File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
I have a really dumb question about weight loss.

So the seemingly obvious way to lose weight is to just stop eating as much as one typically does. Maybe even drastically cut back on calories, as well as increase exercise.

And then there are those who say don't cut back on calories drastically, because it'll send your body "into starvation mode" and eff up your metabolism, meaning your body will burn calories more slowly and store fat.

So... how do you lose weight? What's the balance between calorie reduction and not going into "starvation mode"? Is the starvation mode theory a load of crap, because a lot of people starve, and duh, get thin eventually.
>> Anonymous
If you drastically cut back your calories, you'll body will be getting just enough calories from the food, and not use up your stored energy, ie fat. The real key to losing weight is ramping up your metabolism. Putting on some muscle thru weight training + cardio increases the thermogenic effect, while taking in a calorie deficit makes you lose fat the best. You should be eating 5-6 small meals a day instead of 3 large meals to have the body avoid just getting the calories from the food. Also, look into HIIT for your cardio training.
>> Anonymous
Some background information:
3500 extra calories = 1 pound of fat

Average person(perhaps not anymore) eats ~2000 calories/day

Body generally requires 1800cal/day to function.

With these stats, if you, say, consumed slightly less that normal calories, say, down to 1800, you'd be at a neutral zone of balanced weight. But then, if you exercise and burn a bit you will slowly lose weight.

The sweet zone of not being in starvation mode but still losing weight is between 1400-1800 cal/day, someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Make sure you eat several small meals a day (6-8) to keep your metabolism up, not just a few large ones.
>> Anonymous
The deal with the whole "starvation mode" thing is that, unless you're fasting for extended periods of time and still moving around a bit to engage the muscles, you probably won't enter into ketosis. Most people will "fast" for only a day or two which usually won't haul you over into ketosis to get the fat-burning effect. Otherwise, your body will leech protein stores from the muscles, which is why everybody tends to think it's bad for you.

This is also how the low-carb atkins diet works, by cutting out glucose sources (carbs) from the diet to throw your body into ketosis.
>> Anonymous
>>80640
>>80641
Thanks for the info, guys.

I'm a girl and I really want to lose a ton of weight and fast. I'm willing to put in a lot of discipline to do it. My goal was to eat under 1000 calories a day (maybe around 800-900) and burn at least 300 a day through exercise. Is that a stupid way to lose weight? Am I farking up somehow?
>> Anonymous
>>80646

Unless you're really fat, it doesn't sound like you'll be getting enough nutrition. Your hair and fingernails might get dry and brittle, and you'll probably feel lethargic.

The main problem with this is that what most likely will happen is that you'll do really good for a while, then cave in and binge, because you're so goddamn hungry.
>> Anonymous
>>80656
My BMI is 31, which is right at the point where I'm categorized as "obese." So yeah, I'm really fat.

What if I take fiber pills and spend my calories on proteins-- eggs, tuna, chicken-- and lots of vegetables like spinach and broccoli? Protein and fiber fill you up, right? So I wouldn't necessarily feel hungry?

I also drink a ton of tea and water regularly, which help me feel full.
>> Anonymous
>>80661

Protein and the spinach and broccoli are good. You won't need fiber pills unless they are the soluble fiber kind. Try to aim for 1-2 different fruits a day, for more variety of nutrition. Also, ease into the fiber intake, unless you want explosive diarrhea.

You won't really feel hungry on that kind of diet, unless you 'cheat' and eat a high carbohydrate meal. That seems to happen to a lot of people, they'll eat a big carbo dinner, and then all of a sudden they can't stop the hunger pains. In about two weeks you'll notice your stomach will start to shrink, and you won't need as much food.
>> Anonymous
>>80661
Be careful about tea, especially if it's caffeinated, as it has a diuretic effect. I think the way it works is that diuretics cancel out some of the benefits of your fluid intake because your body will need use more water to flush it out (or to flush out whatever your body metabolizes it into) in your urine.

Similarly, you'll should make sure you get a bit of extra water intake on a higher protein diet. Most of what's left after the body has done all it can to get the useful bits out of protein is nitrogen-containing, and the body's favorite way to get rid of that is as urea.