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Starvation Mode?

vanessadawn
vanessadawn Posts: 249
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
This has been on my mind lately, I know it has been a topic of many a heated discussion. Some articles say "starvation mode" exists, others tell of it being a dieters myth. For those who don't know it is the theory that when consuming too few calories your body lowers your metabolism and plateaus weight loss. Personally I think that you will keep losing, possibly at a lesser rate, but I don't think you will stop losing weight entirely. But in the end definitely not a healthy choice for anyone! Thoughts? Some articles:
Debunking the Theory
http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=35501
Supporting the Theory
http://www.burnthefatblog.com/archives/2007/11/is_starvation_mode_a_myth_no_i.php

Replies

  • vanessadawn
    vanessadawn Posts: 249
    This has been on my mind lately, I know it has been a topic of many a heated discussion. Some articles say "starvation mode" exists, others tell of it being a dieters myth. For those who don't know it is the theory that when consuming too few calories your body lowers your metabolism and plateaus weight loss. Personally I think that you will keep losing, possibly at a lesser rate, but I don't think you will stop losing weight entirely. But in the end definitely not a healthy choice for anyone! Thoughts? Some articles:
    Debunking the Theory
    http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=35501
    Supporting the Theory
    http://www.burnthefatblog.com/archives/2007/11/is_starvation_mode_a_myth_no_i.php
  • vanessadawn
    vanessadawn Posts: 249
    so bizarre that another person did a similar post simultaneously!
  • lessertess
    lessertess Posts: 855 Member
    Interesting. I think they are basically saying the same thing but from different perspectives. I've actually read a couple of Tom Venuto's books and a lot of my own exercise/eating program is based on one of his books. I've been really pleased with my results and so is my doctor.

    I do think people are overly concerned and somewhat misinformed about "starvation mode" and not concerned enough with proper nutrition. I also think people look for whatever information they can find to support what they want to believe in the first place and no amount of posting or arguing will change that. They will simply wait for someone to post what they wanted to hear in the first place :laugh: Weight loss is not an exact science and many of us on this site tend to depend a little too heavily on numbers that are, at the most, an ballpark estimate. (The 1200 calorie number is enough to spark major debates ::ohwell: )

    I've done a ton of reading and a lot of personal experimentation to see what works for me and, as I said, a lot of what's been working is based on Tom's advice. Regardless of rather or not starvation mode is a myth, I avoid too low a calorie deficit because I like food. I like to eat and I enjoy the social component of food. To cut that out or down too drastically forever is simply not possible: and even if it were possible....I don't want to live like that. Rather, my goal was to find some balance between enjoying food, loosing weight and still be healthy.
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