Shifting Calories To Lose Weight

When people think about different ways to lose weight, one of the first absolute truths of weight loss that they will come across is that weight loss and gain is largely governed by the equation between calories consumed and calories burned.  When you burn more calories than you consume, you will very likely lose weight.  Shifting calories is an important component in that equation that helps to supercharge weight loss and help you break through any plateaus that you may be experiencing.

What Does Shifting Calories Mean?

Shifting calories refers to changing the amount of calories that you eat per day, while maintaining a weekly average at a specific level.  For example, let's say that your weight loss plan involves eating 1600 calories per day.  During a normal calorie counting diet, you would eat right about 1600 calories every day without fail and lose weight that way.  It works great, but your body will adapt to eating the same number of calories each day and the weight loss will become less and less as it does.

Shifting calories takes that 1600 calorie balance and changes is up each day while maintaining that number as an average.  Let's say that you begin a calorie shifting diet instead.  You will eat 1900 calories one day, and then eat 1300 the second day.  Your average for the two days is still 1600 calories, and you will maintain that average as you shift your calories each day.

Why Should I Use The Shifting Calories Method?

The body is an amazingly adaptable tool that is constantly changing in order to ensure its survival. This is why when someone is water fasting, their metabolism slows down in order to preserve its stored energy so that it can last longer. In contrast, when you do the same exercise every day or eat the same number of calories every day, your body will adjust to that level. It will burn calories at a level closer to your intake and your exercise routine will become less effective.

This is why personal trainers are always recommending that you change up your workout routine every few weeks. It keeps your body from adapting to the change and forces it to continue burning as many calories as possible. The same is true of your caloric intake. When it is constantly changing, your body is unable to adapt, so it can be helpful in breaking through plateaus and working to prevent them from occurring, making it one of the most effective weight loss solutions that you can work into your lifestyle.

Final Thoughts About Calorie Shifting Theory

Shifting calories can be a very effective method at maintaining high levels of weight loss and preventing plateaus, but you need to be careful to protect your health at the same time.  You want to keep your calorie intake high enough that your body does not slow down its metabolism because it fears that it is going into a period of famine.  A good rule of thumb is to have a minimum of 1600 calories per day for men and 1200 calories per day for women.