For Those who do or have Zig-Zagged

kkauz42

So I haven't seen much movement at all lately. I'm not close to my goal or anything like that. Has anybody zig-zagged in general without being on a plateau? I know a lot of people have started to do that because of a plateau, I was just curious if anyone had done it before they ever hit a plateau.

abbysmommy7

Bump for later

Espressocycle

For hose about to zig zag, we salute you!

So I don't zig zag on purpose, it's just that some days I go way over and I make it up the next day. I often do see a weight drop when I do that, but not sure if it's just a temporary water weight thing, since my overall weekly losses have been a pretty steady pound/week.

funkycamper

Well, I'm not expert on weight loss and I'm losing very slowly but, then again, I always have and I just have to accept that's the way I am, I guess. Since I'm pretty sure my metabolism is toast, I am zig-zagging throughout my entire weight loss for a couple of reasons.

First, because of the way it's supposed to help you boost your metabolism a bit. I figure, if true, I can use all the help with that I can get. It's too soon to tell in this particular stage of my weight loss journey if it's working, but the concept makes sense to me.

Second, I'm not great at keeping to schedules. I vary my eating and exercise routines because I get bored so quickly. On 4-5 days/week when i do intense workouts, I just can't eat enough. I can barely eat my recommended amount much less get in all my exercise calories. Intense exercise is a real appetite depressant for me. So I figure this is a good way to bank calories for splurges at a social event or whatever. At least once a week I have an event where it's nice to be able to eat more and, yeah, things that may not be considered clean-eating without going over my total weekly calorie limit. This Friday and Sunday I have events where food will be a big part of the celebration and I intend to indulge a bit. Not massive pig-outs but I'll have a small piece of birthday cake and whatever. I log these splurges in so I don't overdo it. But, even if I do, it's nice to know that I can balance it out with lower calorie days.

Third, I think the paleo folks have some good points and I'm sure early humans did not always eat the same calories day-in and day-out as it would depend upon supply. Which is another reason why I vary my workouts by never doing the same workout more than once every 8-10 days.

I'd say you should just give it a try and see if it helps your plateau or if you just like it better so it helps you keep on things for the long haul. For me, I see it as a part of my lifestyle change and not just a weight-loss technique.

In fact, I look back to when I was thin and that's how I stayed thin. I'd eat light during the week and splurge on the weekends. If I was a bit bloated on Sunday, no big deal because it was always gone by Monday or Tuesday. If it worked then, it should work now.

kkauz42

That totally makes sense! I may give it a try!