting her to get some professional help as soon as possible. I'll butt out of here now and I'm glad she has seen someone and is eating more.

    FWIW, I find it very hard to eat enough and I have a constant battle to keep my weight up. However, that is me and not her, so I didnt mention "my story". I am sick of being cllaed skinny though, even though I am "normal weight". Oh well.
  • auxiliaa
    auxiliaa Posts: 31 Member
    And I'm really sorry to reawaken this - but I've gained 2kgs in a day. Just from upping to 1200. From all I've read ... this is either water weight or .. I don't know. My blood test said I had low potassium levels so I think my body is really dehydrated despite me drinking like 2L+ in the past week every day... I have my next doctor's appointment next week.
  • TheDreadPirateRoberts
    TheDreadPirateRoberts Posts: 225 Member
    And I'm really sorry to reawaken this - but I've gained 2kgs in a day. Just from upping to 1200. From all I've read ... this is either water weight or .. I don't know. My blood test said I had low potassium levels so I think my body is really dehydrated despite me drinking like 2L+ in the past week every day... I have my next doctor's appointment next week.

    Good for you. People here do actually care about you (me included!), so keep us posted. Its nice that you are eating a more normal amount and you are getting some help along the way. Hopefully you can keep on putting the weight back on and be happier with and in yourself.

    {edit} I also doubt you are dehydrated if you are drinking 2 litres of water a day. Not unless you are in a hot environment and sweating a lot. Look at these websites (as examples (I've not checked their accuracy)) for possible reasons for low potassium levels and see if any could be you.

    http://www.3fatchicks.com/7-reasons-why-you-have-low-potassium-levels/
    http://www.emedicinehealth.com/low_potassium/page2_em.htm

    As ever, your doctor will be the one who can best advise the possible cause though. Trouble with looking online about symptoms is you almost always end up thinking you've got cancer. {/edit}
  • auxiliaa
    auxiliaa Posts: 31 Member
    And I'm really sorry to reawaken this - but I've gained 2kgs in a day. Just from upping to 1200. From all I've read ... this is either water weight or .. I don't know. My blood test said I had low potassium levels so I think my body is really dehydrated despite me drinking like 2L+ in the past week every day... I have my next doctor's appointment next week.

    Good for you. People here do actually care about you (me included!), so keep us posted. Its nice that you are eating a more normal amount and you are getting some help along the way. Hopefully you can keep on putting the weight back on and be happier with and in yourself.

    {edit} I also doubt you are dehydrated if you are drinking 2 litres of water a day. Not unless you are in a hot environment and sweating a lot. Look at these websites (as examples (I've not checked their accuracy)) for possible reasons for low potassium levels and see if any could be you.

    http://www.3fatchicks.com/7-reasons-why-you-have-low-potassium-levels/
    http://www.emedicinehealth.com/low_potassium/page2_em.htm

    As ever, your doctor will be the one who can best advise the possible cause though. Trouble with looking online about symptoms is you almost always end up thinking you've got cancer. {/edit}

    Thank you, I really, really appreciate the concern - this is by far the scariest thing I've ever done.

    And for me, unfortunately, the low potassium came from using laxatives (I know, stupid). I think the low potassium has been contributing to my digestive upsets. Despite all this, I think I'm going to gain alot more faster than I realised, so ... yay?
  • jaybird951
    jaybird951 Posts: 53 Member
    i would say so....
  • shinda123
    shinda123 Posts: 3
    hi hun

    I dont know if this might help BUT im doing a food replacement diet and im on around 800 calories per day.. you go through a stage called Ketosis which basically burns fat instead of calories.. while in ketosis you do have stages when you feel nauseous, cold and tired but that usually passes after the first few days..

    as your doing cardio as well your body gets confused whther you should be burning fat or calories.. therefore if your on a low cal diet.. only light exercise should be done, walking, yoga etc.. maybe keep to your cals you want to keep at.. eat more protein less carbs and try not do as much exercise and see if that helps also drink plenty of water as well the more water you drink the more fat you lose when you go for a wee..
  • auxiliaa
    auxiliaa Posts: 31 Member
    hi hun

    I dont know if this might help BUT im doing a food replacement diet and im on around 800 calories per day.. you go through a stage called Ketosis which basically burns fat instead of calories.. while in ketosis you do have stages when you feel nauseous, cold and tired but that usually passes after the first few days..

    as your doing cardio as well your body gets confused whther you should be burning fat or calories.. therefore if your on a low cal diet.. only light exercise should be done, walking, yoga etc.. maybe keep to your cals you want to keep at.. eat more protein less carbs and try not do as much exercise and see if that helps also drink plenty of water as well the more water you drink the more fat you lose when you go for a wee..

    If my body went through the ketosis stage it did it along time ago - I've restricted, felt nauseous and cold for months.
  • StarvingDiva
    StarvingDiva Posts: 1,107 Member
    I was misdiagnosed with IBS for a long time, I was constantly bloated and gassy and couldn't be far from a bathroom. I went to acupuncture and it helped tremendously with the bloating and gassy pains, but I really turned a corner when I cut out gluten, I stopped eating gluten on a regular basis, (I eat it maybe once a week) but since cutting it out, I don't have to be constantly near a bathroom when I eat, I don't get gassy or bloaty, if I eat gluten for too many days in a row, it comes back, so I know it's not IBS, I'm obviously sensitive to gluten so I just stay away from it.

