Oh man, it’s hard to resist a great baked potato, or a second helping of lasagna. According to carb cycling, you might not have to. In fact, when you plan it out right, you can award yourself a piece of grandma’s lasagna or a fluffy, steamy potato without setting yourself back. Here’s what you need to know, and some easy ‘tricks of the trade’ to make it happen.
Trend or Fad: Carb Cycling
There’s a basic rule of carb cycling, and it goes like this: focus on eating high carbs on your intense workout days, and low carb/higher fat during those days when you have a lighter workout or are giving your body time to rest and repair. The result of the high carb/low carb plan? An opportunity to build muscle and lose fat.
Carb cycling is one of the best ways to beat that weight loss plateau, improve fat burning and have more energy to plow through your workouts with gusto. It doesn’t matter if you’re brand new to exercise, eager to find a better way to reach your weight loss goals or ready to build some serious muscle. Carb cycling is a nutritional/fitness plan that generates results!
Tips for Implementing a High Carb, Low Carb Lifestyle!
The success of this plan is in its approach. Can you really lose weight and build muscle while eating leftover Easter candy and munching on buttery, salty popcorn every other night? No. But, when you focus on nutrient-rich, complex carbs and plenty of protein, you’ll be in it to win it! Here’s some tips to get you started:
- On those high carb days (meaning, you’ve focused on an intense weight lifting session at the gym), fuel your body with a hearty egg scramble including your favorite veggies, or enjoy a bowl of oatmeal. Grab a handful of nuts for a protein packed snack, and make lunch a burrito with plenty of veggies and meat, rolled in a wheat tortilla.
- On your low carb days, focus on this mindset: give yourself more greens instead of ‘grains.’ It’s easy when you tweak
your thoughts, and fuel your appetite in a whole new way. Power up in the morning with a three egg scramble, and toss them with avocado, tomatoes and spinach. Stash some carrots in your purse or briefcase and snack on them (along with a handful of two of nuts) for a protein ‘pick-me-up.’ Toss yourself a salad for dinner, topped with sautéed shrimp in olive oil, minced garlic and fresh basil.
When you focus on the carb cycling plan, there isn’t a fitness, weight loss or muscle building goal that is beyond your control—or out of the question. Follow our guide to kick your health up a notch and take your diet to a whole new level!
