Zigzagging Question

NewVonnie
NewVonnie Posts: 683 Member
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Ok, question for anyone who knows how to zigzag..do I have this right? I set my goal for 1pound a week so I dont go under the 1200. Then I never want to go over maintenance which is 1960, is that also correct? And I need to stay in my total calorie goals for the week which is 10,220. So say I did: 1350 1960 1200 1960 1200 1200 1350? Is that how you do it? And on top of that do you still eat exercise cals or stick with these #'s. Thanks! ( I read abt zigzagging in the forums but must be as dumb as a rock because I'm still a little confused..ugh)

Replies

  • CaseyBee
    CaseyBee Posts: 163 Member
    bump - good luck! I wish I knew... so I'm eavesdropping. :)
  • psb13
    psb13 Posts: 629
    i'm the rock sitting next to you...anxious to hear what folks say.
  • BJC78
    BJC78 Posts: 324 Member
    Definitely bumping to see what others say!
  • olag00
    olag00 Posts: 222
    You have it exactly right!

    The only thing I would change would be to do 3 Low, 1 High, 3 Low, 1 High, etc...so you could do 1200, 1350, 1200, 1960, 1200, 1350, 1960

    There is another schedule where you can do 5 lows and 2 highs.
  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    I think there are a couple ways to zig zag your calories.

    One way I've seen is take your calorie goal for the day (the one MFP gives you) and times it by 7 days. Then divide those calories up through the days with high and low days. So, if MFP tells you to eat 1500 calories a day, times that by 7 which is 10, 500. Now, one day eat 1200, one day eat 1800, one day eat 1500 etc until you total the 10, 500 calories.

    I do it a little differently than that. I have my daily calories set at 2200 and that is my "low" point. If I work, but I don't workout - I aim for 2200-2300. If I don't work, but I workout - I aim for 2300-2400. If I work and I workout I don't eat lower than 2500. I've even had a couple days where I've been pushing 3000 calories for the day.

    You can find websites out there that address zig zagging. I took their idea and tweaked it to fit my lifestyle a little more. :)
  • Ritamas2
    Ritamas2 Posts: 319
    Sorry...I'm as dumb as a bag of rocks on this question.
    I sure wish you luck in finding your answers and with meeting your goals!!
    Add me if you'd like.
  • TS65
    TS65 Posts: 1,024 Member
    Make it easy on yourself - go here:

    http://www.mylifestylediet.com/calorie-calculator.php

    Once you enter your info, at the very bottom is a zig zag link - it will figure out the zig zag for you.

    Those calories are total calories, not net.
  • inatay7
    inatay7 Posts: 141
    I think I must be accidentally zig zagging. Been a little off track lately, up and down, you know. Inadvertently zig zagging maybe. Pretty cool
  • NewVonnie
    NewVonnie Posts: 683 Member
    What about exercise cals though? Do you eat them in addition to the zigzag #'s or no?
  • RosannaElizabethL
    RosannaElizabethL Posts: 25 Member
    I am interested in this - I am a young female wanting to loose weight and can easily have under 1000 calories a day following a plant based diet. I have concerns over 'starvation mode' which is widely believed, however I have my doubts that it is a one-size-fits-all number.

    I have been varying my diet by about 700 calories one day then 1400 calories the next. Etc etc.

    Is it worth it or will I see better results if I stick to 700 calories a day? I feel stretched and really full if I eat over 1300.

    I am 169cm and 60kg. I want to be 56kg by September.
  • TS65
    TS65 Posts: 1,024 Member
    What about exercise cals though? Do you eat them in addition to the zigzag #'s or no?

    Honestly, I'm not sure - it doesn't say anything about eating exercise calories (that's an MFP thing). For me, I burn off 600 calories each workout so that would leave me at 800 net (not good). Maybe go with fat loss on the days you are exercising (extreme fat loss on the days you aren't). Good luck!
  • psb13
    psb13 Posts: 629
    i found this thread with lots of good info about zig zagging

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/212510-how-to-zig-zag-cals-properly-caloric-cycling-properly
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