Starvation Mode is Real, and ugly

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  • GoneWithTheWhinge
    GoneWithTheWhinge Posts: 168 Member
    Oh my, I have just read your struggles, what a utterly horrible thing to have had to go through yet you've come across as a beautiful strong and courageous through it all. I truly hope your health continues to improve and you can get your sparkle right back on!

    I've been guilty of not eating enough, your story has been eyeopening and, to be frank, downright scary, just how easy it is to try to hurry things along.

    Much love to you and best wishes for the future. x
  • helloclaire
    helloclaire Posts: 191
    This has been a very inspiring read, thank you for posting it.

    It's day twelve for me in this journey, and I've been logging and weighing myself everyday. I am afraid my body might go into starvation mode; I have been eating 650-1000 calories a day for the most part and of course, constantly hungry.

    People on this board today has inspired me to eat more today but even that: 1027 calories according to my app. But I gained half a pound since yesterday and the fact that I am upset makes me even more upset.
  • realme56
    realme56 Posts: 1,093 Member
    Wow! I knew you could put yourself into starvation mode but I never thought it could get THAT serious!!! I also have hypothyroidism and began taking meds for it about 3 years ago... about a month ago I went and had blood work done and it showed the meds were not working so my doc upped my dosage... eventually I think my thyroid will hav eto be partially or completely removed... my mother's was removed about 6 years ago so i kinda know its coming. Before MFP I never knew anyone with this problem and now I am "meeting" more and more people that are working through their medical issues and getting in shape! Thank you for sharing you story

    Do not rely on the doctors only-- they suck-- pardon the vulgarity. Make sure you do your own research, and be your own advocate. They'll pat you on the head, up your dosage, and let you continue to suffer.

    So very true! I have been a nurse for years yet when my thyroid quit I did not recognize it right away d/t the effects of my total shutdown. Dry skin, weight gain, irregular periods, other hormones being totally out of control, massive cramps and depression. One doctor even had the nerve to tell me that my problems were due to being overweight!! My TSH was 81.3 when I finally got a doc to test it on one of my 3 ER visits due to chest pain (clonic spasms of the chest muscles resembled a heart attack)

    I also diagnosed a healthy 31 y/o friend as diabetic though her physician had failed to do so and was highly irritated when she insisted to have a fasting blood sugar test done due to her reported symptoms. When her results came back as BS in excess of 700 she found herself in the ER with an Insulin drip!.

    Listen to your body, YOU are your best advocate! Prepare questions for your physician and be willing to change doctors if you are not getting answers. The internet is a great resource but be sure your sources are informed, CDC, Mayo Clinic, Medical Schools. These are all very well managed sites for information.

    Thanks for sharing your story. I think so many people are fearful and unsure. It's good to have people who can talk about the good and the bad of any process.
  • Papillon22
    Papillon22 Posts: 1,160 Member
    Thanks so much for sharing your story. I hope your experience will help people understand this concept better.

    I can see that you're making progress right now, and I'm very happy for you.
  • Marla64
    Marla64 Posts: 23,120 Member
    Wow! I knew you could put yourself into starvation mode but I never thought it could get THAT serious!!! I also have hypothyroidism and began taking meds for it about 3 years ago... about a month ago I went and had blood work done and it showed the meds were not working so my doc upped my dosage... eventually I think my thyroid will hav eto be partially or completely removed... my mother's was removed about 6 years ago so i kinda know its coming. Before MFP I never knew anyone with this problem and now I am "meeting" more and more people that are working through their medical issues and getting in shape! Thank you for sharing you story

    Do not rely on the doctors only-- they suck-- pardon the vulgarity. Make sure you do your own research, and be your own advocate. They'll pat you on the head, up your dosage, and let you continue to suffer.

    I also diagnosed a healthy 31 y/o friend as diabetic though her physician had failed to do so and was highly irritated when she insisted to have a fasting blood sugar test done due to her reported symptoms. When her results came back as BS in excess of 700 she found herself in the ER with an Insulin drip!.

    That's outrageous-- I know doctors are human. I get that. I get that they miss things. They make mistakes.

    Hell, I was told in 1994 that I miscarried my now very healthy, strapping 16 year old hunk of a son, and needed an emergency D&C to "begin my emotional healing." Talk about a screw up!! Thank God we didn't listen to them.

    But, it's their arrogance that just pisses me off. Regarding my OB in '94, he was so incredibly condescending and irritated when we dared to challenge his counsel and insist on a second ultrasound a week later to make sure he was right. Guess what-- the little unmistakable blip of my son's beating heart let me know then, forever, that doctors aren't the all-knowing, all-powerful gods they like to think they are.

