Limiting carbs or low/no carbs?

[Warboss Alex]

Who says oatmeal and bread are healthy?

There is no need for a no carb day. You must include vegetables for the micronutrients and fibre and these will give you a few carbs. As long as they come from veggies you can have a legit no carb day (effectively).

What are you trying to achieve with your carb cycling?

 

[Scought]

Well, I am trying to get more defined and 'tighter' so to speak. A bit of vacularity would be a great addition with dropping bodyfat percentage.

I have been lifting since I was 15. I am 24. I am 6'2 220. So, I have a base to work with. I am not trying to get huge. What I want right now, is for my bodyfat to drop a bit (I don't know what it is) and to see what I look like with a bodyfat percentage that allows 'fun' muscles to come out (abs, etc).

If I need to add more muscle I will--for now, I feel I have more than enough size and it would be nice to see exactly where it is at when I am more defined.

A long-winded response, but that's what I am looking towards.

 

[Warboss Alex]

Then simply consume carbs around your workout (pre, during if you want, post, post-post) and have one carb day a week OR have carbs every day for breakfast. Keep the carbs limited to fruit on offdays and pre-workout, with starches in the post-workout period. Also do daily cardio except the day you train legs. Start at 30 mins and progress to 45 mins by adding 5 mins every three weeks or if fat loss stalls. No need to do fancy carb cycling just to see your abs.

 

[Jariel]

During the past month I've been doing what Alex suggests above with carbs for breakfast (wholemeal toast, porridge). It's been going so much better than the no carb or carb cycling diets I've tried in the past. I'd recommend it!

 

[Scought]

Jariel--

Elaborate please. Carbs in the morning, then what? Less carbs each meal?

 

[Warboss Alex]

Carbs in the morning only, protein, veggies and fat the rest of the day

 

[mrRuckus]

(wholemeal toast, porridge)

Oh you fellers acrossed the pond and your funny words.

Thanks for Keeley!

 

[Jariel]

Carbs in the morning only, protein, veggies and fat the rest of the day

Exactly.

Whenever I've gone full days with no carbs I start to feel drained and depressed, but a carb breakfast keeps me going and keeps my spirits up. I also feel like I'm maintaining my muscle mass more effectively.


MrRuckus: I agree, porridge is a funny word, but there are worse sounding foods in the uk (ever had Scratchings?)

 

[Warboss Alex]

You shouldn't be losing any muscle on a low carb diet Jariel. If so you look at your overall calorie intake, ensure protein is at 1.5g per lb at a minimum and get the rest from fats (including saturated). If you go too low fat you'll just end up converting protein for energy and yes, thus losing muscle and strength.
I hate using numbers but fat should be around 40-50% of your daily calories if you want to use this as an energy source.