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

Good morning all

I'd like to preempt that I'm not into whingeing in general' date=' so forgive me for this...

I searched for an eating system/dietary solution/food plan to support my band in breaking through a nearly year long plateau and lose the last 20-25 lbs separating me from my goal weight (15 of this 25 I gained back between June-October 2012).

So I found carb cycling. It makes so much sense to me, and I was so eager and happy to start this Monday. I did weigh-in the Saturday before. I followed the plan all week, I felt great, I stuck to "approved" foods, I watched my carbs and fats like a hawk - heck, I even enjoyed it! I could actually see some "melting" around my soft bits, and my dresses feel a tad looser.

So I was looking forward weighing in this morning. And I just did it.....

...and to my utter despair, I put on 0.6 lbs....

I'm beyond disappointed.

I set out last weekend, telling myself I give it 4 weeks whatever happens... and now, that the dreaded "whatever" did happen I still intend to carry on for 3 more weeks (at least).

But when I see how many of you are loosing so nicely with this system I cannot help but feel despondent...

Sorry about the Saturday morning downer - I hope you are all doing well.

Kris

Sent from my KFTT using LapBandTalk[/quote']

I'm sure you'll notice it next week xx

Good morning all

I'd like to preempt that I'm not into whingeing in general, so forgive me for this...

I searched for an eating system/dietary solution/food plan to support my band in breaking through a nearly year long plateau and lose the last 20-25 lbs separating me from my goal weight (15 of this 25 I gained back between June-October 2012).

So I found carb cycling. It makes so much sense to me, and I was so eager and happy to start this Monday. I did weigh-in the Saturday before. I followed the plan all week, I felt great, I stuck to "approved" foods, I watched my carbs and fats like a hawk - heck, I even enjoyed it! I could actually see some "melting" around my soft bits, and my dresses feel a tad looser.

So I was looking forward weighing in this morning. And I just did it.....

...and to my utter despair, I put on 0.6 lbs....

I'm beyond disappointed.

I set out last weekend, telling myself I give it 4 weeks whatever happens... and now, that the dreaded "whatever" did happen I still intend to carry on for 3 more weeks (at least).

But when I see how many of you are loosing so nicely with this system I cannot help but feel despondent...

Sorry about the Saturday morning downer - I hope you are all doing well.

Kris

Sent from my KFTT using LapBandTalk

Don't be discouraged. Maybe your body just needs a little time to adjust and its "hanging" on to every calorie. The book does say it could take up to 2 weeks to start seeing a loss on the scale.

I started last Saturday also and weighed myself this morning and I am down 5 lbs., so it does work. Just hang in there

Don't be discouraged. Maybe your body just needs a little time to adjust and its "hanging" on to every calorie. The book does say it could take up to 2 weeks to start seeing a loss on the scale.

I started last Saturday also and weighed myself this morning and I am down 5 lbs.' date=' so it does work. Just hang in there [/quote']

Hockey wife THAT'S FANTASTIC X

Thank you for the encouraging words!

As I said, I'll stick with it for at least 3 more weeks - I don't want to write it off just because my body isn't responding as well as all yours do, and because I have no idea where would I go next...

It's taking a toll on me, this last 25 lbs... Especially the 15 lbs I gained since my lowest last June.

But I'm not willing to say "this is it, that's the weight I stuck for the rest of my life"! I believe that we must be able to determine how much we need to weight - within reasonable limits; and that trying to get under 170lbs (around 160 is my final goal) is NOT unreasonable for a healthy, 5'9" woman in her late 30s...

I'm stuck at 185 lbs for ever, regardless of what I'm eating: this included a very "unrestricted" Christmas, a two week foodie holiday in Mauritius, existing on 600 calories a day for two weeks (desperate times...), eating with all the band rules observed religiously for weeks, and now a week of carb cycling... I'm firmly stuck on 185... I've even changed the batteries in my scale because I couldn't believe that NOTHING makes an impact.

So I'm thinking: what's next? This MUST work or I'm out of ideas.

(BTW: my fill level is perfect for me: it makes me aware of my portion sizes, and although I sometimes get hungry quicker, any more fill would trigger my reflux problem (this is how the whole thing started last June: partial unfill due to awful night refluxes).)

Onwards onto cheat day!

Sent from my KFTT using LapBandTalk

Thank you for the encouraging words!

As I said, I'll stick with it for at least 3 more weeks - I don't want to write it off just because my body isn't responding as well as all yours do, and because I have no idea where would I go next...

It's taking a toll on me, this last 25 lbs... Especially the 15 lbs I gained since my lowest last June.

But I'm not willing to say "this is it, that's the weight I stuck for the rest of my life"! I believe that we must be able to determine how much we need to weight - within reasonable limits; and that trying to get under 170lbs (around 160 is my final goal) is NOT unreasonable for a healthy, 5'9" woman in her late 30s...

I'm stuck at 185 lbs for ever, regardless of what I'm eating: this included a very "unrestricted" Christmas, a two week foodie holiday in Mauritius, existing on 600 calories a day for two weeks (desperate times...), eating with all the band rules observed religiously for weeks, and now a week of carb cycling... I'm firmly stuck on 185... I've even changed the batteries in my scale because I couldn't believe that NOTHING makes an impact.

So I'm thinking: what's next? This MUST work or I'm out of ideas.

(BTW: my fill level is perfect for me: it makes me aware of my portion sizes, and although I sometimes get hungry quicker, any more fill would trigger my reflux problem (this is how the whole thing started last June: partial unfill due to awful night refluxes).)

Onwards onto cheat day!

Sent from my KFTT using LapBandTalk

Kris, have you had your hormone levels tested? Being in your late 30's would SEEM to be too early but it is possible a hormone imbalance is preventing continued weight loss. Just a suggestion but I speak from experience. Might be worth the needle-prick to see your levels and make adjustments as needed.

Good luck!

How is everyone doing with the carb cycling if you are currently doing it? This plateau is not budging for me and I have tried everything my nutritionist has advised with no change (for 3 months). I also think she is starting to not look at me as an individual and just keeps prescribing me the generalized advised that everyone gets. I'm down to my last 20lbs per the docs goal and 40lbs per my goal, so I would think things need to be changed and thought I would try this, it would not hurt.

How is everyone doing with the carb cycling if you are currently doing it? This plateau is not budging for me and I have tried everything my nutritionist has advised with no change (for 3 months). I also think she is starting to not look at me as an individual and just keeps prescribing me the generalized advised that everyone gets. I'm down to my last 20lbs per the docs goal and 40lbs per my goal, so I would think things need to be changed and thought I would try this, it would not hurt.

My last attempt to Carb Cycle got side tracked by a trip to the ICU lol.

But, I have found Carb Cycling works great to break my plateaus. I'm currently losing fine on my own but believe me, if I hit another plateau, I'll definitely be carb cycling again.

Thanks Missy! I hope you are doing okay.

I don't know if it was previously mentioned or not but do some research on leptin too... If you cycle carbs a relief day is essential...

Brad

I have had this book for a couple months, just never read it. I'm think I need to now

love chris he's from extreme weightloss not biggest loser and he also has great workout dvd i have them both the workout out is a great beginner dvd and bootcamp really works you out good