What do you think about calorie spiking?
 

I was reading an article bout calorie spiking, eating more calories one day and then switching to less calories the next as a way to "trick" your metabolism.

Has anyone tried this, and if so does it work?

It seems like for some people this approach works and for some it doesn't. I naturally eat this way, with higher days and lower days. Some people can stick to about the same number of calories every day. I have found that for me, I try to have 5 "good" days each week where my calorie intake for the day is on the lower side (for me about 1300-1400 calories) and then I allow myself 2 days each week where I eat a little more. One of those days is always Saturday because we usually eat out for dinner and I know I will have a hard time sticking to the lower calorie amount eating resturant food. And then I usually pick a weekday (mid-week usually) and eat just a little more that day as well. So my schedule is usually Sunday, Monday, Tuesday are low days, then Wednesday is a moderate day, then Thursday and Friday are low days, and then Saturday is my high day.

I also do the same with exercise. On a few days I do more intense exercise, a few days moderate exercise, and then 1-2 days with no exercise. I just tend to think that in general, when you do the same thing day after day, whether it be diet or exercise, you body does adapt and get used to it. By changing things up with calories and/or exercise, you can keep your metabolism at its prime calorie burning mode.

I did Weight Watchers starting last Christmas and there's a whole thread over there called the "Wendie Plan" which I think you can google and find a site about that. I tried to plan it out but found that life usually dictated how close to the target I was. Interesting concept, though. Also "Body for Life" has a "blow" day where you eat the no-no foods you usually avoid in an effort to not blow it on a regular basis and also to "shock" your metabolism.

I've also heard this being called "calorie shifting." Apparently this is what "naturally thin" people do all their lives, or so says my doctor. For me I always ate heavily, lots of calories, big portions, every day everyday everyday. But someone naturally thin like my mother will eat heavily one day and then the next day will say "oh I have to watch out today and eat less" and she'll end up eating fruits and salad all day.

They say that if you continuously eat 1,500 calories everyday that your body will adjust to that and you will eventually not see results in weight loss anymore because bodies adapt. But if you change it up everyday then it keeps your metabolism going instead of settling because it never knows what you're gonna give it.

I wonder what would be considered a different calorie amount. In other words, if my calorie range is 1400-1500, that's only a 100 calorie difference. Would that be enough to keep my metabolism guessing? Or does this calorie spiking theory recommend that your higher days are, say, 200-300 calories higher?

I think this might help you. It's a website about zig zagging calories.

http://www.naturalphysiques.com/tools.php?itemid=64

That's an interesting website, ladyviv. Thanks!

I find it helps me too. There are some days I am just not as hungry. There are other days I could eat the whole house. I have had substantial drops after having a high day (3000 calories or so) a couple of times during my weightloss journey. It seems like when I am completely ON PLAN for diet and exercise for several weeks in a row and then have a spike day--well, thats when it works. I never really plan it--it just happens.

You're welcome, stringbean; glad I could help. I may look a little more into it, especially after reading TBG's recent post. It might help.

Thanks for the great info and the websites. I think I might try it...I will keep you'all posted if it works.

Please do, Tavinni. I've love to know how it's working for you.

Okay this weeks plan:

Su- 2500 calories
M- 1650 cal
Tu- 1800 cal
Wed- 1650 cal
Thurs- 1800 cal
Fri- 2500 cal
Sat- 1650 cal


total- 13250 calories a week (equivalent to a little less than eating 2000 calories a day for the week) we will see how it works. Wish me luck!

Good luck Tavinni! I am a believer in zig zagging as it has worked for me and has changed my mindset from following a "diet" to living a lifestyle change. Keep us posted on how it works for you.

I am always spiking my cals.. only not on purpose. lol! Some days I reach my 1300, other times i'm under 1000 just 'cause i'm not very hungry. I don't think i've had a week yet where i've met 1300 every day..

I naturally zig-zag, I never go over my maximum, but its just not possible for me to eat the same amount of calories everyday. Sometimes I have a hard time reaching my minimums, but its working well for me.