Averaging caloric intake over several days -- good, bad, indifferent?

Hi everyone.  I've noticed that I sometimes have a day where I eat a lot, followed by a day or two where I eat much smaller amounts.  Over the 2-3 days, my calories average to the correct amount.  I also sometimes have isolated days where I eat a lot of nutrient-dense, low calorie foods that fill me up on fewer calories so that I get to the end of the day with 'too few' calories.  I figure that since I'm so heavy to begin with (5'5" and 186 lbs) and I never refrain from eating when I'm hungry, it's probably not a big deal.  Any thoughts?  Thanks in advance!

I totally believe in zig-zagging. It's what got me out of a 2-month plateau. I also think it's a pretty natural approach to eating. So many factors can effective why you'd be more hungry some days and less hungry others.

Not knowing your habits, I'd like to warn one thing. If you are simply eating less on some days to compensate for  a binge, you need to look closely at this behavior. In time, you may find that you have more binge days with less "balance"days and soon it's a slippery slope. I think you should plan your hi-cal/maintenance days so that you are controlling them and not the other way around.

Just a thought...Good luck!

that sounds like a totally normal, healthy eating style. people without weight or eating problems eat that way--their calories usually average out over the course of a week

Thanks Tomato!  I don't think I'm bingeing -- just making unhealthy choices (like last night's cheesburger and fries), and then being more careful the following days.  I also just sometimes don't feel all that hungry, especially when it's hot and muggy outside.  I figured it was reasonable and, like you said, natural, to eat this way.  Now I know what the term 'zigzagging' means -- I think I've seen it around the boards!  Thanks again!

i tend to naturally zig-zag as well. i think its just a matter of tuning in to your body on any particular day. my workouts vary quite a bit daily, thus my burn number does too. during ttom i always eat more for a couple days. almost ravenous! but its pretty normal so i dont freak about it.

i think trying to hit an exact number everyday would be making thing a lot more difficult than necessary. counting calories is OCD enough for me haha!

I am all about the zig zagging. I've been doing it for 7 1/2 months and have lost around 100 lbs. When you think about it, it's a pretty natural way for us to be. We are conditioned to be at optimal health in times of feast and famine. Zig Zagging approximates this natural rhythm.

I log my calories religiously and shoot for an average knowing that week-ends and social occasions are a wonderful part of life, and they often come with extra calories. If you plan ahead, or make amends for splurging, even a binge can be worked into your average. If your average intake is creating a deficit you will lose weight, faster, than just sticking to a set amount every day.

Enjoy!!!

I am all about the zig zagging. I've been doing it for 7 1/2 months and have lost around 100 lbs. When you think about it, it's a pretty natural way for us to be. We are conditioned to be at optimal health in times of feast and famine. Zig Zagging approximates this natural rhythm.

I log my calories religiously and shoot for an average knowing that week-ends and social occasions are a wonderful part of life, and they often come with extra calories. If you plan ahead, or make amends for splurging, even a binge can be worked into your average. If your average intake is creating a deficit you will lose weight, faster, than just sticking to a set amount every day.

Enjoy!!!

I have that problem too, and some days, like today, I just make bad choices and eat the wrong thing completely.........but, I think as long as we do not give up, and stay determined, it will even out, over time.  I cannot weigh too often because if I do, I get discouraged, I try to weigh only every two weeks or maybe even once a month, so that I see results, rather than the daily ups and downs of the scales.    Also, I can tell more by my clothes than I can the scales because when I have trouble keeping my pants up, then, I know I am doing ok. ha ha

I work at a convenience store, so everything there is a bad choice for me........today I messed up.....but, I will NOT give up........I think as long as we continue to try, it will all average out in the long run. 

Like you, the other day, it seemed like I ate all day long but at the end of the day, I had calories left because I ate mostly vegetables all day long.  I think that while we take it one day at a time, or one meal at a time, the overall end result when we get on that scale, will help us be more determined to make better choices, ya know?   

Also, depending on how active we are, some days we may need more energy, than other days, so I think that as we become more conscious of our eating habits, we will be more aware of what our body needs that day.  So, I think it is pretty normal to vary from day to day and as long as we are comitted to being more healthy, it will all average out. 

I also think keeping a journal and writing about your good days as well as your bad days, helps, because it helps you to see what causes problems and how emotions play a part in it all as well.  I love to write, so I update my journal pretty often. 

I wish you the best of luck.  I am 5ft 2in and need to lose about 100 lbs.  I decided on June 8th to do something about my weight and my health, and I have lost 20 lbs, so far.  A friend and co-worker told me about this site, and  I love it because of all the information, help, and encouragement, I find here.  I welcome all comments, suggestions, advice, and chit-chat. 

Forevermejb,

Jan