Carb Up Night Before Huge Workout

Yesterday and today are my very low carb days since they are my off days from the gym. However tomorrow is definitely my hardest most intense workout day. If I consume a high amount of complex carbs tonight then it should be turned into energy to fuel my workout tomorrow right?

I just heard somewhere on here that it takes the body approx 12 hours to turn carbs into energy and that some people carb up the night before a big workout. Is this true? I also eat some complex carbs/ protein 1 hour before I hit the gym.

I think it's more like 2-3 hours depending on the type of carb (simple vs complex), and it takes longer to deplete the glycogen from your muscles. That being said, depending on the time you workout, a carb load might not be a bad idea (i.e. morning trainer). If you workout later in the day, you'd probably be alright starting off your day with a big bowl of oats and/or fruit at breakfast, and keeping the carbs coming all day long.

It is customary for a marathon runner to actually have a HUGE pasta dinner the night before the marathon. Hope that helps.

bump

I just eat big all the time..consequently my lifts usually are pretty damn BIG!!

[QUOTE=Fidelitas626;72213423]I think it's more like 2-3 hours depending on the type of carb (simple vs complex), and it takes longer to deplete the glycogen from your muscles. That being said, depending on the time you workout, a carb load might not be a bad idea (i.e. morning trainer). If you workout later in the day, you'd probably be alright starting off your day with a big bowl of oats and/or fruit at breakfast, and keeping the carbs coming all day long.[/QUOTE]

Agreed. Depending on my calorie intake and probable muscle glycogen levels (i.e. if I think they are low) I will eat more carbs in my last 2 meals the evening before my morning workout. Definitely has helped for both the WO itself and not feeling completely run down afterwards despite carb intake just before and after.