Counting calories

Agree, eat when you want, it makes no difference to your weight loss.

Ideally, you would want to spread them out evenly throughout the day (or technically whenever you are awake). If you must go with one or the other, however, then a heavier breakfast is better than a heavier dinner, simply because you have the rest of the day to burn it off rather than eating a huge meal then sleeping. Eating roughly equal amounts during the day keeps your metabolism up and at its optimum level. Keep in mind though, that time should be allotted no matter what you decide to do. Your body will need time to adjust. For example, if you are used to eating heavily at night with hardly anything for breakfast and you change to a heavy breakfast, your body will initially be surprised by getting food when it typically feels as if it's in "storage mode". So that heavy breakfast will be held on to for a while until your body realizes that it will be a frequent change and can metabolize it rather than storing it.

Actually, for weight loss purposes, it really doesn't matter what time of day you eat, or how big your meals are. It's how many calories you are consuming and burning that matters.

I have heard good things about intermittent fasting. I don't know much about it but it involves eating majority of your calories at once. worth checking out if that's how your day shapes up

Thanks for this... I was making myself eat throughout the day when I really wasnt hungry because I thought I needed to spread my calories out. Now, I wont feel so bad if I skip a snack or not eat breakfast.

Actually, for weight loss purposes, it really doesn't matter what time of day you eat, or how big your meals are. It's how many calories you are consuming and burning that matters.

This from JesterMFP is also valid. The ultimate factor is your input vs output calorie deficit. That should be followed FIRST and can in fact give you the results you want without worrying about what time you eat. My previous suggestions was simply an extra way to keep your metabolism up all day. Small meals throughout the day are a great way to do that, but also requires time. Please do not force yourself to eat. I personally follow this and have done so for years because I NATURALLY am hungry every 3 hours unless i have a huge meal. Obviously, it all depends on your body's needs and your lifestyle.

Your metabolism doesn't bounce up and down during the day based on when or what you eat.

Doesnt really matter. I wouldnt suggest eating all calories at one meal though.

I eat about 200-300 calories for breakfast, 300-400 for lunch and 700-900 for dinner and evening snacking.

My goal is 1690.

No difference for weight loss but you'll have more energy spacing it out. At least that's what I've found x

No it doesn't make a difference. Eat when you're hungry. I usually eat very light during the day before my workouts in the afternoon (usually around 4 or 5 I go to the gym for an hour to two). When I get calories back I can eat pretty much whatever and still have a hard time reaching my calorie specifications. I haven't been at this long (a little under a week and a half) but I've been so surprised I haven't had to deprive myself AT ALL. Some people feel they have more energy grazing or spacing it out and some feel better after a fasting period (I do). Do whatever feels best for your body.

I try to eat 6 small meals throughout the day, but I try (and am not always successful) to make my largest meal lunch. That way I have some time to digest my meal before going to bed. This helps me stay satisfied so I don't get hungry and over-eat.

I said I was new here but I have been here a long time but just started back eating healthy.

Ideally, you would want to spread them out evenly throughout the day (or technically whenever you are awake). If you must go with one or the other, however, then a heavier breakfast is better than a heavier dinner, simply because you have the rest of the day to burn it off rather than eating a huge meal then sleeping. Eating roughly equal amounts during the day keeps your metabolism up and at its optimum level. Keep in mind though, that time should be allotted no matter what you decide to do. Your body will need time to adjust. For example, if you are used to eating heavily at night with hardly anything for breakfast and you change to a heavy breakfast, your body will initially be surprised by getting food when it typically feels as if it's in "storage mode". So that heavy breakfast will be held on to for a while until your body realizes that it will be a frequent change and can metabolize it rather than storing it.

Actually, for weight loss purposes, it really doesn't matter what time of day you eat, or how big your meals are. It's how many calories you are consuming and burning that matters.

For the average joe, absolutely right.

Your metabolism doesn't bounce up and down during the day based on when or what you eat.

I've seen this stated frequently and with conviction here.

It makes me wonder, at what point does intake have an impact on metabolism? Once every twelve hours? Twenty four? Could I eat 14,000 calories each Sunday and be good for the week? Once annually?

www.leangains.com I takes 2-3 days.

Ideally, you would want to spread them out evenly throughout the day (or technically whenever you are awake). If you must go with one or the other, however, then a heavier breakfast is better than a heavier dinner, simply because you have the rest of the day to burn it off rather than eating a huge meal then sleeping. Eating roughly equal amounts during the day keeps your metabolism up and at its optimum level. Keep in mind though, that time should be allotted no matter what you decide to do. Your body will need time to adjust. For example, if you are used to eating heavily at night with hardly anything for breakfast and you change to a heavy breakfast, your body will initially be surprised by getting food when it typically feels as if it's in "storage mode". So that heavy breakfast will be held on to for a while until your body realizes that it will be a frequent change and can metabolize it rather than storing it.

There is absolutely zero truth to this. Your metabolism runs at a constant rate, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You still burn off all the food you eat at night, while you are sleeping. There's no such thing as "storage mode," as your body is constantly storing and burning fat every second of every day. If calories burned exceeds calories consumed, there is a net loss of fat stored, regardless of when the food was eaten. Eating does boost metabolism (the Thermic Effect of Food, or TEF,) but it's based on total calories consumed, not when they are eaten. TEF is 10%. If you eat 3 500 calorie meals, TEF is 50x3 or 150 calories. If you eat 5 300 calorie meals, TEF is 5x30 or 150 calories. It's exactly the same.

Oh, and while technically TEF is considered a metabolism boost, it's also already factored into BMR and TDEE calculations, so it's not like you actually burn extra calories, you'd just burn less if you didn't eat at all (it takes about 72-96 hours for your metabolism to down regulate during prolonged fasting.)