Always in "starvation mode" for calories
spacetiger
Posts: 8
Hi guys, I was wondering if anyone else has this issue. I never have actually ate a lot. In the past though what I did eat were all the bad/wrong things, high in calories etc. Now that I've been serious about dieting I have started eating better foods and lower in calories but have not increased the amount that I eat. I honestly average about 600 calories a day. At first I wasn't exercising, and just ate better types of food, weight fell right off... then it stopped. I have recently started a good workout routine and I seem to be losing again, however one day after a workout in the morning then power walk in the afternoon my net calories was 1. I only eat when I'm hungry. Over the past couple of days I have been thinking "Ok, I need to eat more" but it almost makes me sick to think about eating when I'm not hungry. Now for some information, my SW 250, CW 233, GW 140. It's not like I don't have A LOT of weight to lose. But am I doing myself more harm than good not taking in more calories?? I have never been one to be able to wake up and eat, so I never eat breakfast, Lunch I have a Lean gourmet meal that fills me up. 90 cal granola bar for snack, and a decent dinner. I drink 2 cups of coffee and water. That's it. Any suggestions or am I okay since this is the amount I've always ate?
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Replies
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i'm having the same issue, ever since i been logging my meals it really shows how little i eat. Not to mention my workout pretty much negates just about everything i do eat and idw eat anything unhealthy to make up the difference.0
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I'm having the same problem... but if I'm not hungry. I'm not going to eat. Simple as that.0
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I have the same exact problem. No worries. I don't eat that much either.0
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Well I'm glad to know I'm not the only one
I was discussing it with a friend of mine and he said "Just go eat a big mac woman." Ummm no. I'm actually doing well with eating healthier and it's been pretty easy to keep up. I'm not just going to go eat a big mac /sigh lol 0 -
I have a solution!
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Well I'm glad to know I'm not the only one I was discussing it with a friend of mine and he said "Just go eat a big mac woman." Ummm no. I'm actually doing well with eating healthier and it's been pretty easy to keep up. I'm not just going to go eat a big mac /sigh lol
Most people on starvation diets usually gain their weight back and then some. Just sayin'0 -
Think of it this way from a "nature" perspective: you are telling your body that there is a food shortage by not giving it enough calories. The lack of calories puts your body into panic mode and causes it to want to hold onto the energy it has--which is your fat. If you eat more, healthier choices, of course, you will probably start dropping again. Otherwise, your body is going to hang onto that fat to conserve it for the hypothetical famine it thinks it is in due to the excessively low calories it's getting.0
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You got to 250 pounds eating 600 calories a day? This is not the amount you've always eaten.am I okay since this is the amount I've always ate?0 -
I am also a little skeptical about this. If this is true you may want to talk to your doctor if you haven't yet. O.o0
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Drink protein drinks? They are high in calories.0
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You got to 250 pounds eating 600 calories a day? This is not the amount you've always eaten.am I okay since this is the amount I've always ate?
No she said she ate calorie dense food (eg junk food) but the same amounts or portions. eg. she may have eaten a big mac for lunch, but now she is eating a salad and meat.. fewer calories but she feels the quantity is about the same and she can't force herself to eat in larger quantities.
Calorie dense foods which aren't "unhealthy" - nuts, avocado, olive oil, cheese, full fat milk.. eat some more of these and net 1200 or you will end up losing lean muscle mass and having a high body fat % and not enough muscle (and consequently, a lower BMR).0 -
I know what she said. And at the end she says it's OK because it's what she always ate. Which is patently false.
You got to 250 pounds eating 600 calories a day? This is not the amount you've always eaten.am I okay since this is the amount I've always ate?
No she said she ate calorie dense food (eg junk food) but the same amounts or portions. eg. she may have eaten a big mac for lunch, but now she is eating a salad and meat.. fewer calories but she feels the quantity is about the same and she can't force herself to eat in larger quantities.
