Calorie Cyclers/ZigZaggers: A Question for You
 

Hey Calorie Cyclers!

I've been trying to cycle my calories, with kind of a mix of IF in there, and so far it's been working great. BUT, here's my issue: I am not really a calorie "counter." I just try to eat healthfully (paleo/primal mostly) and control portion sizes so they aren't massive. I can usually estimate calories in a meal, but it's always a guess.

In addition, my schedule is varied to say the least, especially with regards to meals. Twice a week (Tues & Thurs) my dad and I always go out to lunch (to a buffet, on top of it all!). Weekends when Hubs isn't working means dinners out, or take out or bigger family meals.

So, thus far, I've kinda been varying my calories/portions (probably "portion/meal cycling" is a more accurate term for what I do) based on my schedule. If I have lunch plans, it's a higher calorie day. If Hubs and I go out to eat, it's a higher calorie day. If I have nothing scheduled and it's just me and the kids, it'll be an IF/low calorie day.

But it's all kind of haphazard. Nothing's scheduled, nothing's planned, nothing's regimented, and nothing's really tracked/recorded/counted.

I guess I'm asking: Does anyone else zig-zag this way (by the seat of their pants lol)? Does it work, or am I setting myself up for a fail? Is calorie cycling really only effective if I keep track close enough to make sure I am up some days and down on others?

Thanks!

I'd say that's very similar to what I do. I wanted something that I can do for the rest of my life. I have a good idea how many calories I should eat in day. I know what is healthy and what is not. I control portions.

I want to be able to go out and eat and not beat myself up. I still make healthy choices but may eat more or have a small dessert etc. without worry. And I find that having a bit bigger meal on weekends helps with my weight loss. I know I sometimes go a bit too low during the week and I think the cycling calories helps.

I really think we have to do what works for us for the long term. This is not a quick fix!!

There's your answer. if its not broke dont fix it. When it stops working, then it will be time to look at something more structured, such as actual calorie counting

Personally, this is what I do, too. I have calorie counted before, and with great success, but I felt like I was getting too obsessive about it. I would spend about 10-15 minutes a night planning out my menu for the next day. But my problem would be needing to get everything within 10 or so calories correct. I don't have a smartphone or even a phone that works with apps, and I never thought to try something like MyDailyPlate. It was kind of freaking me out a bit how much time I spent thinking about it. So I stopped and maintained for 7-8 months before we moved and stress got the better of me and I gained most of it back. This time I am much more unstructured about it, trying to teach my mind to listen to my body instead of letting a scheduled meal plan dictate what I eat. Which I should mention, I don't think is a bad thing at all. I just can't do it, it becomes a little too consuming for me. However, I am so glad that I did count calories to lose weight in the past. It's taught me so much about portion sizes and I can remember calorie amounts for most of the food I eat. So most of the time I end up doing a vague calculation in my head of how much I ate that day. So far I've lost 12lbs in 2 months. Although I am a big advocate for calorie counting, I feel like this works so much better for me. This way, hopefully, I'll be able to eat this way for the rest of my life.

That's exactly what I did last year to lose 50 pounds and what I continue to do in maintenance. I think vague calculations can work as long as we're honest with ourselves and include the BLTs (bites, likes and tastes) along with our "official" meals.

F.