Daily vs. Weekly calorie goals and Metabolism

RobinC37

MFP has recommended a 1420 daily calorie goal for me, or ~10,000 calories per week. Having just read through a bunch of posts about starvation mode and plateaus and metabolism, it got me thinking. Right now I try to eat 5-7 small meals evenly distributed through the day to keep my metabolism running optimally as I restrict calories. I will be eating around 1600 once I can incorporate heavy exercise again, right now I'm restricted to walking short periods since I had abdominal surgery recently. I was wondering, does anyone structure their calories weekly instead of daily? Monday morning is my usual weigh-in (keeps me more mindful over the weekend), and I was wondering if something like this would be beneficial:

M-2000 cals
T-1800
W-1600
R-Su-1150/day

Or what is it was varied: 1150, 2000, 1150, 1800, 1150, 1600,1150?

Does anyone have PERSONAL EXPERIENCE or SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH about structuring a diet this way? I've heard that the human body will adjust to any routine, and it's best to keep the metabolism guessing. I don't really want your opinions on how much I do or don't eat, I want knowledge about variances in caloric intake and it's effect on metabolism

What about on a macro level? Does anyone do high carb days, then low carb days, etc? I am very interested in the science behind maintaining an optimal metabolism. I just try to consume more protein on heavier exercise days usually, 20-30g more usually.

I imagine the early homo sapiens had an Atikins-type diet through the winter (fat and meat), then ate fruits and vegetables heavily in summer when they were abundant. Do paleo-people do this too? I'm not super familiar with that diet, but it also seems to include a lot of variance that would cause the body to "reset" itself metabolically pretty often.

THANKS in advance for all input on these or similar topics!

Firefox7275

Many people eat produce seasonally today: remember weather varies widely geographically and seasonally and through different ice ages so it's not as simple as what is naturally seasonal where you live in today's climate. Which paleolithic population at which period are you referring to, middle paleolithic Africa? Don't forget fish, seafood including softer shells, organ meats, crunchy bones of small creatures, nuts and seeds, perhaps storable root vegetables or water plants, it's not all muscle meat and easy spoil produce. Also many fruits/ berries do last at least part way through the winter in some parts of the world, I went to a UK nature reserve over Christmas and was shocked how much was still on the trees. My relatives, who are keen ornithologists, were not surprised at all.

Eating totally different macro splits seasonally would make most sense if you switch your central heating off, travel to work without the benefit of a car and are willing to permit seasonal body fat fluctuations.

RobinC37

Well, I generally how the heat off or low because I'm poor! Also I buy a lot of hydroponically grown produce with never goes out of season!!

Anyone else??

megleo818

Hmm. Not scientific, but I like to average over several days. Like if I'm over on my calories today, I try to hold back tomorrow and the next day (or whatever it takes to achieve balance). Same for protein and fat. The other macros I leave alone -- I'm almost always under on sodium and almost always over on fiber and sugar. I eat a lot of fruit. Such is life.

I know you're looking for documented facts, but I've found that the best gauge is how I FEEL. After doing this for nearly a year, I know that I don't want to eat fried foods because they make me feel crappy and that I do need to have lots of fresh produce because that helps me feel light and lively. I've also come to realize that facts and figures are, in the end, all kind of useless -- it's what works for YOU that matters.

Have fun finding your perfect balance!

WinnerVictorious

MFP has recommended a 1420 daily calorie goal for me, or ~10,000 calories per week. Having just read through a bunch of posts about starvation mode and plateaus and metabolism, it got me thinking. Right now I try to eat 5-7 small meals evenly distributed through the day to keep my metabolism running optimally as I restrict calories. I will be eating around 1600 once I can incorporate heavy exercise again, right now I'm restricted to walking short periods since I had abdominal surgery recently. I was wondering, does anyone structure their calories weekly instead of daily? Monday morning is my usual weigh-in (keeps me more mindful over the weekend), and I was wondering if something like this would be beneficial:

M-2000 cals
T-1800
W-1600
R-Su-1150/day

Or what is it was varied: 1150, 2000, 1150, 1800, 1150, 1600,1150?

Does anyone have PERSONAL EXPERIENCE or SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH about structuring a diet this way? I've heard that the human body will adjust to any routine, and it's best to keep the metabolism guessing. I don't really want your opinions on how much I do or don't eat, I want knowledge about variances in caloric intake and it's effect on metabolism

What about on a macro level? Does anyone do high carb days, then low carb days, etc? I am very interested in the science behind maintaining an optimal metabolism. I just try to consume more protein on heavier exercise days usually, 20-30g more usually.

I imagine the early homo sapiens had an Atikins-type diet through the winter (fat and meat), then ate fruits and vegetables heavily in summer when they were abundant. Do paleo-people do this too? I'm not super familiar with that diet, but it also seems to include a lot of variance that would cause the body to "reset" itself metabolically pretty often.

THANKS in advance for all input on these or similar topics!

you're starting with a false premise that you have to constantly "stoke the furnace" that is your metabolism every couple of hours, or it will start to die down.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/820577-meal-frequency-rev-up-that-furnace-lol