Google: pre contest fat loading
Various discussions there.
I’ve read Thibs protocol front and back and most I’ve talked to say it’s too conservative, ie: not enough carbs when loading and that it takes 2-3 days or up to 1000 carbs total to reach full supercompensation. You have to figure that when you are refilling glycogen stores you’re still using some glycogen for energy during the day and especially during workout.
From what I’ve read the fat loading process works by increasing glycogen storage last minute. IE: you’re already pretty topped off after 2-3 days of refilling and the fat loading gives the body access to energy substrates needed for the final push…or something like that. It’s also supposed to help increase vascularity and dryness in the same way carb loading does…by pulling water in.
I’d love to hear comments from people who’ve done a number of shows NATURALLY and have used different protocols. It could be that Thib’s works because it’s conservative and most any protocol that’s not stupid will work for first timers. That being said, the old school deplete/3-day carb up may not work for 1st timers as they may not have that understanding of their body yet so they don’t know when they are one step away from spill over?
Then there’s a protocol I’ve read from Layne Norton, he goes into why radical protocols aren’t worth it, and even sort of from some Beverly guys…maintain moderate carbs and water the entire week. Carbs are stored with water so you need to drink water with your carbs. Then the last day you drink minimal water. You’re still refilling glycogen as that process takes time (12-24 hours after ingestion) so if you’re still consuming carbs Friday night/Saturday morning and limiting water then that’s all you need to bring the water from the outside in.