Has anyone tried Calorie Cycling?

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Replies

  • Lesley2901
    Lesley2901 Posts: 372 Member
    MFP does the maths for you - you don't have to eat an exact number each day, just work to eating your weekly net cals rather than daily. It is how people who don't need MFP and are slim eat anyway - lower on one day, higher on others and it all just balances out. Simples! ; )
    I agree, I have started to manage my calories on a weekly basis. I also mix up my workouts and have slowed down the speed of my weight loss (Tips 2 and 3 from the website).
  • HardyGirl4Ever
    HardyGirl4Ever Posts: 1,017 Member
    I've just started Eat More Weigh Less. If this doesn't work after I get on a regular schedule, I might try this. Thanks for the info!


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  • calitravelingal
    calitravelingal Posts: 53
    bump
  • Tzippy7
    Tzippy7 Posts: 344 Member
    It broke me out of a several month plateau I love calorie cyclin !
  • Tashia_HH
    Tashia_HH Posts: 99 Member
    Yup at least twice per week.
  • Renae_Nae
    Renae_Nae Posts: 935 Member
    I had a REALLY hard time sticking to it. I was either starving on low days or feeling like I was stuffed on the higher days.
  • orangesmartie
    orangesmartie Posts: 1,870 Member
    Thanks for this, interesting to know. Think i will give it a try
  • seriouslylosingit
    seriouslylosingit Posts: 3
    I remember a long time ago my mother was on a diet called the "Rotation Diet". That followed these principals as well and would rotate between 900, 1200, 1500 (??? don't quote me on exact calorie numbers) calorie days. This helps keep the body "confused" as to how much it will be fed each day and will keep your body out of starvation mode where it will conserve calories. I haven't tried it, but it makes a lot of sense.. Good Luck!
  • eal12_00
    eal12_00 Posts: 23 Member
    i used it for 2 months but now i have plateau so this week i am going back to 1200 calories and see what happens
  • 130annie
    130annie Posts: 339 Member
    I think ww had something called the Wendie plan...You had to convert it to calories though!.
  • Bobby_Clerici
    Bobby_Clerici Posts: 1,828 Member
    I tried it but failed to get results, because on my low cal days, I faltered. :grumble:
    3 times this happened.
    Others claim it's great. And I detest them for that.
    I am seriously giving this strong consideration.
    All Is Possible!
  • meechi53
    meechi53 Posts: 195 Member
    Pretty much trying this after a 2 month plateau. I went "off" MFP and zumba for 2 and a half weeks at the beginning of the month due to a knee injury and traveling but stil remained active because I swam, walked, etc, I didn't log but figure I ate at maintenance more or less for 2.5 weeks because I gained/lost the same 1lb all week that I've been doing since my plateau. I started back to Zumba a week ago and now doing high day/low day and I've "lost" that 1lb and about .5 more. My "weigh day" isn't until Saturday so will see what happens. I do think my waist may be a teensy bit smaller still, it feels flatter that's for sure.
  • cibilbee
    cibilbee Posts: 47 Member
    Bump
  • yaymeforlife
    yaymeforlife Posts: 36
    I follow the very strict 500/1600. It is pretty much the only thing that has worked for me. The Great thing is that even though I am at a healthy weight range according to BMI, I can still lose doing this, my body doesn't really want to hang on to stuff like it does if I do 1200-1500 cal/day.

    And the even GREATER thing is that I can lose close to 2 lbs a week following this.

    The Bad- If I have events or social activities it can be very hard to adhere to. So I do week to 2 week cycles when I know I don't have much going on.

    I also feel like I have way more energy on my down days then up days. And on up days all I can think about is food which can suck.
  • yaymeforlife
    yaymeforlife Posts: 36
    but this is also a great way to maintain your weight when you've reached your goal weight. I can maintain my weight easily doing 900-1000/ 1600-1800. Which makes it a lot easier to fit into daily life.
  • albayin
    albayin Posts: 2,524 Member
    I follow the very strict 500/1600. It is pretty much the only thing that has worked for me. The Great thing is that even though I am at a healthy weight range according to BMI, I can still lose doing this, my body doesn't really want to hang on to stuff like it does if I do 1200-1500 cal/day.

