How long should I calorie zig zag?

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KnightsGal76
KnightsGal76 Posts: 69 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have a question from someone more "in the know" than me...

I had been on a plateau for about 2 months... so I decided to calorie zig zag... I LOVE it! I was able to finally get past 180! YAY! My question is however, do I keep up with the zig zagging or go back to normal? Is it only for breaking plateaus or can I keep doing the zig zag and still lose weight?

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  • Britt2Fitjrny
    Britt2Fitjrny Posts: 558 Member
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    I have a question from someone more "in the know" than me...

    I had been on a plateau for about 2 months... so I decided to calorie zig zag... I LOVE it! I was able to finally get past 180! YAY! My question is however, do I keep up with the zig zagging or go back to normal? Is it only for breaking plateaus or can I keep doing the zig zag and still lose weight?

    bump
  • raisingbabyk
    raisingbabyk Posts: 442 Member
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    bump
  • chrisc16
    chrisc16 Posts: 94
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    Once you get past your plateau, I would continue on with the calorie deficit as usual. If you stall out again, zig zag.

    This site has some no nonsense info: http://www.theloseweightdiet.com/
  • loombeav
    loombeav Posts: 391 Member
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    I say as long as you're losing keep at it. I zig zag, but stay under total calorie goal. I make sure I net a minimum of 1200 calories a day, sometimes I eat all of my exercise calories back usually I don't. HTH
  • velvetkat
    velvetkat Posts: 454 Member
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    I dont know any official answer but if its working then I'd stick with it! I am doing carb cycling and just keep changing things up so not to get in any habit my body will used to and revolt and not lose any weight!!



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  • auntiebabs
    auntiebabs Posts: 1,754 Member
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    I'm not really more "in the know". I've found it works for me but haven't researched the science behind it.

    When I first started I couldn't do more than 2-3 day in a row at 1200 cal.
    So i figured out what my maintenance calories were to maintain my GOAL WEIGHT (1600) and my CURRENT WEIGHT (this changes as your weight changes, remember to keep checking it).

    I'd do 2-3 days at 1200 then a day at 1600... I figured as long as I didn't go above Maintain my CURRENT WEIGHT I'd still be losing weight.

    Now that I'm getting closer to my goal I went to lose 1/2 lb per week and my range is getting smaller. (1400 -1600)
    I'm trying to figure out how to find a range that will work for MAINTENANCE.... because I know I can't hit the exact same number everyday.
  • MDiG516
    MDiG516 Posts: 1
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    Do you calorie zig zag based on your net calories or total calories consumed?

    I am looking into doing this and I am supposed to net 1200/day. I work out 4x a week (burning about 300-400 cals using a HRM) and the other 3 days I work as a floor nurse, so I worry if I go below a net 1200 I could effect my metabolism.
  • auntiebabs
    auntiebabs Posts: 1,754 Member
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    ...I make sure I net a minimum of 1200 calories a day...

    me too
  • KnightsGal76
    KnightsGal76 Posts: 69 Member
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    Do you calorie zig zag based on your net calories or total calories consumed?

    I am looking into doing this and I am supposed to net 1200/day. I work out 4x a week (burning about 300-400 cals using a HRM) and the other 3 days I work as a floor nurse, so I worry if I go below a net 1200 I could effect my metabolism.

    I used this site http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm to figure out what I needed to do for the calories. It seems to work and has been recommended many times here on MFP
  • lorettatat
    lorettatat Posts: 30
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    Bump

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