I just have to share this....

luvtorun

Cathlete
I've been on Weight Watchers since April of 2003 and for about about a year now have been "doing my own thing" with the WW points. I limited myself to 22 points a day and usually, but not always, consumed what exercise points I earned. From what I figured, you can usually count about 50 calories average per point, so I was eating approximate 1100 calories a day and getting nowhere in getting this fat off my butt.

I noticed some threads a couple of weeks ago from Sarah (imafitnessfreak) where she was talking about being too calorie restricted and shutting down your metabolism. Well, I PM'ed her and asked her if she'd help me determine what caloric intake I need. She was so kind to do this. She told me to register at fitday and what percentage my fat, protein, and carbs should be. I never paid any attention to any of this before. It was so enlightening. I could actually relate how I was feeling by how my ratio was stacking up during the day. Anyway, she has me at 1666 calories for a 20% deficit and 1548 calories for a 30% deficit. I was to do this for three days, then eat the calories I need to sustain my weight at my activity level on the fourth day which is a whopping 2082 twice what I usually ate.

I have done this for a week. I was so nervous the day after my big eating day because I am so phobic about putting on weight. I weighed today after one week of zigzagging and I lost 4 lbs.!!! Not only that, I lost a half inch in my bust (which I really couldn't afford), a half inch in my waist, and unbelievably a quarter inch off my butt!! My thighs stayed the same. I couldn't believe it. I feel like I have eaten like horse for a week and lost weight. Of course, it is clean eating with the correct ratio of fat, carbs, and protein. I have so much energy. I posted my w/o of PLB/PUB, abs, and a 35 minute walk yesterday. That maranthon w/o wouldn't have been possible for me a week ago.

This is turning into a book, but I wanted everyone to know the positive results I have gotten with this.

Thanks Sarah for introducing me to this.
 
I've been on Weight Watchers since April of 2003 and for about about a year now have been "doing my own thing" with the WW points. I limited myself to 22 points a day and usually, but not always, consumed what exercise points I earned. From what I figured, you can usually count about 50 calories average per point, so I was eating approximate 1100 calories a day and getting nowhere in getting this fat off my butt.

I noticed some threads a couple of weeks ago from Sarah (imafitnessfreak) where she was talking about being too calorie restricted and shutting down your metabolism. Well, I PM'ed her and asked her if she'd help me determine what caloric intake I need. She was so kind to do this. She told me to register at fitday and what percentage my fat, protein, and carbs should be. I never paid any attention to any of this before. It was so enlightening. I could actually relate how I was feeling by how my ratio was stacking up during the day. Anyway, she has me at 1666 calories for a 20% deficit and 1548 calories for a 30% deficit. I was to do this for three days, then eat the calories I need to sustain my weight at my activity level on the fourth day which is a whopping 2082 twice what I usually ate.

I have done this for a week. I was so nervous the day after my big eating day because I am so phobic about putting on weight. I weighed today after one week of zigzagging and I lost 4 lbs.!!! Not only that, I lost a half inch in my bust (which I really couldn't afford), a half inch in my waist, and unbelievably a quarter inch off my butt!! My thighs stayed the same. I couldn't believe it. I feel like I have eaten like horse for a week and lost weight. Of course, it is clean eating with the correct ratio of fat, carbs, and protein. I have so much energy. I posted my w/o of PLB/PUB, abs, and a 35 minute walk yesterday. That maranthon w/o wouldn't have been possible for me a week ago.

This is turning into a book, but I wanted everyone to know the positive results I have gotten with this.

Thanks Sarah for introducing me to this.
 
Jane,

I am so happy to hear about your sucess with this. Sarah is wondeful isn't she:) She did a calorie stagger for me awhile back too and I was very scared to try it. I am just looking to maintain my weight and lose a inch here or there. I lost a 1/2 inch in each thigh.

My point is (didn't mean to hijak your thread) that I am very happy for you and wish you continued sucess. I also wanted to Thank Sarah for always being so helpful.

Terri
 
She is great isn't she Terri. I have actually never heard of zigzagging until I came on this forum. Sarah is helping my daughter with it too. I am wanting to maintain my weight, not really wanting to go down much further. I weight 131.5 right now and I'm 5'6". I just have this "fat pad" on my rear with the cellulite appearance and I'd love to at least shrink it some. My legs are coming along beautifully if I could only get this fat off my rear so my glute muscles I've been working so hard can show.

With the results I've seen this week, I believe this may just do the trick. :) It's only been one week, I have to be patient.
 
I've just started to increase my calories as well. Don't be afraid to eat more, it works doesn't it! I could not believe how much stronger I felt when doing PUB because of eating more protein throughout the day. I felt like I doubled up on my strength. As long as you are eating the right foods and not cheating too much, you will benefit tremendously as you can see for yourself.
Once I had to pack food when working and some of the men commented on how much I was eating like I must have a mean metabolism or something. Some just don't understand, and I didn't either not too long ago, but I am learning all the time. Sarah has helped me as well. In the meantime, we see others eat 2 meals a day and wonder why they are getting fatter while we eat all day long like a horse and get more buff all the time. Isn't it lovely?!
:D

Charlotte~~
 
Sarah......wherever you are..........would you help me!!

I am in search of an eating pattern like the one described above, that will maintain my energy b/c I love to workout, but at the same time will help me to lose a few pounds and then maintain my weight!

If you read this, I would be very grateful for any help you could give me!

Thanks,

Melissa B.
 
WHOOHOOO, Jane!! That's incredibly awesome!! Happy for you, and proud OF you. :)

It's wonderfully refreshing and exciting for me to hear your story. Many other people can, and will!, benefit from eating the RIGHT amount of calories in the RIGHT ratio. I discovered this for myself- twice. LOL I've had to adjust my calories and ratio a bit as I've lost weight, and sometimes it's been really hard for me to eat ENOUGH. It's a weird experience- eating alot and losing weight. It's a really cool experience, though, too. :p

I've tried to "teach" this to people during my weight loss journey- and it's really hard to sell. I'm so glad that you took Sarah's top-notch advice. Way to go, Sarah!! :D

Connie
 
Jane - this is sssooooo encouraging. I too have been eating a little more thanks to the advice of Sarah and others. I'm afraid to weight right now because it's TTOM, but - I realize now that undereating is just *not* going to work. Your story has convinced me that I'm headed in the right direction, so thanks for sharing!

And thanks to Sarah for her no-nonsense advice.

Because I almost compulsively continue to research this topic, I found this link zig-zag calorie calculator link that I found to be very helpful:

http://www.naturalphysiques.com/tools.php?itemid=64

Everyone who's doing this keep us posted on your progress!!
 

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