I've been reading a lot of horror stories...

Hi all! My names Catriona and I have decided to join the forums after weeks of 'spying'.....

Anyway, for the last 3 and a half weeks I have been restricting my calories to around 600-800 per day, I have lost around 19lbs so far, and I'm finding it surprisingly easy..

Im 5ft 7 and currently weigh 215 lbs...

However I have been reading a lot on the internet about how my body will end up in 'starvation mode' and I'll end up puting on weight! I just dont understand how this could happen!? Is it true or is it just a scare tactic??

Also do you all think I could lose another 56lbs in around 12 weeks?

Thanks all!

Hi Catriona and a warm welcome to minimins and the road to slendertown....lol

I can not give you the 100% accurate scientific aspects of ketosis and starvation but I'll try anyway..

First of all, there is a huge difference between ketosis and starvation. I starvation your body isn't sure of when the next food will come so it converts everything it possibly can to fat to keep you going. In ketosis your body burns your own body fat. Starvation happens when you eat to little, that is why often people who think they'll loose weight on skipping meals will actually put weight on. Ketosis occurs when the body only gets enough carbs to keep going (basic funtions) and for anything else the body's own fat is burnt and used.

Not sure this is clear but I'm pretty sure it is fairly accurate. No doubt there will be somebody along shortly who will be able to explain it a bit better. Alternatively, we do have a thread on the start page of the CD forum which explains ketosis in all it's glory...

Hope this helps a little ..

Welcome again and good luck

xxx

My doctor told me that you should never, ever go below 1500 calories a day as that's what your body needs to do simple things like breathing, creating waste and skin repair etc.

If I were you hun i'd just up your calories but counter them by exercising. From what I understand if you keep on only having that few you will stop losing weight altogether. Plus, I can't imagine that you are feeling too great on so few calories.

Good luck though and you have done well to lose so much weight so far! Make sure you're looking after yourself.

xxx

P.S, In my opinion 56lb in 12 weeks would be a bit much. Bear in mind that your skin has to cope with losing the fat and if this happens too quickly it might not want to spring back. Another theory is that if you lose it more slowly the more likely it is to stay off.

xxx

If you're doing it yourself (rather than on a VLCD) are you getting all your nutrients? VLCDs work because they give your body all it needs on a small intake of cals. If you're just cutting out lots of things to make it the lowest cals you can, you could be in danger of hurting yourself!

On a VLCD your body will slow down (your metabolic rate slows by about 10%) but you won't go into starvartion mode unless you over-exercise. However, if you're not getting all your nutrients, your body may well try to store all it can in order to get the nutrients that it CAN access.

Thank you everone for your answers, I am managing to stick to my VLCD of 600-800 cals quite easily but after reading your advice I have increased my calories to a min of 1000, Im making sure Im eating plenty of fresh fruit & vegetables as well as chicken and fish, Im not a big red meat eater so I have cut that out completely......and Im making sure Im drinking planty of water....

Thanks again for taking the time to reply to me, its appreciated.

Catriona

Make sure you are getting your iron too! In the next three months, my goal is to lose a stone and a half.

hi catbee. maybe you should think about getting a good multivit to make sure you are getting all the vitamins and minerals you need.

good luck.

abz xx