I dont get this calorie thing. If I eat more I lose more?! WHAT?

Hi, I'm 17 and 5'8". I weigh 200 pounds (down from 220). I have been reading alot of other things out here and I saw that if you eat more you lose more. What is up with that?! I dont get that at all. Also what is the zig-zag diet thing. I read an article but im still confused on if im suppose to eat 1600-1800. What if I want to lose weight, dont I have to lower that calorie intake??????? Soooo confused!!!!!!!!!!

Hey I'm new to Calorie Counting as well, I made a thread and asked a lot of questions which were answered, hope this helps you.


http://www.calorie-count.com/forums/post/4665 2.html

no no no. that's more if you are in "starvation mode" or on a plateau. take how much you are supposed to eat to maintian your weight, cut 500 cals a day by dieting and exercise and you will lose. i ignore half the posts people make about their theories on why or how they lose the weight. everyone is different.

soooo. if i burn 2400 cal.s a day just by doing nothing (i think thats right..or is that too high??) i should cut 500 cal.s from that and eat 1900 cals a day and then exercise????????? yeah im a slow one..if i im eating 1500-1600 cals a day is that good? and then burning about 400 cals a day. Would i still lose alot of weight fast or............augh..so confused

Yes, if you burn 2400 calories a day, take in 500 less.  You have muscle and you have fat.  Muscle helps to burn fat but it is living tissue and requires calories to keep it running.  Too many people take in too little calories to maintain their muscle.  So, their body thinking it is starving, decides to break its muscle down as energy and any food coming in is stored as fat.  You can not have a huge difference between the calories you burn and the calories you take in.  It just doesn't work that way.  If you take in too little calories, you lose some fat but more muscle.  Remember, muscle burns calories so that's not good.  Muscle gives you shape as well.  You lose it and you have a saggy cellulite look.  Eat atleast 1600 calories a day but more than likely 1900.