[quote]ChrisKing wrote:
I’ll argue that most people perform better in the gym with carbs peri-workout.[/quote]
This is a big part of peri-workout nutrition.
On one hand, pre-training carbs let you walk into the gym more physically and mentally fired up than you’d be if you were going in uncarbified (that’s a technical term. Srsly). They let you up the intensity with the weights/cardio and handle a bit more volume, if that’s your thing.
On the other hand, you do have to “earn” those carbs, to a certain extent. If you’re on a low carb diet and want to incorporate peri-workout carbs, you better not be hitting just a handful of exercises for a few easy sets of 12-15, turning around and going home.
I think this partly coincides with who should, and shouldn’t, be trying the Anaconda Protocol. It’s an advanced supplement plan, regardless of the rest of your daily nutrition. If you’re not consistently going full throttle everytime you step up to the bar, it’ll be a waste.
So yes, carb-based peri-workout nutrition is definitely appropriate on a low carb diet… as long as your training is where it should be. (As another example, the V-Diet is a successful low carb plan that absolutely relies on peri-workout nutrition in the form of Surge Recovery without hindering fat loss.)
[quote]smithers584 wrote:
In doing this diet, most of us have found that energy in the gym is better than before, when we used carbs peri workout. In fact, now if I try to train after having any carbs, I simply dont have energy as I do when I am only eating pro and fats.[/quote]
No doubt that the Anabolic Diet works for some, but I don’t think you’re being honest when you claim that it works better for most to not have peri-workout carbs.
I’ll argue that most people perform better in the gym with carbs peri-workout.[/quote]
ChrisKing -
Let me rephrase that. I was trying to say most of us that are doing the diet now (check the AD thread part IV, four or five of us are active) are feeling more energy in the gym than in the past, when we were following a typical peri workout protocol.
I am not trying to say this is for all. I was just trying to give some input based on my sole experience and what has worked for me and a few others I have been speaking with.
OP - I have lost 9 lbs in 6 weeks. I find that about 4 of those pounds are glycogen and what not, as my weight always fluctuates up 4 pounds after a carb up and down 4 pounds after about 48 hours low carb. So, really I have lost 5 net lbs. I am still getting stronger and I have actually added 0.5 inches to my upper arms. So, I am just trying to say that it is possible to maintain muscle without carbs if fat loss is your goal. I expect the 0.5 inches on my upper arms is because I have never performed direct arm work, but the past 6 weeks I have incorporated it as I am following a workout protocol outlined by CT.
5 lbs in 6 weeks may be slow, but at am trying not to lose muscle mass, so slow and steady is what I am trying to achieve.
FWIW, I’m in the same boat as SSC. I tend to gain fat pretty easily and when taking carbs post workout I just got fat as hell. My previous protocol was to drink a homemade maltodextrin, dextrose and whey mixture during and after workout, followed an hour later by a solid P+C meal (usually veggies, chicken and rice or beans). I got stronger, but also fat as hell.
I’m now taking carbs pre-and-peri only; basically just following the “old” protocol:
1.5 hr prior - P+C meal
20 min prior - 1 or 2 scoops SWF (depending on difficulty of workout)
05 min prior - ~15-20g malto/dextrose + a bit of whey
halfway through - ~15-20g malto/dextrose + a bit of whey
immediately after - whey + creatine
60 min after - protein and veggies
It’s working ridiculously well. I’m making really good gains and keeping the fat off. I would definitely recommend dropping carbs everwhere else before dropping pre-and-peri.
[quote]mletten wrote:
Hmm. What kinds of pre/intra workout carbs have people had success with? I’m leaning towards bananas and gatorade right now.[/quote]
The Anaconda Protocol has been very popular, although as a beginner it may be overkill for your needs.
[/quote]
Yeah, you may not be willing to jump into it yet, but I’ve been using ^ this protocol to maintain my muscle while on a contest (pretty strict) diet.
S
[/quote]
Thanks for the advice, the Anaconda protocol looks great. Given my noobish status I plan on saving these types of protocols for a year or so down the line. Wanted to post a few possible protocols and see which people are the best:
PROTOCL C:
~1 hr prior: P+F Meal
~15 mins prior: 2 bananas
During: Surge Workout Fuel (or possibly Surge Recovery if this is cheaper)
Immediately After: Whey (24 g protien) + Creatine (5g)
1 hr after: Meal (P+F)
Thoughts? Basically I am strapped for cash (senior in college with no job prospects) and besides protein, creatine, fish oil, and multivitamin, I have enough to invest in either Finibars, Surge Workout Fuel, or Surge Recovery.
While I think all protocols have some merit, if you opt for the gatorade instead of Surge (understand the cost thing), try to get some bulk BCAA powder to throw in. I think peri BCAAs all last year, and now peri Anaconda has been a huge benefit to my own training.
If I had to choose just one of these, it would probably be Surge Workout Fuel or FINiBAR based on the your desire to drop fat. I’m leaning toward Surge Workout Fuel.
BTW, I wouldn’t worry about timing your banana intake. It won’t hurt, but there’s not enough in 1 banana to make much of a difference.
If I had to choose just one of these, it would probably be Surge Workout Fuel or FINiBAR based on the your desire to drop fat. I’m leaning toward Surge Workout Fuel.
BTW, I wouldn’t worry about timing your banana intake. It won’t hurt, but there’s not enough in 1 banana to make much of a difference.[/quote]
I’m leaning towards ordering some SWF at this point. Should be a good way to introduce some really effective carbs back into my diet without risking fat gain. Sorry for the banana obsession, I’m just a bit carb-phobic after being so succesful on a low carb diet.
