Is it normal that i feel that starvation dieting is the only way i lose weight?

32% Normal
20 Comments

I have tried to eat healthier in other ways but I find the only thing that is successful is to lower my calories to an extreme level and keep a food diary. I tend to just wait until I feel weak and feel faint than eat a little. My willpower tends to break down a little bit when it is late at night, but not enough to make a major difference because I find my stomach shrinks to the point that I feel full quickly anyway.

The only thing I don't like about losing weight this way is that I feel weak and about to faint at times though that is easily remedied. Also I feel this hot sensation come over my body from time to time but it is worth it to lose weight and be in control.

When I was last at a good weight I listened to people around me who are controlled by food and would accuse me of having an eating disorder. Which was ridiculous because I was only slightly underweight. The huge weight I am at now despite my efforts to be healthy has really only reinforced my belief that starvation dieting is the only real method to stay at a good weight.

Voting Results
32% Normal
Based on 63 votes (20 yes)
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 20 )
  • howaminotmyself
    11 years ago

    Food journals can be very helpful in weight management. I gave up processed foods and lost a bunch of weight without any effort. Starving myself only made me sick and unpleasant.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    2
    2
      -
    • SuperBenzid
      11 years ago

      I tried to give up all processed food but it had no effect. I eventually tried to eat nothing but vegetables but my digestion couldn't handle a diet only consisting of that and I don't think I lost any weight. Honestly I tried a lot of dietary changes but I find restriction to be the only effective means of losing weight. My food journal is great because if I fail one day I can write abusive messages to myself the next which tends to ensure that I eat less.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      -1
      -1
        -
      • ProseAthlete
        11 years ago

        Please see a doctor. Every message you leave is both indicative of disordered eating and of reaaaally needing attention.

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        1
        1
          -
        • SuperBenzid
          11 years ago

          They would probably laugh at my fat ass and send me to the zoo.

          Comment Hidden ( show )
          -1
          -1
      • howaminotmyself
        11 years ago

        How long did you try? It takes at least two weeks for your body to start to get familiar with a new diet.

        Your body needs food. I suggest you talk to a nutritionist. Losing weight isn't about eating less, it's about being healthy. Starving is the opposite of healthy.

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        0
        0
          -
        • SuperBenzid
          11 years ago

          I tried for about a month, it wasn't too bad but I couldn't get over the stomach irritation. Having some grain in the diet really helps me. I do know I would try steamed vegetables only again, though maybe one day.

          Comment Hidden ( show )
          0
          0
            -
          • howaminotmyself
            11 years ago

            Raw diets can be very hard on the digestive system. I wouldn't suggest doing that for more than a few days if your stomach doesn't tolerate it. But they can be great if you want to detox your body. But a whole food isn't only fruits and veggies. Grains are a whole food, provided it didn't come in a box. I had granola, yogurt, nuts, and a banana for breakfast. Only the granola was minimally processed but I don't beat myself up about it. This will give me the energy to be active and I will burn all those calories by lunchtime just by doing some laundry and other chores.

            I read somwhere that a whole food diet is more of a habit and not a diet. Just eat food that is as close to its natural state as you can. This includes meat if you are a meat eater, but buy it from a butcher, not a freezer.

            Comment Hidden ( show )
            0
            0
  • ProseAthlete
    11 years ago

    No one can diagnose you over the computer, but with your references to staying in control and feeling physically weak and faint from lack of food, it's no surprise that others have brought up eating disorders to you. The fact that you see people who eat normally as being "controlled by food" is also worrisome; it's normal to feel hunger and respond to it by eating.

    That's like saying that people who go to the bathroom are "controlled by their need to pee." No, it's just a normal biological function that you, for whatever reason, are trying to deny yourself.

    See a doctor.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
  • GreyWulfen
    11 years ago

    What is the sense of a diet when you harm your body in that way? That's completely unhealthy...

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
      -
    • SuperBenzid
      11 years ago

      I'd much prefer to be liked and respected than to be healthy.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      -1
      -1
        -
      • GreyWulfen
        11 years ago

        You can be liked and respected AND be healthy. You shouldn't give too much about what other people think.
        Also, having a starvation diet until you are a walking skeleton doesn't make you more liked, it's quite the opposite, in fact.
        I like (slightly) overweight girls more than underweight ones.

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        1
        1
  • Terence_the_viking
    11 years ago

    No this is not the way forward.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
  • mixwell
    11 years ago

    Yah stupid starve/under eat do your metabolism goes into starvation mode and when you do it your body stores more fat because of that pattern. if you're eating healthier try to eat 6 meals a day (breakfast,snack,lunch,snack,dinner,snack) but smaller portions so your body gets used to being fed and wont store as much fat.

    also go to the gym and you'll see results! i lost 20lbs in 3 months doing this

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
      -
    • VioletTrees
      11 years ago

      There are plenty of reasons that starvation diets are a bad idea. However, if the "starvation mode" thing were true, I'd be 50 lbs heavier.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • VioletTrees
    11 years ago

    You don't have to be underweight at all to have an eating disorder, actually.

    I'm not going to try to diagnose you, and I'm not going to try to make you get help. I feel the same way you do, like starving is the only way. There are many more of us. If you want to talk, send me a PM, or you can email me at [email protected]

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • nerdyredhead
    11 years ago

    Look, starving yourself to lose weight, while it may seem like it's the answer it's really not. The reason is because when you starve yourself you deprive yourself of nutrients and calories. While initially you may lose weight from it your body will eventually go into starvation mode and start storing anything that you eat as fat. When it does that instead of losing weight you will suddenly start gaining and your belly will bloat and fill with fluid. Believe me I know this from personal experience. I do not have an eating disorder and was not starving myself on purpose. I have a digestive disorder which before I got in under control caused severe nausea and made me afraid to eat because my stomach hurt badly after almost everything I ate. Because of that I barely ate and instead of losing weight, my belly bloated up like I was 6 months pregnant and I suddenly put on weight despite barely eating. Once I started eating healthier and exercising I lost 5lbs. You should eat a lot of fruits and veggies, whole grains, drink a lot of water, and eat lean meats like chicken and turkey. Make sure you get enough calories. Do this along with an exercise routine and you will see results.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • ChemGirl
    11 years ago

    I know exactly what you mean. I KNOW it isn't healthy, physically or psychologically. I do it anyway. Whenever I start to keep a food journal, I end up slowly restricting my calories more and more. I also exercise a lot. There are many healthier ways to lose weight, but I have never had much success with them. You are not alone!

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • annm2361
    11 years ago

    It's not good but it's the only way that works for me 2. Once your at small portions stay that way with healthy food and then you shouldn't need to do it any more. Healthy diet with all food groups is what u should be doing.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • ccjigsaw
    11 years ago

    I tried that once!! I was so damn tired and energyless. It's tough, and the scary part for me was my thoughts kept saying "I'm actually pretty good at not eating. If I give up now, I'm going to go right back to eating bad again." It became less and less like I had control.. Just be careful

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • Darkoil
    11 years ago

    If you want any real nutrition advice then please feel free to ask me seen as I am an actual nutritional advisor.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0