Does anyone here do calorie zig zagging?

Where you have the same average amount of calories per week, but vary it by day?

I'm doing it this week because Sat I had 800 more calories that I should have. So yesterday I had 500 less and today I'll have 300 less.

I've heard that it helps to trick the body so that metabolism doesn't slow down. I was wondering if I should do this every week...have a high calorie day and then a few low calorie days after.

Thoughts?

Re: Does anyone here do calorie zig zagging?

I have tried this in the past and it has worked. Jillian Michaels is a big advocate for that. As long as you are eating the same calories within the week, it is good to eat less one day and more another to trick your body.

She gave an example in one of her books, but it was something like this.

If you can eat 1,400 calories a day for 5 days that would be 7,000 calories.
monday eat: 1,200
tuesday eat: 1,600
wed. eat: 1,200
thursday eat: 1,800
friday eat: 1,200

I don't cycle calories anymore I can't. I am supposed to eat 1,200 a day and it is unhealthy to go below that so I just have to stick to that number. It doesn't really work if your calorie allotment is already small...

Re: Does anyone here do calorie zig zagging?

Not on purpose but I am sure I do from time to time.

Re: Does anyone here do calorie zig zagging?

Thanks! I am sticking with 1500 a day since I'm working out 5 days a week. So I think this will work for me.

Re: Does anyone here do calorie zig zagging?

Re: Does anyone here do calorie zig zagging?

I heard on NPR that there has been some research about this, and how it's a really effective tool for maintaining a high metabolism and losing weight when you reach a plateau. I just don't have enough time in the day to count and plan it all out for the week

Re: Does anyone here do calorie zig zagging?

Being healthy sure does take a lot of work, huh?

Re: Does anyone here do calorie zig zagging?

Yes I have done calorie cycling...specifically carbohydrate cycling. It takes a lot of planning but it ABSOLUTELy works. I did it under my nutritionists advice before our wedding and had really great results! If you have any questions, let me know!

Re: Does anyone here do calorie zig zagging?

Re: Does anyone here do calorie zig zagging?

I would go lower calorie day Thursday since eating higher calories can make you retain water. However, I personally look at the average weight I am for a week. I know not everyone weighs themselves each day...when I was doing this, I did. I weighed in each morning and recorded it and looked for a general trend. I found that there were days that I ate my higher caloric day and hte next morning I was lighter than if I ate a lower caloric day before...know what I mean? Try not to let the one day a week number you see dictate your motivation. It totally works. I have pics to prove it! lol