Starvation mode? help me please!

[psychmeout]

Hi everyone--

I'm new to this board and was wondering if anyone knows any info about
starvation mode? I initiallly went on a diet to lose a few extra lbs.
that I gained when I initially went away to college. Basically, it was
a diet gone wrong and ended up eating only like 600 cals. per day. I
lost weight, but then started gaining on that amount regardless of how
much exercise i did. I've tried to up my cals now up to 1200-1500 per
day, but gained 12 lbs. within 1 month. I am 5'2 and have ALWAYS been
about 107 lbs. before dieting and eating whatever I wanted. Now I can
just drink water and get fat. HAve I permanently damaged my
metabolism? Is there any way I can fix this? If so... how long?
Pleas help.. I am so depressed, I don't want out of my house unless I
absolutely have to.

[rawgirl]

It sounds like you messed up your metabolism. I've done that kind of 600 cal stuff before but fortunately not for very long. I do lose and gain very easily though. I think that with time your metabolism should get back to normal with exercise and right eating habits. I don't know how long it will take; I'm no expert.

Awww..cheer up! I know how ya feel. I've felt like locking myself up so no one could see me... Know the feeling. Wish I could help more.:hug:

[psychmeout]

aww.. thanks rawgirl for replying. This board seems to have much nicer people than the boards on google groups. I posted my problem there, everyone started attacking me saying that "Oh your post raises some red flags" " Sounds like you have an eating disorder" .What the heck.. talk about kicking someone when they are super down already!

[rawgirl]

Awww..I'm sorry they said that. That's the last thing you need.

Libellula, what do you think? You always have some good piece of advice.

[bstutzma]

I think that if you start getting back on a steadily normal diet, your body will fix itself. be sure you are drinking lots of water - if you are dehydrated, that also sends your body into "starvation" mode.

Don't overdo the cardio exercises... it will get counterproductive. Be sure to do some muscle training too - it will help you lose weight faster, and turn the weight you have into the type that helps you burn calories faster :-) Good luck!

[psychmeout]

thank you so much bstutzma for the advice.

any more suggestions? experiences?

*sigh. I feel so hopeless..

[IamJen]

Some other ideas: moderate exercise can help boost metabolism, if that's the problem. Also, getting the right amount of sleep is helpful...too much or too little can both cause you to retain weight.

And....
I mean this is the gentlest way, since I struggle with weight issues nearly every single day, but there's some reason that people may have been concerned that you had an eating disorder. Aside from the calorie issues, you talk about not wanting to leave the house, feeling depressed, hopeless, etc. Having food issues/eating disorder doesn't make you a bad person, it just means that maybe you're going to have to pay special attention to some things that others don't. That said, I'm not qualified to diagnose you...just saying that maybe some of the folks at the other board were *concerned* and it didn't come across well.

[psychmeout]

hey iamjen-- yeah I know what you mean.. but I've some more replies on that other board and I've concluded that they are indeed mean: these are some of the comments: "She's either crazy or a troll, or a crazy troll" & someone telling me that Im lookin for a 'magical solution" to weight loss & that "I'm only lying to myself".

But I agree with you, I might sound like I have an ED since Im so depressed about this. I can't seem to have my old metabolism and seem to gain weight at a normal caloric intake, so yeah I am becoming really sad and obsessed and heck, maybe i am developing an eating disorder. i dont know... thanks for the feedback though.. appreciate it

[RachEliz]

First, I would say nothing is permanent. Even if your metabolism is temporarily messed up, with regular excercise and healthy eating you can get it balanced again.

I wrote on another post (20 lb weight loss post) just a few days ago about how frustrated I was with allowing myself to gain weight and that I was fed up, especially with the scale and I have seriously sworn off of it. The 12 pounds you've gained might be water weight, it may not even be fat, so it can come off easier over time. Plus, since you just recently gained the weight, you shouldn't have a problem losing it in a relatively short period of time. I would say stop going on the scale - like I said a few days ago it completely controlled my moods-if it was a bad number I would feel horrible for the rest of the day and obsessively go on it every few hours, it's not worth it.

THe most important thing is to eat small meals throughout the day, make sure you're eating healthy and take a multivitamin to ensure vitamins/minerals. Try to get a good physical workout at least 3 times a week but don't overdo it, if you work out every day your body won't have recovery time and you'll feel tired and drained. As long as you are keeping your body active and well fed, it should stabilize.

It's interesting you mention the not wanting to leave your house unless you have to. I woke up this morning in a half daze and I don't know if I had some bizarre dream, but I realized that I've spent so much time doing nothing with my life because I've been waiting to look perfect and lose weight, or whatever else physically I'm unhappy with and it's crazy. I'm 27 years old and 10 years ago I NEVER thought I would be like this. Extra weight or other physical things are so not worth ruining your life over (I know it is so much easier said than done), but we all can't say that we'll be happy when we lose 20 pounds or when we look a certain way because I'm convinced that when we get there, it'll just be something else. :cry:
O.K., that's depressing.

On a lighter note, just posting that message shows that you're taking a step to get back on track and that's great. :) If you ever get really sad or you want to talk, you can pm me anytime.

Take care

[Libellula]

it's great that you recognize that you weren't eating enough. you probably temporarily freaked out your metabolism and eating normally should help to balance that out. eat healthy foods and recognize that you can have sweet treats and junk food in moderation. don't be afraid of gaining a little weight: you're getting older, and five extra pounds might not be a bad thing. when your metabolism straightens out, you'll be at the weight you're supposed to be.

i'm recovered from anorexia, and i know that straightening your metabolism out after not eating enough is scary, because you do gain weight. you may want to talk to a counselor at your school, or see if your school has a registered dietician on staff, either as a professor or working professional or both. it will help you... i'm not saying this is a *bad* thing to do at all, it makes things less scary, frustrating, and depressing for you because it helps you see (the dietician) that you are eating healthy foods in proper quantities....

if you ever need to talk, PM me..

and rawgirl: ya'll are making me feel loved... :)