    And the even GREATER thing is that I can lose close to 2 lbs a week following this.

    The Bad- If I have events or social activities it can be very hard to adhere to. So I do week to 2 week cycles when I know I don't have much going on.

    I also feel like I have way more energy on my down days then up days. And on up days all I can think about is food which can suck.

    you mean in low days, you only eat 500? how can you do that? I am seriously curious...
  • runninghome
    runninghome Posts: 33 Member
    i've been looking into this myself lately. i lose weight slowing, even with exercising 5 day a week. my weight lost also stalls often. i was thinking of zig-zaggin' my calories (calorie cycling) but I did not know it would work to go so low? do you exercise?
  • grannygethealthy1111
    grannygethealthy1111 Posts: 422
    http://www.everydayhealth.com/have-a-weight-loss-plateau-let-me-help.aspx#continue

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    Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Weight Loss Tools
  • yaymeforlife
    yaymeforlife Posts: 36
    I follow the very strict 500/1600. It is pretty much the only thing that has worked for me. The Great thing is that even though I am at a healthy weight range according to BMI, I can still lose doing this, my body doesn't really want to hang on to stuff like it does if I do 1200-1500 cal/day.

    And the even GREATER thing is that I can lose close to 2 lbs a week following this.

    The Bad- If I have events or social activities it can be very hard to adhere to. So I do week to 2 week cycles when I know I don't have much going on.

    I also feel like I have way more energy on my down days then up days. And on up days all I can think about is food which can suck.

    you mean in low days, you only eat 500? how can you do that? I am seriously curious...

    It is actually pretty easy for me, because no food is off limits for me on my Up days, so even though I am depriving myself for one day, I am already looking forward to the delicious stuff I get to eat the next day. And I just keep myself busy on Down Days, which is usually why I work out more on DD then UD. If you google JUDDD you can get a lot more information on the style that i do.
  • albayin
    albayin Posts: 2,524 Member
    I follow the very strict 500/1600. It is pretty much the only thing that has worked for me. The Great thing is that even though I am at a healthy weight range according to BMI, I can still lose doing this, my body doesn't really want to hang on to stuff like it does if I do 1200-1500 cal/day.

    And the even GREATER thing is that I can lose close to 2 lbs a week following this.

    The Bad- If I have events or social activities it can be very hard to adhere to. So I do week to 2 week cycles when I know I don't have much going on.

    I also feel like I have way more energy on my down days then up days. And on up days all I can think about is food which can suck.

    you mean in low days, you only eat 500? how can you do that? I am seriously curious...

    It is actually pretty easy for me, because no food is off limits for me on my Up days, so even though I am depriving myself for one day, I am already looking forward to the delicious stuff I get to eat the next day. And I just keep myself busy on Down Days, which is usually why I work out more on DD then UD. If you google JUDDD you can get a lot more information on the style that i do.

    ok, thank you. Good to know!
  • ImKindOfABigDeal40
    ImKindOfABigDeal40 Posts: 807 Member
    Jevenson08 - what exactly do you eat on your 500 calorie days? Also, what time do you eat these "meals"?
    I just don't think I could do that and I am curious how you are able to manage. I think you have much more willpower than I do!
    This did not work for me so I gave up on it and just increased my caloric intake. When I was doing this, I usually ate something high in protein like chicken breast and I drank a lot of water. I was usually OK for the most part.
  • albayin
    albayin Posts: 2,524 Member
    Jevenson08 - what exactly do you eat on your 500 calorie days? Also, what time do you eat these "meals"?
    I just don't think I could do that and I am curious how you are able to manage. I think you have much more willpower than I do!

    I think she said somewhere like "keep thinking of next day when you can eat whatever". LOL sometimes that works for me. But I mean when I eat less than usual, but not as low as 500..
  • albayin
    albayin Posts: 2,524 Member
    Jevenson08 - what exactly do you eat on your 500 calorie days? Also, what time do you eat these "meals"?
    I just don't think I could do that and I am curious how you are able to manage. I think you have much more willpower than I do!
    This did not work for me so I gave up on it and just increased my caloric intake. When I was doing this, I usually ate something high in protein like chicken breast and I drank a lot of water. I was usually OK for the most part.

