We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Roll Over Calories

bmannen1
bmannen1 Posts: 77 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Do any of you roll over calories? If I eat 400 less then my goal today should I eat 400 over my goal tomorrow, or if I over eat today should I try to eat less tomorrow?

Replies

  • paperpudding
    paperpudding Posts: 9,359 Member
    I dont do it as a day to day thing- like making up the exact number the next day.

    But I do see my calorie goal as being a weekly one - so some days are over, some under, but as long as they are around the mark and the weekly average is about right, then I am happy.
  • Branstin
    Branstin Posts: 2,320 Member
    I balance my calories for the week, too. It gives me flexibility.
  • teranga79
    teranga79 Posts: 202 Member
    I look at it weekly too. So long as the weekly total is close to where it should be I don't worry about the odd day over or under. I find that useful when I know I've got a meal out or something similar planned.
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    I aim for daily or a bit under but I am more concerned with my weekly goals.

    For example yesterday I ate 164 under goal...today atm (with my entire day logged) I am over 500 under...(I will add more food) and I expect my week will have between 100-200 under each day...so maybe on Saturday I will have an extra beer/drink or a burger or chicken from a fast food place...but I do not let this go on into the next week...

    On Sunday night...it's done and Monday is a new week...same thing if I go over as well.
  • Fit_Fox88
    Fit_Fox88 Posts: 410 Member
    I look at my calorie goal daily, not weekly. I've tried it and it confuses me. That said, it works for many people. Occasionally I will eat so much less one day that I do make it up over the next couple of days, especially after a big workout. But if I go over I don't worry about eating less the next day. I figure I'm still eating less than my TDEE so I'm probably eating at maintenance with no danger of gaining. Try it a few different ways and see what works for you. Don't stress too much about it :smile:
  • pierremignon
    pierremignon Posts: 172 Member
    ^ Same as the others. I find eating the same amount of calories everyday a bit boring, so I "save" around 200 calories from Monday to Saturday, so come Sunday I have at least 1,200 extra exercise calories I can eat. So although I go over during Sundays, my weekly average is still under.
  • MCW3516
    MCW3516 Posts: 9 Member
    I usually am 200 or so under my goal for week days with exercise. I "save" those calories for the weekend when I don't exercise and have an extra 800 calories or so to drink or have a burger or something. I usually view my goals in weekly increments.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    I look at the whole week. I will often eat a bit under goal during the week and then enough over to make up for it on the weekend.
  • janatarnhem
    janatarnhem Posts: 669 Member
    I try and balance the week! But if I go over a massive amount, I just log it, draw a line under it and forget it! Other times, I go do some more exercise!!
  • JTick
    JTick Posts: 2,131 Member
    I don't - if I'm under, I'm under. I'm never under a lot though unless I'm sick. I also eat out a fair bit, so I figure coming in a little under some days will make up for restaurant estimations being off.
  • AnthonyThrashD
    AnthonyThrashD Posts: 306 Member
    I think this technique is called zig zagging calories. A lot of body builders and personal trainers recommend it. Personally, I don't roll over calories, because I'm only 90 days into lifestyle change...and before diligent calorie tracking/logging...I would always promise myself "I'll eat better tomorrow" each night, when I felt guilty about being fat and how much I ate. I didn't eat any better the next day, it was just some weird guilt/shame cycle.

    So, I stay under goal. I use that big "commit" button as a psychological advantage...once I press it, I won't eat anything else!

    good luck to you!
  • puzzledpenguin
    puzzledpenguin Posts: 5 Member
    I look at the calories for the week as a whole. That way I can use exercise calories to balance out treats and days when I don't make it to the gym.

Categories