My Experience On the Anabolic Diet

Nutrition
4002

[quote]sifuinkorea wrote:
sawillows wrote:
Hello

This is my second time doing the AD.

This time, I’ve been through the 12 day induction period and have done two carb-ups. So far, everything has been going great. However, this week I caught the flu. I haven’t trained all week. I didn’t eat at all on Monday, but the rest of the week I’ve stuck to the diet albeit with lower calories than I usually consume.

Today it occurred to me I’ve been megadosing all week long with Nyquil (the Wal-Mart version). Under the inactive ingredients it lists high fructose corn syrup. So, my question:

Will I have to do the 12-day induction phase again? Will the HFCS turn me back into a carb-burner?

On a related note, since I haven’t trained all week, should I do a carbup this weekend?

Steve

So your ending your 4th week on the AD, Steve?

I’d need more info, but it sounds like you may get by without carbing up this weekend and taking it easy the next. What I would recommend is that you take it easy this weekend by not hitting the carbs too hard, if at all, so you can get over your cold completely allowing you to resume training hard and locking back into the diet.

The double negative of less fat and HFCS during your conversion time does not make a positive. The recommnedation above was a minimum - you should probably start again. But the advice about this weekend still stands - too many carbs will keep that bug around a little longer than needed.

-SK

[/quote]

Thanks for responding, SK.

Yeah. I’m ending my fourth week on the AD. Strength gains were good, bodyweight up, bodyfat down. Then BAM! Flu city.

I went searching on some low-carb dieter forums and found out that Nyquil has 18 grams of carbs per dose. Yikes! I think I’m gonna do the 12 days again.

Steve

4003

[quote]sifuinkorea wrote:
<<< The catalyst for this long exposition was the last thing that tribulus mentioned in the above post: a well thought out and researched reason for more frequent carb loads, to paraphrase. I wonder how true/false this statement is.

I was just wondering what anyone’s thought were.

-SK

[/quote]

Without having gone back to the book yet I remember him saying generally what Sasha was saying. Intramuscular and liver glycogen refill as well as keeping the pancreas tuned to insulin release. Along those lines.

According to Disc Hoss if you have the original AD book there’s no need for purchasing the newer ones. Also more detailed information can be had by registering at the metabolic diet/anabolic solution site.

Again, I’m only in a position to report what I’ve read by those who know much more than I and who am I to say to someone that what they’re doing is wrong if it’s bringing the results they want.

It just seems reasonable that someone like DiPasquale would have good reasons behind their recommendations. I remember reading his articles back in the early 90’s when he was developing his views on high fat/carb cycling methods. Also he has loosened up a bit, it seems from reading his site, on carb intake. Meaning he sees a little more often as acceptable, but not less often.

4004

[quote]sawillows wrote:
Hello

This is my second time doing the AD.

This time, I’ve been through the 12 day induction period and have done two carb-ups. So far, everything has been going great. However, this week I caught the flu. I haven’t trained all week. I didn’t eat at all on Monday, but the rest of the week I’ve stuck to the diet albeit with lower calories than I usually consume.

Today it occurred to me I’ve been megadosing all week long with Nyquil (the Wal-Mart version). Under the inactive ingredients it lists high fructose corn syrup. So, my question:

Will I have to do the 12-day induction phase again? Will the HFCS turn me back into a carb-burner?

On a related note, since I haven’t trained all week, should I do a carbup this weekend?

Steve[/quote]

Steve,

Can you ballpark how many grams of carbs and for how many days you were at those levels. You may not need to do the induction again as shifting your metabolism back to carbohydrate burning isn’t instant.

Cheers,

Sasha

4005

[quote]SashaG wrote:
sawillows wrote:
Hello

This is my second time doing the AD.

This time, I’ve been through the 12 day induction period and have done two carb-ups. So far, everything has been going great. However, this week I caught the flu. I haven’t trained all week. I didn’t eat at all on Monday, but the rest of the week I’ve stuck to the diet albeit with lower calories than I usually consume.

Today it occurred to me I’ve been megadosing all week long with Nyquil (the Wal-Mart version). Under the inactive ingredients it lists high fructose corn syrup. So, my question:

Will I have to do the 12-day induction phase again? Will the HFCS turn me back into a carb-burner?

On a related note, since I haven’t trained all week, should I do a carbup this weekend?

Steve

Steve,

Can you ballpark how many grams of carbs and for how many days you were at those levels. You may not need to do the induction again as shifting your metabolism back to carbohydrate burning isn’t instant.

