How do I get out of "starvation" mode. Can't seem to lose weight.?

Question

I dieted too extreme, lost lots of weight and was very comfortable and kept it off for 5 years. Then got pregnant and gained weight back, not a lot but need to lose about 20 lbs. However, my body is still in "starvation" mode because I don't eat a lot yet but seem to keep the weight. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Calculate how many calories you need in a day. Use the calculator at the bottom of this page:
http://www.ast-ss.com/asp/weight.asp

Now divide that number by 6 to get the number of calories to eat per meal. Eat those 6 meals evenly spaced through your waking hours. By eating often you will increase your metabolism. Weigh yourself when you get up every morning and log your weight. The first week of doing this will get you out of starvation mode.

The second week drop your daily calorie intake by 5%. If you haven't lost weight by the end of that week, drop your calories by another 5% for the next week. When you find a calorie level at which you are beginning to lose weight maintain that calorie level.

Now that you are starting to lose weight, begin to increase your daily activity a bit. Walk around the block once in the morning and again in the evening. You will soon find you are losing weight faster. One you stop losing weight, go back to the calculator and enter your new weight in to find your new daily calorie needs, and start the process over again.

This system will keep you eating frequently. You can divide by 8 if you like and have 8 evenly spaced meals during the day. But don't have less than 6 small meals a day and don't combine meals and have a larger meal.

Make sure you drink plenty of water during the day to flush your system out. For a rough estimate, take your body weight in pounds and multiply by .55 to get the number of ounces. So a 100 pound person would drink 55 ounces, a 200 pound person drinks 110 ounces, etc. Don't drink diet sodas or juices, only drink water and tea (but don't add sugar).

Answer 2

You can't spot reduce, it is a myth. You can tone those "problem" areas up to make them look more attractive and that's it. You haven't lost any more weight doing what you are doing, which means it's time to eat more - so that your body will get out of starvation mode. Increase your calories to 1800 a day and meanwhile if you aren't lifting weights ( light weights with high reps - for toning) try that. It doesn't sound like you need to lose weight though.

Answer 3

WEIGHT WATCHERS HAS A WONDERFUL PROGRAM I LOST AN AMAZING WEIGHT LOSS WITH THE POINT SYSTEM , YOU ARE NEVER HUNGRY, THERE ARE LOST OF FOOD , AND SNACKS THAT ARE HEALTHY AND FREE. THE MORE YOU WEIGH THE MORE POINTS YOU CAN HAVE. I WENT FROM A 26 TO A 14 IN A YEAR& HALF. I DID NOT GO TO MEETING I DOWN LOADED OF THE RECIPES AND ORDERED THE BOOK CALL WEIGHT WATCHERS ANNUAL RECIPES FOR SICCESS. AND WENT TO THE WEIGHT WATCHERS PLACE AND GOT THE STARTING BOOK TO FIND OUT HOW TO USE THE POINT SYSTEM,

Answer 4

Yes, EAT. Forget the diet for one day. Eat what you want. It will help get your body out of starvation mode and give you a "treat".

I use low carb to deal with my diabetes. I've chatted on low carb forums and seen this happen a lot of times. People hit a platu and one night suddenly "cheat" and go a little nuts for the day. They find the next day or so that they've lost weight.

Also another way to get over the platu is to keep track of your water intake. That can stall you too. Make sure you get 8-either ounce glasses of water a day. Water speeds up your metabolism as well.

Answer 5

You need to exercise too. I know it's hard with a baby, but find a few minutes here and a few minutes there. If you do, and eat light meals, healthy food, you should be back to your normal weight in about six weeks.

Answer 6

Make sure you are eating 4-5 small low cal meals per day, drink about half your body weight in OZ of water per day, Exercise as much as you can.....and you will continue to loose weight

Answer 7

you need to have a healthy and balenced diet no starvation allowed and you need to exercice 3 to 5 days a week dont over do it though

Answer 8

Hi
I would not advice you to starve yourself in order to loose your weight instead try this plan it worked for me so here goes,
If you are serious about losing weight, the calories in the food you eat should be less than the energy you use. You will have to increase your metabolic rate now, and plan your diet carefully.
Formulate your own weight loss plan and you will lose weight faster. More details available at http://tinyurl.com/m7ckx

Good luck

Answer 9

Eat early in the day to lose moew weight

Answer 10

5 small meals throught the day no more than 8 hours without eating
combined with excersie in the morning