any truth to eating more to break a plateau?
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rosemary98
Posts: 632
Sometimes i notice if I go over my maintenance calories the scale is down the next morning. Other days I may eat under and the scale is up. I realize there are normal variations of the scale due to a multitude of things, but is it possible that "shaking up" the number of calories you eat, helps you lose?
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Yes0
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Yes0
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No.0
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Yes, there is truth. No, it's not always the answer. It depends on what you were eating before the plateau.0
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After having my daughter (9 years ago) I lost 40 pounds in 6 months and I ALWAYS fit in 2 high calorie days a month. Those days always helped when I was stalled, I swear by it.
I have gained 40 pounds in the last 2 years and am going to incorporate those high calorie days again this time in my weight loss.0 -
after a loooong period of time eating far below maintenance, it's possible that you may plateau and need to bump your calories upward, but definitely not in the day-to-day way you mention in OP
just watch your weight trend week-by-week and don't worry about the daily fluctuations0 -
"Yes, there is truth. No, it's not always the answer. It depends on what you were eating before the plateau."
my maintenance calories=1450
I aim for 1200 (usually end up around 1350)
some days i manage 1000-1200 (scale stays the same or goes up a bit)
some days i eat 1500-1600 (scale goes down the next morning).
lol...broken scale? well, i did my research on scales and think I got a good one...it is new, new batteries, on a hard surface, etc. I weigh first thing in the morning--same time each day.0 -
"Yes, there is truth. No, it's not always the answer. It depends on what you were eating before the plateau."
my maintenance calories=1450
I aim for 1200 (usually end up around 1350)
some days i manage 1000-1200 (scale stays the same or goes up a bit)
some days i eat 1500-1600 (scale goes down the next morning).
lol...broken scale? well, i did my research on scales and think I got a good one...it is new, new batteries, on a hard surface, etc. I weigh first thing in the morning--same time each day.
Oh, you can't obesess over scale numbers like that. It will drive you crazy. It's not uncommon for a person's weight to fluctuate several lbs up or down during one day. All weight is not fat and the other stuff (water and waste especially) varies greatly day to day, hour to hour.0 -
"Yes, there is truth. No, it's not always the answer. It depends on what you were eating before the plateau."
my maintenance calories=1450
I aim for 1200 (usually end up around 1350)
some days i manage 1000-1200 (scale stays the same or goes up a bit)
some days i eat 1500-1600 (scale goes down the next morning).
lol...broken scale? well, i did my research on scales and think I got a good one...it is new, new batteries, on a hard surface, etc. I weigh first thing in the morning--same time each day.
Oh, you can't obesess over scale numbers like that. It will drive you crazy. It's not uncommon for a person's weight to fluctuate several lbs up or down during one day. All weight is not fat and the other stuff (water and waste especially) varies greatly day to day, hour to hour.
Yes, you are probably right. Though I have often heard that staggering your calories each day (one higher calorie day; one lower calorie day) is effective for weight loss. I think the idea is that your body doesn't get used to a set amount of calories each day.0 -
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A popular belief but it's not factually true and does nothing in the long run."Yes, there is truth. No, it's not always the answer. It depends on what you were eating before the plateau."
my maintenance calories=1450
I aim for 1200 (usually end up around 1350)
some days i manage 1000-1200 (scale stays the same or goes up a bit)
some days i eat 1500-1600 (scale goes down the next morning).
lol...broken scale? well, i did my research on scales and think I got a good one...it is new, new batteries, on a hard surface, etc. I weigh first thing in the morning--same time each day.
Oh, you can't obesess over scale numbers like that. It will drive you crazy. It's not uncommon for a person's weight to fluctuate several lbs up or down during one day. All weight is not fat and the other stuff (water and waste especially) varies greatly day to day, hour to hour.
Yes, you are probably right. Though I have often heard that staggering your calories each day (one higher calorie day; one lower calorie day) is effective for weight loss. I think the idea is that your body doesn't get used to a set amount of calories each day.0 -
Bump..so I can learn how to get out of mine0
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Yes, it works and the journey is soooo much easier/happier when you're actually allowed to eat! Plus I'm eating now like I plan to eat when I reach my goal, except I'll have another 300-400 calories to enjoy. 1200 (the standard given by MFP to many women) is just too low! You're always starving & restricted in your diet. I am so much happier eating 1800 cal/day & keeping my protein intake high (>1 gm/lb lean body mass). I'm satisfied, eat a wide range of foods, have tons of energy & love this lifestyle. And I've obviously lost a good amount weight!0
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my maintenance calories=1450
I aim for 1200 (usually end up around 1350)
some days i manage 1000-1200 (scale stays the same or goes up a bit)
some days i eat 1500-1600 (scale goes down the next morning).
Wait what.. Your TDEE is 1450??? What are you 4 ft tall and weigh 90 lbs with no exercise? hard to believe.0 -
my maintenance calories=1450
I aim for 1200 (usually end up around 1350)
some days i manage 1000-1200 (scale stays the same or goes up a bit)
some days i eat 1500-1600 (scale goes down the next morning).
Wait what.. Your TDEE is 1450??? What are you 4 ft tall and weigh 90 lbs with no exercise? hard to believe.
No, not quite. lol. I don't exercise (yet)...I do normal daily work chores around the house including caring for my child and have a sedentary job. I am just trying to understand plateaus and fluctuations...and common myths (and truths) I have heard.0 -
"Yes, there is truth. No, it's not always the answer. It depends on what you were eating before the plateau."
my maintenance calories=1450
I aim for 1200 (usually end up around 1350)
some days i manage 1000-1200 (scale stays the same or goes up a bit)
some days i eat 1500-1600 (scale goes down the next morning).
lol...broken scale? well, i did my research on scales and think I got a good one...it is new, new batteries, on a hard surface, etc. I weigh first thing in the morning--same time each day.
Oh, you can't obesess over scale numbers like that. It will drive you crazy. It's not uncommon for a person's weight to fluctuate several lbs up or down during one day. All weight is not fat and the other stuff (water and waste especially) varies greatly day to day, hour to hour.
Yes, you are probably right. Though I have often heard that staggering your calories each day (one higher calorie day; one lower calorie day) is effective for weight loss. I think the idea is that your body doesn't get used to a set amount of calories each day.
It's not really about your body getting used to anything. The reason this is sometimes helpful is that some people find eating low calories one day, with the knowledge that they get to eat a lot tomorrow, an easier way to create a deficit than eating the same calories every day.0 -
It's a mystery. I was losing weight steadily for two months, had a binge weekend in New York, came back 6 lbs heavier and have just stayed at that weight ever since, despite eating the same calories as I did when I was losing. Now, this week I've gone over every day and I'm down three pounds. At this point, I'm just choosing not to worry about it.0
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May I ask how you figured out your TDEE?0
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I lost 40 pounds in 6 months and I ALWAYS fit in 2 high calorie days a month. Those days always helped when I was stalled, I swear by it.
Absolutely works for me, too.
Keep your metabolism guessing. Always stay one step ahead of it. *narrows eyes*0 -
yes
really works0
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