[ImpalaHoarder]

I'm trying to zigzag calories, since I am using a pretty low standard calories/day. I'd like to average 1200ish a day, so I've been eating 1000, then 1200, then 1500.

My question is: Will this be effective, or is it still too low? If I were to add in more 1200 calorie days would that ruin the effectiveness? Is the pattern right? I realize this isn't an exact science, and I don't really know what I'm doing- I just know that I've stalled on low calories in the past, and this pattern of eating appeals to me.

Thanks for your help.

[Onederchic]

I don't know the proper way to really do it but here is a site that figures it out though no calculator or whatever can be exact on your needs

http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm

Once you plug in your info, it will give you a link to the option for a 7 day calorie cycle (zig zag).

Good luck with your goals

[Sherrie568]

I use the freedieting calorie_calculator, too.

What works for me:
I eat low carbs (calories) for 3 days, then increase them by about 300 on the 4th day.

[ncuneo]

I don't know if there's a real science to it either, but I also second freedieting. I just flipflop Wednesdays and Saturdays because I want higher cals on the weekends. I also try to coordinate my most intense workouts on higher calorie days. And sometimes if I end up going over one day for whatever reason I'll go lower the next day. Again, I don't think it's an exact science.

[rritchey]

I've always heard that it's carb cycling more than calorie cycling is more effective... But, it's jus trial and error. What works for some may not work or you. You just have to stick with something long enough to see if it's working. That's the hard part for me...patience!