Prove to me that Carb Nite isn't s***.
weinbagel
Posts: 337 Member
When I think of "Carb Nite", I think of a completely unsustainable, mentally and physically unhealthy fad diet!
Seriously, you're going to cut your carbs down to >30g six days/week and then binge the hell out of whatever completely unhealthy processed/high carb foods you can get your paws on once a week?! You look forward to carb nite all week because you get to binge, and you're going to tell me this is healthy? Also, it looks like Atkins in disguise; with a binge day.
I understand that this works for some people, and that's great. But how does this not affect you mentally?
Not gonna lie, it seems pretty fun. I mean, I LOVE food, I really do. But I HATE feeling the guilt, fatigue, and carb-hangover after a binge.
Someone sell me on this idea.
Seriously, you're going to cut your carbs down to >30g six days/week and then binge the hell out of whatever completely unhealthy processed/high carb foods you can get your paws on once a week?! You look forward to carb nite all week because you get to binge, and you're going to tell me this is healthy? Also, it looks like Atkins in disguise; with a binge day.
I understand that this works for some people, and that's great. But how does this not affect you mentally?
Not gonna lie, it seems pretty fun. I mean, I LOVE food, I really do. But I HATE feeling the guilt, fatigue, and carb-hangover after a binge.
Someone sell me on this idea.
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Replies
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I eat around 40g of carbs a day, and with the exceptions of holidays and certain birthdays, I do not binge. You're right, it's not healthy.
Edit to clarify: The diet you're discussing isn't healthy, I didn't mean MINE wasn't, LOL.0 -
I eat around 40g of carbs a day, and with the exceptions of holidays and certain birthdays, I do not binge. You're right, it's not healthy.
I agree with you! I'm usually under 100g of carbs. I can just see this getting completely out of control for me. And then, once I decide I want to eat normally again, gain all the weight back haha.0 -
As a t2 diabetic with PCOS this would be completely out of the question. It can take days to recover from the hit a carb binge would have on my insulin stores.0
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As a t2 diabetic with PCOS this would be completely out of the question. It can take days to recover from the hit a carb binge would have on my insulin stores.
I had a feeling it wouldn't be for everyone
I'm the same way... it takes me days to recover after eating badly. Glad I'm not alone! 0 -
Why do you need someone to "sell" you on it? If it's not for you, it's not for you.0
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Why do you need someone to "sell" you on it? If it's not for you, it's not for you.
You're right. But I am pretty open-minded and enjoy learning about new things and others' experiences with things I don't participate in.0 -
I don't purposely eat low carb - I couldn't do it. I wouldn't be able to get through my workouts between Insanity and I just started running too. Having a "binge day" doesn't seem at all healthy though. The things that would do to your insulin...smh. I can understand your carb level varying day to day, but going from under 40 a day to probably over 300 or more on a binge day is crazy talk IMO.0
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I don't purposely eat low carb - I couldn't do it. I wouldn't be able to get through my workouts between Insanity and I just started running too. Having a "binge day" doesn't seem at all healthy though. The things that would do to your insulin...smh. I can understand your carb level varying day to day, but going from under 40 a day to probably over 300 or more on a binge day is crazy talk IMO.
I agree! I can see myself getting obsessive about it, and probably developing an even more unhealthy food addiction (something I'm trying to break right now!).0 -
Lyle McDonald wrote a book about this exact thing and it is called UD2.0 which is a book about dropping the last few fat%.
It is a 4 days a week diet mode with depletion workouts (which thoroughly suck but I love them) and refeeding at the end of the week.
Depletion workouts empty glycogen and you get to refill them at the end of the week. It is a long the line of carb cycling.
It is by far the hardest program I have ever done but one that will budge your body into lower BF% and rather quickly.
For many, dieting 4 days a week and having 3 flexible days can work much better. Which he has another book called FLEX which is the flexible guide to dieting which I think is a valuable read to everyone, especially with the summer cookouts coming up.
Yes, I am a huge Lyle McDonald fan.0 -
I tried it, and it showed me that carbs were exactly the problem with my weight loss. I was eating under my calories, but had no idea what my macros should be. It taught me to figure out a well balanced diet, minus all the bread, rice and potatoes. It also taught me that protein WILL fill me up and prevent binges. It's not a life time diet, it's a cycle, especially when I was lifting heavy. It's only a six week program, and i really liked it. I now keep my carbs under 100g and upped my cardio to lose my belly fat. I admit I still do somewhat of a carb binge every saturday. I don't eat until i puke, but i don't track my carbs either.0
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I guess it's all psychological. If people feel like they have flexibility they will tighten up on their food for the other six days.
I pretty much eat when I want and keep it in check if my cravings get out of hand.
