do you practice calorie cycling?

JustPeachy044
JustPeachy044 Posts: 770 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I just starting calorie cycling (yesterday 1000, today 1500---well I went a little over at 1560something---tomorrow's plan is 1100). I have a "recommended" intake from MFP of 1200 calories. I started this on the recommendation of two people on this site, and the theory makes complete sense. I've been a yo-yo dieter in the past and usually ended up giving up when I plateau for a long period of time. Do you calorie cycle? How long have you been doing it? What are some ptifalls and success stories you have? Should I cycle in a set pattern such as the one above, or does it matter if I do my two higher calorie days close together (say Fridays and Sundays where I'd like some more latitude) and two low calorie days close together (right now I have planned Tuesdays and Thursdays) is that a big deal? I know I need to exercise and get fit too, I'm working on that (the plan is to "buy" extra calories with more intense workouts on my lowest planned intake days, actually). Just looking for others who have done this type of thing and your experience with it!

Replies

  • miasmommy21407
    miasmommy21407 Posts: 17 Member
    I've never heard of this but from everything I've read you should never go below your BMR and it seems like this would have you doing that a few times a week.
  • clover5
    clover5 Posts: 1,640 Member
    Never heard of it. But I suppose as long as you week ends with a calorie deficit, you'll lose weight.
  • myfitnessnmhoy
    myfitnessnmhoy Posts: 2,105 Member
    I've never heard of this but from everything I've read you should never go below your BMR and it seems like this would have you doing that a few times a week.

    The metabolism does not swing that quickly. Dropping below BMR for a day or two, even routinely, is relatively harmless as long as you are maintaining an overall healthy diet and getting plenty of calories and nutrients. Heck, even relatively brief fasts are not deeply harmful if you're eating properly before and after.

    I currently do best with a pretty steady intake of calories - I'm a grazer. That's worked well for me so far. I'm not a cycler (except for my bicycle), but I may try it as I get closer to my goal. It seems to be an effective plateau-breaker for some. I haven't hit a real plateau yet, but I'm still 19 pounds from goal and seem to be in a stall that may turn into a plateau.
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