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

Thanks maddy' date=' I've also thought about that too, I haven't spoken to him about it, I do have my first fill on the 28th, which is when I planned to discuss it with him. Also making an appt tomorrow with a nutritionist. My surgeons office have never really sat down with me and discussed anything about eatings, how many calories I should have etc.. so this weds I plan to ask a bunch of questions. I should have way before, I'm just kinda shyish in a way >< so I tend to not know what to ask or being self conscious asking questions. I am getting over this! Thanks for your concern Maddy.. I'll definitely talk to them about this and let ya know what I am told! [/quote']

Write down all your questions so you don't forget anything

Also... Good luck and best wishes on your follow up appt!!

I'm here now waiting on Dr. Lost 8 lbs in 4wks and 36lbs in total. Nurse is happy.lol

Also... Good luck and best wishes on your follow up appt!!

I'm here now waiting on Dr. Lost 8 lbs in 4wks and 36lbs in total. Nurse is happy.lol

Sorry I posted twice. DR just walked in and messed me up.lol

that looks yummy! always love seeing whatcha cooked!

Thanks Destynee!!

Oh that looks so good! I'm trying that one too!

Thanks sweety

I'm here now waiting on Dr. Lost 8 lbs in 4wks and 36lbs in total. Nurse is happy.lol

Yaaaayyyyy! That's awesome! So proud of you! Xoxoxo

I'm on the same cycle as you. Today is my low carb day.

don't be nervous! we're all in this together, and ask any questions you have. I am actually starting the hang of this (I hope!) and finding it easier and easier.

Keep us updated on your progress!

Hi Hanna, yes it is getting much easier! Low carb day as well. I think we may be all on the same page. I am looking at finding more new low carb recipes and will post as I go along. Want to make sure it taste good before I post, LOL.

Thanks maddy' date=' I've also thought about that too, I haven't spoken to him about it, I do have my first fill on the 28th, which is when I planned to discuss it with him. Also making an appt tomorrow with a nutritionist. My surgeons office have never really sat down with me and discussed anything about eatings, how many calories I should have etc.. so this weds I plan to ask a bunch of questions. I should have way before, I'm just kinda shyish in a way >< so I tend to not know what to ask or being self conscious asking questions. I am getting over this! Thanks for your concern Maddy.. I'll definitely talk to them about this and let ya know what I am told! <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

Hi there! I was banded 10/5. I haven't really stalled because I am down week after week but I just wanted to share with you why for me the lap band has been different that any diet. For me, and maybe you can relate, I would start gung ho, fill the fridge, run to the gym, measure track obsess. It was time consuming almost frantic. I lived for the meal I would make next, what I would weigh on the scale, my mind would go crazy really. Then when I would stall or not get the results I wanted I would be discouraged. OR I would see results and I would be afraid of them so I would start the grazing just to sabotage my own efforts. Have you ever felt any of that? Well, again for me, the band is so different. I concentrate more on nourishment. How to get the nutrients in that I need to live my life as a skinny person.(wow! That's how they stay skinny?) I concentrate on a sense of calm instead of letting my mind run wild. For me, everything else is just falling into place. I'm only a few days ahead of you and I consider myself successful so far. I don't know how I will feel when I stall BUT I know it is too early for me to be worrying about it.

Someone posted on here that for the and to be successful you have to get out of its way and let it do its job. It just made sense.

As for your doctors office ask if they have a nutritionist on staff that can help you would. My dr has one with the hospital and the services and all the classes are free! Keep me posted!

Oh and sorry I hijacked this thread for a second. Please don't hate me...keep up the good work all!

What is everyone's cycle? Do you predetermine yours or do you go with the flow? I was going to do high/low alternating days with Saturdays as my free day BUT I'm thinking maybe 1 high day 2 to low days...thoughts?

destynee, I'm a little worried about you starting this so soon, you were only banded on Oct 22, it's a time for healing, not losing weight. Have you talked with your surgeon about this? Would be interested in his input.

I'm going for my 6wk follow up tomorrow and hopefully my first fill.

Best wishes!

Hi Destynee, yes Maddy is correct in stating that it is wayyy to early for you to be worrying about weight loss, instead you should be worried about healing. Sorry you fell into this thread and you didn't have your 'start' surgery date posted on your ticker so we could of caught it. There are ton of pages to go through, and I only seem to skimp through them as I go along...

This thread was created as an experiement in a weight loss stall to jump start ones metabolisim. For those who have been banded for a long time and has seen no weight loss results in months. (this is not for someone who has just been banded).

Please follow your surgeons/nutrionist diet plan as you were given. Sorry, you got lost in the shuffle of this thread.

Looking forward to hearing all about your weight loss journey as you go along, Keep in touch you are a doll!!!

You have my email if ever you need to get in touch with me sweety...

Let us know how your first follow up apt. went with the doctor!

((hugs))

Hi Destynee, yes Maddy is correct in stating that it is wayyy to early for you to be worrying about weight loss, instead you should be worried about healing. Sorry you fell into this thread and you didn't have your 'start' surgery date posted on your ticker so we could of caught it. There are ton of pages to go through, and I only seem to skimp through them as I go along...

This thread was created as an experiement in a weight loss stall to jump start ones metabolisim. For those who have been banded for a long time and has seen no weight loss results in months. (this is not for someone who has just been banded).

Please follow your surgeons/nutrionist diet plan as you were given. Sorry, you got lost in the shuffle of this thread.

Looking forward to hearing all about your weight loss journey as you go along, Keep in touch you are a doll!!!

You have my email if ever you need to get in touch with me sweety...

Let us know how your first follow up apt. went with the doctor!

((hugs))

destynee is a doll , just like you!

destynee is a doll , just like you!

Thanks Maddy for saving the day here with Destynee! and btw.... YOU are doing an amazing job -52 lbs <whistling> sweeeeet!

Thank you Maddy and you too are a doll!!!!

Oh nooo!!

The day is practically over and its my high carb day, and I only got 62g of carbs, I am so behind!!

Any ideas of a low calorie food that's high in carb so I can finish the day right?

I made some of that taco soup which comes in handy on carb days (today was my first one). How about a whole grain English muffin with peanut butter or quinoa