Yes, eating too little, especially drastic calorie restriction or skipping meals, can slow down your metabolism as your body adapts to conserve energy, leading to less efficient calorie burning and making weight loss harder. This metabolic slowdown happens because your body reduces energy expenditure, partly due to hormonal changes (like thyroid and cortisol), to hold onto fat stores, but you also need sufficient nutrients for your metabolic processes to function optimally.
Reducing calorie intake a bit to lose weight won't affect your metabolism much. But, if you severely restrict and eat less than your body needs to function, your metabolism will slow down to make sure you have enough energy to keep your internal organs going.
A prolonged 1,500 calorie-per-day diet can slow metabolism, so it is best to only do it short-term. Risks to consuming too few calories may include: Inadequate nutrition. Fatigue/tiredness.
Eating only 1000 calories per day will still make you lose weight, because the ``Starvation mode'' phenomenon as a whole won't reduce your BMR THAT much, but you might not lose weight any faster than you would've at 1500 calories.
As your metabolism slows down, your body burns fewer calories, even at rest. This can lead to a frustrating weight loss plateau, even though you're still eating at a calorie deficit.
The 2-2-2 weight loss method is a simple strategy focusing on 2 big bottles of water, 2 servings of fruits/veggies, and 2 daily walks, promoting hydration, nutrient intake, and activity to kickstart weight loss, energy, and better sleep, acting as a foundation for healthier habits rather than a complete diet plan. It's easy to follow and encourages movement and nutrient-dense foods but doesn't cover total calorie intake or macronutrients, requiring it to be complemented with a holistic plan for sustainable results.
The 3-3-3 rule for weight loss is a simple, habit-based method focusing on three key areas: 3 balanced meals a day, 3 bottles (or ~1.5L) of water by 3 PM, and 3 hours of physical activity per week, aiming for consistency over complex diets. It simplifies fat loss by establishing rhythm through consistent eating, adequate hydration to support metabolism, and regular movement, promoting sustainable health without intense calorie counting or restrictive rules, says Five Diamond Fitness and Wellness, Joon Medical Wellness & Aesthetics, and EatingWell.
Other symptoms
Weight gain despite eating little can result from underestimating calorie intake, consuming high-energy or processed foods, lack of physical activity, dehydration, poor sleep, or hormonal imbalances like PCOS or perimenopause.
Fortunately, lifestyle changes and addressing underlying causes can help to speed up the metabolism.
A Slower Metabolic Rate
Eating too few calories can cause your metabolic rate to slow down, meaning you may gain weight more easily. Your body requires energy when you walk, work out, think, breathe, just about everything else!
Metabolism And Caffeine
Other studies suggest that caffeine increases resting metabolic rate (RMR), the rate at which your body breaks down food while your body is at rest. Your RMR is one way to measure your metabolism, including how many calories you burn when you're not at rest (energy expenditure).
But these steps may help benefit your metabolism and overall health:
She lost 16 pounds in 3 weeks to fit into her vintage Met Gala gown. How did Kardashian lose weight? She says she cut carbs and ate “just the cleanest veggies and protein.” She also ran on a treadmill and wore a sauna suit twice a day. Kardashian's 3-week weight loss sparked concern over the impact on mental health.
Calculate Basal Metabolic Rate
Your basal metabolism rate is produced through the following basal metablic rate formula: Men: BMR = 88.362 + (13.397 x weight in kg) + (4.799 x height in cm) – (5.677 x age in years) Women: BMR = 447.593 + (9.247 x weight in kg) + (3.098 x height in cm) – (4.330 x age in years)
People naturally lose muscle after 40, especially women after menopause. Because muscle burns more calories than fat, this can slow down your metabolism and make it harder to shake those stubborn pounds.
“Everyone's body is different, but for most people, eating less than 1,200 calories a day could slow your metabolism enough to make it harder to lose weight,” says Uy. Some signs you have low metabolism include: Weight loss progress that has slowed down. You feel tired or low energy throughout the day.
What are the signs your body is in starvation mode?
Her diet included meals like vegetable poha, fruit, roti, and grilled chicken. Alia trained with Yasmin Karachiwala, blending Pilates, cardio, and strength exercises. Her 7-day routine included running, push-ups, yoga, squats, and crunches to tone and lose weight.
According to fitness coach Raj Ganpath, losing 10 kg in 2-3 months is possible but highly unsustainable. He explains that to achieve this, you need a daily calorie deficit of about 1,300, which is extremely difficult to maintain.
Simplifying The 7 Days Diet Plan For Weight Loss:
Adele's significant weight loss wasn't from a quick fix but a two-year journey combining intense strength training, Pilates, hiking, boxing, and cardio, alongside major lifestyle changes focused on managing anxiety, not restrictive diets like the Sirtfood Diet, with workouts happening multiple times daily for mental and physical strength. Her routine included morning weights, afternoon hikes or boxing, and evening cardio, emphasizing getting stronger, which naturally led to fat loss and improved well-being.
You should step on the scale first thing in the morning. That's when you'll get your most accurate weight because your body has had the overnight hours to digest and process whatever you ate and drank the day before. And you should try to turn that step into a regular part of your routine.
Unlike Phogat, Kom successfully shed extra kilos by skipping, allowing her to compete and win a gold medal. Experts suggest combining a well-balanced diet with an effective fitness routine for rapid weight loss, emphasizing the benefits of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), strength training, and cardio workouts.