I am VERY intrigued by Scott’s point about Body Calorie averaging (the point he made about 4 day rolling average of calories to really make progress… 4 good days to make progress, vs 2 good and 2 bad to be even and 3 or 4 bad to lose progress).

Good stuff.  Anyone have difficulty reconciling this with the “don’t cut calories too much?” I am trying to find that balance between controlling calories, eating good, but eating enough (too few calories = no metabolism, too many = weight gain, etc.).

Any other thoughts on this averaging?

Just thought I would see what interest and thoughts there are in the community.

Have a good one.

Hey!  Just dropped in from having a little “yardio” workout and saw your post.

The “Calorie Averaging” thing really works well because it just balances things out.  One way I use it all the time is in the amount of calories I consume while training.

Over the past few months I’ve really knocked my bodyfat down while putting in some serious workouts.  To keep my metabolism fired up I tend to move my calorie count up and down every couple of days. 

For example… personally I never go below 1,700 calories per day.  One days when I don’t workout OR have easier workouts, 1,700 is fine.  On other days I kick it up to 2,000 or so to make up for more activity.  Then I’ll go back down. 

On the weekends I tend to eat well on Friday and keep the calories in check… on Saturday I’m more likely to do 2,500 to 3,000 for the day and then Sunday I’m back to around 2,000.  Monday… guess what… 1,700! 

The trick is I’m always above me base so I don’t stall my metabolism and I never stay on the high side very long.  The result is control over my weight… whether I want to maintain or lose… the choice is mine.

One more thing…

I have found that folks who are naturally thin or maintain their weight tend to naturally do that very same thing. 

Play with it for a bit and see how it works for you.

I’ve also started to ‘average’ my calorie count per week (still track it daily)......and i do the same thing......a little more one day, a little less others......just kind of happens naturally.....

I’m going to intentionally cut my calorie intake about 250 per day, so by the end of the month (my Tri is on setp 30) I’ll be 145lbs (Currently 148)

Scott (always a bonus to get a post from Scott!!),

I think a faster solution for me is for us to just swap arms, but that might be an inconvenience for you.

In seriousness, it is good to see how you use this.  Thanks for elaborating.  I’m going to use what you wrote and experiment.

My brain has that tendancy to complicate things.  As I think through this “balance,” it seems that the place between under-eating (resulting in low metabolism) and over-eating is quality eating.  If I focus on the quality of my intake on most days, fluctuating within a healthy caloric range while exercising, I should begin to see change.  It’s the quality that kills me, and it’s time for me to explore the wonderful world of fruits, veggies and lean protein.

Of course, all of this will continue to be influenced by how I see myself, and it’s time to think “as-if.” I suppose that’s a conversation for another thread, but it is probably one of the biggest factors for me.  My self-perspective is that of an average mid-westerner, loving burgers, pizza and fries (often in the same day).

I imagine guys like as fit as you or Tom or Christian Bale or don’t see themselves that way.  Maybe at one time, but not right now.

This is helpful.  Thanks, Scott, for all that you do… back to the books.