The strat:
-Skip the carbos, but pick up a Rare candy instead
-Rare candy before Lance (Or Champion)

GOOD:
-Better Lance defensive ranges
-No ranges with 12 special nido
-No Magneton range
-1 less levelup 

BAD:
-Less Champ red bar (not a huge deal because of 1 less levelup)
-Candy is farther out of the way than carbos (more rats)

Hydro Pump
    Carbos            Candy
12    112-132            112-132
13    112-132            108-128
14    112-132            108-128
15    108-128            108-128

Hyper Beam
    Carbos            Candy
12    45-54            45-53
13    45-53            44-52
14    45-53            44-52
15    45-53            44-52

Chance of keeping red bar after 2/1 (Carbos/Candy) levelup(s) on champ (from full)
    Carbos            Candy
12  35/39            30/39
13  29/39            23/39
14  30/39            27/39
15  23/39            20/39