As many of you know, I was stuck for more than a month. I was monitoring my calories, getting in all my Protein and exercising, yet the scale didn't budge. I know, plateaus are normal, but they still suck. Around the time the plateau hit I also started taking birth control pills. I even gained 2 pounds, which for me was the deal breaker. I had to find a way to break the plateau and start losing again.

So I started researching. Low carb, high carb, no carb, etc. I see so many variations on here! What's right? What's wrong? I already knew it was a matter of choice without a clear right or wrong answer, but I also knew individual body needs also played a very big part in it. During my research I kept coming across something called carb cycling, so I decided to look more into it.

Carb cycling is essentially trying to optimize your metabolism by alternating high and low carb days. Body builders often do this to build muscle and burn fat before a contest but it's also very helpful for weight loss. Then one day I turned on Doctor Oz...and wouldn't you know it... it was an episode on carb cycling. Chris Powell, of The Biggest Loser, was on his show talking about he has all the contestants on the show carb cycle and how he does it. For me, this was the point I decided to give carb cycling a try.

Chris Powell's method is specifically for weight loss so I decided to go with his (there's many out there). He has an excellent book called “Choose to Lose: The 7-Day Carb Cycle Solution”.

His theory: No carb diets don't work. It's not sustainable long term and eventually it significantly slows the metabolism. Worse, people who cut out carbs usually end up gaining all their weight back and then some when they do suddenly reintroduce carbs. Carbs are the energy block of the body and a long term lack of carbs will cause the thyroid to slow down significantly.

7 day diet/carb cycling: High carb day followed by low carb day, alternating daily. Start on a high carb day and always eat within 30 minutes of waking up in the morning. Always limit or omit carbs after 6pm.

All this is within your own personal daily calorie allowance.

High carb day/energy day:

• Preferably complex carbs. Protein, low fat. unlimited veggies.
  

Low carb day/burn day:

• A little carb in the morning to boost metabolism
  
• Cut carbs the rest of the day.
  
• Protien, healthy fats, unlimited veggies
  

3 of each/low carb and high carb. 7th day is cheat day

Cheat day:

• Boost calories to boost metabolism
  
• Boost to no more than 1000 extra calories a day
  
• Cheat at Breakfast and lunch, not dinner. 6-12pm “behave”
  
• Cheat at a table. Not in a car, or at a sofa, etc. No “hypno binging”
  
• No leftovers allowed.
  

Mind you, this is the short version of all this. If this interests you, I'd strongly suggest buying his book for a better understanding. It's very enlightening.

...So this is what I've done for the last week. I am very happy to say, carb cycling broke my plateau, despite still being on the birth control pill too. I lost 5.4 pounds this week!

I have decided I am going to continue to carb cycle. I am not a fan of the low carb days, but I am getting more used to them. Plus, I find my "carb cravings" have all but disappeared since starting this- something I didn't think possible.

For me, it's working. I just thought I'd share the results of my little self experiment

I'm going to get the book, thanks!!

I need to read this book and follow it! I need to lose more, but have not been all that great of a bandster as of late. I've been emotional and giving in to temptations a little too much. But I have been exercising more. I am in PT and my new therapist is working me more than I have ever done. He has me exercising harder than ever, and loving it! It's like having a personal trainer for an hour a couple times a week, and I both look forward to it, and dread it. lol

I am definitely gonna get that book and start the carb cycling like you do. My problem is I am not sure how many calories I should be eating.... My Fitness Pal says to lose 1.5 pounds a week I can eat 1700 calories a day but I think that is too much.

I sooooooo Love Chris Powell! I watch his show whenever its on because he deals with very very overweight people and the transformation is unbelievealbe!

I am going to give this a shot because like you (are you sure we are not on the same cycle) LOLOL

I also didn't lose anything for almost a month but 1 pound, it can't hurt to try, something has to give to jumpstart the metabolisim again...

Wonderful research you have done...

((hugs))

Missy- THANK YOU!! I appreciate you posting your findings. Can you tell me what you ate on your low carb days? So many things have carbs in them that we don't realize, I would like to know what you do on those days.

Thanks

Ebay has this for $15.06, that includes FREE shipping. I have included the link below.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Choose-to-Lose-The-7-Day-Carb-Cycle-Solution-/321006575275?pt=US_Nonfiction_Book&hash=item4abd7b9eab

Thank you so much for sharing Missy! I think I'm going to try this. Does Chris give sample menus or lists of high carb/low carb foods? I'm so, so bad at counting carbs. I always counted calories.

Thanks Missy for sharing your story!

Since I'm just starting out, of course I have to follow orders. Real food Nov16!

But be sure my first plateau, the book will already been read.

I also look up to your advise & support.

I bet finally breaking your plateau was a great feeling, congrats!

Ebay has this for 15.06' date=' that includes FREE shipping. I have included the link below.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Choose-to-Lose-The-7-Day-Carb-Cycle-Solution-/321006575275?pt=US_Nonfiction_Book&hash=item4abd7b9eab

Thanks PG for sharing the link!

Thanks PG for sharing the link!

Maddysgram, how are you feeling so far?

Maddysgram' date=' how are you feeling so far?[/quote']

I'm doing great! Putting on smaller pants, not starving like I've been hearing around here. I'll be glad to skip "bandsters hell". First time in along time, looking forward to life.

Thanks for asking GF!

I just bought it for Kindle for PC on Amazon! Paid a total of 10.07 for it! I'm hoping I can sync it to my e-reader so I can take it with me....

http://www.amazon.com/Choose-Lose-7-Day-Solution-ebook/dp/B006J66ILE/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1352484450&sr=1-1&keywords=Choose+to+Lose%3A+The+7-Day+Carb+Cycle+Solution

I just got it off Amazon too, directly to my Kindle. Very excited! Some good reading material for the weekend.

I'm doing great! Putting on smaller pants, not starving like I've been hearing around here. I'll be glad to skip "bandsters hell". First time in along time, looking forward to life.

Thanks for asking GF!

Good to hear you are doing well Maddy, Looks like you have things under control! You are doing great, keep up the wonderful job and I am soooo happy to hear your pants are falling, LOLOLOLOL

I've wondered about this. Thanks Missy!!

Ok yes, the book does give sample menus. Some of it looks rather good too. He also has a website with some menu ideas.

As far as the low carb days, I'm still struggling to find food I like lol. I find myself eating a lot of salads with ham, cheese, and chic peas. I also like ham rolls (chives cut up into cream cheese then rolled into a piece of ham). chicken breast, pork chops, lunch meat. I've taken to eating a spoonful of Peanut Butter as a snack, too.