Starvation Mode?

sherbear702 wrote: »

Huh?

I believe the OP is illustrating that contrary to popular belief around here, "starvation mode" =/= holding onto fat or getting fat...there are a lot of people here who are very ignorant of this and think that if they're not eating enough, they'll actually get fat...when the reality is that not eating enough leads to a whole host of other issues which can be significant...but holding onto fat isn't one of them.

Copy that, but it's a pretty unconventional way of getting the point across.

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But...but...I'm only eating 500 calories a day while burning 2000 and GAINING....I swear!

Should I go Paleo?

rushfive wrote: »

Nice post. Sometimes visual is better than words.
I am amazed that people still believe in this myth. "eating so little I am holding onto fat".

I used to believe that about myself and then I realized it was all those devil dogs I'd eat and forgot that I ate them! When I first joined MFP I logged everything I ate & drank for 2 weeks, oh man that was an eye opener! I wasn't in starvation mode I was in "forgot all the shiz I ate mode" Once I figured that out (and learning about portion sizes, moderation, etc) I started losing weight.

My sister's doctor actually told her she wasn't eating enough. Yeah, a woman her size that is gaining weigh isn't eating enough. Most likely she doesn't eat when she should/needs to and then overcompensates when she does it. I'm sure her 32 oz mocha iced coffees with cream from Dunkin Donuts doesn't help either, but that's a whole other thread. Point being DOCTORS believe this. Scary. I'm hoping that there was a miss understanding.

My all time favorite article on starvation mode, plateaus, and not losing weight.

cwolfman13 wrote: »

sherbear702 wrote: »

Copy that, but it's a pretty unconventional way of getting the point across.

not really...visual aids are often used in getting one's point across.

I have a budget presentation tomorrow and I have slide after slide of visual aids prepared.

Do you take your shirt off in any of them? <grin>

mccindy72 wrote: »

cwolfman13 wrote: »

sherbear702 wrote: »

Copy that, but it's a pretty unconventional way of getting the point across.

not really...visual aids are often used in getting one's point across.

I have a budget presentation tomorrow and I have slide after slide of visual aids prepared.

There's a reason the charity ads show all those big-eyed children and adorable puppies while asking for donations.

Exactly.

Quick question: how does that work when people hit a plateau? I haven't been in that position yet, but I'd think that as long as people eat at a deficit, they'd continue to lose weight, but that doesn't seem to be the case?

shell1005 wrote: »

anneeett wrote: »

Quick question: how does that work when people hit a plateau? I haven't been in that position yet, but I'd think that as long as people eat at a deficit, they'd continue to lose weight, but that doesn't seem to be the case?

My take on it. Most of the time it is inaccurate logging/tracking. As you continue to lose, the deficit gets smaller and then those inaccuracies make more of a difference.

I never experienced a plateau though.

This. Also, as you lose weight you burn less throughout the day because you're moving around less mass. You should recalculate your calorie goal every 5-10lbs lost.

amynb524 wrote: »

I havent done too much research on what "they" say about starvation mode. But FOR ME, I notice that if I dont eat enough, I dont lose. I dont GAIN, but I dont lose. That for ME though. And by "not enough" I mean going pretty far below my calorie goal.

Energy deficits apply to everyone. Even YOU.

amynb524 wrote: »

Hey, I've lost 72lbs in the past 7 months. Whatever I'm doing is working...my belief in starvation mode or not

Yeah, reality doesn't care about your beliefs. It sounds like it's working. Congrats.