starvation mode DOES exist!!
Natashaa1991
Posts: 866 Member
I know this from my painful experience. Last january, i put on so much weight i decided that i will just stop eating. I did this for 20 days.
I ate an apple and a carrot a day! i also drank a lot of water. I started losing like crazy, 1 pound a day, and then after 10 days, i just STOPPED losing. And for another 10 days i didn't lose any weight. Than after maybe three days of normal eating I put all the weight I lost back.
Don't worry, i don't do stupid things to myself anymore. Since I've been using myfitnesspal and eating 1200 a day, I started really losing.
That means, even when I let myself eat whatever I want for a week, I won't gain all the weight I lost eating 1200 calories back.
Also, I can eat things i love, i can work out... I can be happy!
When i was eating an apple a day, after just three days i wasn't able to get out of bed, i felt horrible. I couldn't think and walk.
So don't think starvation mode is a myth, you can read all the studies and researches you want but if you're that curious, try it yourself, and see.
And starvation mode is a gift from God, it's not our enemy. We're far from starving with all this food around, but if we DID starve, we would survive for weeks.
This is just some little life experience i wanted to share
I ate an apple and a carrot a day! i also drank a lot of water. I started losing like crazy, 1 pound a day, and then after 10 days, i just STOPPED losing. And for another 10 days i didn't lose any weight. Than after maybe three days of normal eating I put all the weight I lost back.
Don't worry, i don't do stupid things to myself anymore. Since I've been using myfitnesspal and eating 1200 a day, I started really losing.
That means, even when I let myself eat whatever I want for a week, I won't gain all the weight I lost eating 1200 calories back.
Also, I can eat things i love, i can work out... I can be happy!
When i was eating an apple a day, after just three days i wasn't able to get out of bed, i felt horrible. I couldn't think and walk.
So don't think starvation mode is a myth, you can read all the studies and researches you want but if you're that curious, try it yourself, and see.
And starvation mode is a gift from God, it's not our enemy. We're far from starving with all this food around, but if we DID starve, we would survive for weeks.
This is just some little life experience i wanted to share
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Replies
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I think there's a difference between eating an apple and carrot a day - and eating (say) 1000 calories of fruit, veggies, protein and carbs a day.
Starvation mode definitely exists, and you were definitely in it, but 1200 isn't the be all and end all of calories.0 -
I think there's a difference between eating an apple and carrot a day - and eating (say) 1000 calories of fruit, veggies, protein and carbs a day.
Starvation mode definitely exists, and you were definitely in it, but 1200 isn't the be all and end all of calories.
I think this is true. And, I think your situation also had a lot to do with the sudden CHANGE in diet. I read a lot about diets in Europe and Asia and America is the only country that talks about "starvation mode", and we are also the fattest on average. You suddenly went from ~2,000 calories a day to ~100 a day.
Anyway, I read a way keep your metabolism up while doing LC diets is exercise, so maybe next time you want to crash diet, up it to at least 800 kcal a day and then just burn 700 in exercise :P0 -
It can also happen when you are eating 1200 -- I had my calories set to lose 1 lb/week, MFP recommended 1250 calories. Close to goal AND facing the holidays, I changed it to 1/2 lb/week, which added about 250 calories, and I have been losing more consistently.0
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It can also happen when you are eating 1200 -- I had my calories set to lose 1 lb/week, MFP recommended 1250 calories. Close to goal AND facing the holidays, I changed it to 1/2 lb/week, which added about 250 calories, and I have been losing more consistently.
That doesn't mean you were in starvation mode.0 -
It can also happen when you are eating 1200 -- I had my calories set to lose 1 lb/week, MFP recommended 1250 calories. Close to goal AND facing the holidays, I changed it to 1/2 lb/week, which added about 250 calories, and I have been losing more consistently.
Agreed. Same thing. I was trying for 1300 and my personal trainer told me I was definitely putting myself in starvation mode. the lowest she wants me to go is 1570 ( I exercise 5-7x a week, 30 mins-45 or 60 mins). The biggest problem for me isn't getting the calories in it is how I get the calories. Need to make better food choices however I am super picky so it has been tricky so far. Guess the point is everyone is different:)0 -
even if you eat like that... 1000 calories... and burn 500 a day... you'll hit plateau anyways! Some girls here, who actually lost weight, and kept it off eat around 2000 a day and they look perfect!
