Whats the big fuzz about this? I know many overweight, unfit people have a problem with this, but for the large majority on this forum it shouldnt be a problem, right? After all we all have sensitive diets and work out a lot, which should ensure that our sensitivity is up there with the best.
Or am I wrong?
Your goal is to increase your insulin sensitivity as much as possible so that when you gain weight; You gain more muscle in comparison to fat. A simple explanation would be- The worse your insulin sensitivity than the more fat you will probably gain while bulking.
SquatMan, I’m physically fit, but carbs give me a FIT. Over time I’ve found the number that works for me. Too little carbs and you end up physically weak and lethargic. Too many carbs and you end up metally sluggish (and FAT!). And what’s worse, the number is highly individual.
Not all of us here are where we want to be aesthetically. A lot of us are still learning (me included) and struggling with our “stubborn,” insulin resistant (in varying degrees) metabolisms.
Manipulating carb intake and timing is a key component to building the physique we want. So overweight or not, insulin sensitivity is worth taking the time and effort to understand.
Of course, you may be one of the lucky few who can eat anything in sight and have no problem with carbs or insulin sensitivity. (sigh)
Insulin insensitivity is the problem, a need for higher and higher levels of insulin to do the same job.
Being Insulin sensitive means your body is sucking up carbs quickly, which usually means you have to be more careful with food choices. its also a reasn lowcarb diets tend to be easier (after the first week) as you energy levels aren’t all over the show throught out the day.
Im aware of what insulin sensitivity is. My point was that because of our diets and excercise, it should be very good for most the men and women who visit this forum. So I dont understand the carb-paranoia.
Members of T-Nation don’t settle for good; they strive for optimal.
Everyone’s insulin sensitivity is not the same. Some people have good insulin sensitivity while others are a little insulin resistant. Just because you eat good and train doesn’t mean that your insulin sensitivity will be exceptional. Eating right, working out, takin certain supplements, and doing cardio will all make your insulin sensitivity better. Your goal should be to increase your insulin sensitivity as much as you can. For example, I do all of these things and I work a physical job but I still have the problem of getting fat if I eat too many carbs. It has a lot to do with how you ate as a kid and your genetics.
Insulin sets your body into a fat-storage mode.
It then comes to reason the more insulin released, the more fat you’re likely to store.
Since people with poor inulin sensitivity require tons relatviely much more insulin to get rid of excess blood sugar, its clear what you’ll store more fat than someone with very strong insulin sensitivity.
Your insulin sensitivity sepends on a miriad of things. Granted a good healthy diet with a good workout program is bound to increase your insulin sensitivity. But there’s only so much these two factors can do. Diabetics, for example, shouldnt expect to all of a suddenget rid of their ailment because of a balanced diet and workout routine.
There are also drugs you can take to increase it. Things like omega-3 fats will have a very positive impact on your insulin sensitivity.
I was recently on holiday in Thailand, and there they most certainly eat a high-carb diet (lots of rice and noodles). However, you would be lucky (or extremeley UNLUCKY, hehe) to find an overweight girl there.
So, personally, I just dont buy the "carbs make you fat"-gimmick. At the end of the day, it still is energy output versus energy input. And for people who does not work out, any energy surplus will be store as fat. Whether its from carbs, fat or protein.