    That said, You definitely need to add in more calories, how about drinking some high calorie protein shakes if you can't fathom eating so much.
  • TheDreadPirateRoberts
    TheDreadPirateRoberts Posts: 225 Member
    hi hun

    I dont know if this might help BUT im doing a food replacement diet and im on around 800 calories per day.. you go through a stage called Ketosis which basically burns fat instead of calories.. while in ketosis you do have stages when you feel nauseous, cold and tired but that usually passes after the first few days..

    as your doing cardio as well your body gets confused whther you should be burning fat or calories.. therefore if your on a low cal diet.. only light exercise should be done, walking, yoga etc.. maybe keep to your cals you want to keep at.. eat more protein less carbs and try not do as much exercise and see if that helps also drink plenty of water as well the more water you drink the more fat you lose when you go for a wee..

    Shinda, the OP is significantly underweight at the moment, so going onto an atkins like diet and putting her body into ketosis and keeping to under the amount of calories she needs would not be a sensible choice for her. She needs to gain and not lose.
  • jaybird951
    jaybird951 Posts: 53 Member
    800 calories a day is going to turn into the Machinist.
  • auxiliaa
    auxiliaa Posts: 31 Member
    I was misdiagnosed with IBS for a long time, I was constantly bloated and gassy and couldn't be far from a bathroom. I went to acupuncture and it helped tremendously with the bloating and gassy pains, but I really turned a corner when I cut out gluten, I stopped eating gluten on a regular basis, (I eat it maybe once a week) but since cutting it out, I don't have to be constantly near a bathroom when I eat, I don't get gassy or bloaty, if I eat gluten for too many days in a row, it comes back, so I know it's not IBS, I'm obviously sensitive to gluten so I just stay away from it.

    That said, You definitely need to add in more calories, how about drinking some high calorie protein shakes if you can't fathom eating so much.

    I could swap the protein shakes for high calorie drinks - the thought of protein shakes is disgusting to me.

    At first I thought it was gluten - but I did an elimination diet and a blood test for it, and it's not the case for me. Just plain old annoying IBS. The bloating hasn't gone down in the slightest - I look about 6 months pregnant - and my bowel movements are just not happening at all. But I think time is the only answer
  • dodihere
    dodihere Posts: 490
    You need to take your issue up with a physician.
  • supermoo2
    supermoo2 Posts: 77
    700 cals is far too low to be healthy and won't do your body any good
  • foleyshirley
    foleyshirley Posts: 1,043 Member
    I'm glad you realize there is a problem, and that you are making an effort to change. Personally, I think you need professional help at this point. Your relationship with food is not healthy. And these forums can be good, but i don't think this is what you need right now. Good luck.
  • Growtinymusclesgrow
    Growtinymusclesgrow Posts: 152 Member
    you should probably see a doctor or nutritionist who can build a plan for you to get back to a healthy weight. i don't think the people of MFP are qualified to give this sort of advice.

    This is the best advice given yet! Even a doctor without seeing and evaluating you in person could not give you proper advice! You are an admitted anorexic, your nutritional advise should come come from s qualified medical individual! Your health and well being should not be left up to some random people in a forum... Please go and seek professional help right away, before you wind up causing serious (maybe irreversible) damage to your body!
  • forwesgar13
    forwesgar13 Posts: 56 Member
    The Ibs might be a side effect or maybe an issue . From reading your post deciding to reduce your calories to the amount that you have and your fear of gaining weight ,every thing aside you need help with your over all out look on you and weight. Maybe take some of the advice later. But for now you need to get the inner you healthy and the outer you healthy. I think I have a friend that is going through the same thing . I told her yesterday that you can do anything in life as long as you have your health. If you get healthy eventually the weight will balance. Loosing the weight that I have has made me feel good, energetic, like who I should be. Reading your post b/c you have exceeded where your healthy weight should be you are depressed , sick , and have no energy. Thats not living life and how you should be feeling. I'm glad you are getting help from a Dr. and just take baby steps add a few healthy things in a day , best wishes
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    At 5'4" your perfect weight is appx 120lbs.
    What are you thinking?
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

    Use this to figure out what you should be eating.
    Get TDEE and eat it for life.
    Hell eat above it for a while so you can get healthy again.
  • auxiliaa
    auxiliaa Posts: 31 Member
    At 5'4" your perfect weight is appx 120lbs.
    What are you thinking?

    When I was restricting, I wasn't thinking. I know it sounds strange, but I've been unaware of how bad I've been. Depression and anxiety made me neglect my body and my health to the point where I can't remember what healthy is.
  • auxiliaa
    auxiliaa Posts: 31 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

    Use this to figure out what you should be eating.
    Get TDEE and eat it for life.
    Hell eat above it for a while so you can get healthy again.

