The fitness world never disappoints. And more recently, the focus has been on calorie cycling. Whether fitness gurus are cycling carbs, proteins, or fats, they are cycling something. And you may be wondering if you should also join the hype. Is calorie cycling for you?
What is Calorie Cycling?
Like most hyped things in the fitness world, the definitions of calorie cycling vary. But it is this simple – you eat more calories on some days and eat less on the other days. Usually, people eat more calories on days they work out and opt for fewer calorie intakes during their rest days.
Let’s assume you are on a calorie deficit and must consume under 1700 calories daily to achieve your goal. If you are not cycling your calories, you would eat under 1700 calories each day. But if you were cycling, your food intake can look like this:
- Day 1: 1500
- Day 2: 1900
- Day 3: 1500
- Day 4: 1900
- Day 5: 1500
- Day 6: 1900
- Day 7: 1700
In the end, you will have consumed an average of under 1700 calories a day and will still meet your goal despite eating more on some days. The above is just an example. The calorie variations can be as versatile as you want.
Why Do People Cycle Calories?
Many things in the fitness world are just pure hype. So, is there any science to calorie cycling? Well, it comes with some perks.
- It helps you protect your metabolism from adaptation during calorie deficits. When you lower your calorie intake a lot, your body can respond by lowering your resting metabolic rate, which hinders successful weight loss. By cycling calories and eating more on some days, you can avoid this and ensure your metabolism does not take a hit.
- It responds to your body’s energy needs. Most people plan their cycles around their workouts. And as we all know, we need more energy on active days. Eating more on these days allows your body not to strain such that you feel fatigued. Corresponding your rest days with lower food intakes is also a good way to avoid overfeeding, which is common among beginners who wish to compensate for their workouts.
- It helps you get accustomed to the new diet: Struggling with a new diet is quite common. Calorie cycling helps you stay on track by allowing you to eat more on some days, which makes the diet feel less restrictive. For example, you can save your favorite junk foods for higher-calorie days and eat more nutrient-dense foods on lower-calorie days.
These perks often compound into better weight loss journeys.
IS CALORIE CYCLING FOR YOU?
While it might seem like cycling calories is the secret to true weight loss, the answer is not that simple. The truth is that you will lose weight just by being on a calorie deficit. So, cycling is not necessary. However, you can consider it if the following apply to you:
- You have a hard time easing into the diet and need to eat more on some days,
- You have a history of slow metabolism and want to avoid a dip, or
- You want to eat more on some days instead of following a rigid plan.
In case of these factors, calorie cycling will work. But if these do not apply to you, it’s up to you to decide if the continuous changes work in your favor.
NEED HELP CYCLING CALORIES?
Whether you want to cycle calories or not, your weight loss journey should be easy and filled with nutritional facts. Book a consultation today and learn what works for your goals.