If you are a "zig-zag"er plz answer my question

Hi,

I've just read about zig-zag method and thought it was a great way to keep my metabolism up. But I was wondering how to set up the routine--some people say 1) 5 low days and 2 high days (a week routine) work the best, 2) others say 3 low days and 1 high days (4 day routine,) or 3) simply changing the calorie intakes everyday like 1230, 1500, 1353, 1240...

I am excited to try the zig-zag method, but I am not sure which routine would be the most efficient. Has anyone tried all three routines on the above? Which one was the most efficient in losing weight without hitting a plateau?

For your information, I am a female, 120lb, 5ft 4in, jogging 4-5 times a week.

Thanks in advance!!

At 5'4 and 120 lbs you should not be trying to lose weight.  Maybe try simply toning and lifting weights at this point?

HI I actually also am 5'4" and I am now down from 131 to 121..I do zig-zag my calories but really just like the last routine you stated..1350, 1475, 1210 some days about 1800. Honestly I think it more or less keeps your body from plataue since it is so close to an ideal weight..I know I want to lose about 5 more and I am toning up as well. GOod Luck to you,hopefully you try it and it works for you. Also try changing up your workout routine.add in some strength training.

i'm on maintenance now, but when i was losing weight, i didn't consciously try to zig zag, but i just allow myself a pretty large range of what i consider to be acceptable... (between 1200~1500 on non-active days and 1300~1800) if i'm active, and everything else seems to fall into place... i end up eating like 1430, 1560, 1650, 1320, 1800... through the week, and average around 1400~1600 at the end. I burnt around on average 1900~2100cals/day, and ate on average 1400~1500cals/day over a 2 month period (lost about 8~10lbs, at around 1pound a week.) I didn't plateau, and it was totally comfortable for me, cause i was pretty much letting my hunger dictate how much i ate. I noticed that on days i ate less than 1400cals, i'd feel a whole lot hungrier the next day, and the reverse would be true when i ate around 1700~1800cals... i'd feel less hungry the following day. (:

doedoebird- I couldn't have said it better. Thats exactly what I do....and it is working so far! Good for you that you are now on maintenance. Can I ask..now that you are done..do you eat what you burn..and still exercise..I am getting close to my GW now..so I am just curious how I will be eating. Thanks!

thank you so much everyone! :D

doedoebird,

That seriously made the most sense of anybody that I have heard of "zig zagging" and I love that you didn't have an exact amount of calories you had to make regardless of hunger. I think that's a great idea to let your body decide what it needs, because there are days that I am not even hungry anymore but I'm way below my calories for the day and so terrified my body will go into starvation mode that I force myself to eat to reach those calories. Which even now looking back seems very unintelligent lol the crazy things we do to lose weight.

Thanks for the post!

We're twins!!  And if you're anything like me, you're small boned and could still stand to lose two or three pounds (but no more!).

Anyhow, I unofficially zig-zag.  I follow no plan except to mostly eat healthy foods (fruits, veggies, lean meat, yadda yadda).  Yesterday I ate almost 2500 cals.  The day before, I only ate 1350.  Today's going to be a girls' night out, so I'll be eating/drinking a lot of less-than-healthy foods, but I'll make up for it next week.  I NEVER go under 1200 unless I'm sick, of course.