carb cycling??

[sue2023]

Hi. I have a co worker friend who did an atkins approach with a carb cycling day every 15th day. She would do a basic induction / low carb diet for 14 days and on the 15th day, she would consume about 80-100 carbs. Then the next day go right back to the induction / low carb way of eating for another 2 weeks, etc.... etc. Anyways, I haven't seen her all summer, and just saw her last night at a party, and since May, she has lost 42 lbs!!! I think that is amazing. Any thoughts to this "carb cycling" as she called it? I really had never heard about it until last night!
Thanks,
Sue

[SueSue1212]

Well, my understanding is that your body can only absorb so many carbs in one sitting (sp correct for this meaning). So, I was told that if I was going to cheat that I could sit and gorge in one setting and that I would only be able to absorb so many carbs. I did put this to the test and here is what I did:
I went crazy I ate everything I could get my hands on I eat everything that I could consume (not over the day in one setting) That night I was out of Ketosis and the next day also, but a full 48 hours later I was back in and purple. I DO NOT ADVISE THIS!!! I felt like for the next two days and honestly the food was just not worth it.
I did not gain any weight and it only took 48 hours vs the usual 5 days for me to get back into ketosis, but still not worth it.

SueSue1212

[Desihue]

I agree with Sue...
Carb cycling and Atkins is not going to be a very good mix because your your body is accustomed to you eating low carbs and to drop the high carb bombshell will most likely leave you feeling crappy for a few days and who wants that right? I have heard of carbcycling and it does seem to work well for people who are athletes and need the extra carbs for energy during an event. I wish the best for your friend, but I'd say, do one or the other. Atkins...OR carb cycling.

[SueSue1212]

Oh, and I also forgot to mention that after a while your body will become accustom to the up and down and your weight loss may STOP! Just a side note stay strong.
SueSue1212

[gooniegirl]

This is good to know. I've read many things and it can be confusing to to try and sort what works and what doesn't. Thanks for sharing your experiences! Saves me from going there myself.

[DesertRain]

Hi Sue!

I really don't have a scientific opinion on carb cycling, however, I do knw that for me personally, Atkins was a way to rid myself of destructive eating habits and awful food addictions, as it is for a lot of people. IMO, eating like that one day a week could potentially be so detrimental to adhering to a new lifestlye that I just wouldn't recommend it for someone who is trying to learn how to adjust his or habits, you know what I mean. I know a lot of diets suggest a 1 day a week break, but if I allow myself to consume whatever I wanted once a week, I may find myself craving those foods more throughout the week because I'm not exactly cutting myself loose from them.
Sue, Atkins really works. I agree with Dez, if you are going to do Atkins, do Atkins, faithfully, and you too will see the results, like your friend. There's plenty of evidence that Atkins (done right) works, just dig through the many posts on this board and hopefully it will inspire you.
You have, however, come to the right place for advice and if you choose Atkins, you will find plenty of support here for you to continue to strive towards your goal.
Wishing you the best of luck!

[JonDeeresMom]

Thank you for that information I have thought about trying this myself because a couple of years ago when i was on this diet I did something like that i would do like 2 weeks on and then 1 day off. It seemed like i really lost the weight after i would cheat, i lost 60lbs in 2 months however i would not do it again. I dont suggest it, I lost more it seemed but like someone else said the food is not worth it and i regreated it after words, and felt really sick. Best of luck to everything thank you for all the information, this site has really helped me be strong.

[jimmie 48]

Originally Posted by sue2023

Hi. I have a co worker friend who did an atkins approach with a carb cycling day every 15th day. She would do a basic induction / low carb diet for 14 days and on the 15th day, she would consume about 80-100 carbs. Then the next day go right back to the induction / low carb way of eating for another 2 weeks, etc.... etc. Anyways, I haven't seen her all summer, and just saw her last night at a party, and since May, she has lost 42 lbs!!! I think that is amazing. Any thoughts to this "carb cycling" as she called it? I really had never heard about it until last night!
Thanks,
Sue

just be aware that 'carb cycling' is not atkins.

[marcella]

If done correctly, it works very well. When you have your higher carb day, it's best to treat yourself to something like a few strawberries, or a whole wheat bun with your burger.

It doesn't give you the green light to eat anything you want to. 80 to 100 carbs a day is still quite low-carb. And it works well for some.