[Rochester]

What are the rules for zigzagging calories? (I think that's what it's called - when you fluctuate your calories over a range rather than eating a specified amount each day.) How do you set the targets? How much zigzagging should be involved?

I've kind of found myself naturally doing this - some days I'm more hungry, some days less. But I'd like to be more intentional about it.

I'm also worried that my low day may be too low. There is always at least one day in the week when I am just not hungry and only eat about 1,000 calories (normal is 1,300-1,500). I feel totally fine with this, but is that one low day going to make my body think it's being starved?

TIA

[ncuneo]

Check out freedieting.com, there is a 7 day cycle calculator after you do the regular calculator. Here is what my cycle looks like.

M 1650
T 1350
W 1800
Th 1650
F 1500
S 2000
Su 1650

In general it works famously. It is getting harder now that I'm getting closer to my goal though.

[Shmead]

Your body doesn't know when a "day" is, so 1000 one day is not a big deal as long as you are really ok there--not fixated on food or cranky or too tired to exercise as you planned or can't sleep.

[Optical Goddess]

Thanks for posting the question and thanks for posting it!

[lisa130]

i also "zig-zag" calories but i track every day and by week in excel, and aim for a weekly goal of 1400. so some days I may be at 1800, some at 1200, but i make sure each week's average is as close to 1400 as i can get (because that's where i lose).

[ParadiseFalls]

I had thought about zig-zagging when I first started my diet and kind of forgotten about it, but now that you bring it up, I think I'll try it. I've heard nothing but success stories from people who zig-zag, and it seems to make sense.

[kkazz123]

I started zigzagging after reading this site http://www.stormpc.com/ww/wendie_plan.htm its based on the ww plan but i just apply it to calories...and when you read that it makes sense. I am on 1800 calories per day and break mine up like this:

m - 2000
t - 1700
w - 1600
t - 1800
f - 1500
s - 2300
s - 1600

[Rochester]

Thanks for the info and responses. That helps!