My Experience On the Anabolic Diet

Nutrition
3802

[quote]Bizmark wrote:
Tiribulus wrote:
With all due respect to you Bismarck, I do not see how 75 grams every 2 weeks can possibly replenish enough glycogen to support weight training. Not trying to be an ass, but it flies in the face of everything I’ve learned.

Thats the whole point of this. I want to see if after a while it can support weight training. If I notice bad things, then I’ll go back to the normal AD. Or maybe change up a few things. But also, Im not doing 75 grams every 2 weeks.

Heres what I’m doing:
Weekdays: 30g carb max, (all must be from veggies)

Sunday of week 1: 1 meal 75g carbs, the rest of the meals normal AD

Weekdays: Same as before.

Sunday of week 2: normal carbup

Then repeat…

So its like I’m doing the induction phase over and over, except I’m throwing in a carb meal halfway through.

And also I’m just trying it out for a while to see what happens. If my workouts suffer or I notice other bad things then I’ll go back to the normal AD.[/quote]

You definitely do not need glycogen to support weight training - or any type of physical training… unless your body is dependent on glycogen for fuel.

Once you switch over to a fat-fueler and more importantly, the further you stay away from carbs, the more efficient your body is on fat. If you do carb up intermintantly and don’t switch back over, you will be running on both fuel systems so you will feel more powerful.

Also, you will have increased hydrostatic pressure within your muscles so you will physically be stronger. This state is temporary!!! Pound for pound, you will be more efficient running on fat for fuel with little or no glycogen.

At least this is what happened to me. I’m sure, as we’ve been pointing out, this point takes a long time without carbs, or low on carbs, with brief carb ups if any at all, to get to.

SK

3803

I’m with sifu here in that once you acustom to burning fat you will be able to do all types of shit you thought only sugar could do. CHO does have a water loading effect that really pops up strength.

People don’t really get into water logging these days but you will notice that 3 liters of water pre training on a regular CHO diet makes your lifts go way up and rep max’s too. This is half the effect of glycogen loading.

But training is all about ATP production and let me tell you; the human body is made for producing ATP. It will adapt to anything. Even high protein low fat low CHO you can adapt to using protein conversion for ATP. It’s a bad scene if extended for any period of time.

After a while muscle glycogen is replaced through dietary fat, depending on your adaptation. I go for long periods with only veggie CHO and stay strong and ready for kung-fu battle. I look fuking skinny a wimpy because of the lack of a load but I’m still hard as fuk.

Hard to gain weight this way though. I only go for long periods when reducing BF% for a fight season.

So energy production may not be what you think it is. Ask a cross country skier. those guys live on butter chunks for months when they cross the arctic. And they go like snot too, a lot more glyco depleting than weights, where apparently less glycogen is used than usually thought. Unless you get up to glyco depleting sprints and plyos etc.

-chris

[quote]sifuinkorea wrote:
Bizmark wrote:
Tiribulus wrote:
With all due respect to you Bismarck, I do not see how 75 grams every 2 weeks can possibly replenish enough glycogen to support weight training. Not trying to be an ass, but it flies in the face of everything I’ve learned.

Thats the whole point of this. I want to see if after a while it can support weight training. If I notice bad things, then I’ll go back to the normal AD. Or maybe change up a few things. But also, Im not doing 75 grams every 2 weeks.

Heres what I’m doing:
Weekdays: 30g carb max, (all must be from veggies)

Sunday of week 1: 1 meal 75g carbs, the rest of the meals normal AD

Weekdays: Same as before.

Sunday of week 2: normal carbup

Then repeat…

So its like I’m doing the induction phase over and over, except I’m throwing in a carb meal halfway through.

And also I’m just trying it out for a while to see what happens. If my workouts suffer or I notice other bad things then I’ll go back to the normal AD.

You definitely do not need glycogen to support weight training - or any type of physical training… unless your body is dependent on glycogen for fuel.

Once you switch over to a fat-fueler and more importantly, the further you stay away from carbs, the more efficient your body is on fat. If you do carb up intermintantly and don’t switch back over, you will be running on both fuel systems so you will feel more powerful.

