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

Starting today! So excited!

Make sure I have the "rules" down.

*High carb days (up to 250ish) need to be low fat. All eating stops at 6pm.

*Low carb days (less than 50) need to be higher in fat. All eating stops at 6pm and no carbs after lunch.

*We are using net carbs, correct? Total carbs - sugar alchols - diatery fiber = net carbs

Starting today! So excited!

Make sure I have the "rules" down.

*High carb days (up to 250ish) need to be low fat. All eating stops at 6pm.

*Low carb days (less than 50) need to be higher in fat. All eating stops at 6pm and no carbs after lunch.

*We are using net carbs, correct? Total carbs - sugar alchols - diatery fiber = net carbs

Sounds perfect! Don't be afraid to play with those numbers and find out what works for you. Remember, we're all unique and our bodies all need different things to function optimally.

Which is a great idea to do,(play around with your carb numbers) I guess you can say I found a magic number (for now) that works for me. Now, if I hit another plateau, I am going right back to carb cycling, the old fashion way....LOL

I am so happy I found this thread today! Of all things, I was actually searching "breakfast" for new ideas and stumbled across this

I'll keep you guys posted!

Missy, how did this last round of carb cycling go for you??

Missy, how did this last round of carb cycling go for you??

awww your little baby girls is so precious

Missy, how did this last round of carb cycling go for you??

It was good, I lost a little over 3 pounds this past 8 days, so I'm happy

I'm now on liquids today because I got a fill this morning, but if I hit another plateau I'll definitely be carb cycling again.

Patty, Thank you so much

Missy, That is so good!

Here's what I've had so far today(I'm on low carb day):

Breakfast - 2 scrambled eggs 1 peice of toast

lunch - Shredded lettuce, taco meat, cheese (taco salad)

Am I on the right track?? I will not be eating any carbs the rest of the day....

I don't know about anyone else but the Carb Cycling broke my plateau but now I get to where I can't go without carbs even one day. I don't know whats wrong but I crave carbs terribly. How do I get off this merry go round???

I don't know about anyone else but the Carb Cycling broke my plateau but now I get to where I can't go without carbs even one day. I don't know whats wrong but I crave carbs terribly. How do I get off this merry go round???

Are you in the green zone? I haven't had any cravings in a very long time...

No I've never been there. Was stuck all the time so I have no fluid in my band and its been a rough 4 months. Maybe I should call the doctor and ask for one, stuck or no stuck. My cravings are horrible. Thank God I have managed to get about 2 more pounds off in March but that is it.

I don't know about anyone else but the Carb Cycling broke my plateau but now I get to where I can't go without carbs even one day. I don't know whats wrong but I crave carbs terribly. How do I get off this merry go round???

Some people are carb addicts. I personally don't think there is anything wrong when carbs in moderation but everyone is different. When I'm not carb cycling I don't restrict my carbs beyond making sure they are healthy ones and fit within my daily calorie allowance.

If you feel you are addicted to carbs then perhaps going low carb ongoing would help.

No I've never been there. Was stuck all the time so I have no fluid in my band and its been a rough 4 months. Maybe I should call the doctor and ask for one, stuck or no stuck. My cravings are horrible. Thank God I have managed to get about 2 more pounds off in March but that is it.

Sorry to hear this. Have you talked to the nutritionist or dr. about this? Maybe it is how or what you are eating.

Some people are carb addicts. I personally don't think there is anything wrong when carbs in moderation but everyone is different. When I'm not carb cycling I don't restrict my carbs beyond making sure they are healthy ones and fit within my daily calorie allowance.

If you feel you are addicted to carbs then perhaps going low carb ongoing would help.

I just came upon this thread because of the recent posting activity. Missy, are you still carb cycling and do you still find it effective?

I just came upon this thread because of the recent posting activity. Missy, are you still carb cycling and do you still find it effective?

I only carb cycle when I hit a plateau as a way to kick start my metabolism when it stalls out. I haven't carb cycled since January but if I hit another plateau I definitely will again. For me, it's very effective.