Is there such a thing as Starvation effect that prevents weight loss when dieting?
There is a starvation effect, but I think it would take a nutritionist to decide whether you triggered it. You should be able to live healthy on 1400 calories a day, but if you burn off 800 with just part of your workout, you may be eating too little. Usually you see the starvation effect when you are getting no food for an extended period of time, like when you skip breakfast. Because your body hasn’t seen food for half a day, it starts trying to conserve energy and store what it can. Eating something in the morning keeps your body in energy-burning mode all day–so if you are skipping breakfast, don’t, it’s hurting your efforts.
Yes, there is such a thing as “starvation effect” where your metabolism slows down and your body greedily hangs on to every last bit of body fat that you have. You’re not eating enough. Try eating 1,800 calories per day on non-workout days and 2,000 calories per day on workout days. You may also want to try eating six small meals or snacks per day instead of eating three squares or one big meal per day. Eating smaller amounts more often will boost your metabolism. Changing your workout routine may help too. If your body is used to your current workout, try something else like aerobics or high-intensity interval training or strength training using light weights and doing lots of repetitions. Good luck!
To live, your body requires a MINIMUM of 1000 calories a day to survive. 3500 calories is equal to 1 lb of fat. So, if you are staying under 3500 calories a day AND excercising there isn’t any reason at all why you should be gaining weight or at a standstill with your weightloss. Skipping meals is NOT going to help you lose weight. Skipping meals is going to actually slow down your metabolism, making it more and more difficult for you to lose weight. Your body is hungry for a reason. If you take away it’s nourishment and push it into starvation mode, your metabolism will slow down and your body will STORE everything you eat, because the rhythm has been thrown off and your body will not be able to predictwhen your going to eat again, so the food will be stored, for later. The best advice I can give you is to drink plenty of water (8-10 8oz glasses per day is the reccomended minimum) eat lots of high fiber fruits and veggies, avoid sugary foods and highly processed foods. Stick with lean
Yes there is a thing as starvation effect but no i don’t think you are experiencing it. Exercise actually boosts your metabolism rate and thus it is unlikely your body’s metabolism has slowed down to compensate. This only really occurs when people eat too little (e.g. below 1000 calories). What you are experiencing is normal – many people see a drastic loss in weight within the first few weeks or so and then find that the weight loss is slowing. In actual fact what is most likely happening is your body is now building muscle which weighs more than fat thus giving the illusion that you are not losing as much. Just keep to your new regime – you will eventually lose the weight. It may take time but it’ll be worth it. Also it is better to lose the weight more slowly – people who lose a lot of weight drastically can end up with unsightly excess skin which can then only be removed by surgery. Well done for losing the proper way – healthy diet and exercise. Good luck!!
Hi, I am very sceptical about this so called starvation effect, people who survived concentration camps and those in 3rd world countries who have both faced long periods of starvation and they show no signs of retaining or gaining weight. In my long term experience of dieting weight loss does slow down but should be around 2-3lbs per week although having said that I know a few people who lost a pound a week for a long time. I would try to speak to your gym trainer and see if altering your workout might help in case your building muscle which weighs heavy or burning sugar rather than fat. Also maybe changing your diet a bit, perhaps the foods you are eating dont suit you, intolerances can slow weight loss. Above all you are losing and slow loss usually means you are less likely to regain. I have just started my own journey which sounds like a similar one to yours, I can only hope I do as well!
