1000 calorie per day deficit... what's the true story?

Just kind of curious. I've read different things, done tons of research on weight loss, etc etc but am not sure about this. I have seen a lot of conflicting opinions.

(Seems like you can find an article to support any weight-loss statement these days.  "New all-you-can-eat pizza diet will make you lose 20 lbs per day without exercise!"  ha)

My question is this... I've read on these forums several times not to go over a 1000 calorie deficit... or else.  Or else what, I'm not sure. 

Is this true?  If so, what's the problem with 1000+ deficit?  Is it supposed to create the dreaded "starvation mode"? 

If so, is there any evidence to back that up?  Obviously, it is possible to lose weight on a deficit of over 1000 calories per day, or no one would ever be anorexic.  (And I don't say that to be rude, I was anorexic at age 15-16 though you'd never know it now!) 

My reason for asking is, I have been running about 1100-1400 deficit per day since I started CC (today is all of my 5th day).  It's not uncomfortable for me, I have been doing light to moderate exercise, not starving, eating healthy food (my average "grade" is a B), feeling great, drinking water... so I don't feel like this is harming me. 

However if there's anything that factually points to the need not to exceed that 1000 deficit, I'd like to know so I don't sabotage my efforts. 

Maggie

The body can only burn a certain percentage of its fat for calories in a given day (31 calories of fat per pound of fat, if I recall correctly).  If your deficit is more than that, your body will burn muscle instead (which then slows down your metabolism). 

The 1000 cals/day number is an estimate appropriate for an average-to-large person trying to lose weight.  Someone who is very large would be able to have a bigger deficit and lose fat just fine (but should probably do so under a doctor's supervision).  Someone who is very small and just trying to lose those last few vanity pounds actually needs to keep their deficit much smaller than 1000 cals/day - typically 500 or so works better in that situation. 

I agree with the above poster! You can have a deficit over 1000 calories if you are morbidly obese, but average-large people shouldnt have a deficit that big.

Basically, having a too large of a deficit will slow your metabolism, which if you are trying to lose weight, is not what you want at all.

True, anorexics have a much higher deficit, since they are not eating at all, their bodies are forced to burn all the fat AND muscles that they have just to survive. They would also have super slow metabolisms which is why they would be able to gain so fast once they started eating.

I think you should up your calories and aim for an absolute maximum deficit of 1000 cals. The highest deficit I ever get is 800 cals a day with most days around a 500 cal def, and I am losing 2 lbs a week, which is very healthy!

don't confuse the word starving with the feeling of starving. I never felt that I was hungry all the time while on CC. But then I visited a nutritionist and I had to show her what I ate. I really thought I was doing well but she told me that I was starving my body by not eating enough fruit, not having enough dairy, too much protein and so on. Since I've implemented her advice I suddenly feel my body "at work" again and my workouts are not as difficult anymore.

So I was never hungry but I was starving my body of necessary nutrients.

Jo

I appreciate all the info - this really sheds some light on it for me.  I am 5' 3" and estimate I weigh 200 lbs (I last weighed several months ago and began my diet about 3 wks ago) so I do have quite a lot to lose.  I need to be in the 105-120 range I believe.  I do want to lose the weight in a healthy, long-lasting (like, forever) way so I am striving for 2 lbs per week.

I've had plenty of energy, sleeping well, no weird side effects, normal bathroom habits. I wouldn't say I eat an ideal diet but it is not all fast food or high fat/carb stuff... I have fruits and veggies and protein etc.

Are there indicators to watch for that let you know if you have gone overboard and your metabolism is slowing down? 

Sometimes it feels like after so many years of dieting, I know so much yet so little... it all gets confusing after a certain point.