Is it safe to practically starve myself if that's my only option?
Cookieman123
Posts: 26 Member
My weight loss was going great until the realization came to my head that not only am I weak mentally but I was also going to be an ugly blob of loose skin at the end of the day so I lost the motivation to keep going on with it. It's been an uphill struggle every since. I still walk about 5 miles a day but I'm eating more than 3 thousand plus calories a day. Thankfully I've only gained like 6 to 9 pounds in the last few weeks but I'm going back to my old habits very quickly.
I feel like my only option is to eat 500-1000 calories a day, and cut my walk to about a mile a day and have one binge day once a week. The weird thing is, I know I can do this. I did it when I first started and lost a ton. I know I can quit cold turkey and go weeks and maybe months with this plan. My thing is I keep being told it's not safe that I can potentially damage my body and I'm still in my early 20s.
Would you recommend it for a nearly 400 pound guy?
I feel like my only option is to eat 500-1000 calories a day, and cut my walk to about a mile a day and have one binge day once a week. The weird thing is, I know I can do this. I did it when I first started and lost a ton. I know I can quit cold turkey and go weeks and maybe months with this plan. My thing is I keep being told it's not safe that I can potentially damage my body and I'm still in my early 20s.
Would you recommend it for a nearly 400 pound guy?
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Replies
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I recommend you see a health professional.0
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Of course it's not safe. You'll become deficient in nutrients and over time your body will show signs of malnutrition - hair falling out, lethargy, cracked and dry skin, eventual organ failure, etc.
I mean, I'm not going to say eating 500 - 1,000 calories doesn't work. Of course it does, that's why gastric surgeries work so well. But the end result will suck and you could seriously hurt your body longterm.
And whether or not you decide to go that route, I highly suggest not having a "Cheat" day. Treating yourself is one thing, but outright binging can very easily send you back into your old habits.0 -
OK hard love comin' up
*slap* - don't be a frickin' eejit! That's the most stupid plan ever - you will not get adequate nutrients, you will feel like hell and you will crash & burn
See a health professional
Start focusing on your food - weigh everything, make good choices, log it, eat treats - eat at a 1000 calorie defecit a day
you can do this
but stop trying to reinvent the wheel - it works with eating less than you burn but as much as you can - not as little as you can
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I would not recommend that course of action. What is wrong with steady moderate exercise and figuring out what your numbers are for a slight calorie reduction?0
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Cookieman123 wrote: »My weight loss was going great until the realization came to my head that not only am I weak mentally but I was also going to be an ugly blob of loose skin at the end of the day so I lost the motivation to keep going on with it. It's been an uphill struggle every since. I still walk about 5 miles a day but I'm eating more than 3 thousand plus calories a day. Thankfully I've only gained like 6 to 9 pounds in the last few weeks but I'm going back to my old habits very quickly.
I feel like my only option is to eat 500-1000 calories a day, and cut my walk to about a mile a day and have one binge day once a week. The weird thing is, I know I can do this. I did it when I first started and lost a ton. I know I can quit cold turkey and go weeks and maybe months with this plan. My thing is I keep being told it's not safe that I can potentially damage my body and I'm still in my early 20s.
Would you recommend it for a nearly 400 pound guy?
Well, I am not a medical professional of any type... By the way have you spoken with your doc? What does she have to say about your weight loss?
I have to say that eating 500-1000 calories for an adult is not healthy. You do know that success is possible by eating a subtle calorie deficit, right?
How many calories does MFP recommend you eat?
You can still eat the foods you love and lose weight.
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Doctor is going to tell me what I already know. I know it's a bad idea. I feel like it's my only option however. The problem isn't what foods I'm eating. The problem is I can't control myself when I'm around food. Any kind of food. I overeat on fruits for god sakes. One cup of grapes turn into a bag. A watermelon wedge turns into half the melon.
The only times I didn't overeat is when I barely had food in my fridge and quite honestly during those times it wasn't like I starving to the point where I had to go binge on fast food either. I got over it fairly quickly.0 -
So you think because you are 400 lbs that you should:
1 - REDUCE the amount of exercise to 20% of what you are currently doing
2 - Eat fewer calories than would sustain someone who is 100 lbs
3 - Continue to have a binge day each week??
I hope you realize how silly all of this sounds.
If you're serious about losing weight, you need to:
1 - INCREASE your activity level
2 - Fasting for a day or so is fine, but not so you can binge later. I'll even say that for someone your size, cutting calories significantly when you are starting isn't necessarily a bad thing. But 500-1000 calories per day is not a long term diet strategy.
3 - Binging is probably one of the worst things you can do ... stretching out your stomach so the next day when your stomach contracts because you are eating a more normal amount, you feel extremely hungry and overeat some more...
