Can I Keep Calories For A Weekend?

[seanfinnigan]

Hello,

I am trying to lose some weight but am really struggling with my appetite/discipline.

Last year I lost 42lbs through calorie restriction and I found it easier to restrict through fasting (17/7 & 2x 24hr fasts a week) but I was able to keep this up a lot easier because I was on an oil rig which had controlled galley opening times.

I have found it really difficult to keep up this discipline now that I am working locally again. I've been trying to get my weekly calories down to 12,600 (1,800 a day) but I'm just finding it way too hard and I personally don't think it's enough. I've tried to work out what I want on calorie calculators online but they al give conflicting information.

I am planning on upping my calories to 15,800 for the week (2,250 day) and I understand I might need to adjust that figure after monitoring measurements for a few weeks but what I want to know is can I take calories from the weekdays (when I am more disciplined) and use them on a weekend?

Like so:

Mon - 2,200
Tues - 1,200 (one meal this day as it is a 24hr fast)
Wed - 2,200
Thu - 1,200 (one meal this day as it is a 24hr fast)
Fri - 3,000
Sat - 3,000
Sun - 3,000

I know this might not be the perfect way but I am just trying to find something that I can stick to.

My details are:

Age: 34
Height: 6ft 1"
Weight: 232lbs

Apologies if I've left any vital information out or not articulated myself very well.

[SuffolkPunch]

Yes, it's the long term average that matters. This may or may not work out. I find that if I'm in a net deficit overall, I still feel hungry even if I swing it so that I eat a large number of calories in one sitting.

[snailsrus]

Why not just do 2250 a day? 1200 calories a days seems like it would make you super hungry the next day and more likely to binge/ over eat

[air2fakie]

Why not just do 2250 a day? 1200 calories a days seems like it would make you super hungry the next day and more likely to binge/ over eat

^This. Why not just find a daily amount that you can live with so you can develop a good routine and be somewhat satisfied all the time? If you're having appetite/discipline issues, I don't think jumping around between high, low and OMAD is a realistic solution if you're not limited by oil rig eating times.

Once you get used to a lower number it may be easier to reduce gradually even further over time if desired.

[jn677]

Its fine to cycle your calories a bit. Lots of people alternate day fast or do 2 fasting day a week.

Everyone's metabolism is different and you may or may not be recording your calories correctly so hard to comment on specific numbers but just give it a shot and adjust from there, that's all you can do.

Just do it for a couple weeks and if you're gaining or staying still just subtract calories from somewhere or add more exercise or both, it's not rocket science.

[jn677]

^This. Why not just find a daily amount that you can live with so you can develop a good routine and be somewhat satisfied all the time? If you're having appetite/discipline issues, I don't think jumping around between high, low and OMAD is a realistic solution if you're not limited by oil rig eating times.

I disagree with this, if you know you'll cheat on weekend just subtract from rest of week after you figure out how much you overeat on weekend.

[snailsrus]

I disagree with this, if you know you'll cheat on weekend just subtract from rest of week after you figure out how much you overeat on weekend.

thats not great for long term sustainable weight loss, even more so with people who have a tendency to over eat. Fasting triggers over eating. It’s like changing your life style vs going on a quick diet you can’t maintain

[air2fakie]

I disagree with this, if you know you'll cheat on weekend just subtract from rest of week after you figure out how much you overeat on weekend.

Mathematics is one thing - but in your experience do those that struggle with appetite and discipline, and who are 3-day weekend binge eaters, do well consistently with your "subtract during the other 4 days" approach?

[desslok]

Mathematics is one thing - but in your experience do those that struggle with appetite and discipline, and who are 3-day weekend binge eaters, do well consistently with your "subtract during the other 4 days" approach?

Yep, its a great recipe for spinning your wheels and asking forums the typical “i tried everything and am not losing weight” threads we see here daily

[blue9steel]

Somewhat, but the extreme that you posted probably isn't a good idea.

[bLinkMoore]

I disagree with this, if you know you'll cheat on weekend just subtract from rest of week after you figure out how much you overeat on weekend.

This is a decent strategy in theory, but it virtually never works out that way. It's much better to either stick to a fairly fixed intake or incorporate a diet break every few weeks