carb cycling?

[shininstr984]

Hi guys,
I stumbled upon some reading on alternatives to the Atkins diet, because I had my first "cheat day". I feel a somewhat guilty about it, but I have noticed something...

I am on the berries rung and have been sticking to the rules of OWL up until this last week. I started adding in much more carbs from veggies and had a lot more low-carb tortillas. Basically, I didn't feel guilty in not depriving myself of the later rungs....then I actually ate 2 pieces of pizza this last week, but haven't felt any more cravings. Again, I was anxious because I hadn't cheated since day 1!

But....while I was sticking strictly to OWL, I hit a plateou. I had only lost 2 lbs in a month, and it was very frustrating....Now this last week, I have lost 3 lbs.....does this make any sense?

I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion about this, but I think maybe having a "cheat day" every couple weeks or so may kickstart your metabolism in a stall....the trick would be, of course, to not give into excess temptations and cravings....or I've heard of carb cycling..basically eating more and refined carbs for 1 day, and low carb for 3 days.

what do you think?

[not2late]

Re: carb cycling?

Hi guys,
I stumbled upon some reading on alternatives to the Atkins diet, because I had my first "cheat day". I feel a somewhat guilty about it, but I have noticed something...

I am on the berries rung and have been sticking to the rules of OWL up until this last week. I started adding in much more carbs from veggies and had a lot more low-carb tortillas. Basically, I didn't feel guilty in not depriving myself of the later rungs....then I actually ate 2 pieces of pizza this last week, but haven't felt any more cravings. Again, I was anxious because I hadn't cheated since day 1!

But....while I was sticking strictly to OWL, I hit a plateou. I had only lost 2 lbs in a month, and it was very frustrating....Now this last week, I have lost 3 lbs.....does this make any sense?

I know everyone is entitled to their own opinion about this, but I think maybe having a "cheat day" every couple weeks or so may kickstart your metabolism in a stall....the trick would be, of course, to not give into excess temptations and cravings....or I've heard of carb cycling..basically eating more and refined carbs for 1 day, and low carb for 3 days.

what do you think?

What's your CCLL?

What I've noticed is that if you stay artificially below your CCLL your weight loss will slow down. But if you eat near it (within 10 net carbs of it), your weight loss will be fairly constant.

If you want to eat items off the higher rungs---move up the ladder more quickly than what you are doing now. there is no rule that says you have to stay on each rung for 2 months. You need to try out a rung a minimum of 1 week (some people like 2 weeks.) but you don't have to stay on any one rung longer than that if you choose.

[shininstr984]

Re: carb cycling?

I haven't found my CCLW yet. I'm up to about 40 net carbs per day. When I was eating less than that, you're right, I havent lost much since induction. I've been giving each rung roughly 2 weeks. I guess another question I have is, since low carb tortillas and grains actually helped me lose weight, can I start eating on that rung now?

[Elizellen]

Re: carb cycling?

I would suggest moving through the rungs as detailed in DANDR rather than jumping straight to the last one.