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 for that calculator link! I think that will be very helpful!

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!

High carb days are filled with high fiber foods like

Whole wheat breads/crackers

Fruits like apples and vegetables like fresh peppers and salads, etc.

Raisin bran/oatmeal

Morningstar patties

Nuts

Raisins

Low carb days:

Meats (grilled hot dogs hamburgers/hamburgers/ chicken breast)

Cheeses, like low fat string cheese (1-2 of these make a great snack)

Fish (I only like tuna)

Morningstar grillers (5g of carbs per burger)

I'm always looking for new foods/ideas but this is what I usually eat

Well here's something interesting I learned today!

I don't know if this is in Chris' book and I just missed it (I admit to not reading thoroughly), but when you're counting carbs you shouldn't count fiber. That's why you see Atkins products on the grocery store shelves say "net carbs" but their nutritional info shows more carbs, It's because it's not counting fiber in your total.

The reason is, fiber doesn't effect the glycemic index, aka your blood sugar. In fact, your body needs fiber. Not only is it good for you and your bowels, it's also bulky and helps keep you full.

So...an example. Today is a low carb day for me. I've had:

41.6g Carbs

-5.8g Fiber

35.8 Net Carbs

So my carbs counted towards my daily allowance would be 35.8.

Just thought I'd share my latest research!

Good, I was afraid you were going to say the opposite . I'm not doing this yet as my plateau finally broke after a month with a 5.5 loss (woohoo ), but my nutritionist has always used the net carb number which really helps when my max daily allowance is only 60 .

Good, I was afraid you were going to say the opposite . I'm not doing this yet as my plateau finally broke after a month with a 5.5 loss (woohoo ), but my nutritionist has always used the net carb number which really helps when my max daily allowance is only 60 .

Does your nutritionist figure net carbs the same way? Subtracting fiber?

See I normally don't do low carb, so this is all big learning process for me.

Yes, she has me subtract fiber and you can subtract sugar alcohols from the carbs to get your net carbs. Our bodies do not absorb sugar alcohols (hence people get diarrhea when they have too much, been there done that). Atkins does it the same way, they deduct fiber and sugar alcohols from the carbs, that's why the yummy bars they have such low net carbs.

Yes, she has me subtract fiber and you can subtract sugar alcohols from the carbs to get your net carbs. Our bodies do not absorb sugar alcohols (hence people get diarrhea when they have too much, been there done that). Atkins does it the same way, they deduct fiber and sugar alcohols from the carbs, that's why the yummy bars they have such low net carbs.

Ohhh that makes sense!! I read about the alcohols but didn't entirely "get it", but now I do. Thank you!!

I actually bought a box of peanut butter chocolate Atkins bars for a snack and they're super good. (Gosh I really need a fill, I'm so freaking hungry lol)

I only buy them on occasion because they are a little too good . If you are looking for a protein bar Questbars are really good and the numbers on them are really good, high fiber content. They are a little pricey, but I can never find bars with less than 25-30 carbs each.

I only buy them on occasion because they are a little too good . If you are looking for a protein bar Questbars are really good and the numbers on them are really good' date=' high fiber content. They are a little pricey, but I can never find bars with less than 25-30 carbs each.[/quote']

2012 - are the quest bars the new ones that "hungry girl" is touting? Where do you find them?

I'm not sure Wendy, I know of Hungry Girl, but I don't watch her often, so she may have. I have found them sold individually at GNC, but once you find the ones you like, you can get boxes of them at Amazon and Vitamin Shoppe. On Amazon, they even have a mix box, personally I have not found a flavor I did not like. You can also put them in the microwave for a few seconds and they taste like a cookie from the oven . And I don't work for these people, just Googled the heck out of looking for a protein bar I could use, haha.

I just looked at their website, they look SO GOOD! I'm totally going to GNC to try some!

I hope you like them! I just ordered some tonight from Vitamin Shoppe. I had also found this protein bar recipe on youtube that you guys may be interested in, I have not tried it yet, but the carbs are only 16.9: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8Qby2ZfwA4. If you click on the show more, it breaks down the nut values.

How do you carb cycle when only eating 3half cup meals?

How do you carb cycle when only eating 3half cup meals?

Actually my surgeon says 1 cup or less per meal, and I do it by alternating high and low carb days. Today is a low carb day for me.

I'll only be carb cycling until Tuesday when I get a fill. I've been carb cycling again for the last week to break a plateau (which it did).

I could not imagine eating some of the carb items, as they would get stuck. I can only eat 1/2cup to 3/4cup of food per meal and it is usually tuna salad or chicken salad or similar. I could never eat bread, nuts, etc., as it would get stuck!