Starvation Mode: How It Works

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  • Angel1066
    Angel1066 Posts: 810 Member
    bump
  • musica814
    musica814 Posts: 301 Member
    bump
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    Bump :tongue:
  • BJC78
    BJC78 Posts: 324 Member
    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???
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    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.
  • BJC78
    BJC78 Posts: 324 Member
    Oohh goodness! That was definitely a typo! I meant 1200.
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    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
  • chynapassion
    chynapassion Posts: 11 Member
    Very informative. thanks!
  • Tarah40
    Tarah40 Posts: 75 Member
    Very informative thread, thanks
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    Thanks :happy: Hope it helps
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    Bump...to give an alternate viewpoint....backed up by science.... :grumble:
  • crisanderson27
    crisanderson27 Posts: 5,343 Member
    Bump...to give an alternate viewpoint....backed up by science.... :grumble:

    I agree completely.

    Some of the irresponsibility from individuals that otherwise seem to be basically intelligent people is absolutely deplorable. Putting others health at risk for your quacky 'theories' is unacceptable =(.

    Cris
  • nisharae
    nisharae Posts: 204 Member
    Quick Question- Anyone know how long it takes your body to get out of starvation mode and begin metabolizing faster again? Just curious.. TNX!
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    Quick Question- Anyone know how long it takes your body to get out of starvation mode and begin metabolizing faster again? Just curious.. TNX!

    Depends on how long it's been abused, somewhat. But most people, who increase intake gradually to a healthy level, will begin to see progress in appetite, lean mass retention, and weight loss within a month or two. Many people see a temporary gain in weight, but this is normal and once the body adjusts to the higher intake, they will start to lose again.
  • baisleac
    baisleac Posts: 2,018 Member
    bump
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    Weekend bump :smile:
  • baisleac
    baisleac Posts: 2,018 Member
    bump
  • spirited_angel
    spirited_angel Posts: 142 Member
    Thanks for adding in the “why are anorexics skinny then?” part as I was just going to ask that. Starvation mode simply becomes starvation, thanks.
    I have always questioned why anorexics lose weight when they dont eat enough thanks for clearing this up,makes perfect sense!
  • spirited_angel
    spirited_angel Posts: 142 Member
    Quick Question- Anyone know how long it takes your body to get out of starvation mode and begin metabolizing faster again? Just curious.. TNX!

    Depends on how long it's been abused, somewhat. But most people, who increase intake gradually to a healthy level, will begin to see progress in appetite, lean mass retention, and weight loss within a month or two. Many people see a temporary gain in weight, but this is normal and once the body adjusts to the higher intake, they will start to lose again.
    This is what happened to me,i was working out so much but never ever eatting any of my exercise calories and had already lost all my weight but then i started to either gain a lil bit or stand still.My intructor got worred about em n asked me to write everything donw i ate and how much i slept and worked out and i was in major stavation mode!!I started to up my calories and the first 2-3 weeks i gained weight but i perseverd and eventually i started lose it again!I dont eat all my exercise calories back tho but do aim for 80% of them most times!I also think ya body decides where it needs to be,i lost over 12st and got down to 9st 2lb but not only was my doctor not happy neither was my body.And no matter what i did i put weight back on im now settled at 10st 7lb i workout 5 days a week for up to 3 n half hours a time!I do a lot of strength training too and my doctor is happy with me!!Ya would think i would be too..........Nope!!I feel fat!!So just remember there is a very fine line and i crossed it and am now obsessed!I hate having to eat my exercise calories and didnt understand none of the science behind it but thanks to this post i do a little bit now!!It wont help me cos its too late ya have to learn to love yaself i guess,and years of being overweight leaves its toll!!
  • GalaxyDuck
    GalaxyDuck Posts: 406 Member
    bump! Thanks for the great post - this will be really useful to link to some of my pals!
  • ktaylorj
    ktaylorj Posts: 6 Member
    If you're Resting Metabolic Rate is well below normal (told it was from years of dieting and skipping meals), is there any way to fix it/increase it back to normal levels?
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    If you're Resting Metabolic Rate is well below normal (told it was from years of dieting and skipping meals), is there any way to fix it/increase it back to normal levels?

    Sure - I could write it out, but there's a pretty good explanation in this post (taken from Tom Venuto). The part about how to fix it is toward the end. He basically discusses how to avoid starvation mode and then says do the same things to fix it, but add an adjustment period. Essentially, you want to gradually increase cals, and keep a more moderate deficit than you might otherwise. Good luck with it. :wink:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/208407-how-to-repair-a-damaged-metabolism-stavation-mode?page=1#posts-2752820
  • Sammyk50
    Sammyk50 Posts: 77 Member
    Bumping! Thanks Lady :)
  • janetsuewagner
    janetsuewagner Posts: 3 Member
    bump
  • DonnaLFitz
    DonnaLFitz Posts: 270 Member
    Thanks. I think that "starvation mode" is thrown around a little too quickly when a person has reached a plateau.
  • Rocki_
    Rocki_ Posts: 165 Member
    "I'm assuming you are trying to live longer, but for me personally I want to be able to eat as much as possible and be ripped. I love food and I love being strong. Will I live to be 100? maybe not, but I also might get hit by a bus tomorrow. So I am going to enjoy it while I can."


    AMEN to that! :)
  • unhinge
    unhinge Posts: 318 Member
    Bump for the future: Nicely put!
  • deadmittens
    deadmittens Posts: 536 Member
    I'm fat, so I can't go into starvation mode?

    Hello new diet tricks.
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    I'm fat, so I can't go into starvation mode?

    Hello new diet tricks.

    Not necessarily. And there are other concerns. Might want to read this:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/222019-60-lbs-in-60-days?hl=60+lbs
  • Lauriek70
    Lauriek70 Posts: 2,087 Member
    Well said.
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