Starvation Mode: How It Works

123468

Replies

  • rayneface
    rayneface Posts: 219 Member
    Bump
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    I have a general question....Not directly relating to me, but something I can pass on to my 16 year old ex step daughter. What if one eats in their calorie range one day, then eats nothing the next, and so on? So every other day, they eat absolutely nothing?? What does that do to your body weight wise as well as long term?

    Depends on how much fat stores the person has, but generally, unless they're obese, they'll start to have metabolic issues - slower metabolism and loss of muscle mass. So weight loss will be slower, and there may be weight gain when they start to eat more normally - but that's generally temporary.

    Also depends on what you mean by "in their calorie range" - for weight loss or for maintenance? If you're eating at maintenance one day, fasting the next, you're probably at a level of starvation mode (metabolic changes and loss of muscle mass). If you eat at a deficit for weight loss (say 500 cal deficit per day), then fast for a day, etc, you're essentially going to be at a starvation level for intake (beyond starvation mode). Obviously, the 2nd scenario is worse, but either way there will be metabolic damage.

    But actually the issue that would be more of concern in that situation is malnutrition - the lack of macros (protein/fat/carbs) and micros (vitamins/minerals). Particularly for a 16 yr old, because they're still growing. Things like a lack of fat - the brain needs fat to develop properly. Or calcium - the bones need calcium. And a lot of the micros are something that HAVE to be replenished daily. So fasting for a day consistently (one day won't be a problem, but a prolonged pattern would be), especially at that age, could cause some permanent developmental problems.

    That kind of pattern is also a very slippery slope - it can easily lead to an eating disorder (which is no fun, I've been there).

    Does that answer your question?

    (Please remember, I'm not an expert or medical professional - particularly about metabolic issues in children/teens. If she's engaging in those behaviors, I'd have the doc talk to her about the potential consequences.)
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    Bump
  • Lauriek70
    Lauriek70 Posts: 2,087 Member
    bump- don't want to lose this out of my topics.
  • winneau
    winneau Posts: 139 Member
    bump!!! :heart:
  • vettle
    vettle Posts: 621 Member
    bump
  • atomdraco
    atomdraco Posts: 1,083 Member
    bump
  • bbush18
    bbush18 Posts: 207 Member
    always good info :D
  • pandatan
    pandatan Posts: 8
    This is very interesting and has answerd aot of questions, thanks it all makes sence now.
  • atomdraco
    atomdraco Posts: 1,083 Member
    bump
  • kdm97
    kdm97 Posts: 111
    bump for future reading
  • atomdraco
    atomdraco Posts: 1,083 Member
    bump
  • dezcalouette
    dezcalouette Posts: 13 Member
    GREAT, concise information. Thanks!
  • happymom1197
    happymom1197 Posts: 155
    Ty for the info! I will be reading thru all of the links that u posted! I feel like I'm doing what I need to do to lose weight, so I could really use this info to get losing again:)
  • martinh78
    martinh78 Posts: 601
    Good thread, thanks.
  • lenny1976
    lenny1976 Posts: 74 Member
    bump
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    Glad it's helped :)
  • juliapurpletoes
    juliapurpletoes Posts: 951 Member
    always a great read and RE-READ! thanks again so much!
  • sabified
    sabified Posts: 1,035 Member
    Amazing info! thanks :D
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    Needed today, apparently... :wink:
  • pstaceyca
    pstaceyca Posts: 306 Member
    Lose my muscle and wreck my metabolism...I don't think so!! I'll stick with eating right and muscle building exercises!! After all who can maintain eating under 1000 cal a day for the rest of their lives? As soon as you start eating anything extra again...back comes the weight!!! I will pass!
  • carmenstop1
    carmenstop1 Posts: 210 Member
    Bump~
  • Fat_2_Fit_Mommy
    Fat_2_Fit_Mommy Posts: 569 Member
    bump
  • lennykat
    lennykat Posts: 89
    more bumping
  • medwards89
    medwards89 Posts: 97 Member
    I could "bump" this post all day long!!!

    My best friend just started MFP and came across another post from a blog about starvation mode being a big old myth and even suggested that a person can get by just fine on 500 cals a day!! I almost went through the roof!! I'm a nursing student wrapping up my sciences and am taught by doctors.
    This post follows to the T, what those doctors have taught me. I congratulate someone who has lost a lot of weight, but look....not everyone starting MFP has the education to know any better and might take everything they read and put it into practice. 500 CALORIES?!?! That's irresponsible and I really wish there was better, if any? moderation of these threads.

    :smile: Thanks for taking the time to spell it all out for everyone THE CORRECT way!!!
  • sarahmaryfearnley
    sarahmaryfearnley Posts: 366 Member
    Thanks so much LadyHawk - that info was presented in a wonderfully informative, nonconfrontational way. I thought this site was about support and information but after reading a lot of the threads, there are a lot of angry, confrontational, know-it-alls on here.

