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

Anyone carb cycling this week?

Nope, unless I stall... I am however watching my carb intake daily. I so far noticed I am pretty good with keeping it at 40 and below grams a per day. Seems to be working for me so far. I have increased my exercise level too. I know once I lose more weight I will need to adjust it again, but for now its working and I am completely satisfied.

As they say, the show must go on...............LOL

I think I'm about to start again for a couple weeks. I am at another plateau and the scale just isn't budging despite counting calories religiously.

Thats because you a skinny chickee now ((hugs))

Carb cycled since sunday and i'm down 3 lbs

Thanks again Missy for posting this topic!!! I owe you big time lol

It feels SO good to break a plateau!!

Carb cycled since sunday and i'm down 3 lbs

Thanks again Missy for posting this topic!!! I owe you big time lol

It feels SO good to break a plateau!!

Doesnt' it? so glad we have another 'tool' just incase.... I am always on standby, LOLOLOL Great news Hanna

I just started carb cycling again today. Still can't break the plateau so... here I go again! Low carb day today! lol

I just started carb cycling again today. Still can't break the plateau so... here I go again! Low carb day today! lol

((hugs))

Man I struggle with low carb days. I only got in 934 calories today, and believe me, I was trying hard to get in more. The protein is just so filling!

Does anyone else struggle to get in enough calories when restricting carbs?

Missy - I sure do. I'm going Atkins style so I can hopefully avoid getting a fill and having issues with food going down. Protein fills me up and I ate quite well today and just barely broke 800 calories!

Missy - I sure do. I'm going Atkins style so I can hopefully avoid getting a fill and having issues with food going down. Protein fills me up and I ate quite well today and just barely broke 800 calories!

It's just mind boggling because when I'm not restricting carbs (and I usually don't) I can eat 1200 calories in a day with no problems. When I'm doing low carb (Atkins style essentially) it's a major struggle to get the calories in.

Btw, congrats on your new band Honestly though, don't be afraid of fills. Some are lucky and don't need them, others do, however fills don't necessarily mean you're going to be habitually stuck or unable to eat certain foods. I can still eat whatever I want, the difference is, I'm satisfied on very little food for long periods of time. It's very rare I get stuck.

Missy - it is baffling! I even try adding full fat Laughing Cow cheese or real butter and I'm still under. And I suppose its not that I'm afraid of fills but the fact that I just don't want to get one before I find it necessary. If I'm still eating smaller portions and the weight is coming off I would rather reserve the fills for later if things change. I know I'm just 21 days out but I'm still struggling getting in 1/2 cup of food 3 times a day. I'm going to ride that wave as long as I can. I figure if my resolve waivers later I'll get the fill to hit the spot to help me maintain. I guess I'm just goofy in that I want to do as much myself as possible and not rely too much on the band until I absolutely need it.

Can those of you who are having success with this post some sample menus of what your days look like? Or list the low-carb foods you eat? Thanks!

Can those of you who are having success with this post some sample menus of what your days look like? Or list the low-carb foods you eat? Thanks!

I won't lie, I struggle with low carb days. In fact I can't stand them lol.

On low carb days I eat a lot of salad with meat and cheese in it, cream cheese mixed with diced chives rolled in deli meat (kinda like ham rolls), chili. Last night I made polish sausage with sauerkraut.

I'm a very picky eater and generally dislike most meat so I struggle with it a lot. But pretty much any kind of meat works- chicken breasts, pork chops, a steak, or even fish, etc. Just be sure to keep it in proper band portions.

Good luck

I like the idea of a cream cheese roll-up. I am gonna search for some recipes like that. Since I've been tracking on My Fitness Pal consistently lately, my carbs average about 170 per day. Thursday I was at 70. I'm still trying to figure out exactly how many I should have in a day. UGH! Trying to figure out how to eat right is hard, especially when you are a picky eater like me!

I like the idea of a cream cheese roll-up. I am gonna search for some recipes like that. Since I've been tracking on My Fitness Pal consistently lately, my carbs average about 170 per day. Thursday I was at 70. I'm still trying to figure out exactly how many I should have in a day. UGH! Trying to figure out how to eat right is hard, especially when you are a picky eater like me!

Carbs aren't the enemy (contrary to popular trend these days) but the trick is figuring out what works best with your particular metabolism. I'm lucky in the fact I lose great eating carbs, I'm just careful to get in at least 60g of protein daily along with them.

This may help you. It's a Carb, protein, fat, and calorie calculator. You put in how may calories you're eating a day and it then gives you options for the type of diet you follow ranging from moderate to very low carb. It then gives you nutrient ranges based on your needs. I use the very low carb range for my low carb days and the moderate range for my high carb/non carb cycling days. (though my carbs do sometimes go above on high carb days)

http://www.freedieting.com/tools/nutrient_calculator.htm

I don't consider this a 'fad' diet. I mean.. I guess you can.. but the way I see it, it's another option for someone out there that might not use it as a fad diet and more as a lifestyle change. It's a great thing to tweek. It's definitely something I can easily live with also. Just like the low carb diet, that can be a 'fad' diet as well. To many it's just a way of life.

I however have found, for my body .. doing 5 low carb 2 high carb works awesome for me. I was a bit naughty during the holidays.. next year I will control myself more. Lifestyle changes and mind games is something definitely hard to get down.. everyday I learn something better to help myself. I went to my surgeon and told them how bad I was .. I admit I was ashamed.. but they said, you still lost weight from the last time we saw you.. you're doing good.. I said, ya but I know I could have done a lot better. Her words were encouraging and let me know, we are not all going to be perfect, she said work with what works best for you.. holidays will be there every year, you will have to deal with them. You can have.. just don't go crazy. lol

As far as low carb days.. I agree Missy.. it is hard to get those calories in!! Meat and veggies! and I stay satisfied .. I usually get in around 500-700 calories.