net calories... average or daily more important?

jenifer7teen

So after noticing my weightloss slowing i decided to take the advice of many here and start to increase my net calories (i burn a lot through exercise). However, i am wondering if the AVERAGE net calories (say, weekly) is more important. For example, i try to take one day off a week (or really light exercise) and my net for that day is usually ends up higher (1200-1300), while there are some days that i work out for 3 hours and my net ends up being closer to 0 (because, no, i will not eat 2500 calories while on a diet...). So will one or two low netting days mess my metabolism up that fast, or is it better to vary it to keep your body guessing?

(before anyone says i need to net 1200+ a day i don't want that to be the debate. I try to take into account underestimations of caloric intake and overestimations of exercise calories burned... so my goal is to net closer to 800 to be safe).

bcattoes

It's just personal preference. Either will work as well as the other in theory. If it's easier to stick to or you prefer averaging then do it. If you find it easier to stick to by meeting that goal every single day, then do that.

lizard053

Whatever works for you! I think a weekly average is easier. Some days I'm just not hungry, others I'm starving!

Chagama

If you are focusing on losing X lbs per week, it is the weekly total you need to worry about. Most people have trouble looking at the week as a whole, so daily works better for most people. As long as you are able to manage the entire week as a whole, it will work.