Also, you will have increased hydrostatic pressure within your muscles so you will physically be stronger. This state is temporary!!! Pound for pound, you will be more efficient running on fat for fuel with little or no glycogen.

At least this is what happened to me. I’m sure, as we’ve been pointing out, this point takes a long time without carbs, or low on carbs, with brief carb ups if any at all, to get to.

SK[/quote]

3804

Forgive me if this was asked before, but what happens when someone goes off this diet after an extended period of time and begins eating plenty of carbs on a daily basis? How would the body respond?

This thread is very interesting!

3805

You are taking psyllium fibre right???..RIGHT???..oh sweet jebus TELL ME YOUR TAKING YOUR PSYLIUM FIBRE?

3806

[quote]BackInAction wrote:
Forgive me if this was asked before, but what happens when someone goes off this diet after an extended period of time and begins eating plenty of carbs on a daily basis? How would the body respond?

This thread is very interesting![/quote]

That sounds like an extremely bad situation. If your going to go back to carbs you had better keep it under control for a while. Like maybe adding 10 grams of carbs to your diet every 4 days or something like that, and lessening the amount of fat your eating in the process.

Thats why people blow up after getting off the Atkins diet. Except I think they were using protein for energy rather than fats, I’ll have to read up on that more.

-Biz

3807

Everything I’ve read by those who are in a position to know a hell of a lot more about these things than I do says that anaerobic work is fueled exclusively by glycogen and not having enough of it will result in a dramatically decreased capacity for weight training.

That is THE principle that separates cyclical diets from straight keto diets like Atkins.
Without proper reloads leptin/insulin levels (among many other things) come into play and your body sees itself as starving and begins utilizing aminos regardless of how much fat is there which is why there are no muscular Atkins proponents.

Others can explain in greater and better detail than I can. Look, I’m not telling anybody what to do and I have plenty left to learn, but I’m just relaying what has been said by those who are true authorities in these areas.

3808

[quote]OMC wrote:

I thought one possibility for the bowels thing was that I was getting substantially more fiber on the carb-heavy weekends than during the week. Maybe if I got a little more fiber during the week my body wouldn’t be so shocked by the weekends?

You are taking psyllium fibre right???..RIGHT???..oh sweet jebus TELL ME YOUR TAKING YOUR PSYLIUM FIBRE?
[/quote]

I was eating enough spinach and other things to get the daily fiber recommendation that DiPasquale makes (can’t remember the exact grams now). Do you think taking a psyllium fiber supplement would make a big difference?

3809

Hello guys!

I come from Switzerland and I am doing the AD for about 3 months now. I have one thing to say: WOW! This Diet is fucking crazy, it works wonders for me, I am gaining hard rock muscle as never seen before, I gained more in one month with the AD than in 2 years with the classical high carb with exactly the same training. I didn’t loose fat because I am eating far above maintenance. This thread really gave me a kick in the ass as for keeping the diet until FULL ADAPTATION…so the result is ENERGY IS BACK! I bought both books of DiPasquale great books.

I have two questions:

  1. Anyone has a piece of advice for a very potent fiber supplement because my bowel is suffering during the weekdays.

  2. Secondly, I really dislike the thermogenic effects during the weekdays. They happen after about 1 hour or 2 after ingesting the food which is High protein Low Carb High Fat. This is very discomfortable because I sweat a lot and it doesn’t smell very good. I asked this to a trainer of coachsos.com (training site of Dipasquale but he doesn’t have any solution)…so if anyone has a piece of advice I will appreciate.

3810

I think that the mystical “transition phase” is mostly the body’s response to high fat (and carb restriction): make more lipolytic enzymes. That’s why the transition phase is so difficult for some people – you have a ton of glycolytic enzymes but no carbs, and a ton of fat but hardly any enzymes to process it with. Similarly, coming off the AD (or any similar ketogenic-like diet) will probably involve a “transition phase” where one would gradually increase carbs at the proper time (ie when insulin sensitivity is maximized – PWO and before noon most notably) while decreasing fat intake. This way, one becomes once again carb-adjusted while avoiding coincidences of insulin spikes and high conc of plasma FFA (which would probably lead to increased lipogenesis).

