Starvation mode weight gain?

Correct me then.

My BMR is about 1500 on the nose.

And I'm a 5'8, 155 lb male.

What do you think a 5'2, 120 lb woman's BMR is going to be?

Do you cut at 1500 then?

Why would you cut at your BMR? :huh:

Before I've said to eat at atleast 1600 calories, because I assumed she was working out around 3 times a week.

Before I've said to eat at atleast 1600 calories, because I assumed she was working out around 3 times a week.

I workout 3x a week with weights and that is my TDEE-20%...not sure a woman who is shorter then me and weights less then me should be eating that.

Before I've said to eat at atleast 1600 calories, because I assumed she was working out around 3 times a week.

That has nothing to do with your claims regarding BMR.

You made a mistake - instead of digging yourself a second grave, just own up to it and move on.

Whether you are eating too little or too much and not aware of it, its also important to drink water. While too much water can contribute to water retention - the truth is water in any form can only serve to flush you out.

I also think the types of foods you eat will make a big difference. Sugar in any form - carbs or just plain sweets - puts a damper on my hard work. Fruits for example may have fewer calories sometimes, but they have a lot of sugar.

Just some thoughts.

According to calorie king and this website, my calorie range is 890 calories. Not even close to 1,100 , which is my required caloric intake.

Wrong. MFP never suggests that any user consume less than 1200 calories. I'm starting to think you're trolling now, since you made a thread on this exact same thing yesterday and have not listened to anything anyone has said. Good luck to you.

Here's my question, I'm eating about 900-1000 calories a day, well below my bmr, and I've gained 2 lbs in the past week. What's that about? Is my body storing fat due to it being in a state of famine? I don't really know. And how would I shed off this extra weight? Thanks

either:

1) you are very short and weight almost nothing to begin with

2) something is causing you to retain water

3) your eating more then the 900-1000 you think you are

So you probably roughly weigh around 100 lbs, possibly less? If you believe you are seeing more fat in the mirror and worried about it at that weight, and eating at such small amounts, in all sincerity I suggest you talk to your doctor.

How tall you are, how old you are, and how long you've been dieting? If you're a petite woman like me, then 1,000 calories is lean, but it's hardly starvation.

I don't believe the theory that when people diet they hit "starvation mode" that makes them retain weight. I live in Asia, surrounded by poor countries. Go to any rural area and you will see people who are constantly a bit under what would be considered a normal diet in the West. If the "starvation" theory was right, they'd all be chubby from their bodies retaining emergency fat. In fact, almost everyone in the countryside is thin. Women are slender and men have lean muscle.This is simply because they consume fewer calories. They eat rice / rice noodles as their staple, lots of broths, veggies, modest amounts of fish, chicken, pork, etc.

I'm going to guess that you just have water weight. How often do you weigh yourself? I try to keep myself to only one weigh-in per week. Otherwise, the daily fluxuations drive me crazy.

For example, I was very good and still lost modestly over the holidays. I've kept on my diet and exercise this week -- but broke my mid-week weight-in rule, and found that I had seeminly gained a kilo for no reason. I have to remind myself to just keep trucking on.

Anna,
I have read many responses on here, and while I may not agree with everyone, I will keep that machine gun fire to the rest of the crowd on here ... seems to be some good reads for spare time ! :laugh:

I plugged all your info into my worksheet to calculate Calories, Carbs, Protein and fat intake. I dont know what choices you made in your specific selections to get to 800-900 calories, but for discussion purposes, here is what I found:

I calculated 1,270 calories
Carbs 150g
Fat 21g
Protein 131g
Sugar 80g

My fitnesspal settings defaults to these as general recommendations for 1200/cals and weight loss as a goal:
Carbs / Day 150.0 g
Fat / Day 40.0 g
Protein / Day 60.0 g

Based on reviewing this - I have a feeling you might be overdoing your protein (and maybe your carbs).

THere are many variables in trying to determine what the key targets are for each person's weight loss regimine:

BMR: I don' t know your age, height or BMR, so I cannot help you determine what your caloric intake needs are to sustain or to lose weight. Everyone has a slightly different metabolic rate ( mine is 1250, very low). Metabolic rate is the amount of calories you use to sleep, eat and function. That does NOT take exercise into account.

Glucose: How well do you tolerate carbs/sugar/glucose? If not well, it might be a good idea to cut those carbs down to see how that impacts your weight. Maybe start with 100 ? and if that doe snot work, widdle your way down?

So, why did you gain those 2 pounds? It could be any of the following ( we dont have more info to go off of )
-you are not drinking enough water
- you are retaining water ( give it time, and that will remedy itself)
- maybe your body does not like the amount of carbs you are eating
- review how this "diet" eating is different from the "pre-diet" eating?
- maybe you are pre-menstrual, which will cause you to retain water (which will go away)

Hope my ranting has helped.

Are you about to have your period? Like within the next 10 days? Sometimes you can put on the 2 lbs just in water weight from PMS. I doubt you put on any weight on that amount of calories.