Hey you guys, I'm new here and just have a question. I was thinking of going down to 1000 kcal for 3 or so days and then eating my maintenance calorie amount - which is significantly higher. Is this safe and for how many days would I be able to do it for so as to not have my body think I'm starving it?
Thank you so much!

For 3 days at a time, I wouldn't worry about it. This "starvation mode" that people talk about does not have an on/off switch--it takes time and is a process. I have read that because most liquid diets are so low in calories, they should not be followed for more than 6 weeks at a time. 6 WEEKS!

I wouldn't go that low for more then 3-4 days a week only for fear of not getting enough proper nutrition. Just listen to your body--so long as your hair isn't becoming brittle/falling out, your nails aren't becoming brittle/yellow, you don't feel completely drained of energy, or any other symptoms of malnourishment, you should be fine.

Besides, you said your maintenance calories are much higher, so as long as they're at least 1400, then you do 1000 half the time and 1400+ half the time, you'll still average 1200+ a day, which is the minimum typically suggested.

Thanks so much for the reply!

jillybean is the calorie cycling guru!

I do this type of dieting. I eat bigger meals 1500- 4 days a week and 1,000 the others. I feel great and lose weight every week. Eat your maintenance 3-4 times a week and dont count the other days, but dont over-eat and every fri have a free day. This calorie cycleing works great for me. If you like tuna i found the below to help fill me on the low cal days


2 slices of liter 35 wheat bread- 70cals
2 pickles - about 10cals
tablespoon of FF kraft mayo 10 cals
tablespoon of sugar free relish- 0
1 package of carb options cream of chicken 25 cals
2 sugar free jellos - 20 cals
tuna pack pouch - 90 cals
chopped onions- 0


add all the ingredients mayo,relish,tuna,onions and mix into tuna salad the onions make it more filling. use the bread a their you go a great meal. During the meal down a poland spring water and or deep park bottle to help fill you. I bet after you eat that second sugar free jellow you WILL be full and happy


225 calories for a filling great tasting meal


add an apple if you wish a mmmm mmm fillign and good plus the carb option soup adds that HOT part of the meal to make it feel better / soup mostly water fills you up