    Sooooo-- yes, thank you for adding to the discussion-- don't blindly follow them. Check things out for yourself. Yes, use wisdom and reputable sites to guide you-- but second and third and fourth opinions and don't stop until you get an answer that makes sense.

    If I had one more doctor tell me, "You know, Mrs. Brown, you ARE getting older...these things happen with age," I was going to throw myself off a cliff. Oh really? A 46 year old woman gains 40 pounds eating 1400 calories a day while training for a half marathon? Idiot.
  • saltorian
    saltorian Posts: 192 Member
    Marla --

    I don't have much to add, but I sat here and read all 14 pages of this thread. Your story is fascinating, powerful, heartbreaking, and hopeful. I hope others learn as much from you as I have. Please accept my warm thoughts and best wishes. I sincerely hope that you continue to feel better.

    Thank you.
  • Marla64
    Marla64 Posts: 23,120 Member
    Like an irresponsible dope, I did not reorder my T3 in enough time to avoid running out. Last Thursday and Friday I began to ration it, and I've been out since Saturday.

    Since then I've gained back 5 pounds.

    Guess tis true that I truly have a non-functioning thyroid. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's, which is just that-- your thyroid is kaput.

    Must be more careful going forward-- I feel very, very tired and am bloated again beyond belief-- look and feel like hell.

    Fingers crossed it comes in soon--

    Crap.
  • mom2ajnsz
    mom2ajnsz Posts: 18 Member
    WOW! so glad i read this. i've set myself at 1200 and have been struggling to reach that! additionally i have been walking A LOT. i am so desperate to lose this weight! thanks for having the courage to write your story (even if it is the reader's digest version). it has struck a cord and is a great wake up call. THANK YOU! :flowerforyou:
  • tassles
    tassles Posts: 172
    wow thanks for sharing this ....I hope things turn back round for you! x x x
  • Marla64
    Marla64 Posts: 23,120 Member
    Good evening!!

    Been a while since I regaled you all with my tales--

    Only positive to report-- things are moving very slowly, but still in the right direction. I'm now at 196.5. I think that puts me close to 10 pounds down since going on the T3--

    I've also decided to cut out the glutens. I haven't been "officially" told I'm gluten intolerant, but my body tells me-- when I eat bread, my stomach blows up like a balloon-- instant 9 months pregnant appearance-- with pain. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure things out.

    Since going off them over a week ago, my stomach has gone down, and weight has gone down. I'd gone up about 3 over vacation, and that came back off this week, plus another pound or so.

    I'm getting a handle on all this-- still maintaining a good calorie count, eating healthy and exercising. We'll get there!
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,454 Member
    :heart: M
  • routerguy666
    routerguy666 Posts: 188
    I read the first post but not all the pages in between - are you still off the mind that the weight issue is diet induced or due to the thyroid issue and other condition? Doesn't appear (from the first and last page of updates at least) that your metabolism was permanently wrecked. When on the thyroid meds you are able to lose weight, when off you gain weight.
  • Marla64
    Marla64 Posts: 23,120 Member
    I read the first post but not all the pages in between - are you still off the mind that the weight issue is diet induced or due to the thyroid issue and other condition? Doesn't appear (from the first and last page of updates at least) that your metabolism was permanently wrecked. When on the thyroid meds you are able to lose weight, when off you gain weight.

    You know, I'm not really sure-- I guess personally I'm of the mind that I was responsible for blowing the thyroid to hell. I was not eating enough at 1200-1400 calories for nearly two years, and all the cardio that I was doing.

    I think it all ends up being more than just starvation mode-- however, I think that's probably how it all started. I have a family history of autoimmune issues, so my body was already somewhat genetically predisposed to take offense over what I was doing to it through starving it, and it attacked my thyroid in self-defense.

    I'm sure the medical community would scoff, but I think they're mostly full of butt-heads anyway, so let them scoff.

    The standard thyroid medicines that the doctor put me on (Synthroid, which is T4 hormone) didn't work, so I took matters in my own hands and ordered the T3 overseas. That's what has been helping.
  • tgh1914
    tgh1914 Posts: 1,036 Member
    The standard thyroid medicines that the doctor put me on (Synthroid, which is T4 hormone) didn't work, so I took matters in my own hands and ordered the T3 overseas. That's what has been helping.
    Gutsy! Hope it works out.
  • Marla64
    Marla64 Posts: 23,120 Member
    The standard thyroid medicines that the doctor put me on (Synthroid, which is T4 hormone) didn't work, so I took matters in my own hands and ordered the T3 overseas. That's what has been helping.
    Gutsy! Hope it works out.

    so far, so good--
  • arewethereyet
    arewethereyet Posts: 18,702 Member
    Marla I think I finally reversed mine....................see weight below:noway: :laugh:

    No seriously. I have been eating above my high end of calories for over a year, and it has just NOW put on 8-10 lbs. I think it is because my metabolism has straightened out and now knows it will not EVER be starved again.

