Do you, intentionally, or inadvertently, cycle calories or carbs?

  •   #1  
    SilverLife's AvatarSilverLife , 08-18-2010 02:19 PM
    If you all don't mind another question:

    Do you find your calorie and carb intake more constant now, or do you intentionally, or inadvertently, have fluctuations in calories/carbs, if you track those things?

    I find the closer I get to the weight I'd like to be, the more I pay attention to what I'm eating and how it affects me. Am finding it helpful in how I feel to have lower number days and some a bit higher.

    Thanks very much.
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  •   #2  
    ncuneo's Avatarncuneo , 08-18-2010 03:57 PM
    I intentionally cycle my cals so I can eat more on the weekends But also because I feel it's more natural for my body's metabolism.
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  •   #3  
    Bright Angel's AvatarBright Angel , 08-19-2010 11:30 AM
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by SilverLife
    do you intentionally, or inadvertently, have fluctuations in calories/carbs,
    if you track those things?
    Yes.
    No matter whether I wish it or not, some days I eat higher than maintenance calories.
    This requires me to respond by eating lower than maintenance calories.
    My calories must average out to my Maintenance level in order for me to maintain my current weight.
    It's just the way things work out in real life.

    Sometimes the overeating is planned, sometimes it is not.
    Sometimes I count carbs, sometimes I don't, but of course,
    when I eat less food, it also normally results in my eating less carbs.

    Everyone has a maintenance calorie level. At present, mine is only about 1050 calories.
    There are sometimes really Special days when I eat twice that amount.
    I then can choose whether to drop my calories really, really low for several days,
    or drop my calories a smaller amount for a longer time period.
    However, I choose to do it, they all have to average out.

    This would be impossible for me to do without tracking all of my food every day,
    Which I do using my computer software food journaling program.
    I have now consistently logged in ALL my food
    EVERY day for the past 2160 consecutive days.
    This is how I lost to normal weight,
    and this is why I've maintained that loss for the past 4 1/2 years.
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  •   #4  
    SilverLife's AvatarSilverLife , 08-19-2010 12:15 PM
    Ncuneo and Bright Angel, thank you very much for your posts. I really appreciate your taking the time to answer.

    Bright Angel, your posts have helped me a great deal.

    It's a relief to have what I am doing confirmed by those who are maintaining.

    Thank you.
    Reply
  •   #5  
    Shannon in ATL's AvatarShannon in ATL , 08-19-2010 12:35 PM
    I cycle my calories as well, I don't worry too much about carbs. I don't specifically target higher weekends, but it often works out that way. Like Bright Angel, if I go over one day I go under the next, etc. Sometimes on purpose, sometimes by accident. Sometimes both.
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  •   #6  
    paperclippy's Avatarpaperclippy , 08-20-2010 08:52 AM
    I intentionally eat more on the weekend (usually Saturday, but I switch my "cheat" meals around between Fri, Sat, and Sun). I can't handle denying myself 100% of the time. It drives me nuts. I need to have at least one meal a week where I can eat whatever and not worry about it.

    As for carbs, I have never tracked them. I am one of the apparently few people on 3FC who lost and maintains while getting about 70% of my calories from carbs. I eat white rice and pasta all the time and I have never had a problem with it.
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