Carb cycling

BrandonJackson89
BrandonJackson89 Posts: 54 Member
edited November 15 in Food and Nutrition
Anyone currently doing this? And how do you like it?

Replies

  • ExoticKaotic
    ExoticKaotic Posts: 8 Member
    I have been doing this type of diet for years and love it, yeilds great results if putting all the effort and hardwork in. Now im doing keto, but when I do carb cycling my cycle would look like this: 4 day cycle, 1 high carb, 1 medium carb, 2 low carb, repeat. There are plenty of different approaches ive tried, but that 4 day cycle worked best for me.
  • sarabushby
    sarabushby Posts: 784 Member
    I just started again as a means to try and shift a few lb before a race next weekend. I'm about 8 days in and I follow a 2100cal plan put together for me by a sports nutritionist as I train for triathlon. I followed it for a while before but stopped as I was losing too much weight and the headaches were killing me. On the highest training days I eat high carb (245g goal), on lower training days or my rest day, I eat lower carb (165g goal).

    This time again it's the headaches and lack of energy/endurance in training that I'm having trouble with. I cannot figure out if the headaches are from too little carbs (but I get them on high carb day too), too much protein (I'm on 155g where's I normally average 100g) or too few calories overall (some days I'll be net 1100-1200). I don't think it's dehydration as I drink A LOT inc 1 x hydration drink if it's a heavy session.

    By all means PM me if you want a look at my menus etc.
  • deannalfisher
    deannalfisher Posts: 5,600 Member
    I have a 7 day cycle that I work though - max at 284g carbs, low of 174 - on my low carb day I do approx 20g more fat
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    edited February 2017
    I do 3 "low" days, 3 "normal" days and a "high" day each week.

    Does it do anything different than if I were to even out the carbs over the week? No idea. I like that I get the opportunity to include some more "fun" food on one day - and I still stick to my macros! Yesterday was protein pancakes at brunch, and a kickass burger with baked sweet potato fries for dinner, plus dessert.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,426 MFP Moderator
    I am doing it as well. I have 4 high carb days (lifting days), and 3 low carb days.

    High carb days are 2600 calories, 175g pro, 320g carbs, rest fats

    Low carbs, 175g pro, 130g carbs, rest fats.

    For me, its to support my lifting days.

    At some point, i may include a keto day but havent decided if i want to torture myself that much.
  • BrandonJackson89
    BrandonJackson89 Posts: 54 Member
    Have all of you also experienced headaches as well?
  • livingleanlivingclean
    livingleanlivingclean Posts: 11,751 Member
    BrandonJackson89 wrote: »
    Have all of you also experienced headaches as well?

    No. My carbs aren't that low... Or reduced for long enough. I'm presuming you mean like the headaches people can experience when they start a low carb diet?
  • BrandonJackson89
    BrandonJackson89 Posts: 54 Member
    Yea headache from low carbs or just the switch in general. I've done keto and know how that transition feels. I just wasn't sure if up and down with carbs would cause something like that as well. My plan was to have my low carb day be 152g and high be 305g with everyday 244g protein. I'm also trying to lose weight while minimizing the lose of muscle.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,426 MFP Moderator
    BrandonJackson89 wrote: »
    Yea headache from low carbs or just the switch in general. I've done keto and know how that transition feels. I just wasn't sure if up and down with carbs would cause something like that as well. My plan was to have my low carb day be 152g and high be 305g with everyday 244g protein. I'm also trying to lose weight while minimizing the lose of muscle.

    You probably have inadequate sodium.
  • kaye300
    kaye300 Posts: 29 Member
    Keto-aid.....water, lemon juice, a dash of Himalayan salt, and a couple drops of MIO electrolytes. Will help if not get rid of headaches.
  • _Bro
    _Bro Posts: 437 Member
    edited February 2017
    IIFYM.
    http://www.simplyshredded.com/flexible-dieting.html

    Avoid meathead diets.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,426 MFP Moderator
    _Bro wrote: »
    IIFYM.
    http://www.simplyshredded.com/flexible-dieting.html

    Avoid meathead diets.

    You can still follow IIFYM while doing calorie/carb cycling. If fact people like Layne Norton follow such protocols and Alan Aragon makes similar recommendation in his last book.
  • BrandonJackson89
    BrandonJackson89 Posts: 54 Member
    Thanks everyone for the help
  • AllThingsFitnessByAnney
    AllThingsFitnessByAnney Posts: 17 Member
    Would less than a 100 carbs be considered a low carb diet if I am not lifting weights and just exercising in general?
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,426 MFP Moderator
    iphonelover321 wrote: »
    Would less than a 100 carbs be considered a low carb diet if I am not lifting weights and just exercising in general?

    Low carb is 140g or less regardless of exercise regime.
  • BrandonJackson89
    BrandonJackson89 Posts: 54 Member
    iphonelover321 wrote: »
    Would less than a 100 carbs be considered a low carb diet if I am not lifting weights and just exercising in general?

    Are you lacking energy? Eating that amount unless your upping your fat intake, I would imagine big time.
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