Avoiding plateaus by taking strategic "breaks"?

angiechimpanzee

http://fitnessblackbook.com/dieting_for_fat_loss/avoid-fat-loss-plateaus-by-taking-strategic-breaks-from-dieting/

People say that you plateau in weight loss because your body becomes "used to" the deficit you're creating over time. Okay. Then instead of allowing your body to get used to it, why don't you do something like, maintain a calorie deficit for 3 or 4 weeks straight, then take a week long "break" where you just eat at maintenance? And then start the deficit again?

Wouldn't that theoretically keep your body from getting used to anything? It's a similar concept as the "cheat day" thing except I feel as if it would be more effective than just one day of going all out. & you wouldn't be encouraged to binge or eat a scary large amount of junk food or whatever because you're only eating at maintenance, not at a surplus. Idk, would something like this work? Theres GOT to be some, full-proof way of avoiding plateaus. And in my opinion, I think it would be better to do something in order to PREVENT the plateau, instead of waiting until it comes & then being frustrated & discouraged & whatnot.

TavistockToad

I have heard that you should have diet breaks every so often so's not to stress the body too much by being at a deficit for too long. The same goes for exercise breaks... Rest is important.

I would say a week at maintenance every 3 months would be sufficient. But it's each to their own really, you have to listen to your body.