Calorie Shifting aka zig zagging

DixieDarlin1987

Has anyone tried zig zagging (varying your calories from day to day in order to "trick" your metabolism, but the end result is the same deficit)? I've got my settings to where I'll lose a half pound per week...for me it's 1760. Well, I haven't been losing, so I tried less....no loss....so I tried more...no loss. I'm trying to find out if anyone has tried this method and if so, how did it work for you? What's the best way to do it....small calorie variations or big ones (say 1300, then 2100 or more like 1600, then 1800)? And several days of one and then the other, or every other day? Just looking for some feedback!
Thanks!

TateFTW

I do an extreme form of zig-zagging where I eat maintenance calories 4 days a week (for me, 2400 cals), then eat only 1200 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, giving me a 3600 calorie deficit every week. I add my exercise calories every day, so if I train on a Monday and burn 250 calories I'll eat 1450.

So far, it's worked extremely well. I get to eat normally on the weekends, and eating so little on 3 weekdays is easy because I'm busy at work.

My research leads me to believe that this has very little affect on metabolic rates, if at all. I just find it easier to stay fully satisfied some days and stay hungry on others.

keepitoff99

Interesting!
I guess as long as you are eating about the same calories over a week, it should work out the same.
Sounds like a good idea when an event or weekend of being out a lot is coming up??

ashlee954

I lost my 15 zig-zagging. I eat low cal Sunday-Wednesday and much higher Thusday-Saturday. My daily goal is 1700. I eat anywhere form 900-2500 dependent on the day.

DixieDarlin1987

Thank you Tate, I may have to try the extreme version, I viewed your profile and yes, I'd say it's definitely working for you.

Keepitoff99,
I agree it is very interesting and from what I've read about it, everything adds up the same and manages to keep your body guessing so it never adjusts to the amount of calories you're eating. And it definitely sounds like it would be easier to manage than restricting calories like I've been doing. During the week I cook, so I have control over what I'm eating but I typically take the weekends off from cooking and I that's when I always end up going over my calories. This seems much more manageable for my lifestyle.

DixieDarlin1987

Ashlee,
I'm definitely going to try it...you look great!