[doc_gunthrop]

It's not that complicated. Eating more leads to greater body mass, which requires higher caloric intake to sustain. Eating less leads to the opposite.

If you gain 20 pounds, then you need to eat more relative to your previous weight in order to maintain your current weight (including that extra 20 pounds). If you lose 20 pounds, you have to eat less to maintain that new weight.

[amalgamated_inc]

It's totally more complicated even long before that. Not eating "enough" (and you don't get to define this, your body does) leads the body to drastically reduce calorie burn, leading to "starvation mode" and the accompanying symptoms.

If, on the other hand, you manage to eat a lot of calories without activating certain biochemical switches (like one poster here mentions), you can build a lot of muscle without gaining too much fat. Some bodybuilders achieve this (allegedly even without steroid use).

The body is a dynamic system even before lean body mass changes come into play, on the order of 2-3 days.

[doc_gunthrop]

Would you be able to provide a reliable source for your statements? I've heard certain segments of the population make claims about "starvation mode" but none that have been substantiated with any scientific evidence or conclusive studies.

I also scanned through the comments looking for this poster you say who talked about eating without activating certain biochemical switches, but was unable to find it. Where is this purported comment?

[amalgamated_inc]

Source: tried it lots of times, you can find out yourself in about 3 days. Just start doing a water fast right now and see how long you can go :D

I was referring to this comment: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34383428

[sethammons]

I've lost weight eating more while maintaining the same exercise routine. You can try to feel better with any "well actually" you can muster. I increased the same kind of food I always eat and lost weight.

[doc_gunthrop]

Sounds like a miracle. Good for you

[amalgamated_inc]

Not a miracle - there are actually lots of anecdotes like this. Typically from people who aren't currently or never have been fat. Turns out if your fat regulation works fine, eating more doesn't necessarily cause fat gain, especially if you're lifting or otherwise stimulating muscle growth.