Carb cycling in reverse? (Low on training days, high on off days)

[OhioStateBucki]

Anyone else do this? To me it doesn't seem like it should matter if the carbs come on a rest or training day - empty glycogen stores get filled regardless. And since the whole "anabolic window" thing is insignificant, it seems like it would be a matter of personal preference.

Just curious if I'm missing something as to why high carb days are always on the lifting days. In terms of my sanity while cutting, I have almost no appetite on lifting days (weird I know, I don't like to eat much before and afterwards I'm not hungry) but on rest days all I think about is food. So I've moved my "carb up" days to the rest days right before big lifting days.

[k9pit]

It's an experiment, try it and see what happens.

For me, the immediate and sustained energy I get from carbs works best for executing my workouts. Everyones different though, it may work out for you. Maybe you're the type that responds well to fasted training as also.

I believe the Anabolic Window theory has more to do with body composition, not energy derived from food and fueling workouts themselves.


Carbing up the night before a big lifting session (such as leg or back) has worked for me in the past, but I'd always have at least a 1/2 cup of Oatmeal the morning before the workout. I usually eat 3/4 cup. I'm usually hungrier on the days I workout so I tend to eat a little more on those days than off days.

[PBateman2]

Whatever allows you to have the most productive training sessions and allows you to optimize results then that is what you should do.

If your strategy is best for you (or you think it is) then go for it. Have to put it into actual practice for an extended period of time.

[rand18m]

I'm very familiar with this, actually prefer this myself and instinctively do the same thing myself.

Don't be too quick to say the "anabolic window" is insignificant. That subject is controversial and the evidence for the most beneficial timing isn't resolved, mostly because of the amount of variables. But, the concept that there is an anabolic window when nutrition will accentuate your efforts is really not controversial, the actual size of that window is!

Good luck and come back and share your results!

(Nothing wrong with fasted training, many do it, I like some food before, but not too much)