Hi all - I have a question.

Has anyone actually experience "starvation mode" while dieting? If so, what have you noticed besides slower rate of weight loss? I'm concerned because my resting pulse is low and hovers around 50, but no symptoms other than that exist. I do briskly walk (4 mph) 20 miles per week, but even with that level of exercise a resting pulse of 50 still seems low to me. I'm not excluding other conditions (seeing the Dr. Monday), but can starvation mode drop your pulse to that level? My normal resting pulse is usually around mid-60's.

Diet details....
I have lost about 50 pounds over the last 10 weeks (still have 50 to go). I've done this by eating 1500 calories per day and limiting fat intake to 40 grams or less, along with the exercise mentioned above. I am a 6'2" male, but does 1500 Cals constitute "starvaion"? Should I slow down the weight loss and see what happens? Maybe increase calories and/or fat intake?

Thanks for reading. Any insight appreciated.

I think that the amount of weight you lost is too much in that time frame. Congratulations, although, for making such an effort!

I think it's suggested to lose about a pound a week, but no more than that. When I lost my weight, I found that when I leveled off, that I was still extremely hungry. That's the body trying to get you to eat more to gain the weight back. You'll notice that for months, I believe. So, you've only begun....

In my opinion, since you've already lost so much weight, I'd increase the calories so that the weight loss is not as much. That's great that you are exercising. That's key. Have you switched to natural (non-processed) foods? There's so many different opinions on what is the ideal diet, but basically I think one should first stop eating the junk foods.

With a healthy diet and exercise, your long term efforts will pay off. If you go back to the "old ways", then you'll most likely just gain it back. It's a tough challenge to do it, but it sounds like you're doing great and that you'll succeed. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Thanks Rhody!

I am watching processed foods, although I haven't eliminated them completely. Dinner, which is usually my small meal of the day, tends to be more processed than not. I agree with increasing the calorie intake. Let me try that for a week or two and see what happens with the pulse rate. Thanks!

Hello, are you on any perticular diet plan or just the lower calories? I'm on a low carb diet myself and am interested in hearing about others that are losing weight. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Hello, are you on any perticular diet plan or just the lower calories? I'm on a low carb diet myself and am interested in hearing about others that are losing weight. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

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Linda

No paticular diet plan. My guidelines are fairly simple. Keep around 1500 calories/day, limit fat intake to under 40 grams/day, do 20 miles of brisk walking per week and keep alcohol under 2 a day. This has been successful for me, but I think I need to bump up the calorie intake becuase my metabolism seems to have slowed down. I've bumped up the calorie intake a few hundred per day. The weight loss is slowing down, but I feel better and am less tired all the time.