RMR

There is a lot of disagreement on this (hotly debated!). :grumble: :explode:

I recently read several experts that claim that starvation mode comes into play when a person eats less than 50% of "what their body needs". Ok, but they didn't define that..is that maintenance or RMR? In addition, I've read that all calorie restrictions are treated as famine by the body, which causes slow downs to occur. The severity of such are determined by how large the calorie restriction is and how long. Then there are the hormones....leptin, ghrelin, insulin...how does eating below RMR affect their production? Wish I could find some solid answers too...with documentation, not just opinions or lore.

My own story is that I've been at a plateau for 6 months, eating and logging calories, between 1200 and 1450 calories a day (I tried increasing them at one point). I had my metabolism tested professionally and my RMR is 1800 and maintenance around 2500. Is that why I'm not losing? And yet, some people will tell you that it doesn't matter...eat less than you burn and you HAVE to lose weight. Uh huh...well I should be a stick by now!!

In simplest terms possible your RMR = the energy your body requires to SUSTAIN LIFE, this does not include daily activities or the energy it takes to get dressed, pee or even eat... after a series of calculations we get what we call your BEE or basel energy exenditure which calculates the energy requires to not only sustain life but to sustain activity/function, depleting your BEE is what causes weight loss, when you deplete below your RMR you cause your body to react by slowing the metabolism so it burns energy at a slower rate to account for the drop in calorie consumption, yes it is true that EVENTUALLY you will loose weight eating below your RMR, how do you think anorexia works? BUT it takes a long time, it depletes muscles stores, cauases cardiac stress and a number of other 'bad' things to your body, advise from a dietitian: DO NOT EAT BELOW YOUR RMR

If there is any other way I can clear this up please let me know, this is a VERY confusing topic, and getting incorrect information can be harmfull, please be safe and if you need any more clarification let me know!!!!!!!