Has my body gotten used to starvation?? - Diet & Nutrition Message Board

jessiesgirl · 04-02-2003, 12:34 PM

Hi everyone. Let me start off by saying that I used to weigh 268 lbs two years ago. Right now I'm at about 146 lbs, trying to still lose about 25-30 (because I am barely 5'1) but I can't seem to get down any more. I have hit a plateau at 146 and I would really like some tips on how to break it. My question is, I went about losing most of this weight pretty unhealthily. In the beginning it was fine, but as I saw results, I wanted them faster so I basically starved myself alot. I would not eat more than 1,000 calories, in fact the average I would take in a day would be 700-800 and hardly any fat, probably about 10 grams. I didn't take vitamins either so because of all this, I have started losing my hair (it is much thinner now than it used to be), developed bad skin, get cold easily and I'm anemic.
I have heard that as you lose weight, you're supposed to cut down your calories more. Is this really what I would have to do? I would really hate to have to eat even less than 700-800 calories a day! Besides I really want to be healthier, I want to fix my skin, and nails problems and regrow my hair.

I have also heard you're supposed to eat 10 times your weight, so I'd be in eating 1460 calories a day. That is much more that I'm used to. I'm afraid that if I ADD calories, I'll gain weight, because I now gain weight pretty fast if I eat more than normal.

Has my body gotten used to being starved, and adjusted to the fact that it really doesn't get much food? How can I fix this problem, lose the rest of the weight, but still be healthy. I don't think I care about the quickness of losing anymore, I just want to get the last of it off in a healthy way. I feel like I'm doomed either way. I'm afraid to add calories because I think I'm gonna gain weight, and I'm afraid of cutting calories because I hardly eat enough as it is. And I surely don't want to be doing that for the rest of my life.

I also exercised almost everyday. I would run about 3 miles and walk one. But I got sick of not seeing any results and have quit that as well.

Help!!

Absinthe · 04-02-2003, 12:51 PM

I'm not sure what you are asking, but here goes...

You need to eat healthy in order to be healthy. Your body is in starvation mode - hair loss, bad skin, weight plateau - and it will take patience to get it working properly again. You need to eat a *minimum* of 1200 calories to get all your nutrients. 1500 would be better.

You should really talk with a nutrition expert so they can develop a plan for you. If that's not possible, at least look online for a healty eating plan. Try looking at the FDA's food guide for a start. It's not perfect, but it's better than what you are doing now.

Permanent weight loss takes time. Rapid results = rapid re-gain. Be patient.

Lisi_xx · 04-02-2003, 01:03 PM

Hi there ...

first of all let me tell you that I am only telling you my own experience and this is NOT professional advise on how to deal with this problem. Like mentioned in above reply you should really see a nutritionist and work out a healthy eating plan ...

I used to do the same thing as you did when I was younger (about 15) ... I suddenly gained a lot of weight (comfort eating) and because I never used to be overweight I wanted to rid myself of the weight ASAP so I did what you did and starved myself. I had the same side effects that you have e.g. bad skin, thin hair etc. ... I never actually counted my calories but I guess it was not much more than about 600 a day. Of course this is the WORST thing you can do to your body cos like you said your body is now used to working on such low calorie intake and intake of more calories could result in weight gain. The way I got out of it is not very clever therefore PLEASE do not take this as advise or as "how to do it" ... when I got stuck and couldn't rid myself of the last few pounds I started comfort eating again (being fed up etc.) and my calories went to probably 2000 a day and of course the weight went straight back up ...BUT after that I took on a lot of advise from family and friends and lowered my calories to a healthy amount of about 1500 and I lost the weight ... slowly but healthily ... all the side effects (bad skin etc.) went as well ...

I also managed to keep the weight off for 3 yrs (I never used to have a weight problem and once I lost the weight I was back to eating just "normal" and didn't have to count calories or anything) and well lol after that it went a bit wrong and I am back on dieting ... I have only got about 25lbs to lose now and am doing this on slim fast at the moment ...

good luck to you!

~Lisi~

NewMe · 05-30-2003, 11:39 AM

Only personal opinion and a bit of what ive found thru alot of reading and investigating the infamous 'plateau' issue.
At your present issue, you must increase your calories, and then back to what your doing now. That way your body adjusts.

auntjudyg · 06-02-2003, 07:53 AM

jessiesgirl, CONGRATULATIONS on the weight loss! Goodness gracious girl, you have lost over 100 pounds!!!

Almost nobody losses weight at a steady rate, as I am sure you noticed. Some weeks its more, some weeks its less, some weeks its not at all, then there are the famous plateaus.

And when you are so close to your goal, it gets more exasperating. It might be helpful just to stop thinking about weight loss for just a little while. Start practicing what your maintenance diet will be; just working to maintain your weight and eat healthily. Let you body get used to this big changes you have made already. Then in a couple of weeks (or month or so), reduce your calorie intake a little to take off the last couple of pounds. (Kick up your exercise a little, too, of course.)

You've almost made it! A little more patience won't hurt TOO much!

Good luck! Keep us posted!