My Experience On the Anabolic Diet

Nutrition
7522

[quote]miniarnold wrote:
SashaG wrote:
miniarnold wrote:
During the initial start up phase (i am on day 5)
are we actually burning fat now or do we have to wait til fully fat adapted?, is 12days long enough to make the metabolic shift before 1st carb load?
i was just wondering, thanks for peoples input
MA

A prolonged period with carb restriction is recommended to properly “inform” your body that it needs to adjust its metabolic mechanics when it comes to satisfying its energy needs.

While it only really takes three days to fully deplete your carbohydrate stores and move into a ketogenic state, prolonged exposure to very little carbs will force your body through that state and ensure that all non-intense activities, and some energy requirements for the brain that the ketones cannot satisfy, are fueled by dietary and stored fat.

Also, the last thing in the world you want is to not fully transition and sit in a super restricted carbohydrate burning state. You’ll be bordering on delerium as your body and mind search for glycogen as energy - think perpetual crash.

Cheers,
Sasha

on day 6 now, generally feel better, good pumps in the gym more energy and little more stamina, pretty tired generally as i dont sleep well.
Started doing morning cardio low intensity on exercise bike on day 3 after a coffee wich makes more of an effect.
Was very watery at first but i think was due to alot of sodium for the first 2 days, drink 5litres wtr per day, past 3 days quite alot drier and muscles fuller, definately a difference since day1, so i think its working but dont no if i have made the switch as there hasnt been anything noticable.
Counting cals exactly approx 17-18Xweight in pounds as the AS states for the start up.
I feel i am doing it all by the book and i am very precise, i consume 3500-3600cals per day 40% carbs and approx 60% fat. Carbs from 10-22max per day.
I just expected to crash by now or feel a shift or something, i no its early days but i just hope its working, so far im generally happy with it.
Not going to the toilet the best taking digestiv enzymes after each meal and a fiber supp.
Would you advise me to carry on morning cardio whils i am in the 1st week?, if so keep cals the same or increase?
Im sticking to the diet rigidly and want it to work well moreso to adapt wich im sure i will im just panicking i guess
Cheers Sasha.

[/quote]

LOL, I think you meant 40% PROTEIN, not carbs. :stuck_out_tongue: I was just about to spaz at you until I saw the part where you said you only eat 22-30 g carbs per day.

7523

Yea kinda messed up ther mate its definately protein with lots of red meat im enjoying the food just dont think ive made the switch yet
MA

7524

Whey Man wrote:

LOL, I think you meant 40% PROTEIN, not carbs. :stuck_out_tongue: I was just about to spaz at you until I saw the part where you said you only eat 22-30 g carbs per day.

[/quote]

Your right, definately 40percent protein and 60percent fat, im really enjoying the tast fatty foods, just not sure if i have made the switch yet nothing noticable, fingers crossed i do, im following the AS book to the letter
MA

7525

[quote]miniarnold wrote:
SashaG wrote:
miniarnold wrote:
During the initial start up phase (i am on day 5)
are we actually burning fat now or do we have to wait til fully fat adapted?, is 12days long enough to make the metabolic shift before 1st carb load?
i was just wondering, thanks for peoples input
MA

A prolonged period with carb restriction is recommended to properly “inform” your body that it needs to adjust its metabolic mechanics when it comes to satisfying its energy needs.

While it only really takes three days to fully deplete your carbohydrate stores and move into a ketogenic state, prolonged exposure to very little carbs will force your body through that state and ensure that all non-intense activities, and some energy requirements for the brain that the ketones cannot satisfy, are fueled by dietary and stored fat.

Also, the last thing in the world you want is to not fully transition and sit in a super restricted carbohydrate burning state. You’ll be bordering on delerium as your body and mind search for glycogen as energy - think perpetual crash.

