What exactly is the point of a Carb up in the type of diet we are on? Just wondering if this is something I should plan to do every now and then. I was under the assumption that Carb refeeds were for Keto and very low Carb diets, so just wondering...
Kleen, Rick, I did ake your advice and spend some time reading at the LeanGains website.
This guy seems like he has a really good grasp on nutrition and fitness.
Goofing around, I tried his pose and I'll attach it to this post. Remember I'm about 1.5%-2% higher in BF than him. By choice at the time, but I'm still trying to settle some things in my head regarding genetics, hormone levels, and propensity to hold onto LBM. I'll check back when I got it figured out for me
As far as carb ups go, I'm just going to toss my .02 at it. Rick, I know you you probably know a lot of what I'm about to say, but this thread is so informative I'm going put my thoughts in there.
When I am referring to carbs below, I mean grains, complex carbs. Not fruits and veggies.
Carb ups can be done for a couple reasons IMO. Most of the time a "refeed" in my experience has been a term used to slightly cheat on your diet. This is all wrong. Carb ups should be CLEAN and timed correctly are supposed to help you combat the carb cravings. They also are supposed to keep your body guessing and not getting into a lull during your fat burning. Usually these are done every week to 9 days or something like that. I think some users just go by "feel" too. They carb up with something somewhat "unclean" to keep themselves from killing 5 big macs or 2 bag of doritos. This is still a bad practice IMO, but if it keeps you from cheating real bad, it is worth it.
I'm not sure how much credence exist in the claim that you have to keep your body guessing (relative to this specific subject matter that is). My personal experience has always been that my body will continue to burn fat if I continue my activity level, dedication, and overall health goals. I have not experienced these lulls, but that doesn't mean I won't have a shift in my metabolism in the future. So perhaps, I'lll recant this statement down the raod, but for now, I stand by it. Refeed IMO is phychological thing.
I know, I know. If you are going to say anything about insulin levels relative to complex carbs......don't. There is a whole list of food that aren't carbs that have the ability to produce a purely natural biphasic insulin response. Look it up
I'm guessing here bc I haven't spoke to Kleen about this, but if it were me and I carbed up like that, it would indicate I was about to punish the crap out of myself in the gym. Not in a bad way, a good way. Hit those weights hard and force growth. This level of activity, however, can end up being pretty catabolic if feeding isn't done correctly. Carbing up before had, IMO will "protect" more of that muscle during these time. This does not mean hitting 100g dextrose before working out. When Im saying carb up "before" the workout, I'm talking about a day before or more.
Kleen was 193 and hoping to get to 200 after his carb up. I bet 190-195 would be an ideal weight for him, but his LBM isn't there yet. So to cut down to 193, then carb up and create huge anabolic events throughout the week during his 8 hour feeeding window will burn some of those carbs back off and put some LBM back on. The gap should come closer (7lbs now, maybe 6.5 in a week or less and so on). Also, carbs will help you hold onto some water and when combined with a slight sodium load, you may be giving your body a great window to build muscle. More volume= holds more nutrients. Used correctly this could really help push the scales up for an increase in LBM. "Lean Gains".
Kleen, how off base am I bro?
Pic below..... I like the Lean Gains approach and will be watching closely my fellow meathead brotherin