Starvation dieting...could it work??

N

nonjo

New member

You know, they say that "starvation diets" don't work, but my husband's sister-in-law had a gastric by-pass 2 years ago and within 1 year she'd lost over 200 lbs. Seems to me the only difference between what she did and what I could do is that she doesn't feel hunger...ever.

I've played with it a bit and after a few days the hunger goes away if I don't eat more than a handful of celery & stuff like that a few times a day. If I got some really good vitamins, I think it could work!

I'm wondering what all of you think about it?


 
Define work...

is it something you could stick with for the rest of your life? No...

then why bother doing it?

I've lost 200lbs by eating moderate amount of calories,moderate exercise, no pills, no surgery, no pain... I don't starve and I'm rarely hungry...

What are your current stats and what are you trying to achieve?
 

Well, I am a 52 yr old woman with many health problems:
Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, low thyroid (my dr.keeps changing the strength because it changes with every blood test), high cholesterol and triglycerides, hiatal hernia, sciatica, and spinal stenosis. I cannot walk a 1/2 city block without my back "going out" on me, and I am around 135 lbs overweight. I also suffer from chronic depression and anxiety.

I've been happily married for 30 years, have 3 grown children and 1 grandbaby. My life consists mainly of housework and watching my granddaughter. I get up, work for a few minutes, then I'm down again for 15 minutes or so, then up again for about 5 min, then back down till my back locks up and I'm done for the day, only able to do what I absolutely have to for my grand.

I have tried so many diets that I am sick of the thought of it, because nothing works! I know that I am slowly dying, but it's getting to the point that sometimes I just don't care. I don't know what to do anymore!



 
and what does your current nutrition like?

are you on special diets for your high cholesterol and diabetes?

do you follow them?
 
I'm not going to say that a starvation diet won't take the weight off, because eventually it will and we all know it. But, is it something you can maintain for the rest of your life, because you can starve yourself down to nothing, but the minute you start eating normally again you are going to gain it all back and more. And trust me, starving yourself with type II diabetes is not the answer to anything except a coma.
There are healthy ways to lose weight, especially starting at your size you can have way more calories a day then you think you can and still lose weight, they just have to be smart calories. Try reading some diary's, the first one I suggest you enmesh yourself with is T2Truckers. Start at the very first page and read till your eyes hurt.
 
Not Such A Good Idea

Starvation diets aren't a very good idea. Honsetly, it will take your weight off, but chances are it will come back on and in the mean time you'll feel really sick.

A big difference between Gastric Bypass and starvation diets is that with Gastric Bypass usually the subject gets used to eating less and then has the surgery. They still eat, just not nearly as much as they used to.

With starvation diets you either stop eating all together all at once or you eat INCREDIBLY little. Not a good idea. Your body may react badly in many different ways. Chances are you'll feel sick, tired, and probably a little depressed, none of these are good for losing weight.

Then when you do hit a level of weight you like and start eating again, your body will do everything it can to store EVERY ounce of nutrition and fat it can get. Result? You'll gain the weight back. In the meantime, your bones and muscles will have suffered from lack of nutrition and probably lack of exercise since not eating could make you too tired to work out.

Vitamins can't handle your body's needs all by themselves. They're just helpers. Food is the real thing you need.

Just handle everything in moderation. I cut my calories from 3000 down to 2000 and now I've managed to keep them between 1200 and 2000 every day and so far I've lost 54 pounds. Maybe not as fast as a starvation diet, but I certainly don't feel sick, I feel fabulous. And I've gained strength along with losing fat, so overal I'm a more healthy person.

You're the only one who can choose what you do with your weight loss, but I really wouldn't suggest starvation.
 
Hi,
Starvation never works. I tried it myself. You just get irritable, very weak and I even got insomnia. The best weight loss plan i ever tried was Weight Watchers. Simple Philosophy of eating healthily and exersizing. The results aren't drastic, but they last. I found a site called groovybluetees.com. The site isn't complete at the moment but they have lots of recipes and information on the program. Its worth a look.
best of luck.
Vilandra.
 
I agree with all the other posts here. Also starvation diets or severely restricting calories are known to make an underactive thyroid worse. That and the fact that most diabetics have huge cravings kick in if their sugars are not stable. I see a whole lot of potential for dangerously aggravating health issues you already have and making weight loss that much harder later for very little results now.

I know how you feel though, to get to the point where you want to do something, ANYTHING to just get some sort of relief when the weight gets so bad. And the back pain you're going through makes things so much more difficult because it affects you're entire body. I definitely understand, being only 5' tall and 338 pounds. But honestly don't put yourself through that.

You're best bet is to do what everyone else has already said and find what works for you and with your health problems...a balanced diet and in moderation. And have you considered swimming? I don't know if what there is in your area but often gyms have swimming. I didn't want to pay for that so I found out that the "Comfort Inn" in my town has adults only swimming every day for really cheap by the day or a month is only 20 bucks. Also the YMCA is by the month as well, no contract and they have deals alot. Just getting in the water I bet would be a huge relief from your pain.

Another thing, I don't know what your situation is insurance wise but I bet you definitely would qualify for some physical therapy. The good thing about that is they would help you figure out what you could safely do and hey, can't beat the massage therapy part of it, lol. I really hope you find some solutions though, message me anytime if you want to talk. Welcome to the forum :) ~Lisa
 
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my first point/reaction... :svengo: !!!
really? a starvation diet? is this a real question or just baiting?
i would have to say a starvation diet is NEVER a good idea! i have never had stomach stapling or gastric bypass surgery, but i have watched many a special about people who have had it done on tv. they lose weight. sure. but many, if not most, that i saw on tv (only going by what i saw on tv, so don't get up in arms if you are reading this and have had either), most are unhappy with the small amount of food, and ARE hungry!!! of course, ANYONE is happy once they starting seeing a weight loss, but that doesn't mean they aren't hungry, and it doesn't mean they are happy with the method.
starvation is NEVER a good idea. i used to survive on 450 cals a day, and i lost. but the doctors told me that was the verge of anorexia, and now i have problems with weight loss, stomach, etc.
there are MANY diets that will let you eat plenty of food without starving, and still lose.
weight watchers lets you eat any type of food.
the suzanne sommers diet books let you eat unlimited quantities, as long as you follow the guidelines for putting meals together. eat till you are full! that might be a good one for you.
i would think if you can take care of a baby, you can get SOME exercise. just do a little at a time. start small. whatever is comfortable for you. you don't even have to go outside.
i would highly recommend (for your situation) to purchase one of leslie sansone's dvd's or vhs tapes. they are walking for exercise. you can work at your own pace. if you can only do five minutes to start, do five minutes. who cares? you are the only one who will see. before you know it, you'll be able to do 10 minutes, then 15, then 1/2 hour!!
don't (basically) starve yourself. your body needs certain nutrients every day.
good luck! :)
 
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