Can you be fat and in starvation mode?

You are not eating more, you are eating enough for your body to function properly.

This ^^ is a very good way to look at it, something I need to keep reminding myself. Thx for the reply!

Not too sure about the whole starvation mode becuase research shows that really only happens in longer term, more extreme instances. So reducing calories to lo a pound or two per week wouldn't really do it. The issue is usually too stagnant a lifestyle has lead to a sedentary metabolism rate. The reading of research I have done seems to always point more towards activating your metabolism as the key to optimizing weight loss. More so with your health issue.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/19/health/nutrition/19best.html?_r=1&

Your medical issue will compound the challenge of weight loss, but it isn't unsurmountable. It might be good to find a nutritionist or health counselor that can help you eat right and incorporate approriate levels of exercise.

I would be curious to see what others have found though.

I was eating 1200-1800 cals at 250 lbs. When I started ripping tendons with normal every day activity... my activity levels dropped a LOT. I wasn't as hungry - I naturally ate less. It wasn't (at the time) a conscious decision. Docs added in cymbalta to try to help with the fatigue, muscle & joint pain (and I think they suspected I was depressed) My weight started creeping up at that point. Either because of the medication, or possible also because at 1200-1800 cals I was still below maintenance calorie levels for that weight. Or maybe it was both (so hard to know). Or maybe it was just the lowered activity levels? Prior to ripping the one achilles tendon I was walking with my kids to school, then going to the gym for another workout - either cardio on the track, treadmill, or light weights, the occasional cardio class and sometimes a yoga or pilates class - I mixed it up to stay interested). Then I'd come home do the usual household chores (vaccumning, laundry up and down the stairs, playing with my then 2 year old, playing outside, more walks, soccer at the park, or bike rides). After the tear - I was down to almost no activity and in a walking boot for weeks. After I healed up to be able to walk without pain I added back in some gentle walks, and belly dancing classes, the occasional bike ride. But not nearly as active as I was before. I kept re-injuring the heel, went through physio when the boot didn't "fix" it. Near the end of the physio for the one heel - I injured the OTHER heel... trying to dig a hole in the garden to lay edging bricks. So I've gone through another round of trying to heal that one too... re-injuring both with just every day activities (like walking up and down the stairs).

Then I started having vertigo issues which compounded the difficulty in getting in exercise. At this point my weight was slowly edging up and I think I consciously started eating less. Scared because I felt I could no longer exercise like before (and didn't know when I would be able to again). Reducing to 800-1000 cals a day stemmed some of the weight gain. somewhere along the way I started logging my food again (again because of questions from the doctors about what I was eating). And realized there were days that I wasn't even eating 800 calories. Because I'd become so sedentary though I didn't change it... worried about what damage it might do, but didn't change it. I mean when your'e as fat as I am right now.... no one is exactly telling you should eat MORE. I've gotten continual pressure from the doctors to try to lose weight, lose weight and everything might get better.

I've seen many nutritionists throughout the years, and the recommendations change slightly depending on what the current government standard is. So far the recommendations from any of them have not helped me. The only time I ever lost weight continually was with the Body for Life program. 6 small meals, ratio of 40% protein, 40% carbs, 20% fat (healthy fats). I can do the cardio workouts on an elliptical, but the weight training is still an issue with my tendons being so friable. I've just been doing weight bearing exercise.


bahhh I just need to stop whining and do it right? Eat more lean protein, veggies, limited non wheat whole grains - and exercise more. Right? Gawd I even got sick of my whining just typing it out myself :P

JUST DO IT.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/3047-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing

very helpful - thank you!

I feel compelled to note that what I am eating is mostly whole foods, lean meat. Unadulterated fruits and veggies. That kind of thing. I have been using some convenience items like the gluten free bread and wraps. I do eat dairy (including the occasional full fat cheese). I'm at home with my kids, so I have (theoretically) time to prepare meals. That said - we do eat out from time to time on the weekend. THOSE meals definitely aren't healthy. Typically it's a burger & fries from Culvers (local fast food chain). That one meal alone can be more cals than I eat in two days. So the theory postulated in the article hit home - even though I'm not over total calories for the week, that one meal can be construed as a binge by my body, and it might be shoving all of those calories, especially since they're not the healthiest, into fat cells. So that's something to think about for sure.

you have to eat nothing for 72 hours to be in "starvation mode"

How many calories a day do you eat? If it is over zero then you are not in starvation mode...

Oh and in...for the oncoming eat more to lose more, TDEE, MFP eat back your exercise calories, and general storm that this thread will generate...

right now averaging 800-1000 a day (so obviously more than 0). I've been at this level for about 4 months now. Prior to that it was even less (but with less exercise too). Exercise/activity right now is still pretty lame - just squats and lunges at home, arm lifts with the kiddos on "off days", walking about 2-3 miles at the gym either on the track, or elliptical - that's been about 3 times a week. Gardening now that summer is here. Daily attempts at stretching at home.

bahhh I just need to stop whining and do it right? Eat more lean protein, veggies, limited non wheat whole grains - and exercise more. Right? Gawd I even got sick of my whining just typing it out myself :P

JUST DO IT.

Not at all.

You have some challenges and they can most certainly wreak havoc on motivation and will power.

But then again, yes. You know you need to do something and unfortuately you do need o start now and continue consistently. Deit as needed and start adding in what exercise you can, then build on that. With your challenges, your success will most likely be slower, which again might make you feel like you are not progressing, but eating healthier and working out when you can will only serve to help your overall health. It just takes time and continued effort.

But you are here and asking the important questions, which means you WANT to do better. That is awesome.

Just build on that!

Thank you for the encouragement - I appreciate it!

Are you doing TDEE method or MFP method?

technically neither - just logging food, trying to eat more veggies, meat, and some fruit. Logging exercise (mostly).

If I was following TDEE - calc I found says I should be eating 2867 based on exercising 3x a week and using the mifflin-st Jepor formula. Obviously way and above what I've been consuming for years. Even when I was doing BFL I was averaging 2200-2400 with higher intakes on my 'free' days. I've been eating 1800 and below for over 7 years now ...longer even. I stopped some of my upper body lifting in 2004 when I injured my shoulder but continued lower body workouts, abs, some back and chest up until midway through my first pregnancy in 2005. I was about to get my shoulder scoped when I found I was pregnant. So the surgery I had done when my first guy was 8 months old. After having him I fell into the trap of not planning meals, and less exercise (he never slept - didn't sleep through the night until he was4 years old - at which point his 6 month old brother stopped sleeping). Youngest still doesn't sleep.

Anyhow back to MFP - mfp method is eating back your exercise calories? Clarify that one for me.

At one point I was benching 120. I miss that. I miss being strong.