Carb loading before a tournament...

allegram

I just signed up for a city-wide tennis tournament for this Saturday. I'll be on the courts for 5+ hours. In previous situations, I have never felt really energized after carb loading the night before. As a matter of fact, I think I feel rather sluggish which is NOT the desired effect. Also, I am prone to dizzy spells due to low blood pressure and sometimes I will feel weak on the courts.

What do you reccomend for snacks to bring and what to eat the night before etc?

RaeannePemberton

when i carb up for a race, i carb up the 3rd and 2nd day before... not the day before. to truly fuel the glycogen of your muscles you need to start earlier. not to mention you don't want to have gastric distress of any kind during your tournament.

as for what to have when you are there, have lots of gatorade or something similar. the day before (if it's going to be hot) eat enough salty foods so you don't dehydrate the next day. and for carbing up, you want white pasta, rice, bread, fruit, juice, etc. (the dieters dream! LOL) but the idea is that you want the carbs to actually get processed rather than slow it down with highly fibrous foods like we normally try to eat more of.... hope this helps. just my experience.