I ate 1000 calories for breakfast yesterday for instance, but not because I planned to binge - I just enjoyed it, so I kept going until I was pleasantly full. I then cut back on my calories for the rest of the day and evening to hit my deficit. Other days I'll space out 6 meals that are small. It's really about doing what works for you and balancing the books at the end of the day.0 -
I don't see how having a scheduled binge is helpful to anyone. I can understand fudging a bit on a holiday or special occasion, but it's best to think of those as an indulgence, not a scheduled way of eating.
I once did Atkins/Protein Power and I have to say it worked spectacularly for me. Lost a ton of weight. Unfortunately, I love carbs. I couldn't LIVE that way and thus insidious weight gain until I regained everything that I had lost (plus just a little). For me, Atkins simply wasn't a sustainable lifestyle. It worked for weight loss, but it made me miserable. I couldn't live that way.
After a bunch of reading from many sources, this time I've settled on avoiding processed carbs such as flour and sugar as much as I can. However, I eat all of the vegetables that I want (though I keep a close eye on white potatoes so as not to overindulge because they are pure starch. I regularly eat sweet potatoes, however) Plus, I have a 2-3 servings of fruit a day. That usually keeps me to less than 100 carbs (without flour, sugar, (much) white rice or (many)white potatoes, it's actually quite easy to stay below 100 carbs a day. It doesn't take much effort other than avoiding sugar, pasta, and bread)
Generally I maintain 50-80 carbs a day while eating a great variety (and copious amounts) of vegetables along with daily servings of fruit and dairy. I have been steadily losing weight so that's been working for me so far.
I think everyone has to find what works best for them, because I think you have to come up with a plan that you can live with. You can't just go 'on' and 'off' a diet (though we all 'cheat' occasionally). You have to find a maintainable lifestyle.0 -
A scheduled in "all you care to eat" STOPS our SCARCITY mentality of our INNER CHILD by allowing us to realize that we CAN have something in the future.
And teaches also that all is NOT lost, just not now. Learning patience a little at a time is easier. I found the 5:2 Fastdiet helpful because my inner child COULD binge as a reward for learning patience. I got to the point where I would forget about the crazy food I wanted and ate better even on carb night. LOL0 -
Well, you really shouldn't judge it until you read the book and understand the science behind it. He says it is absolutely not a sustainable diet and that you should NOT use it for more than six months. It is a tool to get the fat off quickly, and then you resume a normal healthy lifestyle, whatever that means for your body.0
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Obviously none of you read the book besides ecasleen... He proves why this is the most effective way to lose fat without losing muscles. He proves this with a wealth of scientific studies and references. The way it works to burn fat, more or less, when you eat less than 30g carbs a day for about 4 or 5 days your body no longer can process carbs and store them in fat cells. Then on your carb nite when you binge on carbs, your body cannot store them as fat in that 8 hour window. During this time you may feel a little warm, this is because your body is trying to burn off all of the carbs you are consuming. These carbs then release a HUGE insulin spike, this spike causes your body to release fat burning hormones, like leptin, that work throughout the week while you stay ultra low carb. Bash it all you want, it works, it is scientifically proven and you should probably be doing it if rapid fat loss is your goal.
Have a great day!0 -
I've been following the diet since december, with some off time here and there. Apparently the creatine I was using was causing digestion issues. After having switched to a pure monohydrate I have been making better progress in the last 8 weeks than I have over the last 5 months.
You can see the difference in 3 months here. http://tinyurl.com/loqwjf7 copy and paste the link (duh)
And I'm looking to get my next scan on August 3rd in which I'll probably come back to brag about that. The diet isn't for everyone especially if you're not the accountable type. But I cannot stand and completely loath people who talk out of their *kitten* about something if they have 0 experience with it.
The book is heavily outdated as it was written almost 7 years ago. I moderate a facebook group of many people who are doing the diet and HAVE READ THE BOOK who have questions pertaining to it.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/144427312396019/
either way good luck with whatever works for you.0 -
Low carb works (if you can stand it and if you can avoid going carb nuts after reaching goal), but the binge thing actually ruins it. It takes the body 2-3 days to get into burn mode when going low carb, so you're really killing it with binge day. I, frankly, don't believe in "cheat days" at all. Sometimes you slip up, but deliberately planning to mess up is just dumb.0
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Low carb works (if you can stand it and if you can avoid going carb nuts after reaching goal), but the binge thing actually ruins it. It takes the body 2-3 days to get into burn mode when going low carb, so you're really killing it with binge day. I, frankly, don't believe in "cheat days" at all. Sometimes you slip up, but deliberately planning to mess up is just dumb.
hmmmm....please inform me how does a carb binge ruin it? With that logic, I'm assuming to you carb cycling doesn't work. Am I correct?0 -
Low carb works (if you can stand it and if you can avoid going carb nuts after reaching goal), but the binge thing actually ruins it. It takes the body 2-3 days to get into burn mode when going low carb, so you're really killing it with binge day. I, frankly, don't believe in "cheat days" at all. Sometimes you slip up, but deliberately planning to mess up is just dumb.
hmmmm....please inform me how does a carb binge ruin it? With that logic, I'm assuming to you carb cycling doesn't work. Am I correct?
