Please stop saying everything is starvation mode...

You can't tell me that starvation mode can't kick in from smaller things than 72 hour fasts. I passed up some Hardees curly fries today. (Someone pat me on the back) I damn near went into starvation mode just from that.

i prefer the term "preservation mode" myself..

Mmmmm bacon... Okay back on topic, so I'm confused.. I read all the posts for noobs and they say I shouldn't be cutting too many calories, and mfp says i should be eating 1200 and my exercise kcals. So if I want to drop a significant amt (trying to fit nicely into my bday dress March 2nd, but also am serious about changing lifestyle yadayada, how many can i cut safely while exercising 5 times a week? Thanks for any help.

I'm not sure where you are getting your information from but it seems that you have misunderstood what starvation mode is.

According to Segen starvation mode is defined as a physiologic response to a marked decrease in caloric intake where the basal metabolic rate falls to a minimum to conserve energy.

If a person's BMR is 2000kcal per day and they reduce their caloric intake to 1000kcal per day their body will, after a period of glycogen and ketone burning, adjust it's metabolism to try and limit the potential loss of body tissue. This person is by definition in starvation mode until their BMR stabilizes.

Most people "starve themselves" while dieting and can't figure out why they stop losing weight so they stop their diet only to gain more weight back than when they started. This happens because the body's first response to caloric excess while it is in starvation mode is to horde all excess glycogen into fat cells.

You do NOT need to stop all caloric intake to enter into starvation mode. You will enter starvation mode if you consistently consume less than what is required for bodily operation for a prolonged period of time.

You are correct that missing a meal will not put you into starvation mode but the effects of prolonged caloric deficit should not be ignored. Starvation is a real concern for people trying to loose weight and everyone eating at a caloric deficit should be aware of it and take care not to get to that point.

Mmmmm bacon... Okay back on topic, so I'm confused.. I read all the posts for noobs and they say I shouldn't be cutting too many calories, and mfp says i should be eating 1200 and my exercise kcals. So if I want to drop a significant amt (trying to fit nicely into my bday dress March 2nd, but also am serious about changing lifestyle yadayada, how many can i cut safely while exercising 5 times a week? Thanks for any help.

what is your height, weight, and age ....

hte basic method is to calculate your TDEE and deduct about 20 to 30% depending on how many cals you want to lose.

what is your work out regimen like?

I'm 5'4", 162, and 31.

Thanks for your help, I'm horrible with anything that has to do with calculating, which is why I like this tracker that does it for me!

I workout 4-6 days a week doing group fitness classes such as zumba, kickboxing, and aerobics. I also do some strength training with bands and weights during those classes, I am working on getting a HRM, but for now mfp says I'm burning ~500-650 kcals per workout. Thanks again. The fitness pal says starvation mode, and it's scareing me lol

*I didn't weigh myself when I initially started, so not sure how much I've lost. I just weighed myself finally a few days ago, so it says 0.

I'm not sure where you are getting your information from but it seems that you have misunderstood what starvation mode is.

According to Segen starvation mode is defined as a physiologic response to a marked decrease in caloric intake where the basal metabolic rate falls to a minimum to conserve energy.

If a person's BMR is 2000kcal per day and they reduce their caloric intake to 1000kcal per day their body will, after a period of glycogen and ketone burning, adjust it's metabolism to try and limit the potential loss of body tissue. This person is by definition in starvation mode until their BMR stabilizes.

Most people "starve themselves" while dieting and can't figure out why they stop losing weight so they stop their diet only to gain more weight back than when they started. This happens because the body's first response to caloric excess while it is in starvation mode is to horde all excess glycogen into fat cells.

You do NOT need to stop all caloric intake to enter into starvation mode. You will enter starvation mode if you consistently consume less than what is required for bodily operation for a prolonged period of time.

You are correct that missing a meal will not put you into starvation mode but the effects of prolonged caloric deficit should not be ignored. Starvation is a real concern for people trying to loose weight and everyone eating at a caloric deficit should be aware of it and take care not to get to that point.

WELL... you told them!!! haa hahah ... i seriously need to just stop reading forums... i was first doin 1200 cal while working out HARD 5+ times a week... then i read NO NO NO, need to increase my cals or my metabolism will crash and ill lose nothing... soooo increased my cal to 1600+ and now i read thats bull as well... *smashes face against key board*

I'm not sure where you are getting your information from but it seems that you have misunderstood what starvation mode is.

According to Segen starvation mode is defined as a physiologic response to a marked decrease in caloric intake where the basal metabolic rate falls to a minimum to conserve energy.

If a person's BMR is 2000kcal per day and they reduce their caloric intake to 1000kcal per day their body will, after a period of glycogen and ketone burning, adjust it's metabolism to try and limit the potential loss of body tissue. This person is by definition in starvation mode until their BMR stabilizes.

Most people "starve themselves" while dieting and can't figure out why they stop losing weight so they stop their diet only to gain more weight back than when they started. This happens because the body's first response to caloric excess while it is in starvation mode is to horde all excess glycogen into fat cells.

You do NOT need to stop all caloric intake to enter into starvation mode. You will enter starvation mode if you consistently consume less than what is required for bodily operation for a prolonged period of time.

You are correct that missing a meal will not put you into starvation mode but the effects of prolonged caloric deficit should not be ignored. Starvation is a real concern for people trying to loose weight and everyone eating at a caloric deficit should be aware of it and take care not to get to that point.

i ate an average of 3500 calories a day, until september, when i switched over to 1200-1300 cal per day. i am 32 years old, 5 foot 10, and was sedentary, however, since september, have been going to the gym 3-5 days a week. no, i do not eat back my exercise calories, no i am not sluggish, no i do not feel drained, yes i am full of energy! i have 5 kids and im a full time student, and im not falling asleep from my low cal intake! in 5 months, i have gone from 246 pounds to 188 pounds. im not in starvation mode, i feel great, and i fit alot of food into my daily goal!!! including my golden spoons frozen yogurt!!! omg it was so good today, salted caramel!!!