Under/Over Calories

veganempress
veganempress Posts: 53
edited September 22 in Health and Weight Loss
Is it possible to overeat one day and make up for the next day by eating less? Or vice versa. Can you under eat one day and eat more the next day?

I was wondering because there was one day where I overate, but the next day I was not as hungry so I did not eat almost the same amount of cals that I overate the previous day. Is it the net cals at the end of the week that I should be concerned with? Since creating a cal deficit for the week to equal 3500 can I possibly zig zag the cals?

Replies

  • myricksmom
    myricksmom Posts: 15 Member
    I do this regularly. I undereat on Saturday (by about 400) and borrow those calories on Sunday. Football is a major event here on Sundays and the food is part fo it all.
  • ashlee954
    ashlee954 Posts: 1,112 Member
    It is actually a very good idea to zig zag. It keeps your metabolism guessing and makes the possibility of a plateau much less likely because your system does not get used to any set calorie intake.
  • FrenchMob
    FrenchMob Posts: 1,167 Member
    Like Ashlee said, it's actually a good idea. It's also known to help break through a plateaus.
  • KristyF08
    KristyF08 Posts: 89 Member
    I'm curious about this too! I've heard of "zig-zagging" but was never really sure if it worked. Thanks for posting!
  • FrenchMob
    FrenchMob Posts: 1,167 Member
    I usually go 15-20% calorie deficit for 3 days, followed by a 5-10% calorie surplus for 1 day, & repeat. This also helps maintain lean mass while trying to lose fat.
  • veganempress
    veganempress Posts: 53
    Thank you for breaking it down in Percentages. It makes sense to me now. I will try this!
  • ttungttung
    ttungttung Posts: 20
    Hey this sounds like an interesting idea... I might try it too!
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