Cycling Calories

tomcornhole

Anyone have any thoughts on going over by 300 calories on one day and under 300 calories the next? And doing that for a week. Or going 3 days 500 below and then 2 days 300 over and then 2 days hitting your target. Just wondering how the body reacts to this. Seems the body is incredibly good at adapting to steady state anything (workouts, diet, etc...) Like to keep it guessing.

BarackMeLikeAHurricane

It would have no negative or positive effects on weight loss. If you prefer to eat this way you can do it.

The_Enginerd

I second the above. As long as you are accurate in measuring, the weight comes off the same in my experience. You may see larger up and downs from water weight, but long term weight loss will be the same.

Right now, my intake goes up and down to fit in life and I average over the week. During my weight loss, I ate a consistent amount of calories per day for months and my long term weight loss tracked to 1 lb/week just as expected.

I was unable to find any research done on this when a similar question came up earlier. I think all evidence is anecdotal at this point.

albertine58

Your body doesn't really know or care what "day" it is- the only thing that matters is your long-term average. Cycling that results in the same weekly average is the same as eating the same cals per day. That said, I definitely don't eat the same every day- I naturally cycle, and I give myself a higher calorie budget on Fridays and Saturdays, and lower during the week. But it's all the same.