Why didn't I go into starvation mode?!


Question: Why didn't I go into starvation mode?
I have been hearing a lot (of different information) about starvation mode. So, I decided to do a little experiment and see for myself. For two months, I ate in between 400 and 800 calories per day. I lost 25 pounds! Then, I started slowly working my way up to my maintenance (minimum) amount of calories a day. I am currently eating my maintenance, and I haven't gained any of the weight back. Soon, I plan to start eating a little bit more and burning it off with exercise. Anyway, back to my question: why didn't I go into starvation mode? Thanks!

Answers:

If you're referring to the popular bodybuilding definition of "starvation mode," you didn't go into it because it's a myth, and not real. The weight you lost would have been both muscle and fat, and the reason you haven't gained anything back is because you are eating at maintenance, and not at a caloric surplus.



You did. That's how you lost 25 pounds in 2 months. You normally lose about 8 pounds a month (2 pounds per week)



you lost weight, but was it all fat or some muscle?

its possible you did go into a form of starvation



I'm curious as to why you want to destroy your body to lose that much muscle



Please don't do that again. You could die.



First of all, did you consult a doctor or nutritionist before conducting this experiment? It can be very dangerous to consume very low amounts of calories over any extended period of time. Did you record or analyze the nutritional content of the foods you ate? 400 calories-worth of a sugar-heavy diet will have a different impact than 400-calories worth of a protein-rich diet, versus a nutritionally balanced one.
Going into starvation mode, let alone ATTEMPTING to, is extremely dangerous. It should not be attempted, especially by an amateur who is solo, with no supervision for safety's sake. True starvation mode leads to the body burning through its resources to keep you alive. Why do you want this? Once fat is burned down, the body resorts to feeding itself with muscle tissue. Check out some photos of people at or near starvation in developing countries. These people are in severe pain, have very little energy, and are often near death. Why anyone would be trying to replicate this condition I will never understand.
Please consult with a physician or nutritionist should you choose to do any further dietary experiments. If you are curious about starvation, ASK these experienced, qualified people about it, don't mistreat your body! A doctor can help you determine what a safe low-calorie diet would consist of, if ((HEALTHY)) weightloss is your goal. Self-experimentation will not be condoned by any physician worth his or her salt, however.




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