Cheers,
Sasha

on day 6 now, generally feel better, good pumps in the gym more energy and little more stamina, pretty tired generally as i dont sleep well.
Started doing morning cardio low intensity on exercise bike on day 3 after a coffee wich makes more of an effect.
Was very watery at first but i think was due to alot of sodium for the first 2 days, drink 5litres wtr per day, past 3 days quite alot drier and muscles fuller, definately a difference since day1, so i think its working but dont no if i have made the switch as there hasnt been anything noticable.
Counting cals exactly approx 17-18Xweight in pounds as the AS states for the start up.
I feel i am doing it all by the book and i am very precise, i consume 3500-3600cals per day 40% carbs and approx 60% fat. Carbs from 10-22max per day.
I just expected to crash by now or feel a shift or something, i no its early days but i just hope its working, so far im generally happy with it.
Not going to the toilet the best taking digestiv enzymes after each meal and a fiber supp.
Would you advise me to carry on morning cardio whils i am in the 1st week?, if so keep cals the same or increase?
Im sticking to the diet rigidly and want it to work well moreso to adapt wich im sure i will im just panicking i guess
Cheers Sasha.

[/quote]

No need to freak out mate, I realise that it’s all new to you and different.

As for your cardio question, keep on going as long as you feel up for it. It’s a lifestyle shift and should work for you, not against you. If you want to exercise more, then go for it. Cardio at any point is a good call.

Quick question. Did you say you were taking digestive enzymes? If so, are you taking them after your meal? What you should be doing is after your first bite or mouthful of food is take them then. In terms of fibre, not an issue when you do take it however I would recommend not taking it pre or post workout.

It’s all new to your body at this point so just be patient and you will LOVE the lifestyle. Trust me, being able to consume massive amounts of food every 5 days and get leaner is amazing.

Cheers,
Sasha

7526

I wasnt sure if i should be doing cardio aswell as bodybuilding whilst in the intitial start up phase, if i was doing to much and if i should be taking it a little easier.
I train 5-6 days a week bodybuilding and cardio in mornings again 5-6 times a week.
Yea sash taking digestive enzymes with each meal i was taking them after with a little water, but i read drinking water with food decreases bodys natural enzymes so i try not to drink with food.Now il take them wen i start to eat.
Forgot what diet are you on again, how do you train?
Cheers
MA

7527

[quote]miniarnold wrote:
I wasnt sure if i should be doing cardio aswell as bodybuilding whilst in the intitial start up phase, if i was doing to much and if i should be taking it a little easier.
I train 5-6 days a week bodybuilding and cardio in mornings again 5-6 times a week.
Yea sash taking digestive enzymes with each meal i was taking them after with a little water, but i read drinking water with food decreases bodys natural enzymes so i try not to drink with food.Now il take them wen i start to eat.
Forgot what diet are you on again, how do you train?
Cheers
MA[/quote]

Just make sure that you’re doing low intensity cardio, for example walking on the treadmill for 30mins at 3.5mph. HIIT cardio on the induction phase and probably in general for a few weeks into the diet I would stay away from, and it probably wont be needed.

7528

Yea just low intensity for now exercise bike or swimming
Cheers Danny
MA

7529

Hows everyone doing on the diet, and how long have people been on it for?
Im on day 8 and stil no crash
MA

7530

Hey, future ADer here.

Just a question, how feasible is a diet like this in a college enviroment (I don’t drink), eating in a typical dorm cafe? For you college ADers, would it be possible to post a typical day of eating for you? Thanks!

7531

What is the general consensus for doing the carb-up on weekends. Saturday morning til sunday night?

7532

Fitz- I think that the general consensus is about what you said. Pretty much everyone has been saying 24-36 hrs. So if you take in your first carbs at 10AM saturday, and stop at 10PM sunday you should hit it good.

Everyone else… Help a fellow AD’er out. I’m a college football player and I just started morning running. (Wakin up at 5:15) Here is how it goes: 15 minute dynamic and static warm up, 16 minutes at stations (plyo stuff, ladders, short suicides, quick feet) then 16 minute mat drills (crazy rolling, sprawling, spinning stuff on wrestling mats) Then 5 200’s. But here’s my question, what should I take before this, we do this 2x a week with no lifting these days. I’ve read to not take protein because you will burn aminos for energy. So what should I take before and after these workouts. But my MAIN concern is to NOT lose any muscle. I’m not too concerned (320 lb. D-lineman) about burning fat… thanks!