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JenniDaisy wrote: »I recommend you see a health professional.
this0 -
Cookieman123 wrote: »Doctor is going to tell me what I already know. I know it's a bad idea. I feel like it's my only option however. The problem isn't what foods I'm eating. The problem is I can't control myself when I'm around food. Any kind of food. I overeat on fruits for god sakes. One cup of grapes turn into a bag. A watermelon wedge turns into half the melon.
The only times I didn't overeat is when I barely had food in my fridge and quite honestly during those times it wasn't like I starving to the point where I had to go binge on fast food either. I got over it fairly quickly.
I didn't mean go see a doctor for your weight, I meant go see someone who is qualified to help you with your horrible relationship with food and your body. Not being able to lose weight sound like the least of your issues.0 -
I fast all the time and burn over 1000 calories a day, it works for me.-4
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As a former nearly 500 lb guy, no. This is the wrong approach.0
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JenniDaisy wrote: »I didn't mean go see a doctor for your weight, I meant go see someone who is qualified to help you with your horrible relationship with food and your body. Not being able to lose weight sound like the least of your issues.
I would rather starve myself than go talk to a health therapist about problems that I don't have. I know what my issues are. I'm very lazy so when I'm not walking I sit on my *kitten* all day, get bored, and I eat. I lose track of what I eat. It's a bad habit I've had since I was a kid since I was very sheltered and never enrolled in sports and what not.
My issues aren't mental. I recognize my problems mentally. I also know what I am and not capable of. The mental side effects of starving myself isn't what I'm worried about because well, I've done it. It's the physical side effects, the losing the hair, the failure of organs etc. It gives me alot of unnecessary stress. Stress I didn't have while I was starving myself and had no idea anything about it until I talked to one of my doctors.-1 -
how many more than 3k exactly? you should still be losing even at 3k/day walking 5 miles each day.0
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Cookieman123 wrote: »JenniDaisy wrote: »I didn't mean go see a doctor for your weight, I meant go see someone who is qualified to help you with your horrible relationship with food and your body. Not being able to lose weight sound like the least of your issues.
I would rather starve myself than go talk to a health therapist about problems that I don't have. I know what my issues are. I'm very lazy so when I'm not walking I sit on my *kitten* all day, get bored, and I eat. I lose track of what I eat. It's a bad habit I've had since I was a kid since I was very sheltered and never enrolled in sports and what not.
My issues aren't mental. I recognize my problems mentally. I also know what I am and not capable of. The mental side effects of starving myself isn't what I'm worried about because well, I've done it. It's the physical side effects, the losing the hair, the failure of organs etc. It gives me alot of unnecessary stress. Stress I didn't have while I was starving myself and had no idea anything about it until I talked to one of my doctors.
i think the thing you're not understanding is that what you're describing is not a normal or healthy relationship with food or way to live... thats why seeing a doctor is a good idea... unless you want to spend your whole life overweight, bingeing and starving??0 -
hortensehildegarde wrote: »how many more than 3k exactly? you should still be losing even at 3k/day walking 5 miles each day.
It varies. So far the average day seems like it's around 3.3-3.8. With a few 4k+ days aswell if I feel like having a few beverages besides water and diet soda.0 -
Is this looking for attention? You know that starving is not your only option.0
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Anyone else thinking troll?0
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Is this looking for attention? You know that starving is not your only option.
It is. I like to overreact to add a bit of shock factor because I know it'll get more responses. More responses equal more insight. I know starving isn't my only option. It is however the only "diet" I've felt content with so far.
I made this thread to get more insight and real responses on fasting. Unfortunately I did a terrible job and everything thinks I'm a nutcase.0 -
Okay, let's say you'll carry out your plan (obviously not recommended) and get to the weight you want. Then what? Firstly, you'll still be "an ugly blob of loose skin" (your words, not mine), this fact is not going to change no matter what strategy you'll use to lose weight. In fact, you'll probably be an even "uglier blob" than someone else, because your skin will look that much worse due to malnutrition. Secondly, your mindset and lifestyle will still be the same. You won't have learned to control yourself around food, so once you are done with that crash diet and are around normal amounts of food again you'll binge once again, just like you did before and are doing now. Nothing will be different and you'll gain the weight right back. Losing weight FOR GOOD isn't about a quick fix, it's a lifestyle change and until you make that change, firstly and foremostly in your head, nothing will really change.0
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Okay, let's say you'll carry out your plan (obviously not recommended) and get to the weight you want. Then what? Firstly, you'll still be "an ugly blob of loose skin" (your words, not mine), this fact is not going to change no matter what strategy you'll use to lose weight. In fact, you'll probably be an even "uglier blob" than someone else, because your skin will look that much worse due to malnutrition. Secondly, your mindset and lifestyle will still be the same. You won't have learned to control yourself around food, so once you are done with that crash diet and are around normal amounts of food again you'll binge once again, just like you did before and are doing now. Nothing will be different and you'll gain the weight right back. Losing weight FOR GOOD isn't about a quick fix, it's a lifestyle change and until you make that change, firstly and foremostly in your head, nothing will really change.
