Chris Powell/Carb Cycling

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cassiemorris85
cassiemorris85 Posts: 45 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have searched discussion topics on Chris Powell/Carb Cycling and most of those threads are several months old or more. So, not to beat a dead horse, because I know it's been brought up many times...but does anyone follow the carb cycling method by Chris Powell?
I have both books/read them. I have been wanting to start this plan but I have a hard time wrapping my mind around only eating 1200 calories a day on the low carb days. I would love to hear from some people who are doing it now, have done it before. What were some of your go-to small meals? I am NOT a single mom, but I am most of the time. My husband works away from home and is gone for a month or more at a time and then when he is home it isn't for long. I have a 2 year old. I need ideas for quick convenient meals that don't require too much time in the kitchen. I also can not eat eggs, I have horrible digestive upset upon consumption. I have written down a few of the meals in the books that I thought I could do, but the rest of them either look like they take too long or involve eggs. I think once I get a better handle on the program then I will venture off and try to create my own meals based on the approved food list he gives and what's recommended for each day. I think using a few of the meals in Chris Powell's book will help me get started and not feel so overwhelmed, but I will definitely need more ideas. Tips. Etc. Do you follow his exercise plans? I have a pretty good exercise plan already going, I am doing the Jamie Eason Live Fit Trainer... which is another worry with the 1200 calorie days, I feel like 1200 calories on a cardio/weight training day won't be enough!? And I already have drinking a gallon of water down!! So really I just need help with food.

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  • MostlyWater
    MostlyWater Posts: 4,294 Member
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    I don't like carb cycling. I'd rather eat healthfully following another plan.
  • mantium999
    mantium999 Posts: 1,490 Member
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    Why are you attempting to do a diet plan that apparently is confusing to the point that you are seeking guidance? Your comments suggest that this is not a sustainable choice. Have you tried the more simple approach of calculating your daily caloric needs, and eating at a moderate deficit below that? Using this method, you can eat what you already know, make quicker and easier adjustments as needed, and provide sufficient fuel for your chosen exercise. Just some things to consider.
  • cassiemorris85
    cassiemorris85 Posts: 45 Member
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    mantium999 wrote: »
    Why are you attempting to do a diet plan that apparently is confusing to the point that you are seeking guidance? Your comments suggest that this is not a sustainable choice. Have you tried the more simple approach of calculating your daily caloric needs, and eating at a moderate deficit below that? Using this method, you can eat what you already know, make quicker and easier adjustments as needed, and provide sufficient fuel for your chosen exercise. Just some things to consider.

    There is actually nothing I am confused about except the part where I'm eating 1200 calories on a weight training day. This post is reaching out to others who have done it before or are currently doing it to see how they handle it. Nothing else about it is confusing to me? So ... thanks but I'm not confused and seeking guidance on the plan itself. I was asking about what are some other people's go to meals when doing this program. Did you eve read my whole post? Because what's confusing to me now is why you're asking me why I'm attempting to do something confusing and needing guidance when that's not it at all. My comments related to the subject are just simply who has experience with this and what are some meals they like? Seem pretty straightforward to me...
  • mantium999
    mantium999 Posts: 1,490 Member
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    cassiemorris85 wrote: »
    mantium999 wrote: »
    Why are you attempting to do a diet plan that apparently is confusing to the point that you are seeking guidance? Your comments suggest that this is not a sustainable choice. Have you tried the more simple approach of calculating your daily caloric needs, and eating at a moderate deficit below that? Using this method, you can eat what you already know, make quicker and easier adjustments as needed, and provide sufficient fuel for your chosen exercise. Just some things to consider.

    There is actually nothing I am confused about except the part where I'm eating 1200 calories on a weight training day. This post is reaching out to others who have done it before or are currently doing it to see how they handle it. Nothing else about it is confusing to me? So ... thanks but I'm not confused and seeking guidance on the plan itself. I was asking about what are some other people's go to meals when doing this program. Did you eve read my whole post? Because what's confusing to me now is why you're asking me why I'm attempting to do something confusing and needing guidance when that's not it at all. My comments related to the subject are just simply who has experience with this and what are some meals they like? Seem pretty straightforward to me...

    Fair enough. I got hung up on "I have a hard time wrapping my mind around only eating 1200 calories a day on the low carb days", and "I have a pretty good exercise plan already going, I am doing the Jamie Eason Live Fit Trainer... which is another worry with the 1200 calorie days, I feel like 1200 calories on a cardio/weight training day won't be enough!?". Plans calling for a fixed calorie target, and don't take activity level like heavy-weight training (not familiar with the program, but if it is Jaime Eason, I assume it's weights), may not be efficient, and you seem to be questioning the same based on the comments I quoted. That's just where I was coming from, maybe I worded it poorly. All I meant to suggest was that, since it seems these factors are somewhat a consideration (since you mentioned them), it may be beneficial to consider the effectiveness of the calorie target in addition to seeking meal ideas.

    As I am unfamiliar with the plan, does it/do you calculate your caloric needs for each day based on individual factors, or does it suggest a fixed calorie target on each day that everyone follows?
  • al3xfc
    al3xfc Posts: 4 Member
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    Hi Cassie, im following the Classic CC plan as explained in Chris books but a bit modified to my taste and preferred foods, since i need to lose around 2hundred pounds just eating below my cals needs while trying to fit in the carbs/fat consumption limits daily been easy for me.

