utilizing refeeds

[fitmomof3]

How long is approprite to incorporate refeeds into your nutrition plan before you should change or take a break?

Do they stop being effective at some point?

Can someone decide to use refeeds if just starting to diet?

thanks

[char-dawg]

How long is approprite to incorporate refeeds into your nutrition plan before you should change or take a break?
It really depends, but theoretically you shouldn't ever have to eliminate refeeds, as far as I can see.


Do they stop being effective at some point?
Doubtful.

I'd answer this and your first question more definitely, except that I don't know anyone who's eaten in a "diet/refeed" manner for longer than a few months at a time. So it's hard to say. But certainly, on the face of it one could do refeeds indefinitely, and in fact I've been on such a plan (more or less) for about the last six months or so. I start the week off very strict and then gradally add carbs in up till Sat (which is still pretty strict). Sunday is refeed day.

No problems. :)


Can someone decide to use refeeds if just starting to diet?
Yes, but there usually is an initial period of a couple of weeks or so (depending on how fat you are) where you would not refeed at all. Of course, this is going to depend on the particular circumstance as well; if someone has been doing some fad diet for a while and then decides to try something more effective, s/he will probably be pretty depleted to begin with, so a refeed might be just the thing to kick-start them right off the bat.

[fitmomof3]

if you do refeeds what would your calories, carbs look like for the rest of the week?
thanks

[Erik]

if you do refeeds what would your calories, carbs look like for the rest of the week?
thanks

They'd look like whatever your diet was without the refeeds. And if you're 'out of shape' by a good bit, you don't need refeeds.

[fitmomof3]

What do you consider out of shape?

[Erik]

What do you consider out of shape?

Not lean.

[fitmomof3]

How about 140lb about 18-20% bodyfat. Very active in the gym(wts and cardio)

[Erik]

How about 140lb about 18-20% bodyfat. Very active in the gym(wts and cardio)

Post a picture. I don't put much stock into bodyfat claims.

As well, are you progressing on your plan? Losing fat? If you're progressing and not plateauing, and your diet is set up appropriately and your calories aren't too low, I don't see the need to refeed yet.