    Now to set up a program with the appropriate calorie intake and exercise program to test the rest of my theory!

    Love ya girlie:smooched:
  • Marla64
    Marla64 Posts: 23,120 Member
    one more pound down!!!

    Slow and steady wins the race!!

    Woooooooo!!!!!!
  • juliesummers
    juliesummers Posts: 738 Member
    bump
  • ysamatar
    ysamatar Posts: 484 Member
    Dear Marla, Thank you so much for sharing your story and I hope you will regain your metabolism and overall health. I always question why we need to eat back our exercise calories back and never did. My friend started doing this diet called Herbalife and she lost 40lbs and swears by it, I told her that she will regain the weight and explained to her that she is messing up with her metabolism. She claims that the protein shakes has all the minerals and vitamins her body needs. Best of luck and here is to healthy you Marla.
  • Marla64
    Marla64 Posts: 23,120 Member
    Dear Marla, Thank you so much for sharing your story and I hope you will regain your metabolism and overall health. I always question why we need to eat back our exercise calories back and never did. My friend started doing this diet called Herbalife and she lost 40lbs and swears by it, I told her that she will regain the weight and explained to her that she is messing up with her metabolism. She claims that the protein shakes has all the minerals and vitamins her body needs. Best of luck and here is to healthy you Marla.

    thank you, so much-- you have to pay your body back for what it burned. Debits and credits-- if you take X out of the bank, you need to deposit X back in, or you overdraw the account-- simple.

    I've zeroed in on the glutens and dairy. I've been free of both "for the most part" for 2 weeks, and completely free since last Monday. I feel amazingly better, and my stomach bloat is going down.

    Hashimoto's goes hand in hand with celiac (gluten intolerance) which leads to lactose intolerance-- it all makes sense. and my body has responded to their absence very favorably.

    thanks for the good wishes.
  • _GlaDOS_
    _GlaDOS_ Posts: 1,520 Member
    How is this the first time I'm reading your story? Thank you for sharing this! I can't tell you how much I cringe when I hear women here say "I'm eating 1200 calories per day, exercising like crazy, how am I not losing?" and then go on to decide they need to cut more of their calories, increasing their deficit. I've absolutely harmed my metabolism doing this for several months, and am having to try and get back to where I was. I hope everything is going well for you and that your story continues to influence others here. :flowerforyou:
  • Marla64
    Marla64 Posts: 23,120 Member
    Thank you all, again, for all of your encouragement and interest in this-- it's been so lovely.

    I've finally dialed into glutens and lactose-- have had to cut them both out.

    I'd run out of T3 and ballooned back up to 201. Cut out glutens and lactose two weeks ago, and my whole body is deflating.

    I'm down to 195 right now, which is 1/2 lb net loss from my last post regarding weight.

    Biggest blessing is my stomach is deflating. I looked 6-9 months pregnant at all times, depending on what I'd eaten. I had had a notion that glutens were a problem for over a year, but never took it seriously and never committed myself to rid myself entirely of them and see what happened.

    Oh. My. Gosh. What a wonderful, wonderful change-- my feet and legs are no longer swollen. I can wear shoes I haven't been able to wear in months. My arthritis in my hands is better.

    I'll have my work cut out to get my stomach back in shape, because it looks like I just had a baby. But I think I'm finally on the other side of this issue.

    My loss since going gluten/dairy free is all WITHOUT T3, which is totally cool-- the crap's expensive.

    I think I may head back to my doctor if this keeps up, and just see about getting the Synthroid back if I find that my thyroid numbers are still whack.

    We'll see-- for now, I rejoice.
  • Marla64
    Marla64 Posts: 23,120 Member
    Down another 1/2 pound without the T3.

    Slowly I turn...step by step...inch by inch.

    (extra credit if anyone can tell me what that's from....)
  • funkycamper
    funkycamper Posts: 998 Member
    I think in the interests of balance it should be pointed out that, as I said above, the concept of starvation mode is usually poorly applied. It's not like a light switch where if you eat under 1,200 calories your body suddenly decides to go into starvation mode, or if you miss a meal that happens or even if you have plateaued it is caused by this.

    It is much more likely whne it comes to plateaus that people have forgotten that as you lose weight the number of calories you need to maintain weight is reduced accordingly, under reporting of true calorie intake and / or over estimating of calories burned through exercise, water / glycogen issues masking fat loss on the scale. There is a misconception that fat loss stalls altogether in "starvation mode" when in reality it doesn't. It simply becomes a lot harder and requires proportionally much more effort to do so in comparison to a "lifestyle diet."

