Zig Zagging calories...add exercise calories or not?

mommynmotion

Okay...I have seen so much about this on here and I have seem people getting great results!

I have a question and it the answer seems to vary...depending on who you ask!

My numbers from the website that helps figure out cals are ( http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm )

Ex Fat Loss Fat Loss Maintain
Monday 1077 1436 1795
Tuesday 1008 1149 1436
Wednesday 1292 1723 2154
Thursday 1077 1436 1795
Friday 1008 1292 1615
Saturday 1185 1579 1974
Sunday 1077 1436 1795

I agree that the extreme fat loss numbers are too low. I am going with the fat loss numbers. I added them up and then divided by 7 and it's about 1400 calories per day when averaged. Which is about where I have MFP set...net calories. Soooo...those numbers do not include exercise calories. That means that on Tuesday, if I burn 400 from exercise and don't eat them back, my net is 1036.

So, my question, for those having success with Zig Zagging...do you use your numbers and then add in exercise? I have been zig zagging this week and didn't add in exericse calories until yesterday. I have read lots of conflicting info. It makes sense to add them in, since those numbers are so low. The website does ask for activity level...but that's just to help figure a generic BMR, right?

I have been fighing with the last 10 pounds for 2 and a half years...I am hoping this will help!

AggieCass09

you've already got my answer...but for others who are reading the board:

if you use the freedieitng.com site it ALREADY includes exercise (about 300-400 calories from what i've seen) so YOU DO NOT EAT EXTRA calories. (well you ARE eating them back but you dont add to the number of calories given each day)

If you set up freedieting.com with "little/no exercise (desk job)" then add your exercise calories like you do on MFP. just be careful that you are actually cycling calories low, medium, high, medium

ChitownFoodie

I have been told that the numbers you see are the calories you should eat, do not eat your exercise calories. its been working for me. I am only 1.5 pounds from goal weight. Dont forget that every pound you lose, you have to adjust your zig zag calories. Every pound ive lost has made it that I eat about 30 calories less a day.

anubis609

I prefer newfiedan's method.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/212510-how-to-zig-zag-cals-properly-caloric-cycling-properly?hl=how+to+zig+zag+properly

Dkittery

Please remember to listen to your body, if your weak from not enough food and really pushing your work outs, then your not eating enough. I would hate to see you hurt yourself. You have some Kick butt workouts!!!! \

Good question.