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

I will look for that link' date=' if you are eating 30 grams you would be in ketosis, or are you talking about another time?[/quote']

I only carb cycle when on a plateau and when you're only on low carb every other day your body doesn't go into ketosis.

I normally don't count carbs at all, I just make sure to get enough protein.

I'm trying to think of high carb healthy foods. Any ideas?

So far i'm thinking

whole wheat pasta

fiber one 90 calorie bars

granola bars

morningstar chik'n patties

Can anyone think of any other foods? (i'm trying to make a menu for the week)

I'm trying to think of high carb healthy foods. Any ideas?

So far i'm thinking

whole wheat pasta

fiber one 90 calorie bars

granola bars

morningstar chik'n patties

Can anyone think of any other foods? (i'm trying to make a menu for the week)

Ideas in book got high carb meals are

Chicken stir fry with brown rice

Chicken with corn tortillas

Chicken with pasta in a tomato sauces teak with yam it potato

Sounds interesting but just for info.. Chris

Powell is the guy from Extreme Weight Loss, not Biggest Loser. . BL trainers are Bob Harper, Jillian Michaels, and Dolvette Quince. A while back Kim Lyons was also a BL trainer,

Well my system is all messed up from having 2 surgeries a month apart and most recently an MS relapse. I'm retaining a ridiculous amount of water weight all in my legs, too.

So, I've decided I'm going to start carb cycling again for a couple weeks. It's worked twice for me before so I'm praying it does this time, too. I'll let y'all know!

Well my system is all messed up from having 2 surgeries a month apart and most recently an MS relapse. I'm retaining a ridiculous amount of water weight all in my legs' date=' too.

So, I've decided I'm going to start carb cycling again for a couple weeks. It's worked twice for me before so I'm praying it does this time, too. I'll let y'all know![/quote']

Hope you feel better ((((hugs)))))

Well my system is all messed up from having 2 surgeries a month apart and most recently an MS relapse. I'm retaining a ridiculous amount of water weight all in my legs' date=' too.

So, I've decided I'm going to start carb cycling again for a couple weeks. It's worked twice for me before so I'm praying it does this time, too. I'll let y'all know![/quote']

Sorry to hear your not feeling good. Hope you feel better soon.

When you're up to it could i be a pain and if you have the time ask for an example of a typical menu of what you eat and how much on a low/high day only its a struggle for me with the band so not sure I'm doing it right xx

Many thanks xxx

I'll be honest, I struggle with low carb days. I never seem to get enough calories. High carb days are easy, I just eat "normal".

Today is a low carb day, here is what I'm eating:

breakfast- Slimfast low carb shake (20g protein)

lunch- salad with diced ham, shredded cheese, ranch dressing. 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese

dinner- 1 cup low fat chili mixed with 1tbsp cream cheese and sprinkled with shredded cheddar

This sends up about 900 calories and 34 net carbs. I may have another protein shake at some point today, too. Or a maybe a spoonful of peanut butter.

I'll be honest' date=' I struggle with low carb days. I never seem to get enough calories. High carb days are easy, I just eat "normal".

Today is a low carb day, here is what I'm eating:

breakfast- Slimfast low carb shake (20g protein)

lunch- salad with diced ham, shredded cheese, ranch dressing. 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese

dinner- 1 cup low fat chili mixed with 1tbsp cream cheese and sprinkled with shredded cheddar

This sends up about 900 calories and 34 net carbs. I may have another protein shake at some point today, too. Or a maybe a spoonful of peanut butter.[/quote']

Thank you for sharing this with me x

Today for me I've had

Wholemeal toast with a virgin oil butter

Green tea

Special K bar

Turkey rashers with salad an half an avacado with a light mayo and half a tin if tuna in brine drained

5 almonds

Salmon fillet with spinach and rest of salad bowl I never ate from lunch

I take vitamins too

Here is the summary.

What do you think?

Hope your feeling better too cx

Julie-Ann

Thank you for sharing this with me x

Today for me I've had

Wholemeal toast with a virgin oil butter

Green tea

Special K bar

Turkey rashers with salad an half an avacado with a light mayo and half a tin if tuna in brine drained

5 almonds

Salmon fillet with spinach and rest of salad bowl I never ate from lunch

I take vitamins too

Here is the summary.

What do you think?

Hope your feeling better too cx

Julie-Ann

I think you're doing great! I would just try to increase your protein a bit (I know, it's hard!)

I think you're doing great! I would just try to increase your protein a bit (I know' date=' it's hard!)[/quote']

Thanks Mis

Your amazing I so appreciate your help xx

I started carb cycling on Monday and have lost 5 pounds. Thanks to Mis for starting this thread. I'm so thankful I finally gave it a try.

I know I said I was going to start this a couple weeks ago, but things happened and I wasn't able to start. So today I finally started. Low carb day for me. This is how it went:

Breakfast: Protein shake

Snack: Pita Chips and Hummus

Lunch: Chicken Salad

Dinner: Lean ground beef patty with low fat smoked gouda and 1/4 avocado

Total count for the day:

Calories: 846

Carbs: 38

Fat: 42

Protein: 84

So, I think I did pretty good. What do you guys think? Any advice/tips are appreciated. I'm so ready to break this plateau. I've been stuck at this weight for almost a month now.

I know I said I was going to start this a couple weeks ago, but things happened and I wasn't able to start. So today I finally started. Low carb day for me. This is how it went:

Breakfast: Protein shake

Snack: Pita Chips and Hummus

Lunch: Chicken Salad

Dinner: Lean ground beef patty with low fat smoked gouda and 1/4 avocado

Total count for the day:

Calories: 846

Carbs: 38

Fat: 42

Protein: 84

So, I think I did pretty good. What do you guys think? Any advice/tips are appreciated. I'm so ready to break this plateau. I've been stuck at this weight for almost a month now.

I think you did really great!

The hummus is a great idea. I'm totally getting some!

Thanks! I just recently tried Hummus for the first time and now I'm hooked. Half of my carbs came from the pita chips (18g), but it was well worth it. Tomorrow is high carb day. I love carbs, so it should be an easier day for me. That being said, today wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be.

Oh and I can't eat 30 mins. after I wake because of medications I take. And when I can finally have something, I have to have liquids, because my band is way too tight in the morning to eat solids. So I ate my carbs (pita chips) as a morning snack. I don't think that will hinder this program...I hope.