7533

[quote]ovalpline wrote:
AlphaDragon wrote:
Ok,

Either I"m “Old” or a “Fart” but not both…get it right, SashaG!!

Just curious for all the “old farts:”

What are your cho levels these days on low cho days?

Personally, I’m at about 60g/day with about 30 or so from PWO stuff.

In two weeks, I’ll try about 100g/day (including PWO stuff, so on non-training days it’ll be about +30-40g/day above normal).

Note to “New Farts”: Remeber, that we’ve been on this for at least a year, so we’re well along in our ways (in terms of fat adapted), so we can make changes that are not recommended for those in the first 6 months.

AD

AD, I’m currently taking about 30 grams CHO post-workout, pushing me to about 60 grams/day on training days. On non-training days, I’m consistently under 30 grams CHO.

What are your reasons for upping your CHO intake?[/quote]

Hey Oval,

It’s personal matters that are making me consider making the change. I’ll get into the reasons in a moment. First let me say waht I’m currently doing.

30g CHO or less on non training days and about 70gcho on training days (with 40 or so of those CHO being in a PWO shake). So basically the same as you.

And I’ve limited my High CHO days to only 24 hours for this time. IF I increase CHO to more, I’ll not do the CHO ups (and therefore will, I figure, be off the AD at that point)

As for my reasons (I’ve enen taken a few days to reconsider this. This is a huge decision. It may sound like lame excuses but I’ve delved deeply into them and have erased most doubt from myself that it’s just an excuse. I hate excuses. I hate excuses to cover laziness even more) :

  1. In this country (at least in this part of this country) we buy meat fresh daily. As in go to an outside market and you see a slab of cow on what is usually a long, tile covered table (yes, it’s still bloody)…you negotiate and buy it. Then you bring it home and cut it up yourself and cook it up fresh. now, that’s AWESOME for freshness and all…but my refrigerator is about 1’x1’x2’(tall) in size. I’m not able to store food except for what I’ll be using that day.

Too much time to go buy, cut, cook meat these days. I’m either working, studying, visiting hospitals or homeless shelters or attending classes myself. Not to mention travel.

And yes, I had a cook for that time (friends mother…paid her a salary for the last 15 months or so), but that time is over (long story that I’ll spare you of). Don’t really have an “in” to another cook I can trust.

Now maybe that sounds like an excuse for laziness to you, but in fact I’m FAR too busy to spend 1-2 extra hours in shopping/preparation per DAY for meals for the DAY!!

Oh, and the freezer is about 1’x1’x1’(tall). Couldn’t store enough food (in true AD fashion) in it if my life depended on it.

  1. I’ve recently begun to realize how important it is to actually (if you’ll forgive the term) “break bread” with our friends and other bretheren. It’s actually a unifying experience between us and those we love.

I’m also spending more time with people less fortunate than me and it’s RARE to find lots of high fat/pro meals with them. If I do, I have to ASK for something they didn’t prepare and inconvience them. But they do it because they care about me.

I’m not talking about conformity to others…or ANY kind of peer pressure (I endured that for 6 months initially, and it has since ceased. These days I don’t even get a single bit of flack about it. In fact, the flack I initially received only served to divide me from my friends in a way while making me more militant into keeping my way). I’m more referring to the human bond that is made by sharing the same food and portions with fellows and not driving a dividing wedge between us.

Now if I go off the AD, I’m NOT going to eat garbage/junk food…of that I’m certain. My friends eat healthy (in general…errr, at least during “mealtimes”…let’s not talk about snaks and stuff)…And I’m leery to change because the AD is SOOOOOO simple…and to learn a completely new way of eating is quite daunting. Especially after over 15 months of eating the AD way…

Anyway, that’s the long and short of it.

And I do welcome any thoughts about what I’ve said here.

