Carb Cycling

[kyoun1e]

I've read Twin Peak's piece and Built's piece on carb cyclying. Both present great ideas for implementing a plan. But what I don't understand is what is the benefit to the bulker or cutter who is cycling?

Why is this effective for either goal?

I get the gist of it -- you have carb depletion days, low carb days, and then load up the boat days. And it seems like the days you workout hardest, you should align with higher carb days and then the opposite for rest days or lighter workout days.

But the question remains.

I'm sure this is where the science of bb comes into play. And Lyle McDonald probably has this all on his site. (But I just woke up...and I"m feeling lazy).

I'm just trying to figure out if it makes sense to possibly integrate into my own diet whether bulking or cutting. If I can overload or cut carbs without much pain and it can either minimize fat gain or accelarate fat loss I'm all for it.

Thanks.

KY

 

[kyoun1e]

Ok, let me rephrase the question:

* Has anyone carb cycled or timed their carb intake in the past or are you currently doing so? If yes, how specifically are you timing?

Thanks.

KY

 

[Unreal]

Yes. All daily carbs are taken in about an hour before workout and right after. The rest of the day is low carb.

 

[kyoun1e]

Do you put any restrictions on your daily carbs pre and post workout? For example, I believe in McDonald's UD2 the limit is 100g of carbs.

Same goes for refeeds later in the week. How much do your go overboard on carbs?

KY

 

[Unreal]

My daily carbs are ~120-130g so I normally have a cup of oats before and 1 cup after, then the rest is from veggies and other trace carbs.

I'm not running UD2.0 but if I was I would follow the plan and do what it prescribes. It is a great diet but I hurt my back so I can't do the power workout till I heal so I'm just doing a general subcaloric low carb slow cut for now.

Basically carb cycling for me is about compliance and feeling good. The carbs let me have a decent workout, but carbs away from workout make me hungry. On very low carb I have no energy so my workouts suck. I time carbs because it works for me.

 

[kyoun1e]

Unreal,

Thanks.

I'm interested in this because I can live without carbs. Most think this kind of diet is torture. I've done some keto in the past so cutting out carbs doesn't kill me. Carbs currently make up only 30% of my macros anyway so I'm kinda already on a high protien/fat diet. That said, I want to make sure I feed the body what it needs to get stronger and grow. If that means carbs before and after workout, great.

UD2 seems really strict. Not sure exactly what the workout is, but if it involves heavy deads and squats I could be screwed --I just can't go there for fear of back issues. And I bet replacing these exercises with others isn't permitted.

Anyone try carb cycling or timed carbs for gaining mass?

KY

 

[Jodi]

On TP's carb cycling plan on your no carb days, there are still no carbs post workout. This is the plan that I followed when I competed.

 

[Built]

Here's how I do it: Got Built? » How to set up a diet - basic carb cycling

 

[kyoun1e]

Built,

Did I miss a re-feed in there?

It seems to me that the general rule of thumb here is no starchy carbs early and late, while adding those carbs back in just before and after workout.

KY

 

[Built]

You can eat starchy carbs anytime. I get hungry if I eat 'em in the AM (I train after work) so I only eat 'em when I'm going to NEED 'em.

It's just for comfort.