Thanks for the replies. Yes the term 'starvation mode' can get confusing. I didn't necessarily mean truly starving like an anorexic or even super low calories where you can't function, but it is interesting to know how much things slows down even then.

I notice even with the standard 1200 calories, people say that can trigger metabolism slow down. I know I can feel fine on 1200-1300cals and still do my workouts, but it's probably considered going too low for my stats. The only reason I'm hesitant to stay in that range is because I'm worried I might slow down my metabolism since the starvation mode is always mentioned.

There really isn't any way to stop and avoid the slow down of ones metabolism as they get lighter (weigh less). It's normal.

The less you weigh, the less calories you will burn in everything that you do. But it's nothing to fear. In fact, that's our aim - to weigh less and part of that weighing less - means burning less calories.

If one takes in less calories than they burn, which is what we're after to create that all important deficit that is needed in order to lose weight, the metabolism slow down is not enough to cause lack of progress. You really needn't worry.

*Oh and adding muscle is a proven, effective way to increase ones caloric burn.