Does not eating REALLY slow down ur metabloism?

Question

READ IT ALL PLZ! (i kno its long im sorry but i felt i had to let my whole story out) about 3 weeks ago i asked a queston about losing 30 pounds in 2 months and ppl said it wus unrealistic so i decided to take it as serious as possible i worked so so hard for about a week and i still saw and felt like sh**!! i kno its not magic but i expected to at least feel a lil bit more confident but instead i felt worse. i got so worked up and pissed off and wus a ***** to everyone and i spent a whole day at home crying my heart out. i just felt like a pig, a slob, and worth less pile of sh** i didnt eat that whole day and then b4 i knew it a week went by and i had barely eaten in that whole week i was too sad to eat and i stepped on the scale and BAM!! 5 pounds were gone! i was shocked i hardly even worked out but i barely ate and when i did eat it wus only a lil fruit thus leading to my question if it really slowes ur metabolism down why did i lose what i couldnt lose when i wus eating?

Answer 1

Hey buddy!

Great question! Here is the deal.

You have a metabolism that probably burns about 2000 calories per day, if you just sleep. Let's call this your resting metabolism. In sci fi terms it is called your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate).

Now, when you don't eat 2000 calories for an extended period of time, your body can start to think it is starving (and for good reason); accordingly, it will slow down making your heart rate and system burn less calories, although it will still need to burn them. So maybe now your BMR drops to 1500 calories/day, so your rate of burning calories drops and is probably why you started to feel pretty depressed. It seems that heart rate and mood are linked. Think waking up versus having a good cup of coffee. Anyways, this is an aside, but should tell you I know what I am talking about.

OK, let's get at your weight loss. You said you were hardly eating anything, thus, you were creating a calorie deficit for yourself. If you don't eat anything, yet you burn 1500 calories just living, albeit down from the faster metabolism of 2000, you still need to pull this energy source from somewhere. Since you weren't eating, by deductive reasoning you can see that it came from your body fat stores. Voila! You were burning body fat. Do starvation diets work? Heck yes! However, it is usually short term since who wants to be depressed or asleep the whole time. As an example, this is exactly what happens to bears when they hibernate. They stuff their faces with berries and salmon and whatever, then hit the cave and lay low for four months. There metabolism drops big time since they just need to stay alive (deep sleep), but because they are not eating, they come out of the cave much leaner (six pack abs :) ) because they used their fat to fuel their long deep slumber.

So the two phenomenon can co-exist. You can lower your metabolism and lose body fat. However, as you attest, this isn't a very fun way to do it.

Without getting really into it, the better (call in more mentally and physcially healthy) way to lose weight is to eat at your BMR, which keeps your metabolism normal; then stay active doing what you like to do. Shoot hoops, dance, shop, hunt, golf, etc. By staying active, your excess NRG over your BMR keeps you burning fat from the deficit. Moreover, you won't be cranky or depressed the whole time. The healthy clip you should expect is one to two pounds per week.

Knowledge is more than half the battle. :)

I also suggest that you find someone knowledgeable to encourage and motivate you to help you reach your goal. This really helps.

I believe this answers your question, but if not, you may email me.

Good luck on your diet and fitness goals!

Trainer Gregg
[e-mail]
"You can achieve anything you set your mind on."

Answer 2

When you don't eat enough your body starts to break down muscle and fat, and it also becomes dehydrated because most food contains water. You can avoid losing too much muscle by exercising while your on a diet. You shouldn't judge your health by your weight, you should go off your body-fat levels. I weigh 200 pounds but my body-fat is less than 10% so I'm still classed as healthy. If your not eating most of your weight loss will be through muscle breakdown and dehydration so you will look gaunt and ill, not healthy.

Rapid weight loss can lead to a variety of health problems, and aesthetically it can leave you with loose folds of skin because the skin takes a while to contract. See the link below on what your doing to your body by not eating.

To lose body-fat exercise regularly and start calorie counting. Work out your BMR and try to eat about 500 calories a day less than this.

Running is one of the best ways to lose weight, cycling, swimming, rowing are also very good. If your not comfortable with these try dancing to your favorite music in your bedroom for an hour a day.

Don't try to lose weight it too quickly, 2 pounds a week maximum. The 2nd link below shows you how to work out your BMR.

Answer 3

The less you eat, the more your metabolism slows down, but there's a point at which it can't be much slower because your body still needs to function (example, your heart beats, you breathe, etc.) This is an exrememtly unhealthy way to lose weight, however, because the second you start eating again, all the weight come back. It'll come back really fast too because your metabolism is so slow.

Answer 4

You will lose weight if you starve yourself. It's a very complicated process, but I'll try to keep it simple.

Catabolysis occurs as as the body runs out of usable energy. It works to break down tissues to protect organs and the nervous system. You'll indeed lose weight, as the body breaks down non-essential material.

Your body also has a wonderful self defense mechanism. It perceives the steep calorie deficit as a problem, and lowers your metabolism to try to save you.

In theory, once normal caloric intake is restored, your body seeks to replenish stores, and rebuild.

A safe weight loss rate is no more than 2-3 pounds per week. Anything more and your body goes into defense mode and will sabotage your efforts.

Be smart and take it slow.

Answer 5

Your grammar and spelling is awful.

You can't lose 30 pounds in two months in any way that is healthy. If you are committed to losing weight you need to have a longer timeframe. Eat less calories than you expend...it is that simple. Eat healthily and exercise, but don't starve yourself like you are doing.

What you are doing is horrible for your body.

Answer 6

When you stop eating, you lose muscle instead of fat. The percentage of muscle in your body actually helps you burn calories faster, and therefore it lowers your metabolism. So, by failing to eat, you're actually becoming less healthy and preparing your body to gain weight back faster when you begin eating again because of your lowered metabolism.

Answer 7

unfortuntely yes, you gain it all back and faster than you lost it, sometimes even more weight.