Also wanted to ask – I have been on the AD about 7 weeks now. My first carbup I had a lot of gas, my second a little, and really that is all the disruptive effects carbups have on me (besides a bit of a “buzz” – sometimes almost like a 2-drink buzz). Does this mean anything? I never “crashed” during the transition, and I have yet to crash during a carbup. My only carbs during the week are incidentals in cheese/broccoli, eggs, and salsa for my omelets (<2g/tblspoon).

[quote]BackInAction wrote:
Forgive me if this was asked before, but what happens when someone goes off this diet after an extended period of time and begins eating plenty of carbs on a daily basis? How would the body respond?

This thread is very interesting![/quote]

3811

I’d say you’re right. It depends on goals as well. CHO is highly necessary for cell growth but not necessarily respiration. Before agriculture what were our CHO sources? plants, primarily, which ADers get plenty of (I hope).

Since muscle glycogen is in such low concentration (1%) in the muscle mass it is feasible that it can be replaced by other areas like the liver etc. and metabolism of veggies.

The CHO loads are key for growth but not necessarily performance. There are strong guys that don’t get very many CHO in. fatty acid oxidation can compensate for tons of energy.

Not many people concerned with training do much atkins. Most people who are interested in growth don’t typically look at weight loss diets.

Long and short: load when you need to. It could be after each training session or each week or each month, depending on your goals.

-chris

[quote]Tiribulus wrote:
Everything I’ve read by those who are in a position to know a hell of a lot more about these things than I do says that anaerobic work is fueled exclusively by glycogen and not having enough of it will result in a dramatically decreased capacity for weight training.

That is THE principle that separates cyclical diets from straight keto diets like Atkins.
Without proper reloads leptin/insulin levels (among many other things) come into play and your body sees itself as starving and begins utilizing aminos regardless of how much fat is there which is why there are no muscular Atkins proponents.

Others can explain in greater and better detail than I can. Look, I’m not telling anybody what to do and I have plenty left to learn, but I’m just relaying what has been said by those who are true authorities in these areas.[/quote]

3812

Whats up guys, nearing the end of the first week. First carb-up is tomorrow night. (Fri Night → Sun Night) I could definately feel myself very sluggish today, I think today was my crash day. I am just very worried that since I crashed today, when I go to carb-up tomorrow, that my body will just go back to being a “carb-burning machine” rather than a “fat-burning machine.” Any feedback?

3813

Oh shit, just had an epiphany.

Buffalo Sardine scramble

1 can sardines
4 eggs
monteray jack cheese
4 grape tomatos
assorted peppers diced
onions diced

cook veg until soft or carmelized, your preference. add sardines. reduce heat. add eggs. scramble in pan. add grated cheese. melt cheese. add tsp buffalo sauce.

eat. oh god.

Sardines are underrated. 0 CHO and has fat included. Small fish = low in mercery an HM etc.

-chris

3814

[quote]mikecc wrote:
Whats up guys, nearing the end of the first week. First carb-up is tomorrow night. (Fri Night → Sun Night) I could definately feel myself very sluggish today, I think today was my crash day. I am just very worried that since I crashed today, when I go to carb-up tomorrow, that my body will just go back to being a “carb-burning machine” rather than a “fat-burning machine.” Any feedback?[/quote]

By first week do you mean you have only been on it for less than a week? did you do the 12 day break in?? you should possibly post pone that first CHO (carb) up until after 12 days low CHO. The 12 days help expedite the adaptation. I did a 12 then a 8 and another 8 day interval before I went to a 5/2.

Depends your goals. Mine worked great for me. now my intervals are more tuned and depend on my goals and training season. How do you like the low carb days other than your crash? food taste good? like animals? eggs? fishes? get your self a good set of recipies that you like for the low CHO days.

BTW what are the goals??

-chris

3815

[quote]Tiribulus wrote:
Everything I’ve read by those who are in a position to know a hell of a lot more about these things than I do says that anaerobic work is fueled exclusively by glycogen and not having enough of it will result in a dramatically decreased capacity for weight training.

That is THE principle that separates cyclical diets from straight keto diets like Atkins.
Without proper reloads leptin/insulin levels (among many other things) come into play and your body sees itself as starving and begins utilizing aminos regardless of how much fat is there which is why there are no muscular Atkins proponents.

