Calorie Cycling

Google has become my BFF while trying to become educated on the many details of dieting. There are so many controversial ideas about diet and fitness, that finding good information is like searching for a needle in a haystack.

A new idea I have come across lately is the idea of calorie cycling. In the past, I have read articles indicating that having a "break" from dieting is not only necessary mentally, but it can also help keep your metabolism from plummeting. Calorie cycling has this objective in mind. It is the process of varying caloric intake each day, as long as your weekly caloric goal is not exceeded.

Here is an example:

I want to subtract about 300 calories a day, but this can cause my metabolism to drop. Instead, I will shoot for subtracting 2100 each week like this. (remember I need 1600 calories each day to maintain)

Day 1: 1200
Day 2: 1100
Day 3: 1400
Day 4:1250
Day 5: 1450
Day 6: 1200
Day 7:1500

So this is just an example, but it could help my metabolism from taking a major nosedive!