    My fav part was (put-in-my-own-words), if you're fat (and I am), you have enough fat to power your body in most cases.

    Small request - Can you do a similar post on the supposed dangers of water hypertension? I freely admit that I am not a doctor or an expert but it seems to me that most regular people, especially those of us increasing our exercise amounts in an effort to loose weight are in low danger of drinking too much water.

    PS- Love that movie! Could Michelle be any more beautiful than as a hawk?
  • Russellb97
    Russellb97 Posts: 1,057 Member
    Starvation mode stinks,
    I did a talk and mini-consult with about 20 ladies and most of them claimed to eat well under their base metabolic rate, exercised, and yet couldn't lose weight. That is the definition of starvation mode! I know some may lie, and some may exaggerate, but I know it happens because it's happened to me so many times in the past.

    This is a great post, keep it bumped.
  • d2footballJRC
    d2footballJRC Posts: 2,684 Member
    So dumb question...

    I am currently having problems eating with some pills I'm trying to get adjusted. I've been worried about this starvation mode.

    I have a BMI of 48 (yes super high) and I'm currently eating around 1400-1500 calories a day. I know from the charts and calculators it says I have to eat 3600 calories to stay the same. I've been worried that such a low calorie count eaten a day would kick me into starvation mode. What I'm reading here is since I'm eating, my body isn't saying it's hungry, I'm working out, and taking multi-vitamins, that my body will eat the fat before muscle since I have so much?

    I've been low calorie count like this for about 3 weeks now. I have a ton of energy though and I have lost weight.
  • ladyhawk00
    ladyhawk00 Posts: 2,457 Member
    So dumb question...

    I am currently having problems eating with some pills I'm trying to get adjusted. I've been worried about this starvation mode.

    I have a BMI of 48 (yes super high) and I'm currently eating around 1400-1500 calories a day. I know from the charts and calculators it says I have to eat 3600 calories to stay the same. I've been worried that such a low calorie count eaten a day would kick me into starvation mode. What I'm reading here is since I'm eating, my body isn't saying it's hungry, I'm working out, and taking multi-vitamins, that my body will eat the fat before muscle since I have so much?

    I've been low calorie count like this for about 3 weeks now. I have a ton of energy though and I have lost weight.

    With a BMI of 48, you're not likely at risk of starvation mode (for now.) The main concern would be more about nutrition. For the average man (around 5'9"), it's difficult to get sufficient macros and micros with less than 1500-1600 cals, particularly without a pretty clean diet that is carefully planned.

    So unless you're fairly short, I'd try to at least keep it closer to 2000 - which is about a 1500 deficit, for 3 lbs per week, the maximum loss per week recommended by health experts. Even though you aren't risking starvation mode, there are other risks associated with rapid weight loss, so it's best to keep it at a reasonable pace.

    Obviously, if you're having issues with medication, you kind of have to do the best you can. When possible, increase cals. But if you aren't able to sometimes, you really need to try to make sure that what you DO eat is very nutritionally dense - good protein, healthy fats and complex carbs, without empty calories. Try to ensure you're meeting micro goals, as well (take a multi vitamin if necessary, but it's best if they come from food.)

    Does that help?
  • d2footballJRC
    d2footballJRC Posts: 2,684 Member
    So dumb question...

    I am currently having problems eating with some pills I'm trying to get adjusted. I've been worried about this starvation mode.

    I have a BMI of 48 (yes super high) and I'm currently eating around 1400-1500 calories a day. I know from the charts and calculators it says I have to eat 3600 calories to stay the same. I've been worried that such a low calorie count eaten a day would kick me into starvation mode. What I'm reading here is since I'm eating, my body isn't saying it's hungry, I'm working out, and taking multi-vitamins, that my body will eat the fat before muscle since I have so much?

    I've been low calorie count like this for about 3 weeks now. I have a ton of energy though and I have lost weight.

    With a BMI of 48, you're not likely at risk of starvation mode (for now.) The main concern would be more about nutrition. For the average man (around 5'9"), it's difficult to get sufficient macros and micros with less than 1500-1600 cals, particularly without a pretty clean diet that is carefully planned.

    So unless you're fairly short, I'd try to at least keep it closer to 2000 - which is about a 1500 deficit, for 3 lbs per week, the maximum loss per week recommended by health experts. Even though you aren't risking starvation mode, there are other risks associated with rapid weight loss, so it's best to keep it at a reasonable pace.

    Obviously, if you're having issues with medication, you kind of have to do the best you can. When possible, increase cals. But if you aren't able to sometimes, you really need to try to make sure that what you DO eat is very nutritionally dense - good protein, healthy fats and complex carbs, without empty calories. Try to ensure you're meeting micro goals, as well (take a multi vitamin if necessary, but it's best if they come from food.)

    Does that help?

    Greatly! I've been very worried about hitting starvation mode. I am taking a multivitamin, been doing that for awhile now. I just didn't want to be cancelling out everything I'm working hard to do. Thank you again!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories