Is There Starvation Mode?

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

Hi lately I have been in a stall and I decided to do a little search on the internet about starvation mode from not enough calorie. Instead of finding a calorie number, I learned that we don't go into starvation mode unless we are 6% body fat (women) or 5% body fat 9 (men). I was worried about the possibility of loosing muscle due to not enough calories. Has this bothered anyone else?

[UXgrrl 29]

I was wondering the same thing so I googled it and I think I came up with the same website you're quoting, because those are the same numbers I remember reading.

I'm not convinced starvation mode exists, at least until things get really dangerous (eg. the % bodyfat Dorrie mentions above). I think the idea of "starvation mode" is another myth that people use to explain the inevitable stalls.

I am fairly sure that my overall metabolism has gone down in response to the drop in caloric intake... otherwise why am I so cold all the time? Someone said to me that it's because I have "less padding" but I wasn't this cold when I was 30 lbs lighter the first time around...

If that logic is true, then probably one of the best things we can do to speed up fat burning is to increase muscle mass (would would ironically show up as a "stall" or even a "gain" on the scale).

[favoredone 590]

Actually, what is referred as starvation mode is actually a slow down in metabolism... And if you have a metabolic disorder this can be HORRIBLE!!! Before I was sleeved, my doc and nutritionist were helping me developed a plan to eat on a regular basis and to coordinate my foods properly so that I could lose weight pre-op... My metabolism is screwed up!!!

[circa 333]

I personally don't believe in "starvation mode" - your body will adjust and you will stall or plateau for a while as your body reconfigures itself. Circuit training will help to increase your muscle and prevent lean body mass loss.

[RosieSweetie 40]

I personally don't believe in "starvation mode" - your body will adjust and you will stall or plateau for a while as your body reconfigures itself. Circuit training will help to increase your muscle and prevent lean body mass loss.

I agree. When I first got sleeved, I was incredibly cold all of the time. Now that I have started exercising consistently, I notice I am not as cold.