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Carb Cycling

Hey Botch. I don't think we are philisophically as far apart as you think we are.

I am not recommending long term ketosis. I am talking about short term ketosis to strip off some fat. Then move to the approach you describe.

I agree that long term, you want to ride the fence, not be in deep ketosis. But, in the short term, there is no question in my mind, that ketosis is much more effective at stripping fat than the fence straddling method.

I view this as a staged process. Strip off fat, then once you are in range of your target, add some carbs back. I have done this many times and for me it works very well with minimal muscle loss, you just can't stretch it too far.

For example, if I went six weeks, I would 2% bodyfat and little muscle left since I am so carb responsive, but for others that may not be true.

I am a big believer in letting your body be your guide. I don't think anyone is going to stay in ketosis if they are wasting away and can't bench a watermelon. At least I hope not.

I'm not an expert, so dont think I am not open to others ideas (which is why I started asking carb cycling questions). Just sharing my opinions.

I don't really put a ton of credence in "studies" however. I work in the medical field and I see every day how studies can be used to support any position the researchers want them to be. Dig into the initial research on Celebrex and Viox.........

To me studies are a starting point, and real world experience is the true test, which is why I dig this forum. Granted a lot of folks on here go a lot more overboard than I do, but there are some SMART folks on here.

:goodpost: I agree Kraftkid.
 
Low cal = miserable workouts, low energy. I've tried it and i got night sweats, etc.

On your carb ups are you using mainly clean carbs, or getting nutty??? When I hit a lot of junk, I feel like **** everytime, but in the past when I have used sweet potato, etc I felt like a million bucks.

I think one of the biggest benefits to this diet is the variability. Not only does it seem to work physically, I also think it keeps your head straight.

I have also heard of the radical diet but don't know anyone that has done it. I agree you have to hit the carbs that work for you on the carb up or else you'll go into a coma and be couch bound for the weekend. For me the good carbs happen to be oats, pasta, wheat breads, potatoes, and I'll maybe add a cookie here and there but if I sit and have like 10 donuts I'll be on the couch for sure. I'm addicted to cereal and I love milk but milk doesn't love me. It makes me a bloated mess. As long as I keep the carb ups clean I do alright though. T-bone, I also like how I feel during the week better than on the weekend. Oh yeah, and if its a carb-up my girlfriend knows to crack the windows because it gets pretty gassy!
 
I have also heard of the radical diet but don't know anyone that has done it. I agree you have to hit the carbs that work for you on the carb up or else you'll go into a coma and be couch bound for the weekend. For me the good carbs happen to be oats, pasta, wheat breads, potatoes, and I'll maybe add a cookie here and there but if I sit and have like 10 donuts I'll be on the couch for sure. I'm addicted to cereal and I love milk but milk doesn't love me. It makes me a bloated mess. As long as I keep the carb ups clean I do alright though. T-bone, I also like how I feel during the week better than on the weekend. Oh yeah, and if its a carb-up my girlfriend knows to crack the windows because it gets pretty gassy!

Botch have you tried Hood's Calorie Countdown milk??? AWESOME. They have a high protein, low sugar chocolate milk with is like bodybuilding's holy grail. Highly recommend. I know they carry at Sweet Bay (used to be Kash and Karry).
 
Botch have you tried Hood's Calorie Countdown milk??? AWESOME. They have a high protein, low sugar chocolate milk with is like bodybuilding's holy grail. Highly recommend. I know they carry at Sweet Bay (used to be Kash and Karry).

I use it all the time. It is great, especially mixed with MRP low-carb or any protein for that matter. Makes a great thick shake consistancy!.
 
Low cal = miserable workouts, low energy. I've tried it and i got night sweats, etc.

On your carb ups are you using mainly clean carbs, or getting nutty??? When I hit a lot of junk, I feel like **** everytime, but in the past when I have used sweet potato, etc I felt like a million bucks.

I think one of the biggest benefits to this diet is the variability. Not only does it seem to work physically, I also think it keeps your head straight.


