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: 9,300 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