while on a carb cycle diet why do i look leaner during carb load days?

alright so im 8 weeks into lyle mcdonalds 2.0 fat loss diet. In a nut shell its 3.5 days of very low cals 1000-1200. and 50-70 carbs. Theres a 30-36 hour carb load at the end followed by 2 days of just below maintance and fairly higher carb. Every werek i look so much leaner around the carb load. Seems like im holding more water on my diet days. My sodium intake isnt too high. maybe 1500-2000mg a day. anyone experience this?

You look leaner bc your muscle glycogen levels get replenished after your carb load. Sodium intake has little to do with water retention levels if your intake is pretty consistent. What's likely is the dieting is adding stress and your body responds with cortisol and aldosterone which will cause water retention.

Ah i guess thats why i always look way better once i start eating normal post diet. Thanks for the response!