Can someone explain the "zig zagging" calories?

AlyssaC2010
AlyssaC2010 Posts: 100
edited September 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I'm curious...I really want to try it because I've heard good things about it. I can't really find anything that explains it well...so can someone explain it for me please? I really want to kick start this weigh loss. I'm at a plateau I think :/

Replies

  • kalebsmama07
    kalebsmama07 Posts: 503
    good question! i wanna know too
  • bjberry
    bjberry Posts: 665 Member
    This web site was understandable--by me--a person who has never heard of zigzagging before. ;)
    http://www.naturalphysiques.com/tools.php?itemid=64

    Now I know why I have been able to lose weight on this current site! I never exactly attain my caloric goal. I am always under, except for one or two days a week that I am over. I am losing about 1.5 lbs a week, and this site has me set at 0.9 lbs per week. Works for me. ;)

    Have fun.
  • epj78
    epj78 Posts: 643 Member
    You can also google "Wendy Plan" and "Weight Watchers." It is NOT sanctioned by weight watchers, but lots of people swear by it. Its the zig-zagging philosophy.
  • meokk
    meokk Posts: 787 Member
    From what I can tell it is just changing up your calories intake from day to day e.g. 1600 cals one day, 1200 the next.
    It also seems to work when done in small blocks like 3 high calorie days, 3 low calories days.

    I think the idea to stop your body from getting used to anything and getting too comfortable. The result is more consistent long term losses and hopefully no plateaus.

    I'm trying this myself this week and so far so good. I did 3 high calorie days followed by 3 low calories days so far.

    The best thing you can do is make a plan for yourself and try it for a few weeks and then tweak it if necessary.
  • IrishChik
    IrishChik Posts: 465 Member
    When I was on WW and hit a plateau, I would use the Wendi Plan, it always worked! So I see no reason why it would not work if you just counted calories. Just remember, the saying is true, what works for one does not always work for another. Our bodies are all different!

    I found some info on these sites:

    http://caloriecount.about.com/zig-zag-method-ft31941

    http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/calorie-counters/75000-zig-zagging-calories.html

    http://www.diet-blog.com/06/5_ways_to_break_a_weight_loss_plateau.php

    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/likness31.htm

    http://www.peertrainer.com/LoungeCommunityThread.aspx?ForumID=1&ThreadID=45426

    I was actually thinking about trying this for a few weeks because I know there are days where I am just not hungry but force myself to meet goal, and days where I am going to go out to eat or just feel super hungry and would like to have a higher calorie count for the day.

    It would be nice if this website offered us that option in our calorie count for the day/week.
  • AriesGrl
    AriesGrl Posts: 174 Member
    I just want to say thanks you so much for introducing me to this concept!! I was so frustrated I started my weight loss journey with 100 lbs to lose...I managed to make it all the way to 90 lbs lost when I hit the worst plateau....I had been working so hard, and I tried absolutly EVERYTHING to get past it! I was about to give up, when I read this post and thought...why not try it? So for the last week since you posted this I have been doing it and to my surprise when I weighed myself this morning I lost 5 lbs!! I have finally broken my 7 month long plateau, and am now only 5 lbs away from my goal THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!
  • lizziewhan
    lizziewhan Posts: 148 Member
    jillian michaels calls it calorie cycling and im actually going to start doing that this week!
  • MrsBattousai
    MrsBattousai Posts: 171
    I'm trying it out this week as well! Keep in touch and let me know what you think?
  • pfenixa
    pfenixa Posts: 194 Member
    Since I've gotten so close to my goal over the last few weeks I've only been losing weight every other week. I've been thinking about trying zig zagging, so thanks for the info! I've only used the idea as an excuse for days that I go over! :laugh:
  • rcatr
    rcatr Posts: 374 Member
    It's an interesting concept. Our bodies adapt so quickly so we have to keep it guessing. We do it with exercise so why wouldn't we do it with our diets too?
  • lyndsloo
    lyndsloo Posts: 242
    I like to think of my calorie intake as a weekly goal, not a daily one. You can calculate what you're supposed to eat on a weekly basis and then try to mix up your caloric intake on a daily basis. So basically, if you intake more calories on one day than another, you'll be fine, as long as you don't exceed your WEEKLY goal. Also, I feel like MFP is very generous with the calories burned from exercise so you may actually be closer to your daily allowance than you think. I am always a little under, just in case.

    Use this to help you...this may seem complicated, but I PROMISE it will make a HUGE difference. It has really answered a lot of my questions on why I should/should not eat something.

    Here is a formula you can use to calculate your weekly calorie allowance:

    First figure out your Basal Metabolic Rate using this formula:

    665 + (4.3 x body weight in lbs) + (4.7 x height in inches) - (4.7 x age in years) = Find the solution and keep in handy for the next part.

    Then, figure out your daily activity level. Determine your score by which of the following descriptions best fits you.

    A. Sedentary Physical Activity Level (desk job) - 1.1

    B. Light Physical Activity Level(stay-at-home mothers, doctors, salespeople) - 1.2

    C. Moderate Physical Activity Level (gardener, mail carrier) - 1.3

    D. High Physical Activity Level (construction worker, mover, farmer) - 1.4

    Then, lastly, calculate how many calories you burn during any exercise session on an average day. Then, use ALL of the infomation collected to calcuate your daily Active Metabolic Rate.


    BMR x Daily Activity Score + Calories burned from exercise = Active Metabolic Rate


    Here is mine from awhile ago...I've lost weight since completing it, but it is a helpful example:

    : 655 + (4.3 x 229 = 984.7) + (4.7 x 300.8) - (4.7 x 23 = 108.1)

    655 + 984.7 +300.8 - 108.1 = 1832.4 is my Basal Metabolic Rate

    Daily Activity Score is 1.2

    Exercise Expenditure: 400

    My Active Metabolic Rate allowance is: 1832.4 x 1.2 + 400 = 2598.88

    Multiply your Active Metabolic Rate by 7 (7 days in a week) and get your WEEKLY AMR. Then, LASTLY, subtract 3500 per pound you want to lose from your weekly AMR.

    My weekly AMR is 2598.88 x 7 = 18192.16

    My goal is to lose 2lbs a week so I subracted 7000 calories from my AMR to get 11192.16, which I then eat over the course of a week.


    BEST OF LUCK! Feel free to message me if you have any questions!
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