Once in a while I do eat some crap. The majority of my carbs I get from starches. Carbs bother me in general though. It doesn't really matter their source. I have irritable bowel syndrome and this diet is the only one I have tried that actually makes the symptoms go away. I deal with it on my carb up because it is very short lived. Don't think I haven't tried different carbs. I have and it seems they all effect my stomach the same way. Oatmeal= gas, bloating, tired within 10-15 after. White Pasta- gas, bloating, tired within 10-15 min after. Wheat pasta-gas, bloating, tired within 10-15 after. I have been dealing with this my entire life, it was only about 5 years ago that I discoverd the Metabolic Diet and had some relief(besides the various medications that I was formerly on).
 
Once in a while I do eat some crap. The majority of my carbs I get from starches. Carbs bother me in general though. It doesn't really matter their source. I have irritable bowel syndrome and this diet is the only one I have tried that actually makes the symptoms go away. I deal with it on my carb up because it is very short lived. Don't think I haven't tried different carbs. I have and it seems they all effect my stomach the same way. Oatmeal= gas, bloating, tired within 10-15 after. White Pasta- gas, bloating, tired within 10-15 min after. Wheat pasta-gas, bloating, tired within 10-15 after. I have been dealing with this my entire life, it was only about 5 years ago that I discoverd the Metabolic Diet and had some relief(besides the various medications that I was formerly on).

A bit off thread, but my buddy has similar issues and started taking Miralax every night. Has worked wonders for him. He also chews whole flax seeds all day long and this helps as well.
 
Once in a while I do eat some crap. The majority of my carbs I get from starches. Carbs bother me in general though. It doesn't really matter their source. I have irritable bowel syndrome and this diet is the only one I have tried that actually makes the symptoms go away. I deal with it on my carb up because it is very short lived. Don't think I haven't tried different carbs. I have and it seems they all effect my stomach the same way. Oatmeal= gas, bloating, tired within 10-15 after. White Pasta- gas, bloating, tired within 10-15 min after. Wheat pasta-gas, bloating, tired within 10-15 after. I have been dealing with this my entire life, it was only about 5 years ago that I discoverd the Metabolic Diet and had some relief(besides the various medications that I was formerly on).

Hey T-Bone, Have you ever been tested for Type 2 Diabetes or insulin resistance? An interesting thing to do would be to test your Blood glucose during your carb up. I've done this a few times out of curiosity.
 
Hey T-Bone, Have you ever been tested for Type 2 Diabetes or insulin resistance? An interesting thing to do would be to test your Blood glucose during your carb up. I've done this a few times out of curiosity.

Yes I have been tested for type 2. My father has it. I posted my blood results on here actually.
 
Low cal = miserable workouts, low energy. I've tried it and i got night sweats, etc.

On your carb ups are you using mainly clean carbs, or getting nutty??? When I hit a lot of junk, I feel like **** everytime, but in the past when I have used sweet potato, etc I felt like a million bucks.

I think one of the biggest benefits to this diet is the variability. Not only does it seem to work physically, I also think it keeps your head straight.

I tried the Radical Diet out for a few weeks. I went as low as 800 calories on my lower carb portion of the diet. I didn't have any problems with workouts and also did increase my strength somewhat on some lifts and kept the same on others. I didn't stay on it very long as I did lose energy after a while. You are not meant to stay on it long though, its a short term diet to lose as much fat as possible. 8 weeks is the longest you should ever stay on it. I must say I do like The Metabolic Diet a lot better though. I like the way it keeps my head straight also.
 
Botch have you tried Hood's Calorie Countdown milk??? AWESOME. They have a high protein, low sugar chocolate milk with is like bodybuilding's holy grail. Highly recommend. I know they carry at Sweet Bay (used to be Kash and Karry).

I haven't tried it but I've looked for it before in the local grocery stores in town. I live in a small town and don't have access to a lot of stuff so I'm jealous of you guys. But it sounds delicious and hopefully I'll come across it someday.
 
Been on this diet for several weeks now and I really love it. Both physically and mentally, it works great.

I am trimming down (mostly inches off waist) and not losing nearly as much muscle as when on straight no carb diet.

Mentally, it is great being able to have carbs on the weekends, but after a couple carb ups, i really don't even craze the junk any more.

I highly recommend.
 
I've been using cleaner sources for carb ups; lower GI carbs wth fiber content. Kashi Go Lean cereal, Old Fashioned Oatmeal, blue berries, ezikiel bread. I feel way better when I carb up with these than if I ate a bunch of crap. Infact, today, after my refeed, I feel like a million bucks, and I got minimal sleep last night.
 
