Exercise- carb loading

Do you exercise? I'm trying to do 20g of carbs and under pet day. If I decide to go to the gym or take a 3 mile walk do I need to eat carbs before hand? I assume I do. How much though when on a low carb diet?

Replies

  • FIT_Goat
    FIT_Goat Posts: 4,224 Member
    No need, especially at those levels. I've run 3-5 miles, biked 20 miles, etc... all on no carbs (even in a completely fasted state).

    Carb loading would be for extremely intense workouts or weight lifting sessions. Even then, there's reason to suspect it's not necessary.
  • bradsbaby1996
    bradsbaby1996 Posts: 154 Member
    No need.. I lift every day, run every day and sometimes walk 2-3 miles in addition to running all in a fasted state and do great with it!
  • hookilau
    hookilau Posts: 3,134 Member
    Do you exercise? I'm trying to do 20g of carbs and under pet day. If I decide to go to the gym or take a 3 mile walk do I need to eat carbs before hand? I assume I do. How much though when on a low carb diet?

    That depends on the individual.
    I'm a 45 yr old woman, 126-127#'s I walk 3 x daily (30 min. @ a time) and weight train 3 x a week (progressive loading).
    I eat less than 20g of carbs per day and I have yet to fail a lift or pass out during a walk :laugh:

    All of my carbs come from veggies with the odd low carb pita every now and then.

    Some people can't function, but I've been at it for 2 yrs now and do quite well.

    I keep Smarties candies in my gym bag & pockets when I walk. 5 discs are equal to 2 g of pure glucose. I keep them for emergencies, but have never had to use them. Here's a handy dandy chart in case anyone's interested:

    http://www.phlaunt.com/lowcarb/19058561.php

    I'm surmising that the type and level of daily activity I do, is enough to deplete whatever glycogen I may have, although I admit to occasionally doing jumping jacks or arm circles to make sure. Glycogen in the muscles cannot be used for anything else, so once it's there, I want to use it to continue to tap into body fat.

    ETA: I've still got 10 mayyybe 15#'s to lose :wink:
  • lucys1225
    lucys1225 Posts: 597 Member
    I exercise (cardio and weight training) 7 days a week with my only carbs coming from vegetables and have never had a problem.