Starving yourself

vballscriscuolo · October 2011

So, since I started on this site, I have been reading friends food diaries to get ideas for foods that I can eat. But over the past few days I realized something a little almost upsetting and disouraging.....a lot of people aren't eating nerly enough.......for example I have seen daily calorie goals set for 1,500/day and people taking in under 900....that is DANGEROUSLY low!!!! I know I am not a doctor by any means, but the bare miinimum a person should be taking in is 1,200, which, unfortionately, is my daily goal. Anything under that will throw your body into starvation mode, basically your body will begin to store anything you put into it due to the sheer bare minimum amount of food your ingesting.

I am not trying to play mom or tell anyone how to live their lives and such, but, if your calorie goal is 1,500, that's what you should be putting into your body, or at least close to it, ESPECIALLY if your doing daily regular excercise. Your body needs food and drink in order to function properly. I just worry for people who take in so few calories because it is a dangerous game to play with your body. If you don't believe me, then ask your doctors about it, and i they say it's ok, then go ahead but I just don't want to see anyone harming themselves in order to shed weight!

Good luck everyone and please stay healthy!!!

Adding onto to this, apparently I have offended and irritated a lot of people and I apologize for that. I simply get concerned for others and genuinely want the best for anyone trying to lose weight. I have struggled for years with it and know how tough it is, and I myself suffered from anorexia at one point when I hit rock bottom and I know the medical chalenges I faced and it's very difficult to overcome. I would never try to judge someone, it was just something that struck a nerve with me and there is no way for me to know whether someone is on a special doctor ordered diet or if they forgot to log something, but I see it and get concerned for the person ebcause I've been in a tough spot....so before jumping to conclusions and getting defensive, send me a message next time instead of taking it so personal please.

ElizabethRoad · October 2011

?

BGabbart · October 2011

great advice

tinamina78 · October 2011

I know I am not a doctor by any means

Your concern for people is very nice... but I would stop at that statement right above you. Sometimes it's best to let people decide what's good for themselves... unless they are specifically asking your opinion.

Here's wishing you a happy, healthy journey as well

mawhite717 · October 2011

starvation mode is a myth

smkcx♥ · October 2011

I learned that the hardway myself when I went on a diet a few years ago, I did lose weight, but I ended up gaining all of it back PLUS some. It wasn't until I started using this site that I realized 1) I dont eat enough (seriously, I would have like 600 calories for food and the rest would be calories from mt. dew.) & 2) what I do eat, is really really unhealthy.

indycello · October 2011

great advice

ditto and thank you for spelling "advice" correctly :flowerforyou: you restored a little hope in me... :laugh:

julie204 · October 2011

well said i agree with you totally what you have said

TheCats_Meow · October 2011

:huh:

Lauren8239 · October 2011

Personally, for myself, I find it hard to eat my calories. I don't have any appetite. I force myself to eat something after working out because I know I should, but I'm not hungry.

MzFury · October 2011

Yes - I posted a topic last week about eating disorders, and it appears either not to have gone up or to have been removed. I have been extremely disturbed by some of what I have seen on here - there are a few people undereating because they do not seem to know better, and there are a lot of younger girls on here who are actively egging each other on in their anorexic behaviors - I know they're welcome to use the site but I feel like they need to know that people are here to get and remain healthy, and if they're actively engaged in their addictions, they should be seeking help in real life and, frankly, I don't think they should be on here. I won't be "friends" with it. Sending you a friend request, though.

kimmysue · October 2011

I agree with you! Especially if you are looking at this as a lifestyle change and not just a diet (which is what I am doing). There is no way someone can maintain a super low calorie diet for the long term and stay healthy.

Thanks for posting!

dosesr4winners20 · October 2011

for example I have seen daily calorie goals set for 1,500/day and people taking in under 900....that is DANGEROUSLY low!!!!

it might be 900 after excerise. not everyone eats back what they burn. some only eat half, some eat all etc. everyone is different.

sarahlucydaynes26 · October 2011

FAB advice!
As for working in the NHS field I know about this but obviously you cannot tell many people as they simply do not want to hear it..
Good luck on your journey hunni x

cramernh · October 2011

I know I am not a doctor by any means

Your concern for people is very nice... but I would stop at that statement right above you. Sometimes it's best to let people decide what's good for themselves... unless they are specifically asking your opinion.