Calorie dense foods which aren't "unhealthy" - nuts, avocado, olive oil, cheese, full fat milk.. eat some more of these and net 1200 or you will end up losing lean muscle mass and having a high body fat % and not enough muscle (and consequently, a lower BMR).0 -
You got to 250 pounds eating 600 calories a day? This is not the amount you've always eaten.am I okay since this is the amount I've always ate?
Portions are the same, choices were different. When I gained the weight I WAS eating big macs, and french fries, with a large soda to drink. NOW that I'm trying to lose weight I have started eating lower calorie items but pretty much the same portion size as say a big mac.0 -
Are you seriously suggesting that because you're eating the same VOLUME of food you are somehow getting equivalent nutrition?
You got to 250 pounds eating 600 calories a day? This is not the amount you've always eaten.am I okay since this is the amount I've always ate?
Portions are the same, choices were different. When I gained the weight I WAS eating big macs, and french fries, with a large soda to drink. NOW that I'm trying to lose weight I have started eating lower calorie items but pretty much the same portion size as say a big mac.0 -
How can you weigh what you weigh if you've only ever eaten 600 cals a day...wouldnt you be like 80 lbs? Not being mean, i'm just not gettin the math part i guess...0
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Are you seriously suggesting that because you're eating the same VOLUME of food you are somehow getting equivalent nutrition?
You got to 250 pounds eating 600 calories a day? This is not the amount you've always eaten.am I okay since this is the amount I've always ate?
Portions are the same, choices were different. When I gained the weight I WAS eating big macs, and french fries, with a large soda to drink. NOW that I'm trying to lose weight I have started eating lower calorie items but pretty much the same portion size as say a big mac.
No and she's actually trying to ask for advice so if you have some, give it.
MY advice is to just try to incorporate little snacks in. Increase gradually. Someone posted a picture of peanut butter which actually isn't all that bad. I slather some all natural stuff on a slice of Dave's killer bread and I'm good to go. That's nearly 200 calories right there.
Have you tried maybe incorporating shakes and smoothies? I know for me, I HATE eating in the mornings. I don't know why but everything is dry and I gag on it going down. It's weird. I usually drink a protein shake with no problem. Things like that can help. You'll have to play around with things until you have a really good well-rounded day because snarky comments aside, 600 calories is not going to help you in the long run.0 -
Thank you lolagotthin,
But to maybe clarify...
I didn't keep track of calories when I was gaining weight... It wasn't but a few months ago, so breakfast would have consisted of 3 cups of coffee with lots of sugar, and creamer, lunch would be maybe 2 pieces of pizza, dinner would be a burger with cheese and fries. I drank nothing but soda all day after the coffee.... so I'm definitely not saying it's the same amount of calories. Not by a long shot.
But now, I'm eating low cal lunch, low cal snack and a low cal dinner. Only 2 cups of coffee with splenda, and low fat creamer then water all day. I have the same sense of being full as I did with the higher calorie foods.
I'm not trying to suggest anything, I'm looking for help. I can't be doing something right if it's telling me I'm in starvation mode all the time. I apologise for any confusion.0 -
I think you are stunting your metabolism. And your body does really start "burning" until you eat in the morning. If you eat breakfast you'll be more hungry sooner in the morning as well because your body is working like it should. I really think you are making your weight loss harder than it needs to be. And if you ever start eating more - like going off your diet you'll gain weight fast due to your slowed metabolism.0
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I recommend putting full fat creamer (half and half) in your coffee, eat a handful of nuts (almonds) and a piece of fruit for your snack, and eat a normal lunch (a sandwich on reduced calorie bread) with a lowfat yogurt and some veges (peppers, baby carrots, cucumbers) or a piece of fruit, and a normal dinner (4 ounce piece of chicken or fish or turkey sauteed in olive oil, 1/2 cup of brown rice or whole grain pasta or a baked potato, and some salad with olive oil and vinegar or some vegetables sauteed in olive oil). This is not unhealthy, not a huge quantity of food, and will help you to fill in some of your missing calories. It is also balanced, and will give you the fuel you need to continue on your journey into health.0
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I also agree that eating in the morning makes me feel hungry all day... If I eat the right kinds of foods, I can feel satisfied. But, when I don't eat in the morning I don't have an appetite most of the day. I know you said it makes you feel sick, but maybe something small (a toaster waffle or piece of toast will be enough to get your stomach growling for food.)0
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Thanks last 2 posters The slowing my metabolism is one thing i was concerned with. I will try to slowly increase more good foods, and I never tried a smoothie for breakfast, I could probably do that. Thank you for your suggestions. 0
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Hi there,
I hope I can help.
