People who have tried different diets and weight loss programs that just didn’t work can become quite cynical.
So many of these programs promise you the moon but end up delivering very little, if anything at all.
You’re left feeling let down and frustrated. If you’ve paid for the course and the “special” energy drinks, supplements, calorie trackers and what have you, you’re left feeling swindled as well!
You may have heard about carb cycling as the newest eating plan that’s gaining quite a lot of popularity. Understandably, you may be skeptical of what you think is just another “fad diet”.
But carb cycling is not a traditional diet. Although one of its outcomes is weight loss, it’s really more about healthier eating habits and overall wellbeing.
In fact, it may be the ideal eating plan for you, specifically because it’s so different.
Read on to learn how carb cycling is different from a typical diet and whether it’s worth seriously considering.
#1. No carb restrictions:
This is probably the key difference between carb cycling and almost every other diet out there. Programs like the Keto, Atkins and South Beach diets heavily restrict carb intake, which does promote weight loss but the side effects may outweigh the benefits.
With carb cycling, there is no restriction on healthy carbs. In fact, carbs are the mainstay of this unique plan.
This makes sense when you think of it because carbs are the main fuel required for your body’s metabolism.
The twist is that by alternating high or moderate carb days with low carb days, carb cycling uses the body’s natural metabolism to fuel fat burning in a consistent “cycle” that actually promotes weight loss.
#2: No calorie counting
With carb cycling, you don’t need to keep strict track of your calorie intake and struggle with guilt if you eat more calories on a certain day.
With carb cycling, you only need to stay within a recommended calorie intake range depending on your gender and weight. A couple of hundred calories here or there won’t break the bank.
The recommended calorie range is:
Low carb days: 1950 consisting of 250 gm. of carbs, 100 of protein and 60 of fat.
Moderate carb days: 2150 calories, consisting of 250 gm. of carbs., 150 of protein and 60 of fat.
High carb days: 2550 calories, consisting of 300 gm.. Of carbs, 200 of protein and 70 of fat.
This is the average range and can differ according to your weight, gender and even your exercise routine,
#3: No side effects
We’ve all heard the horror stories about carb-restrictive diets.
The side effects vary in severity from one person to another but invariably, there are side effects because you are depriving your body of its essential fuel source.
Nausea, dizziness, constipation, extreme fatigue, kidney stones, hair loss and high cholesterol are some of these symptoms pf long-term carb-restrictive diets.
With carb cycling, these symptoms are non- existent. The only side effects that you might experience are slight lethargy and sluggishness for a few days until your body begins to adapt.
# 4: No hunger and fewer cravings.
All diets are associated with feeling hungry and deprived.
That’s simply the price we have to pay for shedding those excess pounds, right? Wrong – at least, not when it comes to the carb cycling plan.
This is because you still get to eat all of your favorite foods and actually lose weight!
You can even eat healthy versions of your favorite cakes, cookies and desserts.
As long as you eat the recommended portions of healthy carbs, proteins and fats, you can enjoy delicious and filling meals every day and never feel hungry or deprived.
#5: It suits any lifestyle
Carb cycling is so simple that it can be incorporated into any lifestyle.
If you work out or exercise regularly, you can synchronize your high carb days with workout days to stay energetic and focused.
If you have days where your work or personal schedule is busier than usual, you can do the same.
There’s no need to change anything about your current lifestyle except eating regular meals to keep the carb cycle going.
Carb cycling doesn’t cost anything nor does it require any special preparation other than creating a weekly eating plan and sticking up on healthy carbs!
#6: It helps build lean muscle mass.
This is another huge one. With most other diets, you tend to lose muscle mass and after you have shed the weight, you need to work out rigorously to get rid of flab and tone your muscles.
Carb cycling is the only known eating regimen that burns fat and builds lean muscle mass simultaneously
Regular moderate exercise is all that is needed to keep your body toned and firm.
Conclusion
Many people who practice carb cycling are amazed at how simple and effective it is. In fact, they say it doesn’t feel like a diet at all.
Perhaps we should view carb cycling as a sensible, healthy eating plan rather than a diet –with the added bonus of weight loss.
The six unique differences noted in this article indicate that carb cycling is not a passing fad or a bogus weight loss plan.
If this increasingly-popular eating method sounds appealing, do some more research on carb cycling and consider giving it a try!