Cheers,

Sasha
[/quote]

Hi, Sasha

Well, like I said to SK, I discovered that Nyquil has 18 grams of carbs per dose. Now I’ve been taking it for three full days every 6-8 hours (except when sleeping). And I’ve been taking more than the standard dose (it seems to take megadoses of anything to affect me). So, figure twice a day (36+ g total) plus my normal carb total (20-something g) and I guess that’s at least a couple of days with 60+ g of carbs a day (I didn’t eat at all one day).

It’s hard to say. But I’d rather be sure by going through the 12 days again, I think.

Man, when I read on that low-carb forum about those 18 g per dose, I almost had a stroke.

Maybe the Naughty Schoolgirls thread can make me feel better.

Thanks

Steve

4006

[quote]sawillows wrote:
SashaG wrote:
sawillows wrote:
Hello

This is my second time doing the AD.

This time, I’ve been through the 12 day induction period and have done two carb-ups. So far, everything has been going great. However, this week I caught the flu. I haven’t trained all week. I didn’t eat at all on Monday, but the rest of the week I’ve stuck to the diet albeit with lower calories than I usually consume.

Today it occurred to me I’ve been megadosing all week long with Nyquil (the Wal-Mart version). Under the inactive ingredients it lists high fructose corn syrup. So, my question:

Will I have to do the 12-day induction phase again? Will the HFCS turn me back into a carb-burner?

On a related note, since I haven’t trained all week, should I do a carbup this weekend?

Steve

Steve,

Can you ballpark how many grams of carbs and for how many days you were at those levels. You may not need to do the induction again as shifting your metabolism back to carbohydrate burning isn’t instant.

Cheers,

Sasha

Hi, Sasha

Well, like I said to SK, I discovered that Nyquil has 18 grams of carbs per dose. Now I’ve been taking it for three full days every 6-8 hours (except when sleeping). And I’ve been taking more than the standard dose (it seems to take megadoses of anything to affect me). So, figure twice a day (36+ g total) plus my normal carb total (20-something g) and I guess that’s at least a couple of days with 60+ g of carbs a day (I didn’t eat at all one day).

It’s hard to say. But I’d rather be sure by going through the 12 days again, I think.

Man, when I read on that low-carb forum about those 18 g per dose, I almost had a stroke.

Maybe the Naughty Schoolgirls thread can make me feel better.

Thanks

Steve [/quote]

Steve,

I’m sure you would be fine carrying on as normal. I would not, as I said earlier, carb up this weekend - at least not a full load, if for nothing else to help fight your sickness. Just be more careful in the future of what your putting in your mouth - sick or not.

Others will chime in as well.

-SK

4007

[quote]Tiribulus wrote:
sifuinkorea wrote:

It just seems reasonable that someone like DiPasquale would have good reasons behind their recommendations. I remember reading his articles back in the early 90’s when he was developing his views on high fat/carb cycling methods. Also he has loosened up a bit, it seems from reading his site, on carb intake. Meaning he sees a little more often as acceptable, but not less often.

[/quote]

This was what I was curious about actually - did Dr D revamp his theory later on once his diet hit “mainstream”?

My interest lies in balancing feeling good (gut), performance, body comp, feasability, etc… and this is what I consider when experimenting with more/less frequent carb loads. But as I posted on the other thread, my 10k this morning sucked ass after a 36 carb up - just like I was pulling a tire or something. I guess it just some more data for the project.

-SK

4008

So Im back on the bandwagon, again, come new years.

I just get scared away gorging during the carb ups. The former fatboy in me will not die easy.

Either way, were the heck to I get the book anyways? So many people have asked me.

4009

[quote]T-Nick wrote:
So Im back on the bandwagon, again, come new years.

I just get scared away gorging during the carb ups. The former fatboy in me will not die easy.

Either way, were the heck to I get the book anyways? So many people have asked me. [/quote]

Dr. D’s site can be found at: http://www.anabolicsolution.com or http://www.metabolicdiet.com.
As far as gorging on carb-ups, I have found it helpful to: (a) avoid fat in the loads (b) pick my carb sources wisely. The carb-loads are flexible in this manner as per your goals and metabolic activity. Carb-load doesn’t necessarily translate to free-for-all, and I have found it best to define the food choices I will be making.

4010

[quote]ovalpline wrote:
T-Nick wrote:
So Im back on the bandwagon, again, come new years.

I just get scared away gorging during the carb ups. The former fatboy in me will not die easy.

Either way, were the heck to I get the book anyways? So many people have asked me.

Dr. D’s site can be found at: http://www.anabolicsolution.com or http://www.metabolicdiet.com.
As far as gorging on carb-ups, I have found it helpful to: (a) avoid fat in the loads (b) pick my carb sources wisely. The carb-loads are flexible in this manner as per your goals and metabolic activity. Carb-load doesn’t necessarily translate to free-for-all, and I have found it best to define the food choices I will be making.
[/quote]

Sounds solid. I will try to stick to complex sources like fruits, oatmeal, whole grains, etc.

