Staggering Calories?

mkookies

Hey there, guys! I've been here for about three weeks now, and things are going pretty well so far. At first I was trying out 1,200 calories per day, but I felt pretty hungry. So I lowered my goal to 1 pound a week (instead of 2) and came up with 1,350 calories instead. This, in addition to the days I do 1/2 an hour of bootcamp (HIIT which involves both strength/cardio and burns about 600 cals per hour) usually gives me an additional 300 cals per day that I go - I go Mon-Fri. I don't do a whole lot of exercise on the weekends, though.

Anyways - I'm finding that I am probably losing about 1/2 a pound to 1 pound per week this way, it isn't too bad in way of hunger (and I love to eat) so it's pretty comfortable. But there are days where I just want to treat myself. Like last week, I went out for all you can eat ribs - I was surprised that I definitely can't stuff the food in there like I used to (I only ate just over half a rack! Plus some roasted potatoes, coleslaw, and a few dinner rolls...) but it was a high calorie day, regardless - about 2,800 calories, and I noticed that I lost MORE weight that week than usual. It didn't make much sense to me.

I heard that having a regular low amount of calories all week, and one day of high calories, helps you lose weight a lot faster. Which is very odd. I guess it keeps your body in check. It's so used to a certain amount of calories, but then all of a sudden you throw it a curve ball and this keeps your body on it's toes. Staggering calories - has it worked for you guys, do you have any opinions on it? If you stagger calories, what's your week/month usually like in that sense?

If it helps, you may look at my diary. I'm always open to criticism!
I'm looking for more friends, too.

BarackMeLikeAHurricane

It's all about personal preference. It won't make you lose weight any faster but if you prefer to stay 100 calories under everyday and then have a day where you eat an extra 600 (or something to that effect), go ahead.

mkookies

Thanks. Well, I was definitely looking for other people's experience with it.

Firefox7275

There are loads of threads on this if you run a search, use search terms like zig zagging and cheat days.

_namaste_

I have been zig zagging my calories which has allowed me higher days and lower days. I work out more on my lower days to allow myself extra calories (I eat most or all of them back).

I was more or less plateauing for the last couple of months and since starting the calorie zigzagging 3 weeks ago I have lost nearly 4lbs! This is saying a lot because I am already at / close to my goal weight. It is REALLY working for me. I am hoping that in conjunction with high protein that the calorie zig zagging may help me to lose more fat and maintain as much lean muscle mass as possible.

asiandressing

i was wondering the same thing... i am at the 1200 calorie level and some days come in under it and reallly struggled my 2nd and 3rd week of weight loss. i asked a fitness friend and she said to have one day where calories are higher to confuse your body a little. she said the body will get used to the 1200 intake and just plateau. so i have done that. it worked this week.

bearwith

You would be more successful if you burnt 300 calories a day because that would get your metabolism racing. This is more effective that trying to stoke your metabolism by eating more.

1 hour cardio a day will be better for your weight loss than eating more.

lolagurlx0x0

I would say plan your "splurge" days. When you have them scheduled you can work and plan around them. I have had some trouble with binge eating in the past, but I don't schedule mine- I have a MFP freind on my profile who has lost over a 134 pounds despite her binge eating addiction simply because she scheduled her days and planned around them