Christy: Curves is a circuit weight training/cardio program for women. There are (at my Curves) twenty stations, ten are flat boards where you jump, jog, walk, etc., and ten are hydraulic weight machines. Every other station is a weight machine, the rest are the boards. Three times around the circuit takes about 30 minutes, then I stretch for 5-10 minutes, and I'm outta there! I don't like to exercise, but I do truly enjoy this. It is a weight training and cardio program at the same time.

We play games, earn "Curves" bucks to buy t-shirts and other stuff, and have a lot of mutual support and talk. I think that some Curves also incorporate the Curves diet plan, but ours has not done that as yet.

I was this weight MANY years ago (probably more than 20) and I was DEFINITELY NOT this small. Curves (and probably the Atkins style diet, too) has made a BIG difference.

About TOM: I've never had a weight gain problem with TOM, and now I'm perimenapausal (skipping periods), so TOM effects my life even less.

I'm sure there are some other cyclers who can discuss this issue much better than Sona and I, but I do agree with what Sona said. (I almost ALWAYS do! )

Wow, thanks Anita! I think I will look into Curves and see if there is one in my area.

I decided I will stay with semi-carb-up one more day. My calories are around 2000, my carbs about 33g, and my fat percentage is 73. Tomorrow I will carb-down again until I have steady weight or no loss for 3 days.

I will shoot for 70+ fat percentage when I carb-down and try to keep calories below 1200 and carbs around 15-20. That should be interesting.

Thanks for all the help and encouragement. You guys are the best!

Hi all,
I'v been checking out what you all are doing and I am willing to give it a try. I recently went back to a strict induction because I can't seem to get under 140 lbs. I'v been on strict induction for 4 days and I'm going to continue this as my carb down up to Wednesday. I'm visiting my parents fo the weekend so I'll carb up Thursday to Sunday. I'm really excited to see if this works! How strict are you guys on carb-down? I have been cutting dairy, soy, caffeine, sweetners and even most processed meats while trying to break this stall...do you allow these things in limited quantities during carb-down? I know this is a very individual-based plan, but I'm just curious about what the rest of you are doing, since it sounds like you are getting good results.

I know you only carb up on healthy carbs, but what does this include? LC breads? sweet potatoes? lentils? LC desserts? It sounds like you still avoid sugars and flours, but do you avoid anything else? I would guess bananas would be out, what kinds of fruit do you allow?

I have apples on carb up... with peanut butter or extremely sharp cheddar. Oh yum! I also use low carb bread on carb up days, and low carb cereal and low carb bagels. Somehow eating those relatively low carb things adds up and on Saturday I had 70 net carbs! I over did a bit. I would think many of the choices you named would be fine. Experiment around and find out what satisfies you without making you rage for carbs.

I'd probably prefer to hold the carbs to around 40-50g on carb ups.

Thanks Nancy and Anita. Your reccomendations for what to eat carb up/carb down are helpful. I agree that it isn't a good idea to go overboard and I think one LC bread product is the limit for me for one day for carb-up. I guess I will just try things out and see what works. I want my carb up to pretty much be how I will eat on maintenance someday. I don't think I'll add grains on my carb-ups, but I think I might add a little cheese back into my induction. Anyways, thanks for the help!

Hi Cyclers! Good Monday morning to you all!

Anita, thanks for the info.

Sona, wow! You are still at 113 -113.5!!!

As for me, I weighed in at 167.5. So, after 3 days of carb up, I am up 2.5 pounds. Not too bad. I will be carbing down the "Banta" way until Friday night. then It will be back to carb up. I hope with this cycle I stay at the lower weight for longer than 1 day!

I too, eat coconut oil. Just spoon it right out. So yummy! I am upping my dosage to 4-5 TB a day. The Banta way also recommends coconut.

Interesting note: If you up your fats like Banta, you should decrease your proteins somewhat. Today with my meals, I increased my fat dramatically. By lunchtime, I could barely finish my lunch, and it is 4 PM now and I am only having an Advantage shake and 1 TB of coconut oil. I feel so full. I am definitely not wanting the protein I used to eat on regular Atkins induction.

Hi Apk and welcome.

I'm very strict on carb down (others will speak for themselves). But, I do not eliminate dairy, in fact, I have a lot, i.e. cream and cheese. I do eat processed meats in limited quanities, but I use nitrate/nitrite free lunchmeat, bacon and sausage. I never use soy products, too much unclear information out there about soy. I always have my fully leaded coffee in the morning, but otherwise only drink water during Carb Down.

On carb up I add fruits, usually grapefruit, oranges, apples, pears, peaches, berries, nuts, yogurt or kefir, dry red wine, dark chocolate, and higher carb salad dressings. I personally do not add grains because they are a trigger food for me for cravings, but other cyclers do add grains. This is a very individual thing and you will have to experiment to see what works best for you.

Good Luck!