Zig Zaggin Calories?

lesliemk

I've heard several people on here mention "zig zagging calories." What does that mean? Is it just eating 1300 one day, 1500 the next day, 1200 the next, etc... just to keep your body guessing? Can someone fill me in on what it is and if it works. I'm intrigued.

SHBoss1673

yep, it's just what it sounds like. The theory is that if you are never at a big deficit for a sustained period, that your body will never lower it's metabolic rate, so on the days that you have a big deficit, you can burn more calories.

Leigh14

yep, it's just what it sounds like. The theory is that if you are never at a big deficit for a sustained period, that your body will never lower it's metabolic rate, so on the days that you have a big deficit, you can burn more calories.

Does that mean that you workout more on days when you eat less and vice-versa?

SHBoss1673

yep, it's just what it sounds like. The theory is that if you are never at a big deficit for a sustained period, that your body will never lower it's metabolic rate, so on the days that you have a big deficit, you can burn more calories.

Does that mean that you workout more on days when you eat less and vice-versa?

no, it just means some day your net calorie deficit is big (say 500 to 1000 calories), and other days it's small (0 to 400 calories), and some days it's moderate (300 to 600)

weaklink109

It does work. You can learn more by googling "zig zag calories."

For myself, about once every 3 weeks or so, I will have a day where I eat at least 800 more calories than I normally would, maintaining my normal workout schedule of walking about 4 miles a day, at least 5 days per week. I have never plateaued since starting in mid April, and the proof is in the ticker.:drinker:

In the past, I could look at food and gain. Now my body is working much better at consistently burning calories. I highly recommend at least TRYING it, to see if it works for you.

Good Luck.:flowerforyou:

agarlits

yep, it's just what it sounds like. The theory is that if you are never at a big deficit for a sustained period, that your body will never lower it's metabolic rate, so on the days that you have a big deficit, you can burn more calories.

Does that mean that you workout more on days when you eat less and vice-versa?

I use my workout calories, one week I will eat back 80-90% and the next week I dont touch them.
The most important thing if your going to start zig zagging calories is that you develop a plan that you'll stick with. So if your really hungry after workouts doing what I do wouldnt be a good fit because eventually you'll cave after a workout and eat back those calories. So a deficit of 200 or 300 calories from week to week may be more productive for you.

lizzys

:laugh: i zig zag alot when i just had a cheat day. if it works for you use it . you just have to make sure you dont cheat on the days your calories are cut back

lesliemk

So you never go below 1200 still, right?

My daily goal is to hit 1320 and that's when I don't work out. I don't usually eat all of my exercise calories, but I try to eat at least half.

So if I were to zig zag calories is it something I should do on a daily basis like 1320 on Monday, 1500 on Tuesday, etc... or just something I should be changing up weekly like this week stick to around 1320 even with working out, but then next week bump it up to 1500 each day. I'm off to Google for more info!

Thanks for the info thus far everyone!!

11kimberly11

Funny, I was starting to get the impression that I needed one or two cheat days a week to see a lose.This Zig Zac theory sounds like it might be why that is....

Luludog1

Since i started back in October of 2008 i have always allowed myself to eat whatever i wanted on the weekends (still workout). So do you think I have "zig zagging" to some extent? I too have never leveled out and have always lost at least 2lbs a month?

arzgirl5

I was interested in this as well. Check out this link

http://www.geocities.com/~slopitch/drsquat/fredzig.htm