Mixing up the calories

Tillyecl1

Hi,
I don't wish to start an argument as I'm sure there are differing views on this (maybe we could just live and let live for this one thread ;-)). I just wondered people's thoughts on mixing up their calorie intake? I am very careful about measuring my food so I know exactly how much I'm eating. I also wear an HRM so I know how many calories I'm burning. I find that when I eat the same number of calories everyday (1500 + exercise) I lose weight at the rate I'm supposed to (~0.5 kg/week as I'm already in the 'normal' range for my height, 64kg and 168cm and quite close to my goal of 56kg). However if I eat the same deficit averaged over a week but have a few more calories on some days then others I lose weight more quickly (this week I was away with work so had to eat out with my colleagues but evened it up a little by not eating back my exercise calories on a couple of the days) and I've lost 1.2kg (so over double what I would expect). I wondered if there was any reason for this or if it was just one of those freak weeks? Thanks :-)

ChrisM8971

I think its just one of those things that demonstrates that weight loss is not linear. I find that I will lose approximately what I expect for a couple of weeks, then maybe a lot lower the next, often followed by a large drop the week after.

Also bear in mind that HRM's aren't always 100% accurate and unless the restaurant you eat out at displays the nutritional information on their menu/web site then everything you log while eating out is a best guess

sijomial

Remember that weight is made up of all sorts of things and not just fat - water and undigested food for example...
When you have an uneven eating pattern there's a very good chance your weight will fluctuate a lot more than usual as well.

If calorie cycling makes it easier for you to stick to your goal then go for it. Having a weekly view of calories can make fitting "dieting" into your lifestyle easier.