I was in this nightmare of losing and gaining all the weight back, starving and binge eating... i used to punish myself and feel horrible after a day of binging...
anyways, whatever you do, if you starve yourself like i did, you're gonna hit the plateau. and oh, that kind of diet is just not possible to stick with.
You're gonna gain it all back when you start eating normally.
I don't think that it makes a huge difference, i was stupid just eating around 100 kcal a day but 800 kcal is just about the same, it's not doing anything good....0 -
Yeah I lost 24 pounds on my then came to MPF and it had me set at 1200 calories. I didn't lost any weight at all. Then last week I visited my doctor he put me on 1600 calories and I have lost 4lbs since. I don't believe it is healthy to eat under your BMR. And I believe if your hungry all the time then you should try something else.0
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MFP has me at 1200, and I've been losing consistently. Maybe it's because I'm really short (5'1) ?0
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The original poster looks pretty thin. Putting on a lot of weight is relative. Starvation mode can't exist if your body still has stores of fat to use up.0
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Thank you for that!0
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The problem with using individual stories to "prove" the existence of a certain phenomenon, is that there is always other individual stories that disprove the same thing,
At the end of the day it comes down to the laws of thermdynamics, and if you think you are an exception to that then you should probably donate your body to scientific research.0 -
I eat around 3000 calories daily - no starvation here!
And I lost 63lbs so far - feeling and looking great.
The 1lb a week is the perfect way to lose safely while developing new, healthy habits.
Good Luck EVERYBODY!0 -
*yawn* we here again....0
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Yeah I lost 24 pounds on my then came to MPF and it had me set at 1200 calories. I didn't lost any weight at all. Then last week I visited my doctor he put me on 1600 calories and I have lost 4lbs since. I don't believe it is healthy to eat under your BMR. And I believe if your hungry all the time then you should try something else.
my bmr says 1290 on this site, then another says 1387, and another says 1485? this site set me at 1200..... then when i look at the normal calories i should eat a day it goes from 1700 to almost 1900... so how does anyone actually know what they should be following?0 -
Starvation mode doesn't work anything like most people think it does. You don't just eat too little for a while and then stop losing weight. If that was true do you think people could get underweight or would be losing weight with hcg? Starving yourself is bad, but it is possible to do for quite a while while still losing weight.
Starvation mode is when your body has adjusted to your low intake and slowed down your metabolism. No matter what stupid things you do it it, the human body is pretty amazing and doesn't want you to die. It will try to protect you and itself, which is one reason people tend to binge (real, mindless, uncontrollable binges) after starving themselves for too long.
It doesn't happen as easily or fast as most people think. It also has to do with your net calories and not just how much you eat.0 -
MFP has me at 1200, and I've been losing consistently. Maybe it's because I'm really short (5'1) ?
I'm 4'11', and I had 13 pounds to lose. I ate 1200 cals, and lost the first 6 or so lbs rather consistently. Then I just quit. No matter what I did, I couldn't lose. Upped my cals to 1395, (1/2 lb a week) and have lost 4 or 5 more lbs, and continue to lose. Plus, I don't feel like sh$%, haha.
I think it all depends on the person, build, what foods you get your nutrition from, and your exercise - not quite so much how short you are. A lot can make 1200 work though. Just not this little lady 0 -
Where is my 'mode' button? I've asked my mum, and she said I didn't come with a manual.0
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I think too many people are getting starvation and malnutrition confused0
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Everyone is different, everyone's body wiII adjust differently to their caIoric intake0
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I think too many people are getting starvation and malnutrition confused
How so? I know they share some similar health problems but you can be malnourished even if you are eating enough food or even overeating, if you are making poor food choices or don't have healthy foods available.0 -
The problem with using individual stories to "prove" the existence of a certain phenomenon, is that there is always other individual stories that disprove the same thing,
At the end of the day it comes down to the laws of thermdynamics, and if you think you are an exception to that then you should probably donate your body to scientific research.
