i keep hearing 'starvation mode'?

Question

what exactly is this, and how do i NOT do this, but still lose weight?
i went to this really good website yesterday
www.calorie-count.com
and now i'm starting to count my calories and exercise

so yeah, what exactly is starvation mode & how do i avoid it?

Answer 1

its when your body doesn't get enough nutrients and starts saving energy (calories) - the same thing you did before now requires less energy (calories), body doesn't want ANY fat reserves to let go and actually converts everything you eat in more fat because it thinks its not getting anything anytime soon.

find calorie/fitness calculator on the net, enter your stats and it will tell you how many calories a day you need to maintain your weight. take 300-400calories off that number and that's how much you need to lose weight.
eat 5-6 small meals a day instead of 3 big ones.
5-8 servings of fruit and vegetables a day.
8 glasses of water a day.
4-6 times a week cardio work out for 30-50min plus light weight training.
no junk food, no sodas, no white flour (white bread, pasta, cookies, cakes etc)

Answer 2

Starvation mode happens when your body is deficient in a vital caloric nutrient (usually carbs or protein) and it forces the body to cannibalize its own lean mass in order to satisfy the deficiency. This loss in muscle slows the resting metabolic rate and stops weight loss.

The most common way to enter starvation mode is extremely low calorie dieting because keeping the caloric intake that low means depriving yourself of one or more of the vital caloric nutrients. Low carb dieting is also another common way.

However, starvation mode can also happen in a caloric surplus (where the person is getting fatter while the muscles are starving) if the person eats poorly enough.

As an analogy, if your car runs out of gas, and you only service the oil, it is still out of gas.

Here is more info about starvation mode.
http://spartafit.com/articles/requirement%20for%20calories.html

Answer 3

Many people think that starving themselves will lead to fast weight loss. A starvation diet does not mean the absence of food. It means cutting the total caloric intake to less than 50% of what the body requires. The body responds by using its own reserves to provide energy, and these reserves are not just the body`s extra fat. Initially, glycogen stores are broken down for energy. Glycogen is the storage form of carbohydrate in our body. There is little glycogen available so this energy source is depleted during the first hours of starvation. When glycogen is used, water is released which is noticed as a drop in weight on the scale. These labile stores are quickly replenished when feeding is resumed which is noticed by an increase in weight.

The individual`s initial weight when starting a starvation diet will dictate to what extent fat is lost. Those individuals who are not obese (Body Mass Index (BMI) < 30) will tend to lose their lean body mass more easily and quickly than those who are obese (BMI > 30). It is dangerous for these smaller individuals to go on a starvation diet because the lean mass that is lost may come from organs such as the heart.

The more common problem resulting from starvation-type diets is the resultant weight regain.

Answer 4

O.K. As far as starvation mode...when we diet we have to be real careful...
Actually the best way to diet, is to lower our calorie intake, but have a few small meals a day...
Low Calorie Breakfast
Snack in between b/fast and Lunch
Lunch
Snack in between Lunch and Dinner

Sometimes when people diet, they starve themselves, or do not eat properly, thinking, Not eating, No gaining...
Which is not true at all...If we starve ourselves, and dont eat, Our body..actually goes into starvation mode, thinking we are starving, its a natural process, and our body then stores our body fat, instead of shedding it.
So, just no matter what diet you are on, just make sure you eat, eat healthy food, some people just stop eating all together, and go into starvation mode...
Eat healthy ...and you will do just fine...

Answer 5

Starvation mode is the length of time until your next meal. This is why you snack 3 hours after each meal and eat 3 hours after that. After 4 hours without food your body thinks theres a food shortage and slows the rate at which it burns calories. To avoid this, eat breakfast, wait 3 hours, eat a snack, wait 3 hours, eat lunch, wait 3 hours, eat a snack, wait 3 hours, eat dinner, and stop for the night. If you still feel hungry after dinner have another snack 3 hours later. You only need 5-6 small meals a day to keep your bodies metabolism in check and burn those extra calories. This way, youll never feel hungry but youll be losing weight. Click the link for a balanced diet idea

http://www2.oprah.com/health/bob/bestlife/bestlife_oprah_7day.jhtml

Click here for information on foods that could save and entend your life and add these as your snacks:

http://www2.oprah.com/health/omag/health_omag_200704_foods_350_101.jhtml

Good luck!

Answer 6

When you are not eating enought your body goes into starvation mode and will hold on to your body fat because it thinks it will starve. If you are losing weight then you must be eating enough. If you are starving yourself, you will lose weight for a little while until your body goes into starvation mode, then you will stop. If you are working out then your body requires more food.

Answer 7

When you deprive your body of enough caloric intake for your body mass, it goes into starvation mode. So basically, eat enough healthy foods (fruit, veg, good carbs), excercise and drink lots of water and you should be fine!