Here's wishing you a happy, healthy journey as well

Unless you know the actual reasons why, I would also support the whole stopping with the statement as well. If Im sick as a dog, you best believe if I can only get 800 calories in me without throwing it up from being ill, then so be it.

My line of work often keeps me from being able to have a lunch break and I work as a chef for a living - demands of the business often dictate whether or not we can grab a meal break.

And, if there are extreme calorie restrictions, there may very well be a gastric-bypass post surgical patient who has to do the whole preliminary dietary adjustments as ordered by their doctors....

or simply put - life gets in the way and you cant get to a computer because of other responsibilities that require their total devotion.

Never ever make an assumption or pass judgement on someone whose diary you look at, has below the 1200 mark. They may even have forgotten to post something....

Bonny272 · October 2011

Those are the people that are constantly writing in frustrated that they aren't losing weight and they are so hungry. I did this for longer than I care to mention and it took a lot of failures to finally realize that my problem was not eating enough. After making healthy choices I'm fuller, healthier and slowly but surely losing weight. It's just one of those journeys that everyone has to take for themselves.

newdaynewme · October 2011

I have to agree w. you. and for the comment that states that starvation mode does not exist.. well it does and it can lead to some serious eating disorders. hair loss, period stopping, weight loss, fatigue, orgains failing are all from complications of starvation mode. I don't know how long it takes for the body to reach that point but what i do know is I never want to experience it.

there are some people who are on certain diets that consist of very low calorie intakes in which a doctor is closely monitoring them, but for others who are only eating very little to try to lose very fast, it's their choice and all we can do is try to support and encourage them. if they don't want the comments of how little they are eating then maybe they should close out their diary. it's nice of you to have concern for others!

sarahmaryfearnley · October 2011

But what about if I want to loose 10lbs before Halloween to wear my lingerie - I mean - super cute bunny outfit? It has ears. That counts as a costume, right?

carolinedb · October 2011

starvation mode is a myth

While "starvation mode" itself may be up for debate in scientific circles, what is not is that it is almost impossible to get an adequate amount of essential vitamins and minerals, as well as macronutrients eating under 1200 calories a day. Malnutrition is not something to play around with.

elizahbeth · October 2011

Ive noticed that too but here at mfp I havent seen anyone who is dangerously underweight or anyone who continues to starve.

Most people try to be anorexic for a while but hormones and hunger being what they are it just doesnt set in long enough to do any harm.

Why does it worry you so? A few days at even 600 calories will not harm a human, even full out fasting isnt dangerous or life threatening as long as water is consumed and it doesnt go on for very many days.

Whensomeone has a lot of weight to lose, its not going to harm metabolism either unless they keep at below 900 for several weeks. It also depends on the quality of foods they are consuming. If they eat 3 chocolate bars a day, well, it could kill them I guess.

AriannaTiyen42 · October 2011

for example I have seen daily calorie goals set for 1,500/day and people taking in under 900....that is DANGEROUSLY low!!!!

it might be 900 after exercise. not everyone eats back what they burn. some only eat half, some eat all etc. everyone is different.

True. I burn alot of calories each day and should technically be eating around 2600 calories a day to keep up with my allowed calories after exercise. I'm just not THAT hungry. If I'm not hungry then I'm not going to force feed myself. I generally eat more like 1600-1700 per day which makes my net pretty low. If I get hungry then I eat.

Pocket_Pixi · October 2011

Perhaps their on a Dr. supervised VLC diet... and don't realize they can change the calorie goals.

There could be a lot of reasons they aren't. I know that you are trying to be helpful and caring which is awesome but knowing the whole story can be a big help. They may not be starving themselves or have an ED. it is always a good thing to ask what is up and why they are so low, and then give suggestions if they really do not know or need help.

I am not saying everyone should eat less than 1000 calories a day BUT if they are under the care of a health provider than I wouldn't exactly flame them for not eating 1200 calories a day.

MzFury · October 2011

starvation mode is a myth

By saying that, you do not make it true. I am assuming you are referring to starvation mode in which the body begins to conserve as much fat and energy as it can because it is not getting enough energy from food. It is true that this will happen for each person at a different point, probably, since we're all different, but it bloody well is a real biological occurrence.

