Calorie Cycling - How does Calorie Cycling Work?
Jenni Kerala
January 08, 2008
Calorie cycling is a common metabolism trick that first came into widespread use in the bodybuilding community as a way to keep your body from settling back into its natural set-point weight. It actually takes a great deal of effort to build muscle and this way bodybuilders could continue to define their physiques without too many plateaus. But calorie cycling, also known as calorie shifting or zigzag dieting, isn't just useful to those trying to put on muscle. It's also a great weight loss technique for those of us who simply need to lose weight.
How does calorie cycling work?
Calorie cycling is about making small changes in how many calories you take in on a day to day level. For a couple of days you may eat above your maintenance level, followed by a few days of eating a bit below it (by about 500 calories or so) and then you can work into your diet some built-in cheat days in which you don't pay any attention at all to how much and what foods you are eating. You simply stop eating when you hunger is satisfied.
By eating like this you can pretty much forget about plateaus in your weight loss because your metabolism never has the chance to settle into a routine. It helps keep you burning fat too. In some calorie shifting diet weight loss plans, such as the Fat Loss 4 Idiots program, you not only shift the number of calories, but you also shift the types of food that you are eating as well, but overall you'll still be working with meal plans with primarily lower carb options because that is the best way to get your body to give up the fat!
Of course, on your cheat days, you can eat those carbs you've been missing instead of feeling deprived. Just remember that the cheat days shouldn't turn into a permanent routine or you'll be right back where you started. After those three days of free eating are over, it's back to calorie cycling. You might even find that the weight comes off faster after a purposeful cheat with carbs.
If you're looking for a diet plan to help you lose weight fast, then you should read my Fat Loss 4 Idiots review. Using the calorie cycling method, Fat Loss 4 Idiots works by frequently shifting the calories that you eat so your metabolism never gets stalled out.
If you're interested more in a bodybuilding approach to the science of weight loss, you should definitely check out the complete review of Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle. This book covers the subjects of losing weight while maintaining or increasing muscle completely.
Want to keep on track with your diet this year? Sign up for the Weekly Diet Tips newsletter.
How does calorie cycling work?
Calorie cycling is about making small changes in how many calories you take in on a day to day level. For a couple of days you may eat above your maintenance level, followed by a few days of eating a bit below it (by about 500 calories or so) and then you can work into your diet some built-in cheat days in which you don't pay any attention at all to how much and what foods you are eating. You simply stop eating when you hunger is satisfied.
By eating like this you can pretty much forget about plateaus in your weight loss because your metabolism never has the chance to settle into a routine. It helps keep you burning fat too. In some calorie shifting diet weight loss plans, such as the Fat Loss 4 Idiots program, you not only shift the number of calories, but you also shift the types of food that you are eating as well, but overall you'll still be working with meal plans with primarily lower carb options because that is the best way to get your body to give up the fat!
Of course, on your cheat days, you can eat those carbs you've been missing instead of feeling deprived. Just remember that the cheat days shouldn't turn into a permanent routine or you'll be right back where you started. After those three days of free eating are over, it's back to calorie cycling. You might even find that the weight comes off faster after a purposeful cheat with carbs.
If you're looking for a diet plan to help you lose weight fast, then you should read my Fat Loss 4 Idiots review. Using the calorie cycling method, Fat Loss 4 Idiots works by frequently shifting the calories that you eat so your metabolism never gets stalled out.
If you're interested more in a bodybuilding approach to the science of weight loss, you should definitely check out the complete review of Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle. This book covers the subjects of losing weight while maintaining or increasing muscle completely.
Want to keep on track with your diet this year? Sign up for the Weekly Diet Tips newsletter.
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