Zig zag calorie counting

heniko

Hi

I have a quick question ... someone suggested to me calorie cycling or zig zag calorie counting. Also I read some of the threads on the topic. there was one site linked:http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm#

It has a zig zag option. i typed in my info and came up a higher required calorie intake then here on MFP Here my BMR is 1,814 calories/day with a suggested 1550cal per day average to lose 1.5lb week and there on the other site my BMR is more then 2000cal and suggested cal per day is 1897 cal. First why the big difference? Then secondly how can I figure out a dcent zig zag plan for my plan. As so far I am been doind a crappy job ... meeting 1500cal per day but not zig zagging. What would be my high and what would be my low? Thank you

atlraine

I've read about zig-zagging....but I still don't get it. Other than taking in more cals one day and less the next. I tried it, but it didn't work for me....at least I didn't think so. :ohwell:

catcrazy

I think its just to keep your body guessing. If you are given 1550 calories a day to lose 1.5 lbs then you would say do day 1 at 1550, day 2 at 1350, day 3 at 1750, day 4 at 1450 and so on...basically any numbers you like as long as your calorie intake over the 7 days adds up to 10850 (1550X7)

If you struggle to stick to 1550 then it probably wont be the best idea for you but if you have natural not hungry days where you struggle to get your calories in and then have ravenous days when nothing seems to fill then it would be ideal.


You do still get to eat back your exercise calories so on days where you burn 500 calories you could eat some/all of those too

heniko

Thanks Cat crazy for the suggestion I will try them out!

4theking

They are just calculations and there are many variables.

As far as the zig zag approach, I do this using the spike diet. I eat the same calories for six days and one day I spike with higher calories. Gives me some diet freedom and boosts the fat burning hormone leptin.

morganadk2_deleted

I have just looked at your diary ! i don't think zig zag is the answer, i think eating is the answer , i went back quite a way and on most days your eating under 1200 ! please , just a suggestion read the links below and reconsider your calorie goal.


You might also find the links below helpful...

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10589-for-those-confused-or-questioning-eating-your-exercise-calo

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficit


This is just a part of it! please read the link above


Generally someone with a BMI over 32 can do a 1000 calorie a day (2 lbs a week) deficit
With a BMI of 30 to 32 a deficit of 750 calories is generally correct (about 1.5 lbs a week)
With a BMI of 28 to 30 a deficit of 500 calories is about right (about 1 lb a week)
With a BMI of 26 to 28 a deficit of about 300 calories is perfect (about 1/2 lb a week)
and below 26... well this is where we get fuzzy. See now you're no longer talking about being overweight, so while it's still ok to have a small deficit, you really should shift your focus more towards muscle tone, and reducing fat. This means is EXTRA important to eat your exercise calories as your body needs to KNOW it's ok to burn fat stores, and the only way it will know is if you keep giving it the calories it needs to not enter the famine response (starvation mode)



Good luck on your journey

KimbersNewLife

Hi guys I zig zag and I LOVE IT and it works! I recently discovered it and those pounds are dropping like mad. The bottom line...two days over two days under. For example Sat and Sun go over say 400-450 calories over the MFP goal. Then Mon Tues go under by 300-400 calories. That is how I do it and it works for me. Lovin' it!! Good luck to everyone. By they way I have read a lot about this and apparently it "tricks" your metabolism though I will put the warning out there that it is hard to go under those days are tough after going over but it is so worth it!!!

KimbersNewLife

Hi guys I zig zag and I LOVE IT and it works! I recently discovered it and those pounds are dropping like mad. The bottom line...two days over two days under. For example Sat and Sun go over say 400-450 calories over the MFP goal. Then Mon Tues go under by 300-400 calories. That is how I do it and it works for me. Lovin' it!! Good luck to everyone. By they way I have read a lot about this and apparently it "tricks" your metabolism though I will put the warning out there that it is hard to go under those days are tough after going over but it is so worth it!!!

heniko

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Morgan - Well first thanks for taking the time to look at my food journal. You are right, I am not eating what and how I should. Hence, the reason I joined MFP! I don't have all these low fat - low carb options at my diposal. And breaking old bad habits of eating crap food isn't so easy as I would like to it to be. So I am taking this day by day. And as far not eating ... well I havn't met the 1550cal this week (since last Saturday) since I have been sick + my children are sick too ... so eating and cooking - not something I am motivated to do. But you are right, need to eat more and better foods. Cutting the white carbs has been the hardest for me! I am *trying* to do better - taking it day by day.

heniko

BTW reading the 2 linked threads now - thanks for linking them!