    Which part "didn't work for you"? you were not able to do 500cal? or the cycling between 500-1900 didn't work?
  • LeellenMack
    LeellenMack Posts: 141 Member
    bump
  • ImKindOfABigDeal40
    ImKindOfABigDeal40 Posts: 807 Member
    Jevenson08 - what exactly do you eat on your 500 calorie days? Also, what time do you eat these "meals"?
    I just don't think I could do that and I am curious how you are able to manage. I think you have much more willpower than I do!
    This did not work for me so I gave up on it and just increased my caloric intake. When I was doing this, I usually ate something high in protein like chicken breast and I drank a lot of water. I was usually OK for the most part.

    Which part "didn't work for you"? you were not able to do 500cal? or the cycling between 500-1900 didn't work?
    My weight initially increased. I eventually lost the weight but it never went below my original weight which is why I was doing it in the first place.
  • albayin
    albayin Posts: 2,524 Member
    Jevenson08 - what exactly do you eat on your 500 calorie days? Also, what time do you eat these "meals"?
    I just don't think I could do that and I am curious how you are able to manage. I think you have much more willpower than I do!
    This did not work for me so I gave up on it and just increased my caloric intake. When I was doing this, I usually ate something high in protein like chicken breast and I drank a lot of water. I was usually OK for the most part.

    Which part "didn't work for you"? you were not able to do 500cal? or the cycling between 500-1900 didn't work?
    My weight initially increased. I eventually lost the weight but it never went below my original weight which is why I was doing it in the first place.

    Oh I see....
  • princess_in_power
    princess_in_power Posts: 234 Member
    Bookmarking for further research =)
  • yaymeforlife
    yaymeforlife Posts: 36
    Jevenson08 - what exactly do you eat on your 500 calorie days? Also, what time do you eat these "meals"?
    I just don't think I could do that and I am curious how you are able to manage. I think you have much more willpower than I do!

    On my 500 calorie days I eat anything but just stay under 500 calories! For instance today is a down day and I have had a sugar free rockstar energy drink, and a package of Green Giant broccoli and cheese (150 cals). When I get home tonight I will probably have the remaining 350 in the form of a subway sandwich (which is actually quite filling!).

    on this diet you really have to be committed the first week because that is the only way you can push through your mental and physical hunger. (in my experience). For instance I went off this diet for a while because of miscelleanous festivities and I am starting up again with 500d/1800u. The first day I did 500 it was not easy even though I have done this diet before. But the first day is the hardest. And on the 2nd down day it wasn't nearly as hard! It is kind of a commitment you have to make in the beginning to really be able to get into it.
  • yaymeforlife
    yaymeforlife Posts: 36
    OK one last question Jevenson08 - are you tired and able to work out the day after a down day (500 cals)? Once when I was able to eat a low of 1000, I was pretty tired the next day and couldn't do my work out. I work out in the morning so maybe that is the issue?

    Thanks for all the information. Once again I am not sure if I have the sustenance to do this - but I am very curious....

    My energy on this is amazing...my last down day I worked out for 90 minutes and could have gone longer...and on my up days I don't have a problem either, I do 60-90 mins a day. I am able to wake up earlier the day after a down day ( more just food anticipation, but whatever gets me out of bed!) .

    I think either you aren't starting with a high enough Up day or maybe its just not right for you, because I've never experienced even light headedness on this with consuming 500 calories. But if you are going from 1300-1400 to 500 I think the up days are a little too low. If you google Juddd it will actually bring you to the website where there is a calculator and you enter in your information and it gives you how muihc your up and downs days should be. We find it best to used a sedentary activity level to estimate first because the calculator tends to overcompensate calories for exercise.

    Go here to read more.

    http://www.johnsonupdaydowndaydiet.com/html/how-to-do-the-diet.html
  • azamlynn2000
    azamlynn2000 Posts: 24 Member
    Try FREEDIETING.COM. Their calculators are awesome for calorie cycling. Goodluck!

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