Eat a different amount of calories each day?

Brandellina

I've heard that when trying to lose weight, the most effective way is to eat a different amount of calories each day, for instance: 1350 Monday, 1180 Tuesday, 1230 Wednesday, etc etc. Because it apparently keeps the body from realizing that it is on a diet. Anyone else do this? If so, is it effective? Any stories?

chevy88grl

That is called calorie zig zagging and many people (including myself) have had success with it.

Our bodies get used to what we're doing - whether it is the way we eat, the way we workout, etc. It gets comfortable and when it is comfortable, sometimes it is running so efficiently that it isn't burning as many calories as it could be.

If you mix up your workout routine and mix up your calories - you keep it guessing. Keeping it guessing is a good thing.

Melmade

That totally makes sense. I didn't know there was a word for it, but I always wondered if that's how you could avoid having as much of a plateau.

Brandellina

Ah-ha! That makes PERFECT sense! Lol the way that you explained makes so much sense!! And congrats on your weight loss, that is amazing!!! I will definitely mix up my eating and working out routine more often then

TazzytheMotivator

I've heard that when trying to lose weight, the most effective way is to eat a different amount of calories each day, for instance: 1350 Monday, 1180 Tuesday, 1230 Wednesday, etc etc. Because it apparently keeps the body from realizing that it is on a diet. Anyone else do this? If so, is it effective? Any stories?

Yes it works, Your body right away know that you are cutting back on calories, so it tells you, guess what i'am going tp hold on this fat because i don't know when you are going to feed me again. So keep your body guessing. :bigsmile:

ANeWcRe8N

I believe it works for some and maybe not for others, but doesn't hurt to try it out. I went over my reports since starting MFP and I noticed I lost more weight around the times I went over on calories so I'm doing this little experiment where I will eat more on some days and less on others (zig zagging I guess you would call it). So I guess I would say it works

JellyJaks

I vary my calories and types of workouts each day and I've been steadily losing weight. I figure if I "confuse" my body by changing things up, it's always on its toes and doesn't get bored and stop burning calories efficiently :laugh: