anyone else CALORIE CYCLE UP AND DOWN like this? pros vs. cons?

After checking out the super-duper diet analyzer... I've found I eat a very diverse amount of food. The past two days I've eaten about 2200 calories a day, but earlier in the week I ate 1200, 1300, 1700, etc.  I have this constant UP and DOWN pattern... (I guess today's high calories come from 800+ worth of cookies, 300+ ribs, etc. oopsie)

I know in all everything works out (I average at 1700 calores; perfecto for maintaining my weight). But I'm wondering...

Does anyone else eat like this?

Do you think there are any benefits? Any negatives?

Anythoughts?

quartersmk, unfortunately %90 of American's eat like that and it contributes to why American is the most obese nation in the world. Calorie cycling is ok .. when done correctly. By correctly i simple mean as follows.

If your maintain intake is 1700

mon - 1700

tue - 1600

wed - 1800

thur - 1700

fri -1600

sat - 1800

sun - 1700

this is true "cycling" as with you, you are cycling, but with a lop sided wheel.... if you get what im saying. Stick to this above and youll be fine, it allows you to sacrifice one day of low calories for one day of high and tends to be pretty satisfying.

Calorie cycling is great for preventing plateaus when losing (or gaining) weight. It can also allow you some variety in your diet as you will not be eating the exact same amount on a daily basis. As Jason said, just ensure that your weekly calories are not above maintenance to ensure you don't gain.

I have been calorie cycling for 6 months; I've lost 60 lbs since June using it. I average 1829 calories a day:

Sun: 1800
Mon: 2000
Tue: 1400
Wed: 2800
Thu: 1200
Fri: 1500
Sat: 2100

I also take a free day every 2 weeks in place of the 2800 calorie day or on special occassions/holidays and get right back to normal the day after.

I currently do 3 to 4 days of intense cardio on my high days for about 30 to 60 minutes each session and strength training 3 days a week. As I get to lower weights, I am NOT going to lower my calories, I will, however, increase my cardio to 6 to 7 days a week and continue strength training.

I believe that people should eat at or close to their target maintenance weight calories and eventually they will arrive there. I also believe that calorie cycling mimics REAL life and allows for wiggle room and I'd like to believe the theory that calorie cycling keeps your metabolism from getting used to one thing or another.

It's not what you eat at one meal or in one day that matters nearly as much as what you eat over several consecutive days. That's why staying in range for the week works just as well, if not BETTER than consistent daily calorie allotments.

Good to know I'm in good company with 90% of americans!

I'm not at alllll trying to lose any weight... if anything I should gain a few.  I just was curious about this diet.

As imccarthy said, it makes for much more excitement in eating! Like yesterday, I ate 1600 (hot chocolate, salads, cereal) but today I've already eaten 900 (pumpkin oatmeal, bread pudding) with plans to eat large tonight (restaurant birthday dinner) to come out at 1900.  I think it makes more sense: I listen to what my body needs that particular day... some days you're hungry, some days not.  I recommend it!

I eat a varied amount of calories everyday. I don't stick to a strict set of numbers. As long as I am over 1200-1300 I am good. And I have lost weight doing this so I must be doing something right.

I eat like that too. I listen to my body, some days I'm hungrier than others, and everything balances out and I maintain. It's the best way to maintain.

"unfortunately %90 of American's eat like that"

Oh and statistics are nonsense. I sure as hell don't believe them to be accurate.

maybe you should take a look around next time you go to a buffet and realize how many people really dont need to be there including yourself. Saying statistics arent correct is nonsense. Americans eat way too damn much, period. If you dont agree than your probably one of those people included in the 90% who justify being overweight as ok and normal. Truth is it is not ok or normal. We in America have the highest obesity POPULATION of ANY country..... and comparibly our population comes nowhere near that of India or China. This is a problem. Stop telling other people this is ok .... and go out and do something about. We all know smoking kills, and we do something about.... whats the differance here?

My god, everyone knows statistics are a joke!
I'm not overweight nor am I anywhere near being obese. I may not be some obnoxiously muscular body builder but that doesn't give you the right to be so rude.

quartersmk, don't listen to this jerk.

yeah and college is a joke too right? Tell that to the staticians who make more money than you've ever seen. But lets go back to this being a joke.

*4/10 smokers who smoked more than 20 years DIE! from smoking ..... i recommend YOU try this and tell me what happens to YOU. 

*1/1060 Police officers will be shot in the line of duty ...... try telling their families it was a joke.

*1/100 Children will be born with cerebral paulsy ...... try telling their mothers this was a joke, see what they say.