Bravo. Very intelligent and well thought out post. Right now I feel guilty about eating an extra bowl of cereal so clearly I'm not in the right state of mind, but I'll be bookmarking this for future reference for sure. Your post definitely made an impact that's for sure.
Goodnight yall.0 -
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You know, I had added a very kind, well thought out, educated post, but when I realized this post was just outright bananas- yeah. It's not worth my wisdom, or anyone else's for that matter. Bless. ~pops another Halls throat drop~ Gonna be a long night, ya'll.0
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yep. totes safe.-2
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Cookieman123 wrote: »Is this looking for attention? You know that starving is not your only option.
It is. I like to overreact to add a bit of shock factor because I know it'll get more responses. More responses equal more insight. I know starving isn't my only option. It is however the only "diet" I've felt content with so far.
I made this thread to get more insight and real responses on fasting. Unfortunately I did a terrible job and everything thinks I'm a nutcase.
there is a difference between fasting for health reasons, and starving yourself...0 -
Cookieman123 wrote: »Is this looking for attention? You know that starving is not your only option.
It is. I like to overreact to add a bit of shock factor because I know it'll get more responses. More responses equal more insight. I know starving isn't my only option. It is however the only "diet" I've felt content with so far.
I made this thread to get more insight and real responses on fasting. Unfortunately I did a terrible job and everything thinks I'm a nutcase.
Lost all respect for you with this admission. You could at least act like a grown up.0 -
Cookieman, I think you should read some books on Intermittent Fasting. Fasting is not dangerous if its done correctly and safely. Read what Dr Michael Mosley has to say about the 5;2 diet where you fast for 5 days and eat for 2. This leads to very effective weight loss. Or you could try alternate days fasting ie every second day. BUT PLEASE BE CAREFUL and dont damage your health, its not necessary. Just educate yourself and you will win!!!!!-1
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what they all said if it was go and see a Dr and no it isnt safe plus you are being really unwise to put it mildly and have decided on a plan which is unsafe, unsustainable and ridiculous. You will neither stick to it and eventually crash out.
You need the help of a professional or you need to learn and understand how everyone else is slimming within the MFP guidelines. Ive just done a quick ccheck and for a 400lb man, then the maintenance calories are nearly 4000 anyway.
The reason you have only piy back on 8 to 9lb is because with the walking the overall sum is more like maintenance. I suspect you are eaing way more than the 3000 you suggest. Its probably more like 5000.
1. Go and see your Dr and et a dietician involved.
2. If you really wnat to lose weight then you need the correct mindset and that means being prepared to follow a sustainable sensible plan. Be patient and determined.
3. Have a look at the success forum and look at the people who have lost similar amounts to you and be inspired that it is possible.
4. You have your life ahead of you. Don let weight ruin it. It could take you circa 2 years.0 -
1961dublin wrote: »Read what Dr Michael Mosley has to say about the 5;2 diet where you fast for 5 days and eat for 2.
NO.....0 -
Cookieman123 wrote: »It is. I like to overreact to add a bit of shock factor because I know it'll get more responses. More responses equal more insight. I know starving isn't my only option. It is however the only "diet" I've felt content with so far.
I made this thread to get more insight and real responses on fasting. Unfortunately I did a terrible job and everything thinks I'm a nutcase.
Eat at a deficit and you will lose weight.-1 -
You could eat 3000 cals a day to start and still lose weight rapidly then as your weight goes down taper down to 2000 calories. Why starve??? Makes no sense whatsoever. Oh, I know. It's easier to just not eat than to keep track of your food. Right? Yeah, been there done that. Not worth it! The little effort it takes to keep track of food is worth not being MISERABLE.
Just follow MFP recommendations! You'll be fine. Gosh you're really making a mountain out of a molehill. It's not that hard....you need to get past that "all or nothing" mentality. Just use some moderation.
You say you don't want professional help. Fine well then help yourself! Get some self control. Don't binge anymore. I can say this because I used to be the biggest binger of all! I binged myself to morbidly obese over a 10 year period. I would starve, binge. Starve, binge. Caught in an endless cycle until I finally decided I wanted OFF that ride. If you want off bad enough, you will get off! Me, the biggest binger of all learned self moderation (most of the time). You'll still have slip ups, you won't be perfect (I wasn't) but if you stick to your plan most of the time you will succeed! When I first started, I went 8 months binge free. It can be done. If you mess up, get right back on the next meal!
And I don't mean any of this in a harsh way, I am being completely sincere here. You can do this if you just believe in yourself. Tell yourself how it's going to be - and do it!0
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