On Extreme Weight Loss and in our books “Choose to Lose: The 7 Day Carb Cycle Solution” and “Choose More, Lose More for Life,” Chris and I teach people how to lose weight and get healthy using a program called carb cycling. When you carb cycle, you eat 5 smaller meals a day, 1 every 3 hours starting within 30 minutes of waking up.
Eating this often is new to many people, especially those that skip breakfast and suddenly realize halfway through the day, that they’ve also missed lunch. Irregular eating can derail your fitness goals.
Preparation is key to eating every three hours. While we all know the best laid plans can go awry with an emergency, you get stuck in traffic, a meeting goes longer than planned, etc., so many people ask Chris and I what happens if I accidentally skip a meal or am unable to eat my meal on time. What do you do?
Find out the answers by watching this week’s Ask Heidi Anything.
264 Responses
I am reading the book and online and for the carb cycling it says to eat your first meal within 30 minutes of waking up. If you plan to exercise first thing in the morning (treadmill for an hour) should you eat a meal before getting on the treadmill? How long after eating should I wait to begin exercising?
My husband and I bought Chris’ latest book but we are confused about a few things. How many carbs, proteins and fats are we allowed on low/high carb days? And also, how much fat is considered low fat? Thank you so much!
thats where I struggle all the time! its hard to find a minute to eat a meal at work. I work at a daycare center in the nursery so we really dont get much down time. I am doing well with working out but struggle with the meals because of my busy work day.
I am trying to come up with quick snack or meal replacements for when I am on the go. Would a protein bar like quest that has 20g protein and 23g of carbs but 17g of fiber be considered good for a low carb day? I am not sure how I should use net carbs here. Is it too low for a carb day?
Hello,
what if I wake up late in the morning (11 a.m.), shoul I eat 4 or 5 meals during the day?
Thanks so much!!!
Cinzia
5 meals, starting within 30 minutes of whenever you wakeup! Good luck!
Hi Heidi!!! My name is Jennifer and I have been a huge fan of Extreme Weightloss since the beginning. I have been bulimic for 8 years (I am now 24) and have been constantly struggling to lose weight since I can remember. When you came out and talked about your struggles with an eating disorder it was very inspirational and made me think that I can overcome this!! I haven’t binged and purged in a while now, so I am proud of that. The thing is that I workout at least 5 times a week (hour of cardio and some weights and pushups) and eat 1200-1300 calories pretty consistently, but I don’t lose weight and just maintain at that. It is the most frustrating thing in my life and I wish I could ask my body what it needed to shed the 20 pounds I want to lose! I eat a lot of veggies and fruit and lean proteins and rarely any sugars, but I am not seeing results. I recently talked to a friend who used to personal train and told me that I have to increase my calories to 1800 to lose weight because my body is starving and holding on to fat. I am terrified I am going to gain weight if I do that because I have been on such a low calorie diet since I can remember. I am 5’7” and 150lbs with 23% body fat. Is increasing my calories a good idea or is 1800 too high? I just want to finally achieve my goals and do this the healthy way for once and all!!
Jen
Hello . Me and my family just joined a Title Boxing Club. But I don’t know how to eat health. I don’t like a lot of greens , well I really never tried because I don’t know how to cook them. I really hate to cook. Please help
What about rabbit???? Can u have it????
Yes!
Hi. We just stared the Classic cycle yesterday. I have a question about sugar free jello – can this be a nighttime treat? Also, on your app the only option that comes up is the Turbo (I think) – because it tells me I am supposed to be on Low Carb today (2nd day) and I am doing High-Low-High-Low-High-Low-Reward. Is there any way to change that on the app? Thank you!
You can log into your account at http://www.vemma.com/bode/trainer/ to find out what is available. Also, Vemma has a great customer support team that can help you make the app personalized if possible. 🙂
Hi Heidi,
I started this weight loss journey in March 2013, I have had several others but this one I was the most serious and determined. I had Chris’s book for a while but really started trying to implement things into my life. I didn’t have a gym membership but I would do the shapers and shredders. I kept trying so many exercises because I kept hurting myself. I had surgery on my ankle about 4 years ago, but my feet never really recovered. I have tried Chris’s tape, and other tapes for people who are obese. My problem is I keep hurting myself and then I have to begin again. A few weeks ago I had Sciatic pain. I just bought Chris’s new book, and I really want to get started. I can walk but intervals seem to bring on the pain. Do you have any suggestions of what I can do that will still help me get exercise in? I weigh 266 Thank you so much. And by the way I love your blog!
Congratulations on not giving up! Talk to your doctor, they will know the best exercises for your condition. Also, try using an ankle brace to help give it some extra support. Good luck! 🙂