Carb Cycling and Intermittent Fasting Update

6 weeks ago I went way out of my comfort zone and tried out a program by Amanda Tress at FitParenting.  For those of you who don't know Amanda, head on over and check out this fabulous mama of 2 absolutely adorable littles!  I had reached a point where I was tired of trying one thing after another and really not feeling all that better and just feeling like I wasn't ever learning how to do best for the body I was given.  Amanda's program went on the premise of Yuri Elkaim's book The All-Day Fat-Burning Diet which follows a 5 day food cycling program.

This program for me was out of my comfort zone on many fronts....no distance running (ummm yeah this I thought would be the hardest part), more carbs (this actually was the hardest), and one 24 hour fast day.  However, I went in with a clear and open mind knowing I really had nothing to lose.  In honesty I did struggle with not running distances....more of a fear of missing out as I saw my Instagram feed fill up with you fabulous people out there training for marathons and races...but I also missed the release that I get from running.  I did however enjoy the extra time on my hands...although I would have thought my house would be cleaner seeing as how I cleaned it multiple times each weekend!

I also struggled mentally to consume the amount of carbs that Amanda had recommended for us...some days were 50% carbs and our feast day was 250 carbs....far more than I had had in years!  I discovered foods that I had ruled out of my life years ago like sweet potatoes and oatmeal thinking I couldn't eat that many carbs.  I also discovered that I can in fact fast for 24 hours and not die or pass out...it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be and I actually was far more focused at work and in getting things done than when I ate regularly.

So I know what you really want to know....did it work?  Throughout the 6 weeks we didn't weigh in (eeeek!)...we didn't measure ourselves...we were to focus on non-scale victories instead like how clothes fit and our energy levels.  Getting dressed in the morning is a lot easier now that clothes are fitting much better...but yes I was excited to weigh in and do my measurements....so here's the results:

I lost 5lbs

I lost inches 

Bust-2" down

Hips-6" down!!!!

Waist-4" down

Thighs-1.5" down

Calves-1" down

Biceps-1/2" down

My reaction....I can't lie...I wanted to lose more lbs but I am THRILLED with the inches that I lost!!! I feel stronger and more energetic than I did 6 weeks ago!  I also feel in control of my eating....which was something that I really struggled with!  I can't wait to do round 2 in a few weeks with Amanda and see what I can do!!  I would highly recommend this to anyone looking to change the way that they are eating and feeling!  Amanda is having another group go this month if you want to sign up!!! You won't be sorry!  I will post before and afters after the next round....I had someone yesterday ask me if I was pregnant so I am not feeling all that awesome to put it out there on here!  BTW NO I'm not pregnant!

WIAW...Feast Day!

I am on week 5 of the Intermittent Fasting and Carb Cycling program I have been doing with Amanda.  I honestly love this program and what I am learning about food and nutrition!  Now that I have several weeks under my belt I thought I would share what a typical feast day looks like for me. Just for background information, feast day comes before a 24 hour fast day (actually one of my favorite days) and you aim for about 25% more calories and at least 250 carbs.  One thing that this day is NOT is a cheat day.  I know that there are programs that have a cheat day built in, but for me it is like letting an alcoholic have one day a week to drink....I don't have the self control to stop.  For feast day we are eating a lot more (it was most difficult for me to eat all the carbs since I have spent many years being afraid of carbs!), but they are still whole foods and are also dairy and gluten free.

Feast day from breakfast until dinner looks pretty much the same every week....I look forward to some of the treats like oatmeal and sweet potatoes!

Breakfast...Breakfast is my biggest meal of the day because it comes after our full body workout.

I mean really all this food....and I'm losing inches!!  I always have gluten free oatmeal with peanut butter and bananas, Ezekial toast, and two eggs.  I also have coffee with coconut milk but I am thinking of phasing the coffee out of my life.  UGH!

Snack...If I get a little hungry before lunch since my breakfast is at 6am and my lunch is at 1:30pm, I snack on a handful of almonds, or if I'm home during feast day I'll blend up a green smoothie with protein and spinach!

Lunch....Bring on the sweet potato!  I have broccoli, ground turkey, and sweet potato!  I usually add in some fruit for a sweet!

Dinner...Dinner usually shifts around depending on when feast day falls.  On the menu today is meatballs with brown rice spaghetti...always a winner in our house!

The fast starts after I finish my dinner!  I usually feel like a bear getting ready for hibernation after feast day if I hit my macros but I have fast day to look forward to!

Do you do feasting and fasting?