3 months, ZERO PROGRESS

"Starvation mode" isn't a thing that really exists. I agree that (except in extremely rare instances) one should not push their deficit above 1000 calories, but you won't suddenly stop losing weight if you eat too little.

This Doctor says otherwise. Its happened to me. <http://blogs.webmd.com/pamela-peeke-md/2009/07/stop-starving-yourselves.html&gt;

She's wrong. Well, technically she's right, but you'll notice she does not mention the magnitude of the effect.

The degree to which your body will adapt metabolically to a low-calorie diet is not nearly enough to stop weight loss on a VLCD.

I said and/or.

if your HRM does not have a chest strap and you are using it for weight training you are over estimating burns.

It doesn't matter the deficet in reality if you are at a deficet you will lose. People on VLCD (very low calories diet) lose weight not in a good way but they still lose.

End of story.

I disagree with you. That is not the reality of human beings. There are many more variables.

Actually this is the reality unless you have thryoid problems or PCOS which in most cases it is known and these questions are not asked.

I've been reading this thread and thinking PCOS the whole time.

Hi Aimee. I am wondering how many grams of carbs you are eating per day? What kind of calories you eat matters.

I started my weight loss about a year ago because I noticed that though I was working just as hard at my summer job, which is physical labor in a greenhouse, I wasn't losing the weight I usually did every summer. I wasn't eating any different. I asked my doctor. She said It's possible that you could be carb sensitive. This was new to me and actually there is new research into this that can be found on the internet.

If I'm remembering what I read, our body's ability to process carbs correctly can change over time especially if we tend to be big carb consumers. Carbs are supposed to be metabolized into fuel for our muscles and any excess that we don't use gets stored as fat. There are changes that can happen (which have to do with your liver I believe) that make your body send less carb energy to your muscles and more directly to fat storage. Bummer huh? I am definitely in this category and have to keep my carb intake at absolutely no more than 100 grams a day while keeping my protein up and total calories between 1200 - 1400 per day to lose weight which creates a 300 - 500 calorie deficit for me.

Also, if you're calorie intake is too low it can actually trigger this fat storage process. I friend who is a nurse and pretty informed about weight loss said that when you reduce your caloric intake gently by just a few hundred calories a day vs. drastically your body doesn't turn on the "Slow down the metabolism! Store fat! We're starving! alarm" and you will lose weight more easily over time.

I would suggest reading up on this. Hope it helps. Also, Fitday has a more detailed process of finding out the appropriate number of calories for you each day. I like this site better for everything else. Good luck.

Melanie

Hi,

I've definitely been here, but the times of the day really mean alot as well. Are you eating Breakfast, 2-3 hrs later Snack, 2 hrs later Lunch, 2-3 hrs later Snack, 2 hrs later Dinner. Also, when are you working out? You should try incorporating green tea, grapefruit (if not on medication) cayenne pepper into your diet as well. It will increase fat burning. Also, make sure you are breaking a sweat when working out. I know it gets costly to eat clean, but there are alot of foods out there that are inexpensive, like a bag of grapefruits are around $5.00, quick oats (plain), cottage cheese, eggs, spinach, broccoli, lettuce, and family pack of chicken. Nice easy marinade for chicken-extra virgin olive oil, fresh garlic or garlic powder, and fresh basil. Keep them in a ziploc bag on hand and grill one up put it over steamed spinach or a salad......it's a very filling meal. Also, keep carrots, celery, and cucumbers cut up at all times in the fridge in ziploc bags, Portion control is so important. You want to keep your body eating and burning all day. If you crave sugar.....peel and cut up some apples with a little sprinkle of cinnamon and put in the microwave for about 10 seconds and you have a nice treat. Don't give up!! You can do this!!!

i mean this is the nicest way, this article changed my life.
http://www.acaloriecounter.com/blog/why-am-i-not-losing-weight/
i know it doesn't sound that simple, but it really truly is.

That is a great, great, great article.