    That is not to say that people who chronically underfeed their bodies or restrict energy intake for many months don't suffer the effects of starvation mode. I think that it certainly does happen but just not as commonly as people may think.

    A starvation type diet will work to reduce weight in the short term. It is undeniable that people will and do experience this. However that isn't saying much. ALL diets which somehow make you operate at a calorie deficit will cause weight loss.

    In my view the success of a diet isn't actually about what happens whilst you are undertaking it or even about the amount of weight you lose (I know I'm sounding a bit crazy here but bear with me....) The success of a diet is about what happens when you come OFF it. The real prize is maintenance. A good diet provides the building blocks for a long term ability to maintain weight at a stable level for years to come, not just a few weeks (unless you are puposefully dieting down for a specific event and do not care about putting on weight after that eg an athlete making a weight class, looking good on your wedding day etc)

    The problem with the excessively low calorie approach (especially if it is coupled with a high exercise volume) is the remarkably poor finishing position it leaves you in. Your metabolic rate has a much sharper adaptive reduction to BMR in comparison in comparison to a slow and steady diet. In addition your body becomes much more efficient at fat storage due to changes in hormone levels. The end result is that the vast majority of crash dieters will end up regaining all the fat they lost prior to their diet and then some. You can circumvent this by being sticking to very low calories for the rest of your life and maintaining high levels of exercise if you wish. That doesn't sound like much fun to me or even realistic in the long term.

    If you love and respect your body it will love and respect you back. If you treat it poorly and try to beat it into submission then expect a fight. You will probably lose...

    Wonderful post. And so very true.

    Through diligence and applying the wisdom learned here at MFP and from Lyle McDonald, Tom Venuto, etc., I truly believe I have finally repaired my poorly-functioning metabolism so I don't have to starve to lose and am now enjoying a lifestyle that will be easily sustainable once I reach my goal, so I know it's doable. It's so much more enjoyable being able to eat liberally enough that I don't even feel like I'm on a diet, and healthier, too!

    I sure wish those who refuse to eat back their exercise calories, and especially those who are barely eating 1200/day, would read this discussion. Unfortunately, however, I know that many won't believe the damage VLC causes in spite of all the scientific and anecdotal evidence. Sadly.
  • Marla64
    Marla64 Posts: 23,120 Member
    Update--

    Hello, one and all-- thank you all for following this now and then--

    as of this morning, I'm down 15lbs from the height of this nightmare. I'm taking a T3 hormone supplement, and am eating 1600-1800 calories on average. I wish I could say I'm exercising faithfully-- but, I'm still managing a couple days a week.

    all in all-- encouraging progress.
  • DeeDeeLHF
    DeeDeeLHF Posts: 2,301 Member
    Hi Marla,

    I lost this thread for awhile but found it again. I am so happy that things are going well for you!!!

    D
  • Marla64
    Marla64 Posts: 23,120 Member
    Thanks-- still have the ups and downs, but hanging in--
  • arewethereyet
    arewethereyet Posts: 18,702 Member
    :flowerforyou:
  • purenergy100
    purenergy100 Posts: 1 Member
    OH my gosh...this sounds so like me. I have been battling for about two years. I even bought a $1700 piece of equipment (bowflex max trainer) because it swore results. I had read so much about interval training and how it was the perfect thing to target weight loss. I did exactly as it said for 10 weeks and did not lose one pound. Toned yes.... a little but who cares about toning under fat? Who can see the tone? This is starting to get depressing.
  • Miss_1999
    Miss_1999 Posts: 747 Member
    Thank you so much for sharing this. It's really opened my eyes, and made me realize that I do need to really evaluate the way that I eat, and that I DO need to make sure that I'm eating enough. For years, my biggest fear has been gaining any weight. Even a pound terrifies me, and not for the reasons most people thing. It's not a vanity thing, or an ED thing- but a true health thing (I live with PCOS). When I see weight go up, I get afraid. I remember how sick I was when I weighed 400lbs. I remember throwing up violently every time I ate. I remember how my body shook, and my eyes watered, because I had no control over my body when that happened. I remembered being exhausted all the time, and not able to get enough sleep, and having to wear my clip in hair because most of it was gone. I remember my doctors trying desperately to find a treatment for me, because my body was poisoning itself. So, I've lived in fear of gaining weight. I've eaten food. I've eaten what I wanted, but I've made sure to keep everything in check. Maybe *too* in check. I will be re-evaluating and talking to my FNP. I have an appointment with her at the end of the month for a check up. I seriously can't thank you enough for this post, and I wish you the best, hopeful that you will be able to recover! *hugs*
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