Zig Zag Dieting

brittany_
brittany_ Posts: 18 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
So, I've been looking into trying a zig zag diet...however, MFP calculates my net as 1560 cals a day. I researched a "zig zag calculator" & they all shift from 2200 to 2450. That just seems like a really drastic caloric intake compared to what MFP has set for me. Some sites even suggest I eat 2000 calories a day for weight loss. I'd really appreciate some insight on this.

Replies

  • Madame_Goldbricker
    Madame_Goldbricker Posts: 1,625 Member
    So, I've been looking into trying a zig zag diet...however, MFP calculates my net as 1560 cals a day. I researched a "zig zag calculator" & they all shift from 2200 to 2450. That just seems like a really drastic caloric intake compared to what MFP has set for me. Some sites even suggest I eat 2000 calories a day for weight loss. I'd really appreciate some insight on this.

    Sorry can you expand on "zig zag dieting" do you mean 5:2? Or just staggering your cals intake over a week rather than daily?

    What have you set your weight loss weekly goal as? What have you set your activity level at? Have you also worked out your TDEE? & BMR?
  • brittany_
    brittany_ Posts: 18 Member
    Zig zag dieting is basically a lot of calories on day, then a lot less the next. or give or take a few hundred every other day.

    my weight loss weekly goal is at 1560 to lose 2lbs a week. Different websites calculate different intakes but i've been sticking with MFP.

    BMR: 2064
    TDEE: 2477
  • Madame_Goldbricker
    Madame_Goldbricker Posts: 1,625 Member
    Right no forewarning someone else more knowledgeable could probably help you out more. But to my understanding..

    The 1560 daily calorie intake sounds about right to me. I don't know your stats but your BMR actually sounds way too high? The TDEE probably may be on the higher end too. Are you sure that the 1560 wasn't actually your BMR? Just that as a rule of thumb MFP normally sets nearly everyone on 1200, especially for a 2lb a week loss. Did you put your activity status as very active? If you put sedentary instead it'll drop the net. But you then log your burns from exercise and eat at least 50-75% back. Or you could stick with a higher daily allowance & not eat back your burns.

    You would generally eat either 20% under your TDEE. Or just go with what MFP sets.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/931670-bmr-and-tdee-explained-for-those-needing-a-guide

    Zig zagging sounds like it maybe hard to keep a really firm track on. Maybe you could look into 5:2 if that's what you're interested in.
  • aleggett321
    aleggett321 Posts: 186 Member
    I've used zig zag dieting in the past although not tied in to MFP. The theory is to not let your body get too complacent with a set number of calories but to change things up. I have a couple of thoughts.
    If you have your net set at 1560, eat around that, 1360 one day, 1760 another for example,keeping the average at 1560.
    In a way, MFP already does this. Although your net remains the same, your actual intake changes with calories burned. My guess is that this would work the same way.
    This is only an educated guess, others may have a more definitive answer for you. Good luck!
  • brittany_
    brittany_ Posts: 18 Member
    ok! well those numbers were based off my height & weight on calculators i had used. i'll try that plan & see if it works out. no the 1560 isnt my bmr its what mfp set for me to eat daily. i think im gonna try this out! was the diet successful for you? how much weight did you lose?
  • brittany_
    brittany_ Posts: 18 Member
    hmm what's 5:2? never heard of it! im just trying to figure out an easier way to get my calories without feeling completely starved. its a hard adjustment for me, i've lost 9lbs so far but I dont want to hit any plateaus either, its inevitable of course but i've heard the zig zag method helps with that!

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