HiPaCC :: The Dietary Revolution

Bought the e-book last week. So far an enjoyable read. I have a question about the carb cycling. My work entails me woarking nothing like average ie I work a rotating shift pattern over 7 days. So I do not have the 2 weekend days off.

As an example here is a typical week.

Wednesday, Thursday - 7am-2pm, Friday, Saturday, Sunday - 2pm-10pm, Monday, Tuesday - 10pm-7am.

Its quite a complex shift pattern as its not just a case of the above pattern repeating but hopefully you get the idea. My question is - How would you recommend adapting the carb cycling theory into this type of working life.

Hi Res - good valid question! It's hard for me to advise on this without the specifics, especailly if your shifts are all over the shot.

However I assume you get two consectutive days off per week? I would normally say, start your low carb days on the evening of your last day at work before your days off, right through to the evening of your second day off, then resume to Day1/Monday as per the ebook. However I assume this can be further complicated by you being sometimes not on a day shift on this day. Can you let me know what shift you're likely to be on on that day and the day preceding, and I'll come up with something for you?

James,

thanks for the speedy reply. I do get 2 days off in any 9 day period and the occassionaly have extra days (additional rest days) thrown in so that hours worked fits in with the European working time directive. Its not the easiest thing to explain, as apart from working the hours stated in my first post I also ocassionaly work 10am-6pm or 5pm-2am and just incase your wondering my bodyclock is normally all over the place.

If seeing the exact type of pattern I work would help you in answering my question I can always arrange that.

Many thanks again & still enjoying the book

I don't envy shift workers. The two hormones glucagon and insulin change in their ratio with the sleep-wake cycle, and if this cycle is skewed, it takes 3-4 days to get into a new routine. The problem with working shifts is you just get into a new routine and it's shift change again!

Let me know if you have any problems tailoring the HiPaCC plan to your shifts and I'll see what I can do

Thanks James. Starting this in January, I'll keep you posted :)

The link to the calculator - http://207.56.111.226/Dietplan.html would appear to not be working.

My missus bought this ebook last year and lost 1/2 stone in just under 2 months - the best of it was she enjoyed it and didnt feel hungry or tired. She didnt have lots to lose just wanted to lose what she called her flabby bits!

Hi James
Very tempted to buy the ebook. Before I do, could I ask a question?
Like a previous poster, I work shifts, including nights, lates and earlies plus long days (7am-9pm) and my days off vary from zero to three a week depending on available overtime. In short, it's almost impossible for me to plan ahead. I'll not get into how short staffed the NHS is, suffice it to say that when I'm at work I rarely get set breaks and any meals tend to be snatched whenever there's a spare moment. There have been times when I've worked an eight hour shift and have literally not been able to get a single break, so I might be able to have breakfast at 6am and then my next meal at 3pm or so. Could I ask how important to the plan is eating at prescribed times?

Hi Prof C

Working as you do, you will have to consider timings carefully. However timings can be to a dgree flexible. A degree of planning ahead is neccessary. For instance you may prepare a pack up snack - if you're on a long day you could find 5 mins to eat it. If your day is normal hours, you could simply eat it at home.

It's the concept of sticking to the low carb days for carb cycling which is crucial - though for nights something could be sorted.

If you wanted to try the regimen, please feel free to ask for my guidence incponstructing plans for different shifts - if I do it on this forum, then others can read and learn too.

Thanks James. OK, I've bought the book and look forward to giving it my all

Great stuff Prof C!

Please do post any queries to me - either in a new topic or in this sticky. (Although I cant answer private questions via email, please feel free to email me the URL of a post that you wish me to reply to on here)

James -
Well you said I could so here's a question.
If I go strictly by your criteria I should start the diet on level 3 - something I'm more than prepared to do. However I am very overweight, and getting on a bit (46), my RMR works out at 2668 (23 stone at 6ft, most of it flab - don't worry, my doc has encouraged me to start a diet). I've read countless warnings about taking in too few calories, and I'm wondering if level 3 provides enough calories for someone my size if the aim is to lose 1-2lbs a week. Of course, losing more than that a week seems great, but I'm told it's not particularly healthy, and I know the weight comes back on very quickly.
Any advice would be much appreciated.

ORIGINAL: Professor Chaos

James -
Well you said I could so here's a question.
If I go strictly by your criteria I should start the diet on level 3 - something I'm more than prepared to do. However I am very overweight, and getting on a bit (46), my RMR works out at 2668 (23 stone at 6ft, most of it flab - don't worry, my doc has encouraged me to start a diet). I've read countless warnings about taking in too few calories, and I'm wondering if level 3 provides enough calories for someone my size if the aim is to lose 1-2lbs a week. Of course, losing more than that a week seems great, but I'm told it's not particularly healthy, and I know the weight comes back on very quickly.
Any advice would be much appreciated.

Hi James
Please ignore this question. Having thought about it, and unless you think it's a major mistake on my part, I'm going to start on level 3.
Cheers

I'd go 2/3 to be honest (even leaning towards 2 more), as you're a big chap with a high RMR, and to begin with you'll lose weight for sure. I am confident you'll lose weight on 2, and you can always tighten up to 3 later.

Are you following Mark's exercise plan in the eBook too?

Hi James
At the moment I'm waiting to have an operation on my shoulder - within the next two months with any luck - so I've not trained for a long time. I stopped doing weights/martial arts over a year ago because the pain was too much. I know this was a mistake - my ballooning weight has confirmed that - but I can't do any pressing or pushing exercises because of the pain, and curling hurts somewhat. This, for me, has taken a lot of the enjoyment out of doing weights. I definitely hope to take it up again after the op, if it works, but maybe this diet will get me into the gym again as it is - never been a great fan of leg work, but what the hey.....

Currently my main exercise is walking the dog once or twice a day, a couple of miles a time. I can cover a few miles at work as well. Not great, I know, but better than nothing.

Try to up your exercise, even if it's just more dog walking - this will really help.

Keep us informed of your progress - enjoy

Good Morning James,

Mrs Northern35s is back on the wagon (and looking forward to it) and has a a querry regarding banana's (I was sure I'd asked this before, but could't find the post), can she exchange the banana for other fruits to ensure variety, or is the banana specific to the plan.

thanks

Stephen

ORIGINAL: northern35s

Good Morning James,

Mrs Northern35s is back on the wagon (and looking forward to it) and has a a querry regarding banana's (I was sure I'd asked this before, but could't find the post), can she exchange the banana for other fruits to ensure variety, or is the banana specific to the plan.

thanks

Stephen

She can swap for other fruits

Thanks James.

hi james, i bought the book before christmas and started the plan this week, just a quick question, when i start on a stint on nightshift i might be up for 24hrs so how should i adjust the diet to suit this, what sort of meals shouls i add, both me and my wife are doing it. my aim is fat loss, currently 299lbs and my target is 210ish.