Yes, there are times when my net calorie intake appears low from exercise, but if you know how to look at these pages, it can become very obvious who is, for instance, shorter, older and fell a couple hundred short but is probably quite "safe", or who's working out and hitting a higher deficit as a result... or who is, on a daily basis, consuming the actual amount of food (not net burn/cals in-out) that is appropriate for a small child, not an adult.

As to those telling this woman to mind her own business, again: I realize there are some different reasons for undereating,and have one friend on here on very low calories under a lot of medical supervision because she blew out her metabolism with bulemia early on (she's now 44 and extremely obese, but making headway), and some people literally don't know - as one of you has said on here - that this is not a good way to lose weight for healthy, long-term weight loss (and fat loss vs. muscle or water loss). I also realize that more and more and more young women and girls are more and more and more obsessed with "being thin" and many are as ignorant as they are obsessed, and this is a recipe for not only a host of personal physical issues immediately and down the line (and a shortened line), this is also a recipe for keeping girls from being productive citizens with happy lives and interests beyond their own mirror or the most superficial of media. I have no patience for it any more. I am more than happy to support anyone actively in recovery from an ED or any other addiction. Until then, keep your sickness to yourself and for the love of GOD please find a real-life (recovery-based) support group, counselor, caring doctor or therapist.

Maria_Goose · October 2011

I had to lose almost 100 pounds to join the military. The last 30 were the hardest to lose and I was desperate to hurry up and join the military. So, I did it the unhealthy way and got in.

Low and behold, I have gained those last 30 back. I even gained in basic military training.

Starvation mode is NOT a myth. I am still trying to lose those last 30 pounds to this day, and I've been in for some time now. Here's to health!

mawhite717 · October 2011

I have to agree w. you. and for the comment that states that starvation mode does not exist.. well it does and it can lead to some serious eating disorders. hair loss, period stopping, weight loss, fatigue, orgains failing are all from complications of starvation mode. I don't know how long it takes for the body to reach that point but what i do know is I never want to experience it.

there are some people who are on certain diets that consist of very low calorie intakes in which a doctor is closely monitoring them, but for others who are only eating very little to try to lose very fast, it's their choice and all we can do is try to support and encourage them. if they don't want the comments of how little they are eating then maybe they should close out their diary. it's nice of you to have concern for others!

all the symptoms you've described happen when people are literally starving themselves and not eating anything... thats not "starvation mode"

DerpdyHerp · October 2011

By saying it exists doesn't make it so. Maybe someone could do their homework and provide some peer reviewed, credible scientific research on the subject. Specifically, where the body begins to actually STORE anything in an extended hypocaloric environment.

I'd sure be interested in reading the study.

MzFury · October 2011

Starvation mode doesn't make you fat, but it will help pack visceral fat around your organs to protect them.
It will consume your muscle mass as well, and your bones.
When you begin eating normally again, or possibly still short of normally, you will have a deficit of muscle and will gain fat easily.
Your body will also be wired to stash the fat more efficiently in preparation for the possibility of another famine.

Alternatively, you can die. Or, you can eat just enough in starvation mode to survive long enough that you can fool yourself into thinking you are not dying a slow death.

vballscriscuolo · October 2011

I am very picky when it comes to eating and eat almost the same thing from day to day and like to see what other healthy options people have come up with. That's why you have to option to post your diary or not...just as I have mine posted for anyone who wants ideas. It's got nothing to do with being a "bully", its out of sheer concern for others and caring, and if you had read my whole post you should have seen that.

mawhite717 · October 2011

not to be mean, but If you dont want ppls opinions, then dont post such controversial things.

)

Steven · October 2011

Dear Posters,

Please be very mindful of keeping the tone of your discussion respectful and polite.

It is fine to debate the merits of this issue. It is NOT acceptable to insult your fellow MyFitnessPal members. I'll be removing a few posts from this thread that have gotten personal, and further reports of crossing the "let's not make it personal" line may result in the locking of this thread.

Thanks,
Steven
MyFitnessPal Staff

bry_all01 · October 2011

I don't even want to KNOW what kind of damage I did to my body 14 years back when I didn't eat for 2 weeks due to extreme stress and depression..... Literally, I tried to FORCE myself to eat, but would see food and get nauseous and throw it away. These days I would see a doctor if that happened... Thankfully, these days, I KNOW better ....

Starving yourself

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