AD

7534

[quote]FE_FrEaK wrote:
Fitz- I think that the general consensus is about what you said. Pretty much everyone has been saying 24-36 hrs. So if you take in your first carbs at 10AM saturday, and stop at 10PM sunday you should hit it good.

Everyone else… Help a fellow AD’er out. I’m a college football player and I just started morning running. (Wakin up at 5:15) Here is how it goes: 15 minute dynamic and static warm up, 16 minutes at stations (plyo stuff, ladders, short suicides, quick feet) then 16 minute mat drills (crazy rolling, sprawling, spinning stuff on wrestling mats) Then 5 200’s. But here’s my question, what should I take before this, we do this 2x a week with no lifting these days. I’ve read to not take protein because you will burn aminos for energy. So what should I take before and after these workouts. But my MAIN concern is to NOT lose any muscle. I’m not too concerned (320 lb. D-lineman) about burning fat… thanks![/quote]

I think you should just eat a big meal of protein and high fat before your working or training sesion
i wouldnt worry about what macronutrient you are using during your session (fully adapted fat lipids should be the main fuel), just follow the AD guidelines and after workout take a protein shake minus carbs on its own or with a fat source in the shake, and then eat approx 1-1.5 hours max, after your workout consisting of protein fat with or without veg.
Just my opinion, all you can do is strictly adhere to the diet guidelines and hope you get the best results possible.
MA

7535

Well what at if 5 in the morning before I go lose 6 pounds of sweat I don’t feel like taking a big meal :wink: LOL what should I take in? I read someone mentioned just taking in some fat and green tea?

7536

Yes you could do that if you do not have time to eat, a few tbsp of olive oil should do the trick, and either a protein and fat shake afterwards or a high protein high fat meal, i sometimes take oil before morning cardio (wich i will prob do in 10mins after this blk coffee). As for green tea i heard its very good but not sure on its effectivness on the AD i have some but havnt used it yet.
MA

7537

[quote]FE_FrEaK wrote:
Fitz- I think that the general consensus is about what you said. Pretty much everyone has been saying 24-36 hrs. So if you take in your first carbs at 10AM saturday, and stop at 10PM sunday you should hit it good.

Everyone else… Help a fellow AD’er out. I’m a college football player and I just started morning running. (Wakin up at 5:15) Here is how it goes: 15 minute dynamic and static warm up, 16 minutes at stations (plyo stuff, ladders, short suicides, quick feet) then 16 minute mat drills (crazy rolling, sprawling, spinning stuff on wrestling mats) Then 5 200’s. But here’s my question, what should I take before this, we do this 2x a week with no lifting these days. I’ve read to not take protein because you will burn aminos for energy. So what should I take before and after these workouts. But my MAIN concern is to NOT lose any muscle. I’m not too concerned (320 lb. D-lineman) about burning fat… thanks![/quote]

I would recommend taking a good quality whey isolate with some healthy fats (fish oils) about 30-45 minutes before. Given the intensity of your activities your body will source its energy needs from stored glycogen but given the really short duration of your activities, dietary protein will be prefered over muscle tissue for energy if your glycogen stores are already depleted from your last carb up.

Post exercise, you want to take some whey isolate again but this time without the fat. An hour later, fat+protein.

One thing to remember is that your body will not go completely catabolic unless it is under high intensity stress for really long periods of time. Most of the time we as guys who diet and train use the excuse of catabolism to eat more food - this is counterproductive. Also, to gain is a very calorically intense mechanic so you need to eat a lot to achieve any substantial muscle growth. Now it’s always going to be a relative thing and quality of nutrients is the focus but to gain, you need to be in a fairly consistent caloric surplus.

Cheers,

Sasha

7538

[quote]AlphaDragon wrote:
ovalpline wrote:
AlphaDragon wrote:
Ok,

Either I"m “Old” or a “Fart” but not both…get it right, SashaG!!

Just curious for all the “old farts:”

What are your cho levels these days on low cho days?

Personally, I’m at about 60g/day with about 30 or so from PWO stuff.

In two weeks, I’ll try about 100g/day (including PWO stuff, so on non-training days it’ll be about +30-40g/day above normal).

