thoughts on keeping calories extra low on the weekends?

tmoneyag99

So I need to be able to function mentally during the week. As a result sometimes a go slighly over (ie 50-100cKal) of my MFP recommendation.

I wonder, to off set that, could I go under my MFP Recommendation by 200 - 300 on the weekends?

SCoil123

Whatever works for you. Lots of people focus on the weekly calories average rather than day to day

CattOfTheGarage

That can work. I do the reverse, my goal is 200cal lower during the week so I can eat more on weekends. It works for me. Try it out.

amyteacake

It all depends on what works for you really. I keep my calories the same during the weekends

LivingtheLeanDream

Yeah I do something like that in reverse, bank calories during the week to allow for more at the weekend. It works.

jflongo

Here is something I do. On Fridays I have a bowl league. I always drink some beer, so I add that in the morning to MFP, and then I watch my calories all day, to make sure I don't go crazy with my calories.

JMcGee2018

That would work, but I'd add that if you're unable to function mentally on your current calorie goal, you goal might be too low.

CattOfTheGarage

JMcGee2018 wrote: »

That would work, but I'd add that if you're unable to function mentally on your current calorie goal, you goal might be too low.

Good point, is it possible you're undereating?

Need2Exerc1se

JMcGee2018 wrote: »

That would work, but I'd add that if you're unable to function mentally on your current calorie goal, you goal might be too low.

This!!

It's fine to eat less on some days and more on others, but if you are having trouble functioning you may be eating too few calories, or not enough fat.

What are your stats (age/height/sex) and calorie goal? Do you eat back exercise calories?

jasondjulian

As long as your weekly avg still works out to being on target, how you get there matters not.

ladyhusker39

What's you daily calorie goal and your personal status (age, height, current weight, goal weight, how much are you trying to lose per week)?

My first thought based on the wording you use is that you're possibly cutting your calories too low to start with and might be better off overall to increase your daily calories without trying to make up for it on the weekends.

tmoneyag99

JMcGee2018 wrote: »

That would work, but I'd add that if you're unable to function mentally on your current calorie goal, you goal might be too low.

I just think I'm sensitive to calorie adjustments. I'm a 40yo 5'3" woman who's roughly 80lbs over weight. I sit at a desk job and so for some reason get hungrier than I do when I'm at home moving around. When I'm cleaning house an a bit stressful so I need to be on my "A" Game.

Lounmoun

Does eating 50-100 calories take you over your maintence calories for the day? I figure your daily deficit is 500-1000 calories so I'm guessing you are not eating above maintenance. You should still lose even without lowering calories on tne weekend-just slower.
Maybe you would do better with a smaller daily deficit if it is impairing your mental function. Maybe reset your weight loss goal to a slower rate.

Look at your weekly calorie goal. If you meet that you are still in a deficit for the week even if you have some high and low days.

AliceDark

I do the reverse -- go slightly lower on weekdays so I can go higher on weekends -- and it works really well for me. As long as you're getting adequate nutrition on your lower days, it's fine to track to a weekly calorie goal instead of a daily calorie goal. Try it out for a month and see how it works for you.

CattOfTheGarage

I mean, you really can be a bit flexible over the week and just go by your weekly average rather than the daily total. A lot of people do that.

hesn92

That is fine. However if your goal is so low you can’t function mentally perhaps you need to raise your goal. I don’t concern myself with 50-100 calories though but I’m not too concerned with losing weight in a particular amount of time