ONE persons' view on the "starvation mode"...

that many nutritionist will have you BELIEVING.  

I just want to state for the record that (unless we ignore our program) our bodies are NOT starving after GBS. They are functioning the way they were intended to function – finally having a chance to burn up the extra stored fuel! 

The medical dictionary describes starvation as “the result of a severe or total lack of nutrients needed for the maintenance of life." 

My overweight mother used to say, well, if there is a famine at least we’ll be the last ones to die! Morbidly obese bodies have stored enough energy (fat) to function for a long time without eating. Our bodies were designed to store extra energy during times of plenty and to burn that energy when food is scarce. Unfortunately, in today’s society, we never burn the excess. Since we should all be on supplemental vitamin plans, w e can go a long, long time on very few additional calories. That said, we do need to get in the 70 grams of protein so our bodies don’t eat our muscles along with the fat. 

Our bodies do require a certain body fat percentage for essential functions (2-4% for men and 10-12% for women). As long as we are getting our vitamins and protein, we aren’t “starving" unless our body fat gets below the essential body fat percentage. Male athlete’s body fat percentages range between 6-13%. Female athlete body fat percentages range from 14-20%. Unless a person is close to the essential body fat function percentage, and/or not getting our vitamins, that person is not “starving." He/she is simply using the reserve fuel stores the way God designed them to be used. 

My life is being maintained better now than it was when I was super-morbidly obese. I am getting better nutrition (mostly because I take my vitamins now). I am making sure I have enough protein for my muscles to repair and grow. My body is functioning better and feels better than it has since my 20s.

Just wanted to put some factual info out there for the newbies.  

 This is terrific information and exactly what is needed to break the myth of how we're all starving ourselves to lose the weight! Thanks for spelling it out in a way that's easy to follow. 

Great t hought on this.  I have never bought in to the "starvation mode" .  In fact, my body doesn't seem to want to lose unless I severely limit my calories.  My metabolism is screwed up after a lifetime of abuse, but it never thinks I am starving.  ha ha

This a really great, clear explanation of this. Thanks!
You rock, Ms. Shell!!

 But damnit ...I'm STARVING. 

Great post and definitely something that can be challenging to get your head around as you consume 100 or so calories your first week out.  "How am I not fainting?" was a question I myself asked on this forum. :)

If starvation mode theory were correct wouldn't the concentration camp victims of Nazi Germany have stopped losing weight and survived? I believe the liberation pictures speak for themselves on that.

I have never bought into the starvation mode theory. I do believe that most of us have screwed up metabolic rates and issues and that makes it harder for us to lose weight on the same amount of calories as a "normie".

The only thing I know that can correct our metabolic issues is to get the engine restarted via exercise.

Okay, off my soap box!

Can you please provide scientific references for your information?

Not trying to be difficult, but you say "for the record" and "factual info for the newbies".  A lot of people post info here as fact without any real clinical trial evidence to back it up.

Thank you!

Perhaps I should have "edited" that part of "ONE person's view on the "starvation" mode.

Ms Shell

I happen to believe in starvation mode... human can in fact go into starvation mode which is in fact what happens to anorexic people when other bodily parts & functions break down...HOWEVER, I do agree, obese, morbidly obese & super obese folks like us have a LONGGG way to go before worrying about that...
the infamous 3 week stall is in fact a component of starvation mode, its just with US, the body is re-adjusting before in it's infinite wisdom begins to deplete necessary functions, etc...