There is one thing I really need to dump. And thats my addiction to caffeine.

4011

Today is supposed to be the last day of my 12-day induction into the AD. This is my second time trying the diet (I tried last July but gave up after the second carb load), and the induction has been surprisingly easy. Aside from a little lethargy and a bit of a headache yesterday I got through it feeling energetic and had some excellent workouts.

This is in contrast to my first time where I crashed extremely hard. I’m guessing that my body ‘remembers’ how to get fat adapted and is having an easier time adjusting to diet.

I’m planning on continuing low-carb until Monday, because I know I am going to be partying New Year’s Eve, and I don’t want to mess up the fat adaption that I’ve got going. I figure if I load up that day, drink that night, and then get back into the proper routine the next week I will be fine.

I’ve been hitting a 60%F-35%P-5%C ratio every day, staying well under the 30g of carb limit. My favorite meals so far are (both right at 500cals):

2 strips bacon
2 large eggs
1/2 cup Cheddar cheese
4 fish oil caps

&

1 6.5oz can tuna
1/4 cup walnuts
mixed veggies
2 cups spinach
1 tbs olive oil
1 tbs vinegar
top with parmesan cheese

I’m planning on trying my first carb up (aside from the alcohol I will be sure to imbibe that evening) with mostly fruits and veggies, maybe one bowl of oatmeal. I’m going to stay away from any processed grains to see if that was the cause of my difficulties last time. I’m also going to limit my carbups to a little over one day weekly (usually a Friday night meal and all day Saturday) since all I do for workouts is weights MWF and yoga TUSat and shouldn’t be depleting my glycogen too badly.

Thanks to everyone for encouraging me to give it a go again. I lost 8lbs over the induction phase (mostly water, but definitely some fat, too) and feel great low-carb just like I did the first time. Now I just have to figure out how to handle these carbups.

4012

[quote]industrialplaid wrote:

Thanks to everyone for encouraging me to give it a go again. I lost 8lbs over the induction phase (mostly water, but definitely some fat, too) and feel great low-carb just like I did the first time. Now I just have to figure out how to handle these carbups.[/quote]

We’re here for you brother, you and T-Nick both. Once in a while shitty meals are ok, but keep the carb ups clean and you guys will be good.

Good luck.

-SK

4013

Thanks…I was going to wait until New Years to start the diet, and give up smoking and coffee, but TC’s new article about time really struck a cord with me.

Im starting tomorrow(12/30)

Is a fiber supplement a must for you guys?

[quote]sifuinkorea wrote:
industrialplaid wrote:

Thanks to everyone for encouraging me to give it a go again. I lost 8lbs over the induction phase (mostly water, but definitely some fat, too) and feel great low-carb just like I did the first time. Now I just have to figure out how to handle these carbups.

We’re here for you brother, you and T-Nick both. Once in a while shitty meals are ok, but keep the carb ups clean and you guys will be good.

Good luck.

-SK

[/quote]

4014

[quote]T-Nick wrote:
Is a fiber supplement a must for you guys?
[/quote]

Ideally you’d nix the fiber supplement and simply ensure that you’re eating veggies (and with every meal at that). Personally, I have never once counted the carb content in veggies. And I eat a TON of veggies, particularly my two veggie staples: broccoli and spinach.

Even if I am pushing over 20-30 g/day of CHO from veggies, I simply don’t care. CHO from veggies are an energy substrate with completely different reactions in your body than those from starches. Besides, their healthful implications far outweigh worrying about exceeding a CHO limit.

Finally, according to Berardi, a high vegetable intake tends to increase insulin sensitivity, meaning more potential for muscle-building and improved body composition.

4015

[quote]ovalpline wrote:
T-Nick wrote:
Is a fiber supplement a must for you guys?

Ideally you’d nix the fiber supplement and simply ensure that you’re eating veggies (and with every meal at that). Personally, I have never once counted the carb content in veggies. And I eat a TON of veggies, particularly my two veggie staples: broccoli and spinach.

Even if I am pushing over 20-30 g/day of CHO from veggies, I simply don’t care. CHO from veggies are an energy substrate with completely different reactions in your body than those from starches. Besides, their healthful implications far outweigh worrying about exceeding a CHO limit.

Finally, according to Berardi, a high vegetable intake tends to increase insulin sensitivity, meaning more potential for muscle-building and improved body composition.

[/quote]

Awesome. Thanks.

4016

[quote]ovalpline wrote:

Ideally you’d nix the fiber supplement and simply ensure that you’re eating veggies (and with every meal at that). Personally, I have never once counted the carb content in veggies. And I eat a TON of veggies, particularly my two veggie staples: broccoli and spinach.