Note to “New Farts”: Remeber, that we’ve been on this for at least a year, so we’re well along in our ways (in terms of fat adapted), so we can make changes that are not recommended for those in the first 6 months.

AD

AD, I’m currently taking about 30 grams CHO post-workout, pushing me to about 60 grams/day on training days. On non-training days, I’m consistently under 30 grams CHO.

What are your reasons for upping your CHO intake?

Hey Oval,

It’s personal matters that are making me consider making the change. I’ll get into the reasons in a moment. First let me say waht I’m currently doing.

30g CHO or less on non training days and about 70gcho on training days (with 40 or so of those CHO being in a PWO shake). So basically the same as you.

And I’ve limited my High CHO days to only 24 hours for this time. IF I increase CHO to more, I’ll not do the CHO ups (and therefore will, I figure, be off the AD at that point)

As for my reasons (I’ve enen taken a few days to reconsider this. This is a huge decision. It may sound like lame excuses but I’ve delved deeply into them and have erased most doubt from myself that it’s just an excuse. I hate excuses. I hate excuses to cover laziness even more) :

  1. In this country (at least in this part of this country) we buy meat fresh daily. As in go to an outside market and you see a slab of cow on what is usually a long, tile covered table (yes, it’s still bloody)…you negotiate and buy it. Then you bring it home and cut it up yourself and cook it up fresh. now, that’s AWESOME for freshness and all…but my refrigerator is about 1’x1’x2’(tall) in size. I’m not able to store food except for what I’ll be using that day.

Too much time to go buy, cut, cook meat these days. I’m either working, studying, visiting hospitals or homeless shelters or attending classes myself. Not to mention travel.

And yes, I had a cook for that time (friends mother…paid her a salary for the last 15 months or so), but that time is over (long story that I’ll spare you of). Don’t really have an “in” to another cook I can trust.

Now maybe that sounds like an excuse for laziness to you, but in fact I’m FAR too busy to spend 1-2 extra hours in shopping/preparation per DAY for meals for the DAY!!

Oh, and the freezer is about 1’x1’x1’(tall). Couldn’t store enough food (in true AD fashion) in it if my life depended on it.

  1. I’ve recently begun to realize how important it is to actually (if you’ll forgive the term) “break bread” with our friends and other bretheren. It’s actually a unifying experience between us and those we love.

I’m also spending more time with people less fortunate than me and it’s RARE to find lots of high fat/pro meals with them. If I do, I have to ASK for something they didn’t prepare and inconvience them. But they do it because they care about me.

I’m not talking about conformity to others…or ANY kind of peer pressure (I endured that for 6 months initially, and it has since ceased. These days I don’t even get a single bit of flack about it. In fact, the flack I initially received only served to divide me from my friends in a way while making me more militant into keeping my way). I’m more referring to the human bond that is made by sharing the same food and portions with fellows and not driving a dividing wedge between us.

Now if I go off the AD, I’m NOT going to eat garbage/junk food…of that I’m certain. My friends eat healthy (in general…errr, at least during “mealtimes”…let’s not talk about snaks and stuff)…And I’m leery to change because the AD is SOOOOOO simple…and to learn a completely new way of eating is quite daunting. Especially after over 15 months of eating the AD way…

Anyway, that’s the long and short of it.

And I do welcome any thoughts about what I’ve said here.

AD[/quote]

AD,

Mate, I’m not Ovalpine but from the outside looking in this is a risky strategy which you’ll have to monitor quite closely otherwise you’ll put yourself into a horribly catabolic and fat storing state. Here’s why. . .

If you are training with any degree of frequency, 2-3 consecutive days for example, you are consistently shifting your body out of a ketogenic/fat burning state. This may signal to your body to preferentially look for carbohydrates for energy which, with only 30-70 grams per day, is really low on a consistent basis. Your body will then source energy from dietary protein and muscle - not good. Also, you’ll have a pretty decent dietary fat intake which, now that it isn’t being used as a primary fuel source, will most likely be stored.

