By James McLaren, 10/03/2025

If you’ve ever been told that you’re not losing weight because you’re not eating enough, you might have thought, that doesn’t make sense.

And you’d be right.

That’s like saying, “You haven’t committed enough crimes to go to jail.”

See how ridiculous that sounds?

Yet, so many people believe in the myth of starvation mode—the idea that if you eat too little, your body will cling to every calorie and prevent you from losing weight (or even make you gain weight).

Let’s break down why that’s just not true.

Back in 1965, a man named Angus Barbieri weighed 456 pounds. Under doctor supervision, he fasted for 382 days. (Yes, that’s over a year without food!)

And guess what?

He didn’t gain weight.

He lost 276 pounds.

He saved his life.

He even became a Guinness World Record holder for the longest fast ever recorded.

Now, this isn’t to say you should stop eating altogether (please, don’t try this at home!). But his case proves an important point: the body doesn’t defy the laws of physics.

Weight loss happens when you're in a calorie deficit—meaning you burn more calories than you consume.

This works until you’re no longer in a calorie deficit. That’s when progress slows down.
Here’s why: as you lose weight, there’s physically less of you. That means your body burns fewer calories doing the same activities.

Think of it like hiking with a 10kg backpack versus hiking without one. Which takes more effort?

Losing fat works the same way—your body becomes more efficient as you get lighter. That’s not starvation mode.

That’s simple maths.

When your weight loss slows down, it’s NOT because you’re eating too little. More likely, it’s because:

• You’re moving less than before.
  
• You’re eating more than you realize.
• You haven’t adjusted your calorie intake to match your new, lower weight.

So if you feel stuck, take a step back and look at where your calorie deficit might be breaking down.

Once you spot it—adjust, tweak, and keep going.

Need help figuring out your next step?