Carb Cycling and Thermogenics

Nutrition
1

So I’m doing a cut right now involving three strength training days, a strongman day, and 4-6 cardio workouts per week (jump rope, hill sprints, tire sled). I’m following a carb cycling plan, modeled after CT’s Carb Cycling Codex article, where my medium and high days all coincide with strength days.

I’m about a month in, and was considering experimenting with a thermogenic to see how my progress is effected. I’m not entirely sure how such a supplement should fit in with a variable calorie diet. My thought is that during the thermogenic cycle, I should use them only on medium or low carb days. It doesn’t seem to make much sense to take them on days where I’m intentionally eating at about a maintenance level. Does anyone have any experience in the matter, or perhaps have some knowledge to shed?

2

I have experimented to some extent with this, both using the thermogenics on every day, and leaving it out on maintenance days.

Having seen little difference between these methods, I now leave the thermogenics out on the carb-ups/refeeds/high CHO days, being that this lowers my costs, lowers my exposure to stimulants, and yet seems equally effective.

Others, however, may have contrasting views.

MID

3

P.S. If we are talking about a thermogenic with anabolic components, like HOT-ROX, it may be worth noting that people (for instance the Mighty Stu) have found an anabolic effect from such supplements.

This being the case, including the thermogenic/anabolic may be wise to maximize what little anabolism may occur on a high CHO day.