Really? I agree with the first part of this, too many people say "I did ____ and lost weight therefore ____must be right" (can be replaced by the negative as well). Of course this is no way to prove something is accurate.
However, just out of curiosity.... have you ever even personally researched the Law of ***Thermodynamics and the human body, or is this from the broscience research of MFP. Because last time I checked, the Law of Thermodynamics was applicable "physics land"(you know, the world where every physics law works ideally) and does not consider the confounding biological variables in our bodies.
What I assume you are applying is that its all just "calories in-calories out". This is a wonderful equation for any promoter of VLCD's, and even satisfactory reasoning for girls to develop eating disorders.. its just a numbers game after all, right? But this does not account for a change in overall metabolism. Calories in -calories out, too bad calories out keeps changing on us.
And you know what? It is a fantastic mechanism that our body is able to do so. Imagine, being able to survive without food for prolonged periods of time! And when food is available, you may store excess fat to help you survive the next round of no food!! Not a major concern for people who have access to food daily, but unbelievably helpful throughout evolution when we weren't always living so comfortably.
Maybe I should also remind you there's no "set" level for starvation mode, and just because you personally eat very little does not mean you are losing at the proper pace, and it does not ensure that you will successfully keep the weight off long term. So until I meet the person that says "I ate 200 calories a day, exercised religiously, lost 100 + lbs with the correct deficit and kept it all off for 2 years" I'm going to keep stating starvation mode exists. And thank goodness it does, otherwise.... we might not even be here right now.0 -
The problem with using individual stories to "prove" the existence of a certain phenomenon, is that there is always other individual stories that disprove the same thing,
At the end of the day it comes down to the laws of thermdynamics, and if you think you are an exception to that then you should probably donate your body to scientific research.
Really? I agree with the first part of this, too many people say "I did ____ and lost weight therefore ____must be right" (can be replaced by the negative as well). Of course this is no way to prove something is accurate.
However, just out of curiosity.... have you ever even personally researched the Law of ***Thermodynamics and the human body, or is this from the broscience research of MFP. Because last time I checked, the Law of Thermodynamics was applicable "physics land"(you know, the world where every physics law works ideally) and does not consider the confounding biological variables in our bodies.
What I assume you are applying is that its all just "calories in-calories out". This is a wonderful equation for any promoter of VLCD's, and even satisfactory reasoning for girls to develop eating disorders.. its just a numbers game after all, right? But this does not account for a change in overall metabolism. Calories in -calories out, too bad calories out keeps changing on us.
And you know what? It is a fantastic mechanism that our body is able to do so. Imagine, being able to survive without food for prolonged periods of time! And when food is available, you may store excess fat to help you survive the next round of no food!! Not a major concern for people who have access to food daily, but unbelievably helpful throughout evolution when we weren't always living so comfortably.
Maybe I should also remind you there's no "set" level for starvation mode, and just because you personally eat very little does not mean you are losing at the proper pace, and it does not ensure that you will successfully keep the weight off long term. So until I meet the person that says "I ate 200 calories a day, exercised religiously, lost 100 + lbs with the correct deficit and kept it all off for 2 years" I'm going to keep stating starvation mode exists. And thank goodness it does, otherwise.... we might not even be here right now.
Brilliant, you've solved world hunger, the energy crisis and global warming. If you could carry on with world peace and the eurozone crisis that would be just great.0 -
God forbid you understand what someones going through before you judge.
I am a great mother thank you very much.
Btw, it's just as bad for mothers who are over weight to let their kids see their eating habbits. I eat healthy things. I could eat a whole bowl of broccoli and be only like 90 calories. I don't have a lack of energy, I work, I go to school, and do family activites.
Please and Thank you.
