Zig Zagging!

purplepollypops

I have read a few posts on zig zagging cals and would like to give it a try. Can someone explain it to me in basic terms please?
Thank you :happy:

sweetbri07

basically you have your set amount of calories...say 1400.....so one day you eat that amount, the next day you eat around 1500, the next day around 1300, and just zig zag your amount of calories. Basically it keeps your metabolism on its toes.

purplepollypops

I think I may already be doing this without even trying! lol

registers

I have read a few posts on zig zagging cals and would like to give it a try. Can someone explain it to me in basic terms please?
Thank you :happy:

zigzagging shouldn't be used one you have been on a consistent caloric deficit for 6 months. Zigzagging is a way to trick your metabolism. It's also known as "metabolic trickery." For easy math lets say you eat 2000 calories a day, and you hit a plateau in your weight loss. The way to zigzag is to reduce your caloric intake by 10% in this case it would be 200 calories... So you eat 1800 calories for 2 days, then on day 3 you eat 2000 calories, then repeat the cycle. Your metabolism slows down in 72hs. If you stay at 1800 calories your metabolism will eventually get slower. People who have read my previous post would probably say "you said starvation mode isn't true, now you're changing your story." NO, eating at a lower caloric diet "WITHOUT" exercise will slow down your metabolism.

The reason for 10% is it's individualized. If i just say "reduce your calories by 500" that may not be right for you. Common practice is a 10-15% caloric reduction.

Why I said you should be on a consistent eating pattern first. This is because when you eat more than normal, this can cause you to put on weight, if you eat less than normal it will cause you to lose weight... Lets say your diet has been random, you eat whenever you have no "consistent" caloric intake. you decide to do zigzagging you eat 2000 calories a day (does your body perceived this high or low? will it store fat or reduce it) you do this 2 days in a row, then you drop down to 1800, your body will say "this is lower" so i have to burn fat... then you go back up to 2000 calories on day 4. How is this perceived? It's lower than 2000 yes, but it's greater than 1800... can trick your body in to storing fat. This is why you need to be at a consistent caloric intake for a while before you start.