Even if I am pushing over 20-30 g/day of CHO from veggies, I simply don’t care. CHO from veggies are an energy substrate with completely different reactions in your body than those from starches. Besides, their healthful implications far outweigh worrying about exceeding a CHO limit.

Finally, according to Berardi, a high vegetable intake tends to increase insulin sensitivity, meaning more potential for muscle-building and improved body composition.

[/quote]

So this is for ovalpline or anyone else. What other veggies do you eat besides spinach and broccoli?
Before the AD i used to love to stir fry but that would include half an onion, half a pepper then cabbage mainly. Are peppers and onions ok?
Since I started the AD on Nov 1 I’ve only eaten spinach. I’m wondering if people think it is ok to eat veggies that arn’t leafy and green?

4017

[quote]dunbar wrote:
So this is for ovalpline or anyone else. What other veggies do you eat besides spinach and broccoli?
Before the AD i used to love to stir fry but that would include half an onion, half a pepper then cabbage mainly. Are peppers and onions ok?
Since I started the AD on Nov 1 I’ve only eaten spinach. I’m wondering if people think it is ok to eat veggies that arn’t leafy and green?[/quote]

Celery (very underrated imho)
Tomatoes (and paste)
Squash (all kinds)
Greens, (mustard, collard, kale)
Cauliflower
Peppers (all kinds)

4018

I lift first thing in the morning before work, and am trying to figure out how to eat around that. DiPasquale recommends not eating before lifting because he claims that digestion will take energy away from working out. This is contrary to almost all the other information on T-Nation, and I’d be curious to hear some thoughts on this.

I have been working out on an empty stomach for the last couple of weeks, and haven’t really noticed much of a difference from before when I would use whey/gatorade shakes during the workout.

It seems like I feel less energetic, but I still have all the energy I need - if that makes sense.

4019

[quote]T-Nick wrote:
ovalpline wrote:
T-Nick wrote:
So Im back on the bandwagon, again, come new years.

I just get scared away gorging during the carb ups. The former fatboy in me will not die easy.

Either way, were the heck to I get the book anyways? So many people have asked me.

Dr. D’s site can be found at: http://www.anabolicsolution.com or http://www.metabolicdiet.com.
As far as gorging on carb-ups, I have found it helpful to: (a) avoid fat in the loads (b) pick my carb sources wisely. The carb-loads are flexible in this manner as per your goals and metabolic activity. Carb-load doesn’t necessarily translate to free-for-all, and I have found it best to define the food choices I will be making.

Sounds solid. I will try to stick to complex sources like fruits, oatmeal, whole grains, etc.

There is one thing I really need to dump. And thats my addiction to caffeine. [/quote]

Caffeine is a powerful ally…when used wisely. Prior to going on the VD, I slowly decreased my coffee intake going from sometimes 6cups per day to 12oz of reg coffee or 6oz of espresso. I also drastically decreased my amount of cream and splenda. I ended up with a tsp of cream and one splenda…if you do it slowly, you wont notice much…

So, I’ve found that a good espresso aboot an hour before a workout not only wakes me up but seems to aid in fat loss.

4020

[quote]industrialplaid wrote:
I lift first thing in the morning before work, and am trying to figure out how to eat around that. DiPasquale recommends not eating before lifting because he claims that digestion will take energy away from working out. This is contrary to almost all the other information on T-Nation, and I’d be curious to hear some thoughts on this.

I have been working out on an empty stomach for the last couple of weeks, and haven’t really noticed much of a difference from before when I would use whey/gatorade shakes during the workout.

It seems like I feel less energetic, but I still have all the energy I need - if that makes sense.[/quote]

Try 1-2 servings of whey, 1-2 tbsp EVOO and two tbsp milled flax-seed in a shake.
Protein/Healthy Fats/Fiber = Fuel!

The AD ‘Breakfast of Champions’!!!

It’s light enough slam before or sip while you train.

peace

4021

[quote]Tiribulus wrote:
dunbar wrote:
So this is for ovalpline or anyone else. What other veggies do you eat besides spinach and broccoli?
Before the AD i used to love to stir fry but that would include half an onion, half a pepper then cabbage mainly. Are peppers and onions ok?
Since I started the AD on Nov 1 I’ve only eaten spinach. I’m wondering if people think it is ok to eat veggies that arn’t leafy and green?

Celery (very underrated imho)
Tomatoes (and paste)
Squash (all kinds)
Greens, (mustard, collard, kale)
Cauliflower
Peppers (all kinds)
[/quote]

I’ll def escond these (I｡｡live* off of Spinich/Broccoli/Cauliflower), but I’ll add one more: Lettuce.