Need some help

wiset

I've been using this website for about 3 weeks now and have lost 3 lbs. so far. I'm loving it. In following my 1200 calorie days, there have been days that I go over my calorie count and there are days that I stay under. However, if I average my calorie intake since I started, I am under my goal - which is great. Does this mean I'm still okay? Or should I strictly try to keep at or under my 1200 calorie goal every day no matter what. There are some days that I'm hungrier than others....

SeanMurphy

The body is an averaging machine, to a point. If you like, you can look more at weekly totals. As long as you are under for the week, you'll lose that week. However, don't take that as license to binge on mondays and starve on fridays. Its best that you go as you are and try to maintain your daily intake, but if you go over or under occasionally, as long as it works out in the end, you should stay on track.

paniolo5

There must be a zillion posts on this topic. It really depends - you don't want to go under except on occasion otherwise your body will go into starvation mode and hold onto everything you put in it. I would think if you look at what you are eating on your hungrier days, you either were quite a bit under the day before and your body is mad about it or you're possibly not eating the right things to give your body the right fuel. You'll zap your energy if you don't eat enough of the right things to fuel you body. Lack of sleep also can make you feel hungry. The other issue is exercise - if you are doing exercise, you're using more calories so you will probably need to eat more. For example, if you have 1,200 calories each day and exercise to burn 200 calories, the website will tell you to eat 1,400 calories to stay above the minimum 1,200. Again, everyone's body is different and you have to do a little experimenting on your own to figure out what works for you. Some people can eat all their exercise calories & still lose weight, some can't. Some stay around 1,200 and have a "cheat" day where they go over significantly to trick their body out of starvation mode. I'm not a nutritionist nor a trainer, so I don't know which way is best, which is why I tend to lean towards figuring out what works for you. Good luck!