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 saw the post about carb cycling to help with PCOS. I trained for a half marathon for a year and didn’t lose any weight. I’m hoping maybe carb cycling will help so I can attempt a second one without so much weight, 245 lbs, dragging me down. Which method do you recommend?
Depending on your training program, you might want to try the Fit Cycle: https://heidipowell.net/2719/carb-cycling-the-fit-cycle/. And remember, you can change cycles at any time. Happy carb cycling! 🙂
Hi Brook – I also have PCOS and have struggled for many years working out 6 days a week and watching the number on the scale move up and up and up no matter how well I ate. I just started this turbo carb cycling 3 weeks ago and I’m down 6 lbs. I’m calling it a success. I also think that it’s funny I did a half marathon in Sept. and was probably the heaviest I’ve ever been in my life doing it! I wish I would have found this program first. But…I found it now and it’s working!! Good luck! I’m here with you. I know you’ll want to give up but don’t give up! I never will 🙂
Is your book more aimed towards American Receips and measures? I libe in the UK and would like to try this but I will be disappointed if I can not do the Receips nor understand some of your foods?
I go to gym 5 times a week and tend to do more swimming at moment but I have a very sendentry job would like to lose amd tone 2 stone of me
Yes, the measurements are in American measurements, but they can be converted pretty easily using a conversion tool you can easily find on the web. If there are ever any foods you don’t understand, please contact one of our team members ([email protected]), and she’ll be happy to help you!
Can you carb cycle while breastfeeding? Third pregnancy – itching to lose 25 lbs – but don’t want to mess with my supply….
Great question! Here’s a post that discusses carb cycling and pregnancy/breastfeeding: https://heidipowell.net/2275/q-a-carb-cycling-while-prego/. And congratulations! 🙂
I like the idea of this but I am a well controlled diabetic – type 2 – taking metformin only and need to restrict my carbs – Which is the best for me?
Here’s a post that talks about carb cycling and diabetes – hopefully it will give you some good information: https://heidipowell.net/5078/ask-heidi-anything-im-diabetic-which-plan-should-i-follow/. 🙂
I have been doin low carb since jan 2014 lost 65 pounds but I have now totally stalled and getting very discouraged help!!!
Congratulations on those 65 pounds lost – that’s awesome! Help is on the way: Check out Chris and Heidi’s carb cycling program in their book, “Choose More, Lose More for Life.” The book contains their complete nutrition and exercise program, and it’s the same one they use on the show. It will teach you everything you need to know and do to achieve your own transformation! Learn about the nutrition basics here: https://heidipowell.net/2713/carb-cycling-101/. You can do this! 🙂
I am currently trying to lose 100lbs. I’m guessing the Turbo cycle is what I should be doing but my question is what is considered a high carb and low carb amount? How many carbs should I be eating?
There?s an awesome graphic that will help you put together both low and high carb meals, as well as some other great info, in this post: https://heidipowell.net/2713/carb-cycling-101/. Happy carb cycling! 🙂
so i love love love sugar and fat free creamer in my coffee-every morning- i use reg coffee sf and ff creamer and stevia- can i still have this or should i give it up?
Stevia is on Chris and Heidi’s approved foods list, but fat free creamer is not. Hope that helps! 🙂
I have a question regarding eating in the morning on your carb cycling plans. Im a triatholete and I get up to workout very early in the morning. It says to eat first thing in the morning. But, I find if i workout on a full stomach I end up feeling sick or getting sick. Would the plan still work if I eat soon after my workout whether its a strenght training or cardio workout?
Great question! Check out this post for some helpful info on eating and working out: https://heidipowell.net/1071/to-eat-or-not-to-eat-before-exercise/. 🙂
Hi Team Powell!
I’m an avid crossfitter, I go in 5-6 times a week, I eat very healthy, all gluten free and stick to lean meats, healthy fats and fruits and vegetables. I’m very strong but I’ve been unable to lose the last 20-25 pounds. I started my weight loss journey 2 years ago and I’ve lost 50lbs of fat and gained 30lbs of muscle, but I want to keep going and I haven’t lost in months. I like the carb cycle idea but I’m not sure what would be best in my situation. Any suggestions?
The Fit Cycle would be a great place to start: https://heidipowell.net/2719/carb-cycling-the-fit-cycle/. You can do this! 🙂
Hey,
My wife and I have been on the classic cycle and I’ve been losing 4-5lbs consistently each week. We switched to the turbo cycle after 3 weeks of the classic (without doing a slingshot week). I’ve only lost 1 lb this week, trying to figure out what went wrong !! Food and exercise have been spot on… but the results have been lack luster..
You need to do the slingshot week every fourth week no matter which cycle you’re on. I’d do a slingshot week this week, then start with whichever cycle you’d like to use the next week. And when you change the way you’re doing things (changing cycles, for example), it can take your body a bit of time to adjust. Keep following your cycle exactly, including your reward days and slingshot weeks, and you should be good to go! Your weight loss rate might change from week to week, but that is okay. Happy carb cycling!