I've experienced many different forms of eating from high calorie junk food to barely anything. I've tried out various fad diets which have not helped me in the slightest but what I have gained is knowledge and experience.
I, like you used to consume perhaps 600 cals per day. My reasons were I worked irregular shift patterns and got into this habit of eating twice a day. on top of this my job was very active and I would go to the gym 4 x per week. No doubt I lost a lot of weight BUT, and that is a huge but, I lost all my muscle and was virtually skin and bone and little else. When I changed jobs and started eating better my weight literally increased overnight and continue to for months after. That was until I worked it all out.
After thorough research in nutrition and how our bodies worked i am back to losing weight in the correct way.
Basically here it is in a nutshell.
To lose weight it's all about calories in versus calories out however, our bodies are incredibly smart. I f you are consuming only a low amount of calories your body will be in starvation mode therefore your metabolism will have slowed down drastically and when you go a long time eating very low calories your body will also adapt to this and you will lose little or no weight at all.
It's all about fuelling the body and burning the fat with workouts rather than starving it. This makes it easy to maintain. As long as you are in a deficit you will lose weight but with proper workouts you will keep your muscle which is what we need to burn fat in the first place.
It can be a little scary increasing calories but I advise you do it very gradually just a little extra per day so as not to shock your body and as soon as it realises you are no longer starving it your metabolism will pick up. Our bodies are creatures of habit and you may not feel hungry now but if you keep eating regularly your body and mind will accept this as normal and it will become a new habit. You won't even have to think about it.
Take everything slowly, it's not a race.
Good luck
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i agree with those who suggest adding in snacks throughout the day.
some quick snacks i like to have are:
carrot sticks and hummus
apple and almond butter
protein smoothie with almond milk, fruit and a little spinach
stuffed bell pepper with ground turkey, spinach and laughing cow cheese
boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes and berries
plain greek yogurt with a little nutella and fresh strawberries
sometimes it's hard for me to get calories in with just standard meals alone because i need to eat gluten free. adding in little 150-200 calories snacks throughout the day is really helpful. i try to average 1600 calories a day0 -
Last spring I took a course called "Fitness for Weight Management". We discussed that females should never have less than 1200 calories in any day. That should be considered a minimum.0
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I think you are stunting your metabolism. And your body does really start "burning" until you eat in the morning.
I appreciate the sentiment but that's actually false. Your metabolism continues to burn all the time, it doesn't stop when you go to sleep, and doesn't start because you eat breakfast.0 -
You need to eat breakfast. Force at least just a piece of fruit. It will boost you metabolism and you will be hungrier for lunch. Eating 600 cal a day isn't heathy0
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You need to eat breakfast. Force at least just a piece of fruit. It will boost you metabolism and you will be hungrier for lunch. Eating 600 cal a day isn't heathy
She doesn't need to eat breakfast. The timing of the food is irrelevant. She just needs to eat more in general.0 -
Some *****ES are ruthlesss!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(seriously) ganging up on some one for having a question
MENSTRUAL OVERLOAD ON THIS ONE0 -
You are starving yourself and wrecking your metabolism. Eat more.
Edit: agree with previous poster, the timing of your meals doesn't matter. You don't need to eat breakfast if you're not hungry in the morning. You do need to eat at least 1200 calories (probably a lot more if you exercise).0 -
"just eating more" is not a solution. It's simply not that easy.
OP - try healthy fatty items like avocado, nuts, and 3.5% milk. If that's not working then try adding a small portioned snack here and there. Like 3 almonds when you drink a glass of water.0
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