Well, I kind of want to do a recomposition diet. I'm about 143 pounds (ignore the stats, they are old) right now, and I need to get under 139 pounds for the weightlifting team... but I also really want to lose some fat, gain a little (or at least keep what I have) muscle, and get a six pack (something I've wanted forever.)
I did some research on carb cycling, and it seems really interesting- eat higher carbs and above maintenance on heavy workout days, low carbs other days, and no carbs and low calories on off days....
So theoretically, it would let you gain muscle and lose fat at the same time.
My question is: does it work? Has anyone here tried it and gotten good results with it?
|
Thread: Does Carb Cycling work?
-
09-19-2009, 07:29 PM #1
Does Carb Cycling work?
-
09-19-2009, 07:34 PM #2
carb cycling worked for me really well...i lost a great amount of fat while i was on it..
but the very fact that managing a carb cycling diet is a pain in the *** made me give up after a month....nevertheless i did notice good results during that one month...on the low carb days, u wil initially feel fatigued and de energised, but gradually u will get used to it....u need patience for it
-
09-19-2009, 07:38 PM #3
-
09-19-2009, 07:47 PM #4
i have read a lot of your posts concerning nutrition and I respect your vast expanse of knowledge in this field...but trust me, while i was on carb cycling I lost a great deal of fat...my BF% dropped down from 15 to 11.3% ..of course it was accompanied by high intensity cardio and weightlifting...
now i am taking a very healthy balanced nutritious diet , i dont cycle the carbs, but the net intake over the week (of carbs) is same as while I was on a carb cycle...i can feel a standstill, i mean no progress...i would revert to carb cycling if i feel the need to lose more fat or lose weight ....
I admit I am a novice in this field but my experience so far has been quite good with carb cycling...
-
-
09-19-2009, 08:01 PM #5Founder of MMDELAD
"Micros Matter Dont Eat Like A Dumba**" (hydrogenated oils, shortening, mono and di-glycerides don't fit in my macros)
Does Not Count Macros Crew
"Think in terms of limits and the result is limitation
Think in terms of progress and the result is progression"
my day:http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=156294333
Training Philosophy to be strong: 1. Pick Weights up off the ground 2. Squat them 3. Push them over your head
-
09-19-2009, 11:03 PM #6
- Join Date: Aug 2004
- Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Age: 39
- Posts: 5,657
- Rep Power: 6910
Carb cycling's awesome. Highly recommend it.
I do my high days on and before my leg day (to build up some energy and not crash out half way through that workout), moderates on my chest day and back day and shoulder day, and low days on things like arm day and abs/calves/traps etc.
I don't do no carb though. I would die lol I need a lil sumthin sumthin for my job anyway. I'm like brain dead on 0g carbs lol
But yeah, i drop fat pretty good, and maintain/build muscle and maintain/increase strength in the gym. I stay within 9-9.5% b.f without even doin much cardio.
On the lower carb days, i increase my protein to accommodate a bit.advertising/self-promotion not permitted
-
09-19-2009, 11:28 PM #7
-
09-20-2009, 12:48 AM #8
You're talking about a CKD. He's talking about a carb cycling diet where you eat usually 2 high carb days, 2-3 low carb days, and 2-3 no carb days. On the high carb days you eat higher calories, low at medium cals, no at low cals. Depending on your goals you can make it a surplus or a deficit. So far it's worked well for me, my quads are a lot more cut now compared to two or three weeks ago.
-
-
09-20-2009, 09:11 AM #9
-
09-20-2009, 10:39 AM #10
-
09-20-2009, 10:53 AM #11
-
09-20-2009, 11:02 AM #12
I agree....do not lower the calories.. on days of low carbs, get your protein intake 'up' to compensate for the reduced calories...would help with muscle maintenance , if not muscle gain...
but i sometimes used to lower my calories....gave me the feeling that my body wasnt getting used to the similiar intake daily....my goal was bf% reduction and fat loss so i had to avoid the plateau...i loved keeping my body in the guessing state...worked for me, maybe psychologically
and i would recommend going for low carb days ( >=50 gms) in stead of zero or'no' carb days...
-
-
09-20-2009, 11:12 AM #13barbell1.com - home of The Barbell1 Show - the only 5 day/wk Online Radio on building muscle
Listened to in 171 Countries, Downloaded 1.3 million X in 2014-15
Get it free on iTunes and Stitcher Radio for your mobile device!
About me:
MS in Sports Dietetics
Registered Dietitian
BS in ESS
NSCA Certified Personal Trainer
-
09-20-2009, 12:57 PM #14
I'm going by Twin Peak's Carb Cycling diet (http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/par30.htm)
His point is that on no carb days if you're not lifting then you don't need as many calories, so you lower them. I'm not saying it's right, just giving information.
-
09-20-2009, 04:34 PM #15
- Join Date: Aug 2004
- Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Age: 39
- Posts: 5,657
- Rep Power: 6910
Yeah some people do that, it's alright.
Gotta keep in mind though your energy for the next day's workout too though. A lot of people come off low/no carb days feeling flat during the next day's workout. If one keeps the calories the same, yet plays around with the macros (like say increases protein and fat to make up the lack of the carb calories), they often feel a lot better in the gym.
Cos just because you aren't lifting that day, doesn't mean your body doesn't need those calories.advertising/self-promotion not permitted
Similar Threads
-
Why Does Carb Cycling Work?
By DeltaRage in forum NutritionReplies: 16Last Post: 01-10-2008, 01:06 PM -
How does carb cycling work?
By spincycle in forum NutritionReplies: 2Last Post: 07-13-2007, 09:46 AM -
Who does carb cycling work for?
By NorCalJC in forum NutritionReplies: 4Last Post: 09-12-2006, 07:40 PM -
does carb cycling work?
By LaggingBiceps in forum Losing FatReplies: 1Last Post: 12-03-2005, 12:27 PM
Bookmarks