If you want to shed those extra pounds extra fast, the Turbo Cycle is for you. Of the four original carb cycles (Easy, Classic, Turbo, and Fit), this cycle takes off weight the fastest. Unlike the Easy and Classic cycles, which alternate low and high carb days, the Turbo Cycle pits two low carb days against every high carb day. That means you’ll burn fat two days in a row before your body’s furnace (metabolism) is re-stoked on your high carb day, and you’ll lose weight really, really fast!
Even though the Turbo Cycle has an extra low carb day as compared to the Easy and Classic cycles, it is not a severely calorie-restricted cycle that will crash your metabolism. And since you’ll have two low carb days in a row, you may feel less energetic on the second low carb day. But this is okay. These low carb days are powerful weight loss accelerators!
Here’s what a Turbo Cycle week looks like:
- Monday: Low carb day
- Tuesday: Low carb day
- Wednesday: High carb day
- Thursday: Low carb day
- Friday: Low carb day
- Saturday: High carb day
- Sunday: Reward day
Every breakfast—on both low and high carb days—will consist of a portion each of protein, carb, and fat. For the next three meals of the day, you’ll eat either a high carb or low carb meal (depending on which day you’re on). Your final of the day will ALWAYS be a low carb meal. Follow the portion size guide to put all your meals together. And as with the other cycles, you can stay with the Turbo Cycle as long as you want, or you can change cycles at any time. This program is tailor-made to you and you alone!
Learn more about the Turbo Cycle in our book, Choose More, Lose More for Life. And if you’re interested in learning about the Extreme Cycle, check out our book, Extreme Transformation.
And if you’d like some help creating your own meals, there’s a handy “Create Your Own Meals” chart in this post!
Note: If you’ve been carb cycling using our book, Choose Lose More, Lose More for Life, you’ll notice that we’ve changed a couple of things since that book was published: You now include a fat for breakfast, and every final meal of the day is a low carb meal. Like with a lot of things in life, the more you do them, the more you learn about how to do them even better!
950 Responses
I’m starting with classic and then want to switch to turbo.
What is the best amount of time on classic before the switch?
Is it necessary to slingshot every fourth week or can it wait until a plateau?
You need to slingshot every fourth week. Stay on classic as long as it takes to keep your commitments.
for every meal do you have your protein, carbs, veggies, and smart fats?
Quick Q: I have reactive hypoglycemia and struggled today (high carb day of the turbo carb cycle). I had 3 drops in blood sugar. What should I increase? Protein, carbs, or fat? What can be an emergency go to without deviating from the protocols?
I am extremely addicted to sugar and I’m concerned about cravings on the high carb days. Any advice which plan to use for 100 lbs to lose and a sugar addiction??.
You might want to start with classic and work your way to turbo.
I need help please. Started the classic version of carb cycling with the hopes of getting it down in 2 weeks to move into the turbo cycle, but I need breakfast ideas at don’t include eggs. Also where does skim milk fall. Is it a protein or fat.? I’m struggling at breakfast because I don’t like eggs!! It would be helpful if somewhere there was actually a meal plan for a period of time to visualize. Any. Help would be appreciated!!
Good breakfast meal. A protein shake. One bannana and a handful of nuts (walnuts almonds etc.)
If you will print off the list from Chris’ website, it tells you exactly what is considered high carb & low carb. Also it is outlined pretty good in his book. But just for reference, foods like oatmeal, brown rice, sweet potatoes, bananas, whole grain (not whole wheat) bread are some high carb. Of course you are limited to one serving of those foods. Low carbs are veggies, protein, eggs, etc.
What are high carbs and what are low?!? If I’m to eat different ones different days, I’ll need to know what each are…
I love this plan. It’s the perfect amount of guidance and structure but free enough to piece together a DIY Bootcamp. As a former binge eater I crave something that’s both independent and structured so I can keep myself feeling safe around food.
I just finished the book but and I am ready to start turbo but I am still confused on what “high” carbs and “low” carbs are…or what those days meals should consist of ….I would appreciate help from anyone …Thanks
I’m doing the turbo cycle and as soon as I wake up I do 20 minutes worth of kettlebell swings. I throw on an episode of Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition for inspiration (Chantell’s episode is my favorite) and I do 10 swings and then rest 30 seconds over and over again until 20 minutes are up. Heidi, do you think that is a good morning work out for a female who has 150 pounds to lose?
That’s a great start to your day! 🙂