Okay here is my plan and i hope i don't get majorly bashed for this...My plan is to eat between 1000-1200 calories 6 days out of the week and then have a day when i don't count my calories..eat what I want within reason and then start all over again the next day...i am thinking that eating the high calorie day will just jump start me again! What do you guys think? My goal is to lose 50 lb within 6 months...What do you all think?

1000 isn't enough food for someone of your current weight/height. You would basically be crashing 6 days, then if you allow yourself to go all out gorging for 1. Mathematically you might get it to work out so there is the proper weekly deficit, but you don't have to be so hard on yourself. 1200 is more sensible, but I don't think you need to go that low either. Why not do calorie cycling throughout the span of a week instead which would give you more "normal" eating patterns instead of low, low, low, low, low, low and then BAM a boat load of calories? Then again, what do I know--you might be onto something. You could look at it as an experiment for 1 week and see how you feel and what your results are and modify from there if you feel necessary. As dieters, we're not married to any specific plan.

I am just of the opinion at this point of my WLJ that I don't have to make it hard on myself (or my family) or make myself miserable -- I am liking my plan and it is between 1200 and 1400 daily. Of course there are days when it is around 900 and others 1550 but those don't happen too often. Whatever you decide, good luck.

I think1000- 1200 is too low as well. You will not feel good at that level and will be setting yourself up for a binge.

I was at your weight a few weeks ago and was closer to 1800 on average a day and that was on track for a 2 pound a week loss. I cycle my calories and at 210 now at about 1600 cal a day average.

Most women of your weight try and eat around 1600-1800 a day... and that is their weight loss calorie goal. Even a 110 pound woman would have trouble surviving on 1000 considering the MINIMUM calorie intact per day should never be less than 1200.

I weight 145 pounds and I am losing weight consuming 1400-1500 a day. I also have not felt deprived or like it was to strict.

1. You might be miserable
2. You might end up eating an absolute ton on that one free day

So...I don't know.

I really get concerned when I hear about someone doing 1,000-1,200 calories per day on a regular basis. I think it can seriously wreck your metabolism long-term, it makes you feel miserable, and it's a set-up for failure, because it's not sustainable. I agree with the advice already given here -- you would lose weight on 1,600 calories, probably at the same rate, and it would be a sustainable plan.

But even if it meant losing more slowly (and I don't think it would), what would be wrong with that? Even losing a pound per month, you'd eventually get to your goal. People who go on severe calorie restriction diets are more likely to gain it back right away. I'd much rather spend the next few years on a gradual downward track of weight loss than lose it all really quickly, and then gain it back.

I hope you don't feel that you got any bashing! I think everyone here has shared their take on it, in a caring way. Whatever you decide, I hope it works out for the best for you!

Thank you all sooooooo very much for your responses I Wang go lose at least 50 within 6 months so that is why I'm thinking 1200 ag most? My reason is this... If I get that amount off within that period of time my parents have said they arr taking me & my 4 kiddos back to my hometown in NC..I haven't been there in over 20 years : never really got to say goodbye due to a family tragedy.. I'm throwing that 1 free day in there so ill have 1 day a week where I can have what ive been craving all week so 1200 minimum daily?

i say go here and calculate your caloric needs

freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm

and they will also create a zig zag schedule for you so you can have a high calorie day instead of a "off" day

I think you could lose 50 lbs in 6 months eating 1400-1600 per day, with no exercise. I think you could *definitely* do it if you also increase your activity (just adding 30 minutes a day of walking, sprinkled throughout the day -- that counts!)

In other words, don't just look at cutting calories, but consider the other side of it. Burn more calories. (To do that, you will have to eat enough that you don't feel weak and depleted).

Well, I can't speak for you Amystev, but daily undereating with the promise of a "free" day would be a disaster for me. My "free" day would turn into a "binge" day and the return to the 1000 calorie schedule would never happen

Ditto. You spoke for me.

I'd have to agree with others that this probably won't work. Depriving yourself to have one "free" day is going to do more harm than good.

Remember, you aren't on a diet. You simply can't turn this on and off and hope to be successful. You ALWAYS have to be "on."

What you CAN do is calorie cycle. Have a weekly goal for your calorie intake and eat a reasonable amount of calories for most of the week and have a day or two where you're higher than the rest.

Say you choose to eat 1600 calories a day to lose weight. Your weekly goal would be 11,200 calories. You can split that up how you like throughout the week, going lower some days and higher other days (but don't go TOO low)

I agree with the above posters. The calorie goal seems a little low and the "free" day seems like a bad idea. Backpacking on what sontaikle said about the weekly calories, you could potentially negate your other six days deficit by eating too much on that one day, even if you do return to your low calorie meal plan the following day.

I totally agree with this. I am still a newb myself, but I definitely think you would be better off in the long run by either cycling your calories as some have suggested to get that day with the higher calorie allowance, or sticking to a calorie range based off your weight/height/age. You may be shocked at how fast the weight will come off that way.

Whatever you decide, I wish you much success Hope to hear updates of your journey.

I would agree with the above posters, although I'm doing something similar to what you are describing.

I went for the spike/refeed day to get over a plateau and yes, I'm losing weight again. (Most days average at 1400) But my refeed day is one where I still count calories. Even if the calories are high, 2400 for example I still count every one. I know that if I don't count I could eat even more, gain weight, and if I don't keep track I won't be able to know in the future how much is safe/healthy for me to eat. Or I may not eat enough as I'm following the body builders plan and need a specific minimum on this day to boost leptin levels.

Free days sound really suspect to me. How can you track how your body responds to food when you don't record what you eat and how much of it?

And 1000 calories is for most people too little to endure. Do you really want to feel hungry, weak and suffer cravings for 6 days a week?

Will you be able to take care of your nutritional needs on so little? Do you know for example how much protein you need daily to maintain muscle mass? If you don't eat enough protein daily your body may devour muscle instead of fat. Take great care with nutrition. You could by depriving yourself of certain minerals upset your hormone levels, damage your teeth and gums, or like one of my sisters permanently damage your bladder. (If you have checked into all of this then I apologize for assuming you haven't). 1000 calories just sounds like a very low amount for anyone to get what they need.

If you're going to be on a diet for many months would you not prefer to be on a diet that is more pleasant? Most people find it easiest to follow diets that they enjoy.

Good luck with your weight loss! I hope that you make it.