Calorie carry over

nytrifisoul

I had a pretty big deficit yesterday and got to thinking about how long you can hold onto extra calories before they no longer exist? I usually give myself a 3 day window. Just wondering how long others give themselves to use extra calories up.

mulecanter

It depends on your time horizon. The farther away your goal is in time, the more relevant those calories become to your overall calorie/day, calorie/week, calorie/month, calorie/year average.

If you are trying to achieve a weekly goal of 2 pounds lost each week, you had better be using that deficit (surplus) that week. Next weekend's goal depends on this week's calories.

SezxyStef

I personally don't look day to day...when I wake up in the morning and log in ....that's what I got..my daily goal...

Now mind you if at the end of the week if I have had a few overages but I am still on goal for the week I don't freak either..

nytrifisoul

Maybe i should have mentioned that i am already at goal. I am just maintaining at this point. I was just wondering if one was to create a deficit of 3500 calories (1lb fat) over a span of two weeks, then the following week eat at a surplus of 3500 calories, would one gain a pound, stay the same, or even possibly lose?

Shuuma

I try to use my calories each day. I can't fathom how my body would know I'm banking calories. I mentally imagine my body resets at night while I sleep (body functions use energy!) so every day is a brand new goal. I personally cannot tell myself I have leftover calories because I have an unhealthy relationship with food right now. I need to be more disciplined than ever and it works for me while weekly goals work for others.

ETA:

Maybe i should have mentioned that i am already at goal. I am just maintaining at this point. I was just wondering if one was to create a deficit of 3500 calories (1lb fat) over a span of two weeks, then the following week eat at a surplus of 3500 calories, would one gain a pound, stay the same, or even possibly lose?

This sounds so complicated and highly subjective to each person. If I was on maintenance, I would assume I needed to eat a consistent amount of calories for risk of confusing my body and freaking it out. That's me, though, because I know how I am and what my body does and learning more each day. Others may have some science that disproves that line of thought, though.

nytrifisoul

bump

editorgrrl

I look at my nutrition for the past 7 days, not just today. In maintenance, your weight will fluctuate. Why not give yourself a window, for example plus or minus two or three pounds. If your weight goes above or below that window, cut or add 100–200 calories.