Carb Cycling to cut

[Strikos]

I'm about to begin carb cycling to drop my bf%. I have already dropped from 18% to 12% using clean eating, training and cardio (moderate intensity). Now I want to try a different approach.

As far as a cycle goes is there any problems with this training/diet cycle?
High Carb - Legs (quads & hamstrings)
Mod. Carb - Chest/Back
No Carb - Rest day
Low carb - Hamstrings/Tri's/abs
Mod Carb - Shoulders/bi's/calves
No Carb - Rest day

Hitting the hamstrings twice a week because they are lacking!

Stats:
26, male, 181cm @ 84kg/185lbs

Intake:
No Carb Days (non-training day)
1900cal - 2186.4cal (depending on activity level)
Protein - 277.5g / 1110cal
Fats - 84g - 120g / 764cal - 1076.4cal

Low Carb Days
2498.4cal
Protein - 277.5g / 1110cal
Carbs - 166.5g / 665cal
Fats - 80g / 723.4cal

Moderate Carb Days
2498.4cal
Protein - 277.5g / 1110cal
Carbs - 231g / 925cal
Fats - 51.5g / 463.4cal

High Carb Days
2498.4cal
Protein - 277.5g / 1110cal
Carbs - 278g / 1110cal
Fats - 31g / 278.4cal

I have researched this flat out for the past week and I'm just getting some reassurance that I haven't missed anything. Thanks

[765]

i dont know much about carb cycling, but if it aint broke dont fix it...why would you change your diet if it was working

[Freshdou]

i dont know much about carb cycling, but if it aint broke dont fix it...why would you change your diet if it was working

This. If you haven't hit a plateau with your normal dieting and it worked for you going from 18% -> 12% BF, then you should probably stick to it.

How was your diet like during your regular dieting? Out of curiosity.

And good job on the fat loss so far.

[Strikos]

Thanks I'm pretty happy with my results. Went from 16-12 in the last 4 weeks...
I have plateaued but I know how to tweak my precious diet/training to get through it.

However I want to try something different out of boredom/curiosity because I have been using the same diet at slight variations for the last 6 months. Just trialing a different approach to find our what works best for my body.

Previous diet was essentially a 40(P)/40(C)/20(F) @ 2300cal per day regardless of training or non training day. Cardio was 20-30mins morning and after training

[AlwaysTryin]

Doesn't carb cycling usually have a huge difference in the amount on each day? Your low/medium/high are basically the same

I.e normally low >50g, mod ~200g, high 350/400g

[Strikos]

My moderate carb training days are almost as intense as my high carb training days. I have also used the information I have read from one article to establish my carb intake levels based on my goal (cut/calorie defeciet of 20%)

Protein: 1.5g / lbs

Carbohydrates:
No Carb = 0g
Low 0.9g / 1lbs
= 166.5g / 665cal
Moderate 1.25g / 1lbs
= 231g / 925cal
High 1.5g / 1lbs
= 278g / 1110cal

Fats: make up the remainder of the calories

The reason I have used these values for carb intake is because there are soooo many variations I decided to pick one that seemed consistent and to run with it. I'm keeping a food journal and logging everything I take in/how I feel and I will adjust accordingly

[anonymous]

i would eat at maintenance for a week or two and then go back to your regular cut. probably will be more effective in the long run than carb cycling

[Strikos]

Thanks, but I want to use carb cycling to achieve my goals.
Hoping there is someone out there with some insight on carb cycling to confirm I have to right concept/logic behind my plan as it is currently structured...

[Jamierobo27]

I want to try carb cycling i may use this

[Strikos]

Bump

[Strikos]

Bump

[psychodiver9]

Bump

Why? Tempted. You're happy with your progress so why are you asking questions and bumping this thread?

[italianplaya30]

I could be wrong but shouldnt your protein intake be lower on your high carb days and high on your low carb days

[noaddedhormones]

You have only dieted for four weeks and judging by the amout of cals you are consuming you still have a good metabolic capacity, so instead of making your life harder by manipulating carbs with the same cal intake, why not drop total cals by 50-100?

[hellawaits77]

You have only dieted for four weeks and judging by the amout of cals you are consuming you still have a good metabolic capacity, so instead of making your life harder by manipulating carbs with the same cal intake, why not drop total cals by 50-100?

Good idea.

Also, this worked for me: Instead of having a "set" schedule, I would do higher carb day when I felt like I needed it, I.E. absolutely dragging at the gym, and feeling generally s***ty. I'm heavier than you, so you'd have to tailor it to your macro needs, but I did around 140-150 carbs/day till I needed a high carb day. Was usually every 4-5 days. Nothing fancy, but it worked for me.