NOW, some people who are deal with this type of lifestyle well can ingest upwards of 100 grams of CHO per day - this may be the case of Ovalpine. However, if you do want to follow this approach I would closely monitor your energy levels to gauge how your body is responding. If you’re fatigued and can’t think straight (this is an important one) your brain and body are looking for CHOs for energy and you’re no longer in a ketogenic/fat burning state.

Hope that helps with your decision.

Sasha

7539

[quote]SashaG wrote:
FE_FrEaK wrote:
Fitz- I think that the general consensus is about what you said. Pretty much everyone has been saying 24-36 hrs. So if you take in your first carbs at 10AM saturday, and stop at 10PM sunday you should hit it good.

Everyone else… Help a fellow AD’er out. I’m a college football player and I just started morning running. (Wakin up at 5:15) Here is how it goes: 15 minute dynamic and static warm up, 16 minutes at stations (plyo stuff, ladders, short suicides, quick feet) then 16 minute mat drills (crazy rolling, sprawling, spinning stuff on wrestling mats) Then 5 200’s. But here’s my question, what should I take before this, we do this 2x a week with no lifting these days. I’ve read to not take protein because you will burn aminos for energy. So what should I take before and after these workouts. But my MAIN concern is to NOT lose any muscle. I’m not too concerned (320 lb. D-lineman) about burning fat… thanks!

I would recommend taking a good quality whey isolate with some healthy fats (fish oils) about 30-45 minutes before. Given the intensity of your activities your body will source its energy needs from stored glycogen but given the really short duration of your activities, dietary protein will be prefered over muscle tissue for energy if your glycogen stores are already depleted from your last carb up.

Post exercise, you want to take some whey isolate again but this time without the fat. An hour later, fat+protein.

One thing to remember is that your body will not go completely catabolic unless it is under high intensity stress for really long periods of time. Most of the time we as guys who diet and train use the excuse of catabolism to eat more food - this is counterproductive. Also, to gain is a very calorically intense mechanic so you need to eat a lot to achieve any substantial muscle growth. Now it’s always going to be a relative thing and quality of nutrients is the focus but to gain, you need to be in a fairly consistent caloric surplus.

Cheers,

Sasha

Sash is clearly the expert and is more experienced
MA

7540

[quote]SashaG wrote:
AlphaDragon wrote:
ovalpline wrote:
AlphaDragon wrote:
Ok,

Either I"m “Old” or a “Fart” but not both…get it right, SashaG!!

Just curious for all the “old farts:”

What are your cho levels these days on low cho days?

Personally, I’m at about 60g/day with about 30 or so from PWO stuff.

In two weeks, I’ll try about 100g/day (including PWO stuff, so on non-training days it’ll be about +30-40g/day above normal).

Note to “New Farts”: Remeber, that we’ve been on this for at least a year, so we’re well along in our ways (in terms of fat adapted), so we can make changes that are not recommended for those in the first 6 months.

AD

AD, I’m currently taking about 30 grams CHO post-workout, pushing me to about 60 grams/day on training days. On non-training days, I’m consistently under 30 grams CHO.

What are your reasons for upping your CHO intake?

Hey Oval,

It’s personal matters that are making me consider making the change. I’ll get into the reasons in a moment. First let me say waht I’m currently doing.

30g CHO or less on non training days and about 70gcho on training days (with 40 or so of those CHO being in a PWO shake). So basically the same as you.

And I’ve limited my High CHO days to only 24 hours for this time. IF I increase CHO to more, I’ll not do the CHO ups (and therefore will, I figure, be off the AD at that point)

As for my reasons (I’ve enen taken a few days to reconsider this. This is a huge decision. It may sound like lame excuses but I’ve delved deeply into them and have erased most doubt from myself that it’s just an excuse. I hate excuses. I hate excuses to cover laziness even more) :

  1. In this country (at least in this part of this country) we buy meat fresh daily. As in go to an outside market and you see a slab of cow on what is usually a long, tile covered table (yes, it’s still bloody)…you negotiate and buy it. Then you bring it home and cut it up yourself and cook it up fresh. now, that’s AWESOME for freshness and all…but my refrigerator is about 1’x1’x2’(tall) in size. I’m not able to store food except for what I’ll be using that day.

