Why does Mark lose so much weight in the end?

Why does Mark lose so much weight in the end? - Battle rope and slam ball on floor in gym

In the movie The Martian, why does Mark Watney lose so much weight as to literally start eating himself by Sol 561 when, according to Vincent, he has enough potatoes to last him till Sol 609, or 48 more Sols?



Best Answer

The current (and longstanding) recommended calorie intake for an active male adult is about 2,500 kcal

However, it is possible to survive extended periods on much less - at a cost. A 25% reduction in daily calories can cause about a 0.5kg to 1kg a week reduction in body mass. I can't remember if it's explicitly stated in the movie how much he is short on his fault intake, but Watney makes it quite clear he's not getting enough.

Even a minimal reduction in intake could cause an accumulative loss of body mass, and 560 Sols is about 80 weeks, so it's not surprising if Watney lost 20-40% (15-30kg) of his body weight, assuming he's in the healthy weight range for his height at the start of the movie.




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How much weight did Mark Watney lose?

Even a minimal reduction in intake could cause an accumulative loss of body mass, and 560 Sols is about 80 weeks, so it's not surprising if Watney lost 20-40% (15-30kg) of his body weight, assuming he's in the healthy weight range for his height at the start of the movie.

How do you beat the mental game to lose weight?

Weight Loss is as Much a Mental Challenge as a Physical One
  • Emotional Eating. This is perhaps the largest and most difficult mental hurdle in your way. ...
  • Stop Looking for An Easy Way Out. ...
  • Be a Better Boss to Yourself. ...
  • Set Mental Goals Too. ...
  • Set Reasonable Goals.


  • How long does it take for you to start losing weight?

    The first stage of weight loss is when you tend to lose the most weight and begin to notice changes in your appearance and how your clothes fit. It usually happens within the first 4\u20136 weeks ( 1 ). Most of the weight loss in this stage comes from carb stores, protein, and water \u2014 and to a lesser extent, body fat.

    Why does weight loss take so long?

    Muscle helps keep up the rate at which you burn calories (metabolism). So as you lose weight, your metabolism declines, causing you to burn fewer calories than you did at your heavier weight. Your slower metabolism will slow your weight loss, even if you eat the same number of calories that helped you lose weight.




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