    I know what mine is and I'm working up to it. But without having reached it yet, I've gained 2kgs.
  • Helloitsdan
    Helloitsdan Posts: 5,564 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

    Use this to figure out what you should be eating.
    Get TDEE and eat it for life.
    Hell eat above it for a while so you can get healthy again.

    I know what mine is and I'm working up to it. But without having reached it yet, I've gained 2kgs.

    Good!
    Keep gaining.
    Now if you can workout 3x a week youll dictate where those nutrients go.
    If you do weight lifting or body weight work the nutrients will go to recovery for the muscles youve worked.
    just sit around? ....who knows?
    Probably fat.

    Google Nerd fitness Batman and youll find a great resource for body weight work.
    Or
    Join a gym and start being productive with getting healthy.

    Right now you arent very healthy.
    winter is coming so its a good time to add lean muscle.
    Find TDEE and add 20% to that and just eat and enjoy the food.
    Workout 3x a week and youll enjoy the lean muscle built.
  • FelicityEliza36
    FelicityEliza36 Posts: 252 Member
    you should probably see a doctor or nutritionist who can build a plan for you to get back to a healthy weight. i don't think the people of MFP are qualified to give this sort of advice.

    ^ THANK YOU.

    I am going through all the comments, and well of course they are supportive - I am wondering to myself "HAVE YOU SEEN A DOCTOR????"

    You really need to seek out help - physically as well as mentally. As I can only imagine that something like this weighs heavy on your brain and turns into a bad habit to get out of. Wish you the best my friend....
  • NewAngel35
    NewAngel35 Posts: 182 Member
    I desperately need some advice. These are my stats - Female, 20 years old, 5' 4, 94 pounds (one pound gain from last week), 14.6% body fat.

    I have been consciously restricting my diet since the beginning of the year. In January, I was 123 pounds. I started to get alot of bad reactions to foods (and have since been diagnosed with IBS) and cut alot of processed foods and switched to a non-diary and hardly any carbs "diet". When I started logging in MFP in June, I weighed 116 pounds. My calories were under 1000 per day, and I imagine they had been like this for months before I was logging in my calories. I exercised, doing my own hour sessions of cardio at home. I was eating two small meals a day and had barely any appetite. I developed anxiety and depression, and then had keyhole surgery for a diagnosis in July. By the time I was recovered from the surgery at the end of July, my weight had dropped to 99 pounds. I wasn't eating more than 500 calories per day. In August my calories decreased from about 150 - 300. My weight last Monday was at its lowest, 93 pounds. I was put on SSRI medication and decided to consciously increase my food intake because I have no energy, I'm always cold, and I'm looking slightly skeletal. I've read alot about the starvation mode theory - have I put my body into this mode?

    Over the past week I've increased my calories to around 700 per day. I know this is still very low - I wanted small increases. I'm eating 3 meals a day, sometimes a snack. I have an appetite and hunger pains for the first time in months. I've done all the BMR calculations with my sedentary lifestyle, and I should be eating 1500ish calories to maintain this low weight (which I don't want to do). In the past week of only bumping up my calories by 200, I've gained a pound. Is this water weight? What will happen to my body in the following weeks? I'm bloated and full all the time (to the point of physically looking pregnant), I can't fathom eating 1500 calories, I don't think I've done that in ages.

    Will my body put on weight very very fast? How/when does it stablise? I'm so scared to continue to increase ..
    Hi there
    First well done for asking the tough questions. You may find the eating more to loose weight group can help answer these questions. I asked a similar thing yesterday and got directed there.Its called resetting your metabolic rate.They also have a chanel on Youtube.It takes time from person to person.I think this will help you.Feel free to add me.I suffer from the same kind of dilemas.Hope this helps
  • Reesecup312
    Reesecup312 Posts: 236 Member
    Oh and "starvation mode" is a phrase which is used a lot on MFP, but not so much in the real world. If you are taking less calories than you need for a significant period of time, then your metabolism will slow down, however you will continue to lose weight.

    Do not get hung up on "starvation mode" as it is of little importance in your case. What is important is that you are underweight and need to gain it back. Given your history, I would see your doctor who will be able to advise you better than anyone here.

    This ^^^^^^^^^^
  • auxiliaa
    auxiliaa Posts: 31 Member
    you should probably see a doctor or nutritionist who can build a plan for you to get back to a healthy weight. i don't think the people of MFP are qualified to give this sort of advice.

    ^ THANK YOU.

    I am going through all the comments, and well of course they are supportive - I am wondering to myself "HAVE YOU SEEN A DOCTOR????"

    You really need to seek out help - physically as well as mentally. As I can only imagine that something like this weighs heavy on your brain and turns into a bad habit to get out of. Wish you the best my friend....

    I have seen a doctor...
  • jllove871
    jllove871 Posts: 84 Member
    "I have no energy, I'm always cold"
    I am a little concerned about this! Have your doctors checked your thyroid. I have Hypothyroidism which is opposite of what you are experiencing but still these two symptoms sound the same as what Finally led to my diagnosis. Thyroid is pretty important, maybe you should get that checked. As far for calories, you have shrunk your stomach so it isnt safe to increase calories so fast, you will need to ease back into calories gradually! Good Luck

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