Does Your Calorie Intake Fluctuate from Day-to-day?

issystclaire
issystclaire Posts: 113 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Does anyone else find, that on days you work out, you find it hard to reach your recommended calories, and on days you don't work out, you find it quite easy to go over?

Now, I am not hugely concerned about my calorie intake, as I personally feel that what is more important are the types of foods I am eating rather than being so focussed on the calories, but at the same time, I obviously do record them on here and do pay attention.

I work out 4 days a week usually for a total of 6 hours, doing bikram yoga. On my work out days I find it quite hard to reach even 1200 as I eat my three meals and usually one snack, and am full and satisfied. (And mfp even suggests I go up to 1600 on my Bikram days!)

Then on my break days, I find it easier to eat more carby food, and I always tend to go over.

Is this normal, does anyone else experience this as well? I am worried if my body is reacting to not getting enough calories on my work out days, so on my break days, it is like on over drive, hungry for nurishment....what does anyone think/know about this?

Replies

  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    I personally find it easier to eat the same amount every day regardless of daily activity. I look at my goals from a weekly standpoint.
  • grimsin
    grimsin Posts: 78 Member
    I don't log my food, just keep a general daily total in my head so mine def fluctuates day to day
  • mbvaldivia30
    mbvaldivia30 Posts: 25
    I had the problem of eating to little calories and being full after a workout but for me it depends on the day. I think it's just getting in the routine.
  • vypeters
    vypeters Posts: 475 Member
    Your body isn't going to lose or gain weight on a 24-hour time window. It's longer term calories in, calories out that matter.

    I typically have 3 days a week with a pretty good calorie burn, 1 day with an outrageous burn (all day mountain hiking usually) and 3 days without a significant burn. No way I'm eating back that outrageous burn all in one day, so I spread it out. I eat more that day and the day before and the day after. I eat over my calories on some days, under on others.

    On average over any given week I'm on target. Day to day, not so much.
  • love4fitnesslove4food_wechange
    love4fitnesslove4food_wechange Posts: 6,897 Member
    I think if I ate 1200 calories on a workout day then I'd be starving the next day--so yes that's normal. Now if you were to actually eat the recommended amount you'd probably find that you're not as hungry the next day.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    My calories do fluctuate day to day. And I usually eat (okay, drink) more calories on the weekend. On non-workout days I often go over. On workout days I usually come in a little under or about even.

    I'm not set ot 1200 calories though. I typically consume around 1500 total calories during the week and 1700-2100 on the weekends no matter how much I workout.
  • sittic123
    sittic123 Posts: 1
    I definitely agree with you on this one. I tend to have similar fluctuations with my caloric intake on exercise days versus non exercise days. I am planning on doing a little research in this area as far as trying to eat more of the full-filling healthier carbs on workout days to maintain my calorie intake goal. I think that should help to satisfy the urge to overeat on the non-exercise days. I believe your body knows and trys to make adjustments on its own. So when we've undereaten on workout days our body just is craving the extra cals the next day.
  • issystclaire
    issystclaire Posts: 113 Member
    Thanks guys for your responses so far, it is very helpful. I figured it would be more important to average my calories on a weekly basis - meaning only if I consistenly over or under ate every day, that would be bad. I will do some more research as well though to find out why my body may be reacting this way as well. Thanks again. :-)

Categories