When your body is in starvation mode and you are exercising will your body burn fat too or just lean muscle?

Question

I have read when you do not eat enough your body goes into starvation mode and you will actually become "fatter"- % of body composition is made up more of fat- because your body is burning lean muscle. Is this true?
If so, if you are to excercise - cardio and light weights-would you lose body fat and maintain lean muscle?

Answer 1

Starvation mode is very good to burn hard earned muscle and fat.

To prevent muscle breakdown you must go on a high protein ratio i.e. Protein /carbohydrate /fat = 70/20/10.

Pre competition ,if this applies, one go on a ratio of 80/20/0.

Do not forget water ,minimum 5 liters /day, otherwise the muscles go flabby and pathologically loses tonus.

Good Luck

Answer 2

Well, don't get to starvation mode, and you won't have to worry.

Honestly, your body starts burning muscle and connective tissue. It takes fat from your brain. It weakens your immune system because it stops "wasting" calories on producing white blood cells. IT IS VERY DAMAGING TO YOUR HEALTH. Who cares if you are a thin corpse, you are still dead. Actually wanting to get to starvation mode AND exercising - you may be in danger of developing an eating disorder. If this is more than a "just curious" question, you do need to seek out help.

Answer 3

You may lose some fat, but you will lose mostly lean muscle. Yes, you can end up with a higher body fat percentage. This is why it's so important to eat enough calories from both carbs and protein and do strength training as well as cardio, to prevent as much muscle loss as possible. Unfortunately, with any weight loss, it is inevitable that you will lose some muscle, but you can greatly reduce the amount you lose by following the above.

HTH : )

Answer 4

If you are not providing your body with at least 1200-1500 calorie diet each day then your body will begin to burn lean muscle. In addition, when you do eat, your body will hold on to as much of the "fatty" products in foods because it does not know when it will be fed again. This is how fat builds quickly on the body.

Answer 5

If you are in starvation mode the body will burn everything available including muscle. The exercise trick would be do it at a lower intensity so you remain in fat burning mode

Answer 6

Yes because your body will hold onto everything you take in. And all you will do is hurt your body.

Try this...

Try a calorie counter watch.
When you can see the numbers it makes a huge difference
You may just need a new way of looking at it.

You take 3,500 plus your intake..Normal is 1,200 when on a diet.

So you have to burn 4,700 a day to burn one pound. Its really easy to do when you can see your goal in numbers. You find yourself shaking your bootie to some music while cooking dinner or waving your arms while watching tv to make sure your numbers are still counting. When you can see what it takes to make your number goal you will have a better idea of what it takes to loose a pounds. And it makes everything seem so easy.

You can pick up an inexpensive one off an online auction or a sports store.

Good Luck

Answer 7

You will lose both lean muscle and fat, but it's EXTREMELY unhealthy. Take it from someone who has an eating disorder. I exercised excessively and didn't eat enough and lost 15 lbs in a month and lost A LOT of muscle! You'll feel very sick and tired, too.

Answer 8

Both, because the body needs fat, and will burn reserves of fat along with lean.

Answer 9

when you are in "starvation" mode your body tries to protect itself from starving by storing fat, and using body muscle to burn for energy.

Answer 10

Lean muscle.