I've been reading about cycling calories and I was wondering if someone could explain it to me. I currently eat around 1800 per day and try to stick to it. What would cycling entail and how often/long should I do it for? Does it help avoid a plateau? Thanks for any help!
I have calorie cycled since I began, and I really like it.
If you eat 1800 per day, you would just need to multiply 1800 x 7 = 12,600
So, you can have 12,600 calories for the week. You decide how you want to distribute that. For example, I usually eat lower a few days during the week (1400-1600). I "bank" those calories for other days when I usually eat more (e.g., the weekends). So, let's say you're allowed 1800 per day, but on Tuesday you eat 1500, Wednesday 1400, and Thursday 1600. You will have 900 calories banked. You might decide to add 400 of that to Friday's total (which means you would eat 2200 on Friday) and 500 to Saturday's total (so 2300 on Saturday).
I like calorie cycling because there are some days I'm hungrier than others, and sometimes I need more calories on a particular day for a special circumstance (e.g., going out to dinner).
http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm - after you input your stats you get the recommended calories for maintenance, weight loss, extreme weight loss (sometimes not recommended) and 7 day calorie cycle (zig zag).
Some people turn to cycling the calories to break a plateau. Whether or not it will avoid hitting one, I don't know.
The "advantage" may be that the body is tricked into functioning better (hey, its possible) by never getting used to a limited amount of calories. There are lots of theories out there. Perhaps as Kara writes it is about not getting bored with the diet either and being able to stick to it more knowing that there are days when more food is allowed.
Google calorie cycling, zig zag diet and the Wendie/Wendy plan for points calculations and you'll find a wealth of info.
Last edited by 124chicksinger; 12-28-2011 at 04:37 PM.
I don't plan my cycling, but I do the same as Kara. I don't bank calories since my range is 1400-1700 I have a pretty wide range anyway, but if I go over I'll keep it low for a few days, or if I've been low all week I'll plan a higher calorie day, or cheat day.
I love calorie cycling, I generally eat 1200-1400during the week and 1800 on the weekend. I will also do like 10 days straight at 1200 if I've eaten a lot the week before. Then I never have to worry about events or anything.
i calorie cycle but i dont mean too. some days i just have 1200 and other days 1300,1400,1500, and the occasional 1600. no days gonna be a perfect round 1400 so it happens naturally for me
it does tend to even out for the week at a 1000-1100 deficit for me a day
Last edited by CherryQuinn; 12-30-2011 at 10:37 PM.
http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm - after you input your stats you get the recommended calories for maintenance, weight loss, extreme weight loss (sometimes not recommended) and 7 day calorie cycle (zig zag).
Freedieting is what I use and I used cycling to lose, maintain and now lose a little more.
I stick pretty close to what freedieting recommends, but I align the calories with my exercise. So I get more cals days I exercise more and less on days I don't.
I didn't plateau much during my weight loss journey and whenever I did it was usually because of not enough cals.
http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm - after you input your stats you get the recommended calories for maintenance, weight loss, extreme weight loss (sometimes not recommended) and 7 day calorie cycle (zig zag).
Love the link! I love how it really gives you options and really, who can't live within those boundaries?
I don't calorie cycle on purpose, it just sort of happens. I try to eat when I'm hungry and when I need to eat a meal out or there is a celebration, then I don't have to worry quite as much.
I DO plateau both physically and emotionally. I can only "diet" for so long and something in me gives up. Maybe I need to try to remember that there are alternative strategies for when I feel like giving up. But me thinks that's for another post!
Cycling Calories?
