What are Spike Days?

I've seen people on this raving about Spike days but have no idea what they are?! If someone could explain please if they work it's definitely something I'm interested in!!

I had a really similar question just yesterday. I thought this website: http://physicalblue.com/tag/calorie-spikes/ explained the theory behind calorie spiking quite well (well, at least so I could understand it!).

Basically the idea is that you eat a massive amount of calories in one day to kickstart your metabolism and confuse your body so that it doesn't get used to getting very few calories. I'm guessing that some people also refer to what the author of the article calls 'calorie confusion', as calorie spiking. The author breaks the two practices into two separate categories, but I'd guess that the term 'spiking' is used to describe both practices. Anyhow, the article explains it better than I can! I do like the idea of 'calorie confusion'... it's pretty much what I tend to do on a weekly basis anyhow. So long as my calories for the week average out to a daily intake that is within my goal, then I'm A-Ok.

I have used spike days to break a plateau. Basically, you shift your calories around so you have a weekly day where you consume A LOT of calories, and compensate the other days. I have a link on my bio page where I explain this in more detail. "My" system is based on this theory. It has worked wonders for me.

No. Not a "massive" amount. As kingkeld explained, it's a redistribution of your weekly calories so that you eat at a lower level for 6 days & bank the extra calories to be eaten all on the 7th day. Across the entire week you should still have the same total deficit.

It absolutely works if you can do it, but it's not for everyone. The spike day is supposed to be no more than 2x your BMR so you have enough calories for the rest of the week.

I would recommend you do a little homework on WHY it works before you go off half-cocked trying something you read about on a weight loss website. I did follow The Spike Diet for quite a while & loved it. Go to Amazon & look for the book by Russell Branjord. I picked up my copy at a discount bookstore. It's a quick & easy read.