Too much time to go buy, cut, cook meat these days. I’m either working, studying, visiting hospitals or homeless shelters or attending classes myself. Not to mention travel.

And yes, I had a cook for that time (friends mother…paid her a salary for the last 15 months or so), but that time is over (long story that I’ll spare you of). Don’t really have an “in” to another cook I can trust.

Now maybe that sounds like an excuse for laziness to you, but in fact I’m FAR too busy to spend 1-2 extra hours in shopping/preparation per DAY for meals for the DAY!!

Oh, and the freezer is about 1’x1’x1’(tall). Couldn’t store enough food (in true AD fashion) in it if my life depended on it.

  1. I’ve recently begun to realize how important it is to actually (if you’ll forgive the term) “break bread” with our friends and other bretheren. It’s actually a unifying experience between us and those we love.

I’m also spending more time with people less fortunate than me and it’s RARE to find lots of high fat/pro meals with them. If I do, I have to ASK for something they didn’t prepare and inconvience them. But they do it because they care about me.

I’m not talking about conformity to others…or ANY kind of peer pressure (I endured that for 6 months initially, and it has since ceased. These days I don’t even get a single bit of flack about it. In fact, the flack I initially received only served to divide me from my friends in a way while making me more militant into keeping my way). I’m more referring to the human bond that is made by sharing the same food and portions with fellows and not driving a dividing wedge between us.

Now if I go off the AD, I’m NOT going to eat garbage/junk food…of that I’m certain. My friends eat healthy (in general…errr, at least during “mealtimes”…let’s not talk about snaks and stuff)…And I’m leery to change because the AD is SOOOOOO simple…and to learn a completely new way of eating is quite daunting. Especially after over 15 months of eating the AD way…

Anyway, that’s the long and short of it.

And I do welcome any thoughts about what I’ve said here.

AD

AD,

Mate, I’m not Ovalpine but from the outside looking in this is a risky strategy which you’ll have to monitor quite closely otherwise you’ll put yourself into a horribly catabolic and fat storing state. Here’s why. . .

If you are training with any degree of frequency, 2-3 consecutive days for example, you are consistently shifting your body out of a ketogenic/fat burning state. This may signal to your body to preferentially look for carbohydrates for energy which, with only 30-70 grams per day, is really low on a consistent basis. Your body will then source energy from dietary protein and muscle - not good. Also, you’ll have a pretty decent dietary fat intake which, now that it isn’t being used as a primary fuel source, will most likely be stored.

NOW, some people who are deal with this type of lifestyle well can ingest upwards of 100 grams of CHO per day - this may be the case of Ovalpine. However, if you do want to follow this approach I would closely monitor your energy levels to gauge how your body is responding. If you’re fatigued and can’t think straight (this is an important one) your brain and body are looking for CHOs for energy and you’re no longer in a ketogenic/fat burning state.

Hope that helps with your decision.

Sasha
[/quote]

Sasha, your post have always been helpful and this one is no different. Thansk for your input.

It’s strange, but I’m kinda a combination of both of what you’re talking about. yes, I’ve been sluggish and my mental clarity/sharpness is slow, but it’s not that I (as you say) “can’t think straight.” Mental ENERGY, however is a problem.

But my weight hasn’t changed and I’m actually still losing weight despite being on the same cal/day plan as before.

FYI: I’m training 4x/week with a modified westside conjugate, if that gives you any ideas.

Again, thanks.

AD

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Sash
any suggestions on digestion and going to the toilet, currently i am going every other day now, i am using digestive enzymes 1 5times per day with food, and taking a fiber supp giving me 22g of fiber, and also eating veg twice per day.
Is it normal to just go every other day, wen i dont go i feel heavy and sluggish a little bloated, wen i go i feel much better, lighter and leaner.
Should i increase digestive enzymes or fiber, any suggestions would be good
Thanks, MA
Would donner meat be ok on diet, it seems to be seasoned with bits of some sort?