@Courtgosvener- I use to be a size 3 and 116lbs before pregnancy, now I am a size 5 (no, not from my hips, but from body fat). I just have a very small body frame. If I had an average frame, then i'd be a walking stick. But it's very petite. Everyone is built different.
what is there to understand that could possibly explain why you'd eat 400 calories a day?0 -
You may have energy for now but it's impossible to get full nutrition on 400 calories and do you want to risk chewing up cardiac muscle? It's not just the biceps that waste away but the heart muscle too.0
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i eat 1200 calories a day...i also minimized my carb intake and up my protein. when you go into ketosis, you can go into hypokelemia, low potassium which makes you feel tired and is not a good state to be in. i trick my body about once every 2 weeks by eating higher carbs..your body needs energy to break glycogen to glucose. every cell in your body has ATP receptors..anyways i wont get to scientific but it is about increasing your overall metabolism..your body must get energy from somewhere..what you want is for it to start using the fat reserves instead of instant energy that breaks down from carbs. carbs are not bad..its just that most people eat out and portions in restaurants is way to big and most people eat way to many carbs, bad carbs. everyone will hit there plateau and tricking the body is the best way to get past that..eating more calories often breaks the plateau as long as your not consuming junk. alcohol is ok in small amounts but alcohol does turn right to glucose by the liver and thus if your body doesnt need it at the time, then it is stored as fat. insulin levels also play a big role in weight loss/gain..
number one reason people give up is that they restict there diet so much, they eventually go back to eating like before..if you make it a life style change and enjoy your lie in a healthy way you will lose weight..but you want to lose it efficiently0 -
Because last time I checked, the Law of Thermodynamics was applicable "physics land"(you know, the world where every physics law works ideally) and does not consider the confounding biological variables in our bodies.
The LAWS of Thermodynamics are laws, not theories. They apply to the Universe. The Universe is everything, including our bodies. And before you ask, yes, I have done years of research in this field, but non scientists can understand this basic fact just as well as Ph.D. researchers.0 -
Because last time I checked, the Law of Thermodynamics was applicable "physics land"(you know, the world where every physics law works ideally) and does not consider the confounding biological variables in our bodies.
The LAWS of Thermodynamics are laws, not theories. They apply to the Universe. The Universe is everything, including our bodies. And before you ask, yes, I have done years of research in this field, but non scientists can understand this basic fact just as well as Ph.D. researchers.
Yes indeed - which is why as you say they are the Laws, not the "humble suggestions of thermodynamics" lol.0 -
You may have energy for now but it's impossible to get full nutrition on 400 calories and do you want to risk chewing up cardiac muscle? It's not just the biceps that waste away but the heart muscle too.
This is spot on right.
400 calories is unhealthy and a sure sign of an eating disorder.
It's just a pity people do this to themselves just as I once did the opposite but no more.
Honestly, I don't know what is worse. GET HELP!0 -
Starvation mode isn't all that dramatic. It just means you have factored in too high of a daily caloric deficit. So the body slows its metabolism to compensate. Starvation mode doesn't mean you'll get fat by not eating. It just means you'll lose more slowly.
Also, when your calorie deficit is too high, the body will attack the muscles first. Muscles are a quicker source of energy, so if you freak your body out by drastically cutting calories, it's likely to cause more muscle loss than fat loss, especially for those with a lower body weight.
P.S. Starvation mode doesn't mean you can go forever without food and be okay. (We're not solving world hunger here, so let's not be obtuse.) You will eventually lose weight. I mean, you'll lose your hair. Your bones will deteriorate. You'll lose all muscle tone, and you'll be sick. But you will be skinny!0 -
The original poster looks pretty thin. Putting on a lot of weight is relative. Starvation mode can't exist if your body still has stores of fat to use up.
I disagree with this statement, maybe in some cases it may be true but I have been through just about every scenario you could think of over the last 29 months and losing 287 lbs. And right now I am adjusting from putting my body into starvation mode and at 273 lbs. currently, I can tell you that I still have fat stores that could be burned. I have been running huge calorie deficits over the last few months and because of it I have been plateauing like crazy. My lifestyle change was based on Carb counting and not so much of an emphasis on calorie counting. But at 560 lbs. calories in vs. calories out wasn't that important as what I was eating. Healthier choices and sticking to 2000-2500 range was a huge change from consuming over 8-10,000 calories a day. But I have made adjustments over the last few month's and am now back to losing 1-2 lbs. a week. I had to pay alot closer attention to my caloric intake because I had been exercising more and not eating back any of those calories I was burning. So in my experience Starvation mode does exist in myself with fat stores still to be used....0
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