Others can explain in greater and better detail than I can. Look, I’m not telling anybody what to do and I have plenty left to learn, but I’m just relaying what has been said by those who are true authorities in these areas.[/quote]

Well, I’m gonna try this for a while and see. I’ll do another update on this in 2 months or maybe a lil longer.

All I know is… there really isn’t any permanent damage I can do, everything is reversible. Coming from being 280lbs at 16 years old and dreaming of a nice body, which I thought would be unattainable to me, to being extremely close to having that nice body, has made me realize that most anything is possible.

So I’m gonna do this for a while, and whether it works out or it doesn’t I’ll be giving a full report.

-Biz

3816

[quote]realpeanutbutter wrote:
mikecc wrote:
Whats up guys, nearing the end of the first week. First carb-up is tomorrow night. (Fri Night → Sun Night) I could definately feel myself very sluggish today, I think today was my crash day. I am just very worried that since I crashed today, when I go to carb-up tomorrow, that my body will just go back to being a “carb-burning machine” rather than a “fat-burning machine.” Any feedback?

By first week do you mean you have only been on it for less than a week? did you do the 12 day break in?? you should possibly post pone that first CHO (carb) up until after 12 days low CHO. The 12 days help expedite the adaptation. I did a 12 then a 8 and another 8 day interval before I went to a 5/2.

Depends your goals. Mine worked great for me. now my intervals are more tuned and depend on my goals and training season. How do you like the low carb days other than your crash? food taste good? like animals? eggs? fishes? get your self a good set of recipies that you like for the low CHO days.

BTW what are the goals??

-chris
[/quote]

I was actually hoping I could get by with the 5/2 that the original ebook said! :slight_smile: I mean my friends said they definately noticed me paler looking and overall more tired throughout the week, so I am definately carb depleted.

Yes, food is good, especially the salmon I just ate for dinner. Just I’m ready to get some of that starch in me (i come from an italian family and id kill for some pasta right now!)

Basically, I read in some posts earlier that it
took some guy like 8 days to crash, instead of the 5, and I figured Dr. D added that 12 day interval period is for the occasional person like that. If I carbup tomorrow my only fear is undoing everything I did for the entire week.

Goals? Lose body fat without losing muscle.

3817

[quote]Stingblood wrote:
…
I have two questions:

  1. Anyone has a piece of advice for a very potent fiber supplement because my bowel is suffering during the weekdays.

  2. Secondly, I really dislike the thermogenic effects during the weekdays. They happen after about 1 hour or 2 after ingesting the food which is High protein Low Carb High Fat. This is very discomfortable because I sweat a lot and it doesn’t smell very good. I asked this to a trainer of coachsos.com (training site of Dipasquale but he doesn’t have any solution)…so if anyone has a piece of advice I will appreciate.[/quote]

  3. I take a teaspoon of “Solgar brand” Pysillium Husks Fibre and it works like a charm. You should find it in Switzerland since I bought it in Italy at a parafarmacia.

  4. I went through a funky smelling sweat phase that seemed to have disapeered after about 2 1/2 months into the diet. Hopefully, it will pass for you also.

3818

I recently purchased the Anabolic Diet and had a question concerning daily caloric intake. In his plan, Dr. D. suggest 18 times your bodyweight in calories during the maintanence phase. What if I want to skip the maintanence phase completely and just do a diet geared more towards weight loss?

My supposed caloric intake is right around 4500 for maintenance levels. Should I drop it to around 3500 while still mainaining the same macronutrient ratio? He mentions in the book that you should drop your intake by 1000 calories per day, but that is 1,000 calories from the “mass phase” (at least that’s how I read it.) Any help?

3819

Also… I noticed something about a 12 day interval. I started the diet on Monday. Do I have to wait 12 days for my next carb reload or should I do it this weekend?

3820

Please delete my last post. I started not being an idiot and answered the question. Still wondering about cals per day though.

3821

To anyone having trouble with fiber…take a tsp of xanthan gum with one of your shakes…do NOT stray too far from the bathroom. Seriously.