Carb Cycling?

[scottmitchell74]

Anyone do this? Any success? Thoughts and tips?

[DJ]

Scott,
I do currently and have done it in the past in different forms.
First thing is, you need to determine what your goal is or what you are trying to accomplish.

I am currently doing it to add some weight and continue to lean up. In a nutshell, I take in twice as many carbs and 1,000 more cals. on workout days than non-workout days.
I eat a very, very clean and strict diet with one cheat day.

Some guys I compete with in strongman do it also to cut weight.

[bluelew]

Bump for a good topic-
To lose a few pounds while maintaining strength what would a typical diet look like with carb cycling?

[DJ]

Here is what I do. I am 6', 217#.

On workout days, here it is.

6:30
10 egg whites
1 yolk
1 1/4 cup old fashioned oatmeal
1 apple

9:30
Met-Rx MRP
Wheat Bagel or 3/4 cup brown rice

12:00
8oz. 93% lean hamburger
2 slices whole grain bread
1 slice 2% cheese
Mixed raw veggies with 2 tbsp. lite dressing
Pear

2:30
8oz. of either chicken, tuna or turkey
sweet potato

4:30-6:00
workout
immediately after wo, PWO shake
60g dextrose
45g whey protein
5g glutamine
2g HMB
5g creatine monohydrate

7:00
8oz. of either fish or chicken
3/4 cup brown rice

9:00-9:30
2 scoops casein protein with water

Non-workout days

6:30
10 egg whites
1 yolk
2 slices whole grain bread with sugar-free jelly

9:30
Met-Rx MRP
Banana

12:00
10oz. fish
Sweet Potato
Mixed raw veggies with 2 tbsp. lite dressing

2:30
8oz. 93% lean hamburger
1 slice whole wheat bread
apple

6:00
8oz chicken or turkey
1 can green beans

9:00
2 scoops casein protein with water

I take in approx. 3400 cals with higher carbs on wo days and approx. 2400 cals with lower carbs on non-wo days. Protein and fat stays real close on both days. I am doing this to continue to lean up and hopefully add some muscle in the process.

This is my diet, plus I take some additional supps. ie: flax oil, mutli, fish oil, etc.
I also have a cheat day on Saturdays. I eat most of what I want within reason.

[Deleted]

Thanks DJ.
I was just going to ask if anybody has this type of diet. I'm getting ready to change diet cycles. I have been on a VERY high protein diet. I lost 14 lbs but am now stalling. My strength has gone up while like I said weight loss. Will this transition help further with the weight loss? I can see how the strength will stay and maybe increase. My general plan was to drop some of the red meats and concentrate on poultry and greens. Your diet looks alot more appetizing. One thing though. Apples crush my stomach. Are apples a necessity? Could I replace it with apple juice? I think a banana would do the same. Plus the natural potassium is a plus.

[DJ]

Bill,
I just eat apples because I like them.
You can replace it with any fruit, just watch the lower carb days as far as replacing with a banana, because they are a much higher carb fruit. Definitely on the workout days. Yes, the potassium will do wonders for you.
Not knowing your eating habits, background, etc., it is hard to say if this will aid in you losing more weight, but I can guarantee it will definitely lean you up. If you stick to it. I am very anal and don't deviate from it. I know alot of people that will have a few chips or cookies here and there and be like"it was only a few" and then wonder why the results aren't coming.
If nothing else, it will be a good change for your body.
And with most everything on it, you can substitute for like things with a similar nutritional makeup.
It is really all about nutrient intake and timing.

[Deleted]

Sept 11, 2009 12:40:46 GMT -5 DJ said:

Bill,
I just eat apples because I like them.
You can replace it with any fruit, just watch the lower carb days as far as replacing with a banana, because they are a much higher carb fruit. Definitely on the workout days. Yes, the potassium will do wonders for you.
Not knowing your eating habits, background, etc., it is hard to say if this will aid in you losing more weight, but I can guarantee it will definitely lean you up. If you stick to it. I am very anal and don't deviate from it. I know alot of people that will have a few chips or cookies here and there and be like"it was only a few" and then wonder why the results aren't coming.
If nothing else, it will be a good change for your body.
And with most everything on it, you can substitute for like things with a similar nutritional makeup.
It is really all about nutrient intake and timing.

DJ THANKS for the quick response. Lean. Thats what I want. As far as weight loss. I should specify. Actually FAT loss. Staying at 218 all muscle would be great, especially when your stuck competing against lifters like Paul Bossi. I'll need every bit of help just to be able to compete with him.