Anorexia and starvation mode

Starvation mode become plain 'ol starvation, and their bodies tend to destory itself, just to keep going.

http://undressedskeleton.tumblr.com/RestrictingRescue

Look at this! It's what I used and it saved me a ton of hassle and made me feel better in the long run(:

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Unfortunately, when people with anorexia are losing weight, their bodies are surviving off from muscles and vital organs. Gradually, their bodies lower the amount of calories necessary and begin to place energy into the most important body functions--such as breathing, their hearts pumping, etc.

I think, as women, we all go through periods of starvation modes before we learn better. Hopefully, we do learn better.

Every single time that a person with anorexia looks in the mirror, they feel ugly, fat, and a variety of other emotions and thoughts flood through their minds and hearts. They never learn better. Unless of course they go to therapy and get treatment. Even then, they often struggle with food for the rest of their lives.


Eating disorders break my heart. Hopefully women like all of you can keep making the difference and eventually young women perhaps won't develop the disorder in the first place because they learn to see what is really beautiful.

I love all of my MFP friends! You are an inspiration to us all!

Ask the girls in the cemetery.

not everyone who has an eating disorder ends up dead

recovery from anorexia was the hardest thing i ever did and i wouldnt wish it on my worst enemy.
But plenty of people manage it!

I know its the psychiatric disorder with the highest mortality rate, but its not like that is the aim in losing the weight in the first place.
If i had wanted to kill myself i would have saved myself years of struggle!

I've had anorexia and bulimia for three years now.
I got down to 7st 2lbs just starving myself and for months and months i was stuck at that weight. Basically your body shuts off it can't handle the limited amount of fat you're feeding it so it starts to burn your muscles and then the smallest amount of food you do it your body sucks all the fat out of it and clings on just to keep going.

Anorexia in my terms does work, bulimia very much doesn't which is why i'm back on here trying to give up for the thousands time but i would seriously never ever recommend anyone starving themselves at all even to the smallest degree. It's a very dangerous slope and i never thought i'd get an ED but little habits can take over your life.

I have also gone from Anorexia to Bulimia (over 14 years) obviously not intentionally. It's hard to see how I used to be so determined and not eat, (not advocating it) and now can't stop myself stuffing......... ive gone from 7st to 11 st and up and down in between many times.

I had anorexia, then it became exercise bulimia. I was hungry and woozy all the time. Whenever I would get hungry, I would sleep instead. Then I stopped because I was getting strep throat all the time for 6 months.

I no doubt believe in starvation mode. I understand all the math and science and PROOF behind eating at least 1200 calories a day plus exercise calories, but I can't help but to wonder... How do anorexics continue to lose weight either not eating at all or eating somewhere between 100-800 calories a day? They are in starvation mode, right? Just eventually the body is forced to use the calories it would much rather be holding on to?

Before MFP, I starved myself for a few months, thinking that it was the only way to lose weight. Now, I know better, but I'm also wondering what I should do to increase my calories to a healthy level without gaining back everything (plus more)?

Starvation mode is frankly a very unhelpful term, but it is the one most people use. It is when your calories are too low but not so low that you are severely starving. Anorexic people are truly starving. The same sort of things happen, but the body can only reduce its metabolism so far without ceasing to function. Thus, they lose weight including the vast majority of their muscle mass.

Eat at your BMR and take time. You may see a weight increase at first because you have likely slowed your metabolism, but keep exercising and making good food choices and that should stop and you should start to lose weight.

Also check out http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/532053-1200-too-low especially Heybales post near the bottom of the first page.

I also believe that "starvation mode" might be a myth...

http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=35501

Great link!

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/81391-starvation-mode-myths-and-science