New to the group

TheJaysMomma

Hi everyone! I'm new to carb cycling. Ive only been carb cycling for almost two weeks now. Started Monday last week...cheat day on Sundays. Not sure if I'm doing this right. I log what I eat on MFP but I am always in the red for protein which I think is okay but I'm not really sure? Sometimes under and sometimes over for carbs and fats. MFP has given me 1200 cal/day limit and I am always going over...some days by 50cal, other days by 200. Some days I don't do the math because I log my exercise before I log my meals and then I'm in the green for every thing except the protein. Does anyone have any advice? Meal ideas or recipes for Thanksgiving also? I'm fairly new to MFP and need support with my new found healthy life change Don't hesitate to friend me as well:happy:

babeinthemoon

Welcome to the group!

Check out my blog... it will help you with some of your beginning questions: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/babeinthemoon/view/so-you-want-to-start-choose-to-lose-441366

Do you have the CTL book? In Chapter 15 Chris gives a sample Carb Cycle week. I followed that guideline for my for the first 4 months or so. How does this look specifically in my fitness pal?

I shoot for 100-120g of protein, and 25g of fiber a day..
On Low-Carb days I shoot for 1200 cal with 35-45g fat, and under 90g carbs (veggies only).
On High-Carb days I shoot for 1500 calories with under 30g fat, and 125-200g of carbs (veggies & healthy carbs).
Sunday Funday I'll eat up to 2400 calories.

If I hit all of these numbers, my average calories for the week is 1500/day. In case you are wondering, I do not eat back exercise calories. This month I've upped my calories because I'm exercising a lot more. You can read up more on my blog (see November Experiment posts).

I've just started figuring out my thanksgiving day plan too. I have it mostly done... feel free to check out my diary for thursday and it might give you some ideas. Again, keep in mind that my calories are higher, but it will give you an idea. My plan of attack is to do my 30 minute walk as planned, then any extra exercise for the day will give me extra "one time only" desert points, because I really want to eat some of the cheesecake that my husband is making.... which is totally off plan until Sunday for me, but it's Thanksgiving after all, so I can do it! :smokin:

TheJaysMomma

Thanks! I don't have the book yet but hoping to get the his book soon. Read your blog, so glad I did. And the double layer cheesecake sounds so good, now I have to have it on Thanksgiving...my sons fav. This diet is challenging because im not really a great cook and need more variety but its working out for sure

babeinthemoon

Thanks! I don't have the book yet but hoping to get the his book soon. Read your blog, so glad I did. And the double layer cheesecake sounds so good, now I have to have it on Thanksgiving...my sons fav. This diet is challenging because im not really a great cook and need more variety but its working out for sure

Thanks for the kind words! The book, although it has some quirks, is really good. If you want to not only follow the plan, but understand more of why Chris put together this Carb Cycle plan, then it is a must read!

I also understand not feeling like you are a great cook. The book can be helpful here. All of the recipes are single serving sized, and if meat is involved, it is to be precooked before assembling the meal. This is really helpful for making lunches ahead of time (or quick dinners or snacks for that matter). Doing the prep work ahead of time (cooking meat, chopping veggies, boiling rice, etc) you might be surprised at how creative you can be in the kitchen with hunger strikes... and you don't have anything prepared.

Good Luck with your journey!!
:flowerforyou:

TheJaysMomma

Thanks so much for the advice, I will def start preparing my food ahead of time...sounds convenient, especially since I cook different food for my little ones. Good luck to you as well and Happy Thanksgiving:happy:

babeinthemoon

Start small... The next time you roast chicken breasts in the oven, add an extra one or two. After your meal, dice up everything that is left and portion it out into snack size bags and freeze in a freezer bag marked chicken. I use my scale to do this, and I write down the weight on each snack bag with a sharpie. I like portioning 80g (almost 3oz) & 100g (~3.5 oz) of chicken.

Brown rice takes forever to cook, and I'm the only one in the family that LOVES it. So, I make up one batch, and divide it up into servings and freeze too. That way when I'm using rice for the family's meals I just pull out a portioned brown rice for me, and everyone else gets white. This is especially important because rice (and pasta) are trigger foods for me, so having them premeasured is vital. When I make spaghetti, I take the extra time to weigh out my portion of pasta, and cook it in a seperate pot. By the time I'm done eating my 2oz of spaghetti with all my other extras on pasta night I really don't want to go back for seconds (usually), and I can managed to put the leftovers into the fridge for the kids/hubby to eat later.

Have a great Thanksgiving!!!

MelodieRSA

Hi there! I am new too, I am starting after Thanksgiving i.e. Sunday will be my first day. I would appreciate and suggestions and meal ideas. Thanks!

babeinthemoon

Welcome Melodie! If havn't already, try to get yourself a copy of the book! Read my blog for some tips, and feel free to message me with any questions. I'm really busy this week, but I try to sit down at the computer every evening at the minimum to update my food diary, so I can try to answer them then.

BoboGritt

Hi everyone. I ordered the book last night. Plan to get it on Wednesday. Hope to read through it and get started a week from tomorrow. I am in the middle of my long journey. 145 more to lose.......I am looking forward to a change in my program and learning some more. Nice to meet you all.

babeinthemoon

Welcome BoboGritt! I just looked at your profile and diary... your progress so far is simply amazing and inspiring!!!!! Since you are in the middle of your journey and still waiting for the book I'd recommend that you do something kinda unconventional... Take a rest week with your diet. Focus on still eating healthy eating/options... but increase your calories for the week to at around 2000-2200 calories. I know this might sound crazy or even scary, but it will help reset your system and get you ready for the CTL plan. Also while you are waiting, take a gander at my blog post that I mentioned above... I wrote out some of my hints for getting started with CTL.

When you get your book, make sure you read it with a highlighter and sticky notes! And, when you get to chapter 15, "recipies and portions" make sure you pay attention to the portion sizes & calorie ranges for men on page 165. This will be a good place to start for you with the CTL plan.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask! There are lots of people here with some great stories and are willing to help! Personally, I've been on CTL since June... and am loving every minute of it!

BoboGritt

Welcome BoboGritt! I just looked at your profile and diary... your progress so far is simply amazing and inspiring!!!!! Since you are in the middle of your journey and still waiting for the book I'd recommend that you do something kinda unconventional... Take a rest week with your diet. Focus on still eating healthy eating/options... but increase your calories for the week to at around 2000-2200 calories. I know this might sound crazy or even scary, but it will help reset your system and get you ready for the CTL plan. Also while you are waiting, take a gander at my blog post that I mentioned above... I wrote out some of my hints for getting started with CTL.

When you get your book, make sure you read it with a highlighter and sticky notes! And, when you get to chapter 15, "recipies and portions" make sure you pay attention to the portion sizes & calorie ranges for men on page 165. This will be a good place to start for you with the CTL plan.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask! There are lots of people here with some great stories and are willing to help! Personally, I've been on CTL since June... and am loving every minute of it!

Wow, you are very kind. Thank you. Congratulations on your success as well. I will surely consider your advice. It seems reasonable. I look forward to checking out your blogs.