Starvation Mode: How It Works

Where are you getting your information from? Medical/scientific studies?

Please link your sources if possible.

Here is a short list. There are many others, but this is a good start if you're interested in studies regarding lowered metabolism and loss of lean mass, in the case of LCD/VLCD.

http://www.ajcn.org/content/53/4/826.full.pdf+html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2613433?dopt=Abstract
http://www.ajcn.org/content/49/1/93.full.pdf+html
http://www.ajcn.org/content/45/2/391.full.pdf+html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=6694559&dopt=AbstractPlus
http://www.ajcn.org/content/57/2/127.full.pdf
http://www.ajcn.org/content/51/2/167.abstract?ck=nck
http://www.nature.com/ijo/journal/v32/n3/abs/0803720a.html
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0887/is_n7-8_v15/ai_18602507/
http://www.amazon.com/Biology-Human-Starvation-I/dp/0816672342/ref=pd_sim_b_3
http://www.amazon.com/Biology-Human-Starvation-II/dp/0816672334/ref=pd_sim_b_2

Gotta do it.

Yayyyy the hairy guy! :bigsmile:

The vein is back...bump

Bump

I just used the bmr calculator and it said 1386. I have my daily calories max set for@ 200....does this mean im putting myself in starvation mode???

Well, I sincerely hope there's a typo there somewhere. But if that is correct, then no, it wouldn't be starvation mode. It would be starvation.

Oohh goodness! That was definitely a typo! I meant 1200.

Oh good. :laugh:

I can't say whether it would or wouldn't cause it. But probably not. However, you probably aren't getting optimal fuel. One of the things that causes an issue, aside from starvation mode, is simple energy level. Even though you may feel normal, if you're undereating by a small amount, you may not have quite as much energy as you would if you were eating more. This can lead to less intense workouts and less activity throughout the day. Not a huge difference, but even a little can have an impact. Which means you aren't getting the most out of your workouts, or maybe not being quite as active as you would be otherwise.

For these reasons, if you're not obese or morbidly obese, it's generally best to not eat much below BMR. I would say in your case, no less than about 1300. Usually, if you have your loss per week goal set appropriately, your cal goal will be close to or above BMR. With what you have to lose, I'd recommend 1/2 lb per week at most.

Might help to read these threads as well:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/186814-some-mfp-basics

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficits