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

Missy - what are your go-to snacks? I haven't read thru it all yet but I don't see separate portions for snack vs lunch / dinner. Thx.

Missy - what are your go-to Snacks? I haven't read thru it all yet but I don't see separate portions for snack vs lunch / dinner. Thx.

I don't find myself needing snacks, to be honest. When I do, on low carb days, I eat a spoonful of Peanut Butter or a piece of Babybel cheese.

I tried Almond milk this morning with my shake and I actually enjoyed it more than the Simply Smart. My only complaint is the difference in Protein. You get less with the Almond. I guess I can compensate somewhere else for that. Going to give this a shot. Almost done with the book.

Wow you're doing so awesome Missy!! I've been away from the site a lot as of late but I think of all my friends here and I missed you all. You give me so much hope and inspiration. I've been tending to my parents. My Father is back in the hospital and my Mother doesn't move around very well. My father finished Chemo and Radiation 3 weeks ago and is deemed Cancer free once again but now because of those treatments his immune system is in the toilet. He spent past week in the hospital along with a few of those days in ICU with pneumonia but he was moved back to a regular room yesterday and the Doctors believe he has turned the corner and is on the road to recovery. Yay!!! I just need that stinking Cancer to leave him alone for good.

I tried Almond milk this morning with my shake and I actually enjoyed it more than the Simply Smart. My only complaint is the difference in Protein. You get less with the Almond. I guess I can compensate somewhere else for that. Going to give this a shot. Almost done with the book.

Wow you're doing so awesome Missy!! I've been away from the site a lot as of late but I think of all my friends here and I missed you all. You give me so much hope and inspiration. I've been tending to my parents. My Father is back in the hospital and my Mother doesn't move around very well. My father finished Chemo and Radiation 3 weeks ago and is deemed Cancer free once again but now because of those treatments his immune system is in the toilet. He spent past week in the hospital along with a few of those days in ICU with pneumonia but he was moved back to a regular room yesterday and the Doctors believe he has turned the corner and is on the road to recovery. Yay!!! I just need that stinking Cancer to leave him alone for good.

Heh I just had a Protein Shake with Almond Milk about a half hour ago too

We missed you too!! I'm glad to see you back!!

Jim I am so sorry you're going through so much. My heart truly goes out to you and your family. I will be keeping you all in my prayers.

If you need a friend or support, just send me a private message

((hugs))

I tried Almond milk this morning with my shake and I actually enjoyed it more than the Simply Smart. My only complaint is the difference in Protein. You get less with the Almond. I guess I can compensate somewhere else for that. Going to give this a shot. Almost done with the book.

Wow you're doing so awesome Missy!! I've been away from the site a lot as of late but I think of all my friends here and I missed you all. You give me so much hope and inspiration. I've been tending to my parents. My Father is back in the hospital and my Mother doesn't move around very well. My father finished Chemo and Radiation 3 weeks ago and is deemed Cancer free once again but now because of those treatments his immune system is in the toilet. He spent past week in the hospital along with a few of those days in ICU with pneumonia but he was moved back to a regular room yesterday and the Doctors believe he has turned the corner and is on the road to recovery. Yay!!! I just need that stinking Cancer to leave him alone for good.

...and holy cow I just noticed your ticker!! 135 POUNDS!!! WOW!!!!!!!

You are doing amazing!!!!

Thank you

<--- day two of 7 carb cycling, tomorrow is High carbs I can't believe I am excited about this, LOLOLOL

Saturday can't get here quick enough to get on the scale to see the results (crossing fingers)

Thank you

Jim, I want to chime in and say YOU are doing suuuuuuuuper great!!! <whistling>

<--- day two of 7 carb cycling, tomorrow is High carbs I can't believe I am excited about this, LOLOLOL

Saturday can't get here quick enough to get on the scale to see the results (crossing fingers)

LOL I'm always excited for high carb days. I don't much like the low carb ones.

...however I just had crab wrapped in a slice of cheese for lunch. It was good!!

LOL I'm always excited for high carb days. I don't much like the low carb ones.

...however I just had crab wrapped in a slice of cheese for lunch. It was good!!

I just came back from grocery shopping and purchased some extra things I am going to need for low carb days, I got a head of lettuce and will make tuna or chicken breast roll ups. I got a package of crab meat, extra cream cheese, laughing cow cheese wedges, 2 dozen of eggs (gonna be eating a lot of egg whites), lol. tuna fish, thin sliced ham and chicken breast.

I can tell you one thing my stomache is making some pretty LOUD noises, hahaaaaa. I am trying hard to stay away from the scale I don't want to ge discouraged if it didn't move and I want to make certain I did the full week, ya know?

After doing the Atkins induction period for a year and half this should be a cake walk. No pun intended.

After doing the Atkins induction period for a year and half this should be a cake walk. No pun intended.

Yeah it's TONS easier than Atkins, mostly because every other day you get a carb free for all so you don't feel deprived.

Well even now after all these years I still have that Atkins mentality. I freak out when I see myfitnesspal logging me at 75g of carb on a given day. For so long I limited myself to 20g for the entire day!!

I'm on day #2 and so far I have been trying to follow it as best as possible!

So far I have had 38g of carbs and don't want to eat any more for the rest of the day.

Any ideas of some ultra low/no carb dinners?

Well even now after all these years I still have that Atkins mentality. I freak out when I see myfitnesspal logging me at 75g of carb on a given day. For so long I limited myself to 20g for the entire day!!

Omg!! 20g is so little!!! How did u survive?!?