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

uchhh

terrible day!! 1229 calories, not enough protein and probably not even enough carbs for the cycling to work :unsure:

Depending how well this goes for me, carb cycling is something I might definitely stick to as a way of life. It seems easier to stick with. I still feel great for eating healthy yet I still get to have some things I always loved, with some adjustments of course. After reading, it made a lot of sense to me and it is something you can live with. I have a great feeling about this!

Also.. today was my 2nd day Carb cycling. Low Carb Day as follows..:

910 39 50 87

Calories, carbs, fat, protein. In that order. the bulk of the carbs was 1 whole wheat toast that is 20 carbs >< lol was that to high for a low carb day?

uchhh

terrible day!! 1229 calories, not enough protein and probably not even enough carbs for the cycling to work :unsure:

Your calories aren't bad, and you can always tweak the others. Hang in there

Also.. today was my 2nd day Carb cycling. Low Carb Day as follows..:

910 39 50 87

Calories, carbs, fat, protein. In that order. the bulk of the carbs was 1 whole wheat toast that is 20 carbs >< lol was that to high for a low carb day?

Have it for breakfast and you're fine. Especially since your carbs for the day were great!

I had only drank my protein shake on low carb day. Today is day 3 which is high carb. I might do a shake today as my first high carb day I came in a little low on Protein.

Right now as far as long term I am not sure what I will do. I did Atkins for a year and half and I got good at it but as soon as I stopped I slowly gained all my weight back. I can see this being something I could do long term if I wanted as I am not depriving myself of anything like I did with Atkins.

Also.. today was my 2nd day Carb cycling. Low Carb Day as follows..:

910 39 50 87

Calories, carbs, fat, protein. In that order. the bulk of the carbs was 1 whole wheat toast that is 20 carbs >< lol was that to high for a low carb day?

What I do is I have 2 slices of whole wheat bread on high carb days and then on a low carb day I have just 1 slice of Pepperidge Farm Carb Style Soft 100% whole wheat. 1 slice is 60 calories, 8 carb, 2 fat and 5 protein.

Having two types of bread in the house is a pain but it helps keep the content under control. Plus my Wife is diabetic and eats mostly lower carb bread.

I've decided that I can't have Thanksgiving land on a low carb day, so I'm doing low carbs both today and tomorrow then high on Thanksgiving. (like...super high carb and cheating galore lol)

Brilliant Mis...it's great how you can work it around lifestyle too!

That works!! Thanksgiving was one of the reasons I waited to start Sunday rather then mid week last week. It is a high carb day for me as well. Oddly enough the only thing I am looking forward to is Stuffing. Last time I had it I had a stuck episode. Might do a small sliver of apple pie but honestly I have no real cravings for anything and I am not looking forward to actual Thanksgiving dinner like I used to in years past...

I just realized Thanksgiving falls on my low carb day, so I am low carbing until then so I can make it a high carb day. I am not giving up my stuffing and sliver of apple pie. (ohh god I can hear the sighs behind the computers), LOLOLOL

This is deff something I can totally live with by adjusting my carbs!

OH, BTW I just thought of something, I probably felt low because remember I got my period the same week I started (duh)!!!

All is good, and I am LOVING this .....

I LOVE stuffing. I am actually cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year, and it's my first time making the whole meal alone. BUT...my mom is still making and bringing her stuffing because it's my favorite. I'm also making a homemade apple pie and you better believe I'm having a piece of it too

I have said from the day I had my surgery in January, I refuse to deprive myself. I had cake and a junk meal on my birthday, I had candy on Halloween, and now I'm going eat what I want on Thanksgiving. When Christmas comes, I'm going to have some Christmas cookies and a roast for dinner. I can have and enjoy it all- just in moderation.

That works!! Thanksgiving was one of the reasons I waited to start Sunday rather then mid week last week. It is a high carb day for me as well. Oddly enough the only thing I am looking forward to is Stuffing. Last time I had it I had a stuck episode. Might do a small sliver of apple pie but honestly I have no real cravings for anything and I am not looking forward to actual Thanksgiving dinner like I used to in years past...

Hey Jim, I just noticed we both wrote the same 2 foods exactly!! LOLOLOL

I LOVE stuffing. I am actually cooking Thanksgiving dinner this year, and it's my first time making the whole meal alone. BUT...my mom is still making and bringing her stuffing because it's my favorite. I'm also making a homemade apple pie and you better believe I'm having a piece of it too

I have said from the day I had my surgery in January, I refuse to deprive myself. I had cake and a junk meal on my birthday, I had candy on Halloween, and now I'm going eat what I want on Thanksgiving. When Christmas comes, I'm going to have some Christmas cookies and a roast for dinner. I can have and enjoy it all- just in moderation.

Thats right, all in moderation ....

Tomorrow is going to be a big challenge for me. I do all of the cooking and baking for Thanksgiving. I am baking tomorrow morning, first thing. I have to stay strong! NOOOO finger licking for me.......