How to zig zag cals properly/caloric cycling properly

skinnyb450 · April 2011

I'm sorry I have read and re-read this post and I am still confused

If I set my loss to 1lb per week that sets my calories at 1270 calories
If I choose maintenence at my current weight that sets my calories at 1770

So do I do Day 1, 2 , 4, 5 and Day 7 at 1270 calories
Day 3 and Day 6 at 1770

I was exercising 6 days of the week - How many days should I exercise and what days do you pick (your under days or your maintenece days??)
And do you need to eat ALL your exercise calories back on the days you exercise?

Sorry I'm a bit thick - I just can't get my head around it

alacarte · April 2011

Thanks for posting!

lalilalu · April 2011

Sounds interesting, and something I might try to mix things up....

shimmergal · April 2011

bump :-)

heatherfrancis · April 2011

http://www.naturalphysiques.com/64/zig-zag-calculator-for-fat-loss-andor-muscle-gain

http://www.mylifestylediet.com/calorie-calculator.php

i found this site that has a calculator, I prefer to keep it simple and use more even numbers though.

soriakyte · April 2011

Thanks for the straight-forward information. I think that I will give this try.

Just1forMe · April 2011

Thanks for sharing all of your helpful knowledge & for helping me set up my zig zag

I'll let you know how it goes!
Since I've done it for not quite a week, my next question would be: Do you do the zig zag plan on a regular basis or does your body eventually get used to that pattern? Would you do maybe 2-3 weeks of zig zag followed by a couple weeks of eating your regular MFP daily goal? Thanks again...you are amazing

heniko · April 2011

I wonder why on the http://www.naturalphysiques.com/64/zig-zag-calculator-for-fat-loss-andor-muscle-gain
link that Heather posted, it shows for me a much much higher calorie count then here on MFP ... they says I need 3262cal/day to maintain my weight, 1864cal/day for extreme fat loss and 2563cal/day for regular fat loss, while here on MFP it says 2480cal/day for maintainfg weight, 1740cal/day for 1lb fat loss weekly and 1500cal/day for 1,5lb fat loss and 1240cal/day for 2lb fat loss weekly ... WHY the big differences?