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

Def going to give this a whirl. Been stuck lately. Thanks for all the great advice. Looks like I won't be having croutons on my salad tomorrow =^}

For those of you who are carb cycling - question for you:

Today is my low carb day. I've taken in 27 carbs between breakfast, lunch, and my two snacks. I was hardly able to eat breakfast (my band is fussy in the morning, it likes a cup of coffee before food and that just doesn't happen when I have to eat within 30 minutes of waking). This whole afternoon I've felt shaky and weak.

What I've eaten so far is:

Breakfast - 1/2 cup of scrambled eggs with salsa.

Snack - 1/3 cup of greek yogurt with 1/3 cup no sugar added diced peaches.

Lunch - Weight Watchers grilled chicken patty with salsa, 1/3 cup cottage cheese, and the Green Giant steamed italian vegetables.

Snack - 3 slices of low salt sliced honey ham with a Laughing Cow wedge.

I'm full, I don't feel hungry and I don't feel like I need to eat something, but what's up with the shakiness? Is it just because of eating so high carb yesterday then low today? Has anyone else noticed any "side effects"? I've also been a tad grumpy (don't ask my husband, he'll say that's the understatement of the year!)

For those of you who are carb cycling - question for you:

Today is my low carb day. I've taken in 27 carbs between breakfast, lunch, and my two snacks. I was hardly able to eat breakfast (my band is fussy in the morning, it likes a cup of coffee before food and that just doesn't happen when I have to eat within 30 minutes of waking). This whole afternoon I've felt shaky and weak.

What I've eaten so far is:

Breakfast - 1/2 cup of scrambled eggs with salsa.

Snack - 1/3 cup of greek yogurt with 1/3 cup no sugar added diced peaches.

Lunch - Weight Watchers grilled chicken patty with salsa, 1/3 cup cottage cheese, and the Green Giant steamed italian vegetables.

Snack - 3 slices of low salt sliced honey ham with a Laughing Cow wedge.

I'm full, I don't feel hungry and I don't feel like I need to eat something, but what's up with the shakiness? Is it just because of eating so high carb yesterday then low today? Has anyone else noticed any "side effects"? I've also been a tad grumpy (don't ask my husband, he'll say that's the understatement of the year!)

You might be going through some carb withdrawals. I know PattyGirl was going through similar.

I was a little "meh" the first 2 low carb days, now I'm fine. I feel no difference between the high and low carb except I have no appetite on low carb days.

Just finished logging my foods for today, day #3, low carb day:

800 calories

30g of carbs

45g of fat

75g of protein

Hope I did ok for today!

Thanks Again Missy for this diet idea, i think it's really working!!

Here's mine for the day!

I have to say Missy, I've read the quote on your signature a thousand times - "I'm nothing special, just a fat girl desperate not to be fat anymore".

I want to tell you - - you ARE special. You're so supportive, so honest, so caring...your family and friends (and us!!) are very lucky to have you around. Thank you so much for helping us all along.

I have to say Missy, I've read the quote on your signature a thousand times - "I'm nothing special, just a fat girl desperate not to be fat anymore".

I want to tell you - - you ARE special. You're so supportive, so honest, so caring...your family and friends (and us!!) are very lucky to have you around. Thank you so much for helping us all along.

Awwww thank you so much!!! :wub:

Honestly, I'd be lost without all of you!

Awwww thank you so much!!! :wub:

Honestly, Id be lost without all of you!

And we would be lost without you. Your story is an ispiration to so many and your persistance is what everyone needs to see. Cyber Hugs!

I agree with all of the above!!! I love reading your posts Missy.. because I know it's always something someone needs to hear/read! <3 And omg I got my book today! I am going to start this on monday.. want to make sure I am totally prepared for the high/low carb days.. I notice you all put on what ya have for low carb.. what do you all have for High carb.. inquiring minds want to know!! lol.

Weighed myself again today. I am down another 1.4 pounds overnight A total of 6.6 pounds in 5 days So happy i started carb cycling

that is amazing Angel! Grats!!

Thanks destynee, it feels great I'm finally losing the weight again like I did in the first month after banding

Angel that is amazing, I'm so happy for you!

I'm down another pound this morning too, for a total of 10.8 in just under 2 weeks since starting carb cycling! That's including a cheat day (per the book) too!

I agree with all of the above!!! I love reading your posts Missy.. because I know it's always something someone needs to hear/read! <3 And omg I got my book today! I am going to start this on monday.. want to make sure I am totally prepared for the high/low carb days.. I notice you all put on what ya have for low carb.. what do you all have for High carb.. inquiring minds want to know!! lol.

Thank you

For high carb days, it's pretty easy. I pretty much eat what I want so long as it's low fat and not sugar/junk. I seriously love high carb days because I have stuff like small amounts of macaroni and cheese! Yummm!

If you scroll back in this thread, you can see where I posted a high carb day graph too.

I have to say Missy, I've read the quote on your signature a thousand times - "I'm nothing special, just a fat girl desperate not to be fat anymore".

I want to tell you - - you ARE special. You're so supportive, so honest, so caring...your family and friends (and us!!) are very lucky to have you around. Thank you so much for helping us all along.

Missy is my rock, I wouldn't know what to do without this girl. The best thing that ever happened to me coming on here was finding her

On that note, she is a very special person who really does care and understands....