Carb binging takes your body out of "ketosis," which is the process of burning stored fat in place of consumed carbohydrates. My personal experience indicates this is true. Even eating a big piece of bread will stop weightloss for at least 2 days.0 -
Carb binging takes your body out of "ketosis," which is the process of burning stored fat in place of consumed carbohydrates. My personal experience indicates this is true. Even eating a big piece of bread will stop weightloss for at least 2 days.
The purpose behind a carb re-feed is to boost your metabolism and help restore your Leptin hormone levels. When you are dieting and on a low caloric diet (esp for a long period of time), not only will your metabolism will drop, but your Leptin levels will drop in an attempt to spare body fat. So, with a lower metabolism and lower Leptin levels, it becomes harder to break that fat burning plateau. This is why impelmenting a re-feed day is important.0 -
also carb refeeds restore glycogen levels. very little gets stored as fat. unless u spill overCarb binging takes your body out of "ketosis," which is the process of burning stored fat in place of consumed carbohydrates. My personal experience indicates this is true. Even eating a big piece of bread will stop weightloss for at least 2 days.
The purpose behind a carb re-feed is to boost your metabolism and help restore your Leptin hormone levels. When you are dieting and on a low caloric diet (esp for a long period of time), not only will your metabolism will drop, but your Leptin levels will drop in an attempt to spare body fat. So, with a lower metabolism and lower Leptin levels, it becomes harder to break that fat burning plateau. This is why impelmenting a re-feed day is important.0 -
"Carb Nite" sounds a lot like the Cyclical Ketogenic Diet -- I wouldn't recommend it for the average person, it's easy to screw up and go the opposite.0
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This is purely anecdotal. Everyone is different. After I have more carbs than usual, I'm back in ketosis by the next morning.Low carb works (if you can stand it and if you can avoid going carb nuts after reaching goal), but the binge thing actually ruins it. It takes the body 2-3 days to get into burn mode when going low carb, so you're really killing it with binge day. I, frankly, don't believe in "cheat days" at all. Sometimes you slip up, but deliberately planning to mess up is just dumb.
hmmmm....please inform me how does a carb binge ruin it? With that logic, I'm assuming to you carb cycling doesn't work. Am I correct?
Carb binging takes your body out of "ketosis," which is the process of burning stored fat in place of consumed carbohydrates. My personal experience indicates this is true. Even eating a big piece of bread will stop weightloss for at least 2 days.0 -
also carb refeeds restore glycogen levels. very little gets stored as fat. unless u spill overCarb binging takes your body out of "ketosis," which is the process of burning stored fat in place of consumed carbohydrates. My personal experience indicates this is true. Even eating a big piece of bread will stop weightloss for at least 2 days.
The purpose behind a carb re-feed is to boost your metabolism and help restore your Leptin hormone levels. When you are dieting and on a low caloric diet (esp for a long period of time), not only will your metabolism will drop, but your Leptin levels will drop in an attempt to spare body fat. So, with a lower metabolism and lower Leptin levels, it becomes harder to break that fat burning plateau. This is why impelmenting a re-feed day is important.
THIS ^0 -
if u dont mind me asking...how do u know u r in ketosis?
This is purely anecdotal. Everyone is different. After I have more carbs than usual, I'm back in ketosis by the next morning.Low carb works (if you can stand it and if you can avoid going carb nuts after reaching goal), but the binge thing actually ruins it. It takes the body 2-3 days to get into burn mode when going low carb, so you're really killing it with binge day. I, frankly, don't believe in "cheat days" at all. Sometimes you slip up, but deliberately planning to mess up is just dumb.
hmmmm....please inform me how does a carb binge ruin it? With that logic, I'm assuming to you carb cycling doesn't work. Am I correct?