    Already 35 days on it and lost 32lbs so far and feeling great atm...

    Im not following his exercise plan yet, but im doing around and hour of cardio daily in the afternoon and some random 10 - 15 mins workouts in the mornings (trying out diff stuff till i find something i feel comfortable doing).

    You can add me if you want and check what i been eating (im actually on my slingshot week) and even for me (BIGman) i find my self always satisfied eating around 1350 - 1800 cals daily. Take in consideration im still eating some stuff with refined/process flour and bit of sugar (still trying Truvia with everything).

    Im not a pro in the topic but im willing to share the bit i know with ya and everyone else interested, good luck and my best wishes to you pal =).
  • cassiemorris85
    cassiemorris85 Posts: 45 Member
    edited July 2015
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    @mantium999
    I can see what you are saying...but I pretty much reiterated the same "fear" or "concern" twice. I have never tried to eat only 1200 calories a day. I think carb cycling can be effective if done correctly. It does state in their books, on their website, and when you email their support team that across the board it's best for women to do 1200 cals on low carb days and 1500 on high carb days and then have a once a week free day where you increase your calories and eat whatever you want still make sure still stick within a certain range so you don't go too far overboard. Now, I too had the same reaction when I read this. I thought "How can they just make this blanket rule without taking into account what people's physical activity level already is or knowing their height and weight." But another part of me has to think they know what they are doing, they are (he and his wife) transformation specialists. All I can do is try it out a little while and see if it works, if it seems too low then all I need to do is maybe bump it up on low carb days about 100 more calories. I believe it actually says somewhere in the book or on their website the purpose of the high carb days is to fuel you up for more intense exercise. I will have to find that section and re-read it to be sure. So anyway; I just wanted to see who else had done this and get their opinion. I need to lose 50-60lbs. I understand that once I lose the weight, I would increase my calories to maintain. Every calorie calculator or macro calculator out there gives you different #s for what you should be taking in, so none of it is consistent. MFP says I should only be eating 1200 calories too, so...I don't really know what to believe! I like the idea of eating for your macro goals, but the idea behind changing up calories daily and going low carb one day and high carb the next makes sense for trying to avoid plateaus most effectively. But again, I don't know because I haven't tried.
  • cassiemorris85
    cassiemorris85 Posts: 45 Member
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    al3xfc wrote: »
    Hi Cassie, im following the Classic CC plan as explained in Chris books but a bit modified to my taste and preferred foods, since i need to lose around 2hundred pounds just eating below my cals needs while trying to fit in the carbs/fat consumption limits daily been easy for me.

    Already 35 days on it and lost 32lbs so far and feeling great atm...

    Im not following his exercise plan yet, but im doing around and hour of cardio daily in the afternoon and some random 10 - 15 mins workouts in the mornings (trying out diff stuff till i find something i feel comfortable doing).

    You can add me if you want and check what i been eating (im actually on my slingshot week) and even for me (BIGman) i find my self always satisfied eating around 1350 - 1800 cals daily. Take in consideration im still eating some stuff with refined/process flour and bit of sugar (still trying Truvia with everything).

    Im not a pro in the topic but im willing to share the bit i know with ya and everyone else interested, good luck and my best wishes to you pal =).

    Hey, we all have to start somewhere! You can't dramatically change the way you eat and expect everything to work successfully. You're doing great so far and I am sure the longer you go the more you will change things up to better attain your goals and fit your lifestyle. I would say, I eat about 75%-80% clean. I am still working on eating clean. Some days that percentage might be lower and some days higher. It isn't something that can happen overnight. I have been on MFP for a little while, but I am still not consistently logging my food. I need to get better at doing so. I will definitely add you. I am thinking about doing Turbo Cycle. If it seems overwhelming, I may drop back to classic and then shift to Turbo again.
  • Beavvv
    Beavvv Posts: 9 Member
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    I just started the Classic Cycle last Monday too - I haven't been able to go as low as 1200... Usually 1350-1400 range, but I got the feeeling from reading the book that he was not about the numbers and being super specific, he was very focused on correct portions. I'm going to add you guys if that's okay :) I could use some meal ideas myself! So far I've been doing a lot of smoothies (either with whey protein or a greek yogurt).
  • spickard34
    spickard34 Posts: 303 Member
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    You should check out zig zag cal counting at FreeDieting.com I am a big believer in not eating below your BMR especially if you are working out as well. I find that if I eat too low I tend to binge a few days later I stay consistant between 1550-2000 cals.
  • susanschroeder23
    susanschroeder23 Posts: 9 Member
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    I am starting it Saturday. I'm going to start with the classic but my switch to the turbo. You all can add me if you want.
  • pwrfl1
    pwrfl1 Posts: 673 Member
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    How is everyone doing on this plan? I see that the last post was July 23.....would love to see some updates as I am doing this plan too.
  • bbowman1225
    bbowman1225 Posts: 2 Member
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    I'm following Chris powells carb cycling plan- turbo. Have lost 7lbs in 2 weeks but want to keep going and need meal/snAck ideas to keep me motivated :)
  • tiffkittyw
    tiffkittyw Posts: 366 Member
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    I thought about trying it (I have the book). I just have a hard time with no fat on high carb days. I made a meal plan and was ready to do it, but I really need some guacamole on my ground turkey LOL!

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