I am thinking on my lowcarb days I will start doing 20 carbs and high carb day do 100-150. I do not like counting calories at all. It is way too much trouble and I always give up. I do not mind counting carbs as much, smaller numbers. ha ha!!!

Okay, so I'm going to be stern here. So, this isn't my "yelling" voice that follows, it is my "raised, you'd better listen" voice that I use with my children.

I am going to STRONGLY CAUTION you AGAINST eating only 20 carbs on a low carb day, if you plan on actually following the CTL food plan. It won't be possible.

To follow CTL the way it is set up on a lowcarb day you will need to have (carbs listed from a LC ~1200cal day, 9/5/12 to be exact):
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/food/diary/babeinthemoon?date=2012-09-05
-A high carb breakfast such as a breakfast shake w/ protein powder and fruit: 34 carbs
-4 low carb mini meals with around 2 fist-fulls of healthy veggies at each meal. The exception to this is subbing one meal for another protein shake such as Chocolate PB.
On 9/5/12 my calories were at 1224, and my carbs were at 81g for the day.

To follow CTL, you MUST attempt to eat the 2 fist-fulls of veggies at the 4 low carb meals on a low carb day. There is no way on planet earth that you will be able to do that and eat the HC breakfast that Chris suggests on only 20 carbs.

Sorry... but it is truth.

You are right, I forgot about the carb breakfast. Still learning!!!!! I am still having a difficult time remember what I can and can not eat on each day.

Not a problem! It will take time... It took me forever to remember that I couldn't have a string cheese as a part of my snack on a HC day. Sigh.

This may be an ignorant question - I haven't read the book so please don't get mad but why can't you have a string cheese snack on HC days?

LOL! No question is a stupid question. I just get really defensive about the carbs... because mfp counts all veggies and other "carbs" as carbs in the macros.. so it's something to be aware of.

Chris has Cheese (low-fat) listed as a "smart fat." Technically, if it was fat-free string cheese I could have it on a high carb day because it would be considered a smart carb (Skim milk & 1% milk is a smart carb). So, that would be up to the individual to decide. Now, for me personally, I am a cheese addict! I love it!! So, I have decided that I need to at least for now, eat all cheese on a low carb day or on sunday, no matter if the cheese would be fat-free or not. Oh, and I just doubled checked, the string cheese I buy is 6g for the one stick, so it would definately be a "smart fat."

Also how do you eat 2 fists of veggies 4 times a day? Does that get old?

Yes and no. Technically yes, you should be getting the veggies in 4x a day. Now, when I was eating 1200 & 1500 calories during the week I found that I was having trouble getting in both the protein and the other macros in, and still getting in all the veggies. So, I went to the idea that I would do my best to get the veggies in at every meal except breakfast. I started out with eating a lot of salads... But, salads and I don't get along too well. I love eating them, but hate making them. So, now that it is winter time I've transistioned to a lot of veggie soups that I can add protein and carbs or fats to depending on the day.

Even now that I've raised my calories up (because I'm doing the workouts to warrant it), I still occasionally find that I have a hard time getting my veggies in. Mostly because I just don't need the extra bulk... so I just do my best.

Edit to add: in the book, when Chris talks about veggies, he says that assuming you get all your veggies in on LC days... it is okay to not eat as many on a HC day... since the carbs add bulk, and have staying power. I find this to be true for me at least.

You are doing awesome so obviously it's working, just curious!

Why thank you! This is the first time that I have found a "diet" framework that works for me and my lifestyle. Choose to Lose isn't for everyone... but I'm thankful that I found it... since it is working for me.

I feel hungry too a little. Be sure you drink half your weight in oz of water...that helps. I eat more veggies on low carbs day because I am more hungry. A way to have veggies on breakfast is too make smooties with spinach and other greens. Or I make a egg on a bread with some spinach Taste good.

I have 1200 cal on low days WITHOUT veggies but it gives around 1400 cal becauset MFP counts veggies too.

Carbs: 50 to 110 g
Fats: 75 to 90 g
Protein: 108 to 120g

And 1500 cal on high days, without veggies and 1600 cal with it.


Carbs: 175 to 200g
Fats: 25 to 40 g
Proteins; 108 to 120 g.

I have to eat more fats that I am suppose on slingshot week because I am not able to eliminate if I dont.

But the diet is ok for me as long as I eat every 3 hours. Usually, I get so mad before meals when I am hungry lolll but not on that diet. I think it's because eating at 3 hours let the insulin be constant in the blood .