Carb binging takes your body out of "ketosis," which is the process of burning stored fat in place of consumed carbohydrates. My personal experience indicates this is true. Even eating a big piece of bread will stop weightloss for at least 2 days.0 -
I started carb nite solution on may 18 2013. I eat under 30 net carbs 7 days a week, with a carb refeed on the 7th night. I eat low fat, high good carbs to spike insulin, rice, potatoes, bread, pasta, and a dessert before bed. I am about 2 pounds up from water weight the next day, as expected, but then I am back in ketosis that night. I am loosing 2 to 3 pounds a week. I am a stay at home mom with 3 little kids and I don't go to the gym. I still have 100 pounds to loose, and I tried low carb but kept falling off the plan. Carb nite is FUN and I make that one night special which keeps this plan exciting and keeps me motivated. I believe in this plan but everyone has to tweak it to find what works for them. There is a dr that visits the forums who will testify this plan works for his type 2 diabetes patients.. please, read the science behind it before knocking it. If you eat in the window your supposed to, you don't store fat. You boost hormones, help your thyroid and boost fat burning metabolism, and return right back into ketosis the next night.0
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you really need to read the book. Its effective and the science behind it is solid. It works. Its not for everyone but I can say I am never hungry, I feel better now than I have in years.0
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Started Sept 1, 2013 at 215 lb and 36 waist. Saturday Oct 12 the morning of my carb nite I was 199 lb and 34 lb waist. I eat a mountain of garbage on my carb nite Literally over 10,000 calories over 6-7 hours. I gain 2 lb overnight and it's gone by midweek and then I'm down another 1-2 lb by the morning of my next carb night.
The hardest part is all the work preparing my meals and trying to figure out new recipes. Also I started lifting after stopping for a long time so it's a little discouraging when I don't see as big a drop off in weight each week, but my clothes keep getting looser so I know it's working.0 -
To post calling it a "piece of s***" shows ignorance on the part of the original poster.
If you struggle with your weight, your probably currently carb intolerant/insulin resistant.
You can eat carbs again, at night, at a future time in your life.
Right now it's more important you address the hormonal problems your seeing in you waist size.
If your constantly eating sugar and processed carbs you cannot easily use fat for fuel. All your cardio is actually slowing your metabolism and only burning the sugars in your body, not that fat.
Part of the reason it works is because your avoiding sugar and grains. Remove grains and you are not eating processed foods.
For me it has led to cooking more and eating more whole food. I get more nutrition now than before.
There is nothing stopping you from eating healthy greens and vegetables.
There is no one forcing you to eat garbage on Carb Nite. It does work BETTER if you do though.
It is a cyclical ketogenic diet. It was based on many medical studies.
It was also inspired most likely by Mauro Di Pasquale and The Anabolic Diet.
It is nothing new, bodybuilders have been using programs like it for steroid like results with no drugs.
It is probably the easiest thing I have ever done and it's effective.
Except when I went whole food vegan, lost 45 pounds and most likely 20 pounds of muscle.
It is written mainly for overweight middle aged women who do not exercise.
Obviously the younger you are, the better it will work, but make no mistake, it works.
45 days = 10 pounds fat loss - will confirm additional fat loss with another Dexa scan mid March.
I reach blood ketone levels of about 1.0mm the second morning after Carb Nite and about 1.5mm by the next Carb Nite.
No loss of strength - lifts measured by stopwatch.
Almost no cardio, I walk on a treadmill at 130 heart rate 30 minutes twice a week. (no fat loss from this)
Almost zero hunger, can actually "forget" to eat...amazing.
Better able to handle stress at work.
Better sleep.
Better mood overall.
Anyone with a weight issue owes it to themselves to do low carb high fat until they reach their goals.0 -
Carb refeeding is not a concept that fat people need concern themselves with.
But if you are lean, trying to get leaner, it is downright essential that you understand it. Somewhere around the point when you can start seeing bits of your abs unflexed, it becomes a very big deal.
Your body has hormonal defense against starvation that get brutally powerful as you get leaner and leaner. Leptin is the master controller, but interacts with a bunch of other hormones (ghrelin, serotonin, testorsterone, etc..). Leptin dropping engages your anti-starvation system. Among the side effects:
- Drop in metabolism, can be quite a large drop (side efffects of this, skin getting nasty, hair stops growing/falls out, cold/tired 24/7).
- Loss of sex drive, eventually leading to loss of ability (women lose periods, men lose the ability to get wood).
- Hunger. Constant hunger that never goes away. Eating doesn't solve it, you can't get full, still hungry at the end of meals. It consumes your thoughts. You dream and daydream about feasting, Thanksgiving for example. Typical snack foods lose all appeal, since they really would do nothing about hunger. It makes you manic, almost crazy after a bit, panicked about eating.
Carb refeeds temporarily knock you out of a deficit and restore leptin levels a little bit. Enough that a regular refeed schedule should slow the rate of leptin dropping significantly, though only a diet break can restore lepin levels. Glycogen levels are the main signal that stimulates leptin production. Leptin is produced by fat tissue, so only the double whammy of low body fat and low glycogen will cause a major drop in leptin.
Refeeds will manage the symptoms of cutting while lean so that it isn't near as tortuous.
If you do a refeed right, you should feel AWESOME immediately afterwards. Refeeding does not mean just eating junk though, most "junk" has a ton of tagalong fat, that is something you don't want. Fructose isn't something you want a lot of either (it is processed in the liver, and doesn't do much for restoring body-wide glucose levels quickly). My faves for refeeding are animal crackers and sweet tea.0
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