carb cycling

[maysea]

what does carb cycling mean ? :geek

[not2late]

That means you eat low carb for a set period of time, then switch to "high " carb.

Some people claim it helps them lose weight better. I'm not so sure about that can apply to everyone.

During Atkins you lose weight because you are controlling your carbs and your body loses fat because of it. But everyone has their own level of carbs that they can eat without gaining weight. That's the purpose of the On-Going Weight Loss phase---to see what your Criticial Carbohydrate Losing Level (CCLL) is. According to Dr. Atkins (and if you look at the OWL Forum), this is a very individual number based on a lot of things like your sex, age, metabolic resistance to weight loss, exercise level, etc. So, some of us will only lose weight if we stay below 25 net carbs. Some of us can eat up to 40 net carbs daily. Some of us can eat up to 60 net carbs daily. Some of us can eat over 100 net carbs daily.

With that in mind, I think those folks who see a "benefit" from carb loading are the folks who have high CCLLs. Meaning, they can "carb load" up to their CCLL and still lose weight. But they aren't really "carb loading"---they are only eating to their CCLL, which is what Dr. Atkins wanted us to do, which is why he has us find our CCLL during OWL.

My CCLL is 45 net carbs. Some days I eat 20 net carbs. Some days I eat 15 net carbs. Some days I "carb load" to 40 net carbs.

So when you are finished with your Induction Phase, move onto OWL, find your CCLL and you too can "carb load".