Calorie cycling / zig zagging - any thoughts or advice?

caroline_g
caroline_g Posts: 201 Member
in Food and Nutrition
At the moment I just do straight calorie counting, MFP gives my 1540 a day to lose 2lbs but I try to stick to around 1400 after exercise. I've seen before about calorie cycling but I've never actually tried it. I guess it's similar to JUDDD but doesn't go so low calorie. I was just wondering if anyone has tried it before and how you found it if you did? I've heard that it's good for keeping your metabolism going and that some people lose better than eating the same number of weekly calories but spread evenly. Was interested in seeing what people's experiences with it are like.

I've been having a look and there seems to be two main suggestions.

Week 1-2: 1888 calories a day
Week 3-4: 1488 calories a day
Keep alternating - giving me an average of 1688 a day

or

Day 1: 1327
Day 2: 1327
Day 3: 2327
Repeat - giving me an average of 1660 a day.

So both actually average out pretty much the same. Anyone tried either and willing to share their experiences? Wondering if it's worth trying, though 2327 whilst still keeping it healthy is a lot to fit in! Is it worth trying or should I just stick to what I've always done?

Replies

  • B_Running
    B_Running Posts: 158
    I've been doing IF for almost 2 months and recently started calorie cycling -- although, not as strict in terms of calculating everything -- and I've noticed that I've leaned-out a little more.

    It appears as though, as long as I keep my sodium low, I lose water weight the day after a high-calorie day.

    I haven't looked into it yet, but I find it interesting... and I have a growing list of questions : )

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