I read the Anabolic Diet pdf at all of your suggestions. Man it was quite a shock to this pasta eating Italian :whiner: I'm sure I'll have some things to discuss eventually, but I want to get my thoughts together first.

"Buy food that spoils, eat it before it spoils"

How in the world can you guys afford this much fresh meat? Seriously, I spend about $50-75 /week on frozen meats. I have a feeling my sodium intake is probably too high in this regard.
 
I read the Anabolic Diet pdf at all of your suggestions. Man it was quite a shock to this pasta eating Italian :whiner: I'm sure I'll have some things to discuss eventually, but I want to get my thoughts together first.



How in the world can you guys afford this much fresh meat? Seriously, I spend about $50-75 /week on frozen meats. I have a feeling my sodium intake is probably too high in this regard.

The nice thing is you dont have to buy the leanest cuts which are typically more expensive. I get a lot of ground chuck, steaks, bacon.

I have also cut back some on supplements since I am getting so much dietary protein.

Try it, you will amazed how quickly your pasta cravings will go and even if they don't you can hit it hard on the weekend!
 
The nice thing is you dont have to buy the leanest cuts which are typically more expensive. I get a lot of ground chuck, steaks, bacon.

I have also cut back some on supplements since I am getting so much dietary protein.

Try it, you will amazed how quickly your pasta cravings will go and even if they don't you can hit it hard on the weekend!

I'm still thinking about it. It's on the shelf for the time being because I have a phera cycle coming up and I want my carbs during the cycle and post cycle therapy until hormones are in check again.

Have you seen any bloodwork on the lipid values after being on the diet for a few months? The book says that these values would improve on AD. I'm sure the author would understand people questioning such a bold statement.
 
I read the Anabolic Diet pdf at all of your suggestions. Man it was quite a shock to this pasta eating Italian :whiner: I'm sure I'll have some things to discuss eventually, but I want to get my thoughts together first.



How in the world can you guys afford this much fresh meat? Seriously, I spend about $50-75 /week on frozen meats. I have a feeling my sodium intake is probably too high in this regard.

90/10 Natures Promise ground beef was on sale at giant for 3 bucks a LB. So I bought everything they had: 5 lb's. That's 15 bucks. 2 18 packs of eggs, 5 bucks. Whey protein for a week, maybe 10 bucks worth, cheese, 5 bucks. Theres a week of protein for about 35, half of what you are suggesting. Also includes most of fats, minus olive oil, fish oils, flax seeds, etc. Much cheaper than when you eat all 3 macro's.
 
I'm still thinking about it. It's on the shelf for the time being because I have a phera cycle coming up and I want my carbs during the cycle and post cycle therapy until hormones are in check again.

Have you seen any bloodwork on the lipid values after being on the diet for a few months? The book says that these values would improve on AD. I'm sure the author would understand people questioning such a bold statement.

I have a lot of experience with higher fat/low carb diets. His statement is not that bold really. Aitkens diets have repeatedly shown to improve lipid profiles.

I have seen in my own bloodwork repeatedly, improvements and my 72 year old father went from bordeline needing cholesterol meds to not needing them becuase of this type of diet.
 
The nice thing is you dont have to buy the leanest cuts which are typically more expensive. I get a lot of ground chuck, steaks, bacon.

I have also cut back some on supplements since I am getting so much dietary protein.

Try it, you will amazed how quickly your pasta cravings will go and even if they don't you can hit it hard on the weekend!

Often times I pick up whatever meat is on sale at the grocery store. Last week there was a deal for a huge prime rib roast marked down from $50 to $20! I finished it within the week, and I can honestly say that I don't want anything to do with prime rib for a while hahaha.
 
Ok, they now have Hood Calorie Countdown 2% Milk at Giant!


I bought 2 64 ounce cartons.


Macro Breakdown:

8 ounces (1 cup)

5 grams of fat
5 grams of protein
3 carbs


What I do is meassure out a half of cup (1.5) carbs, add 1-2 ounces of water, then 1 scoop of IsoPure zerocarb Cookies and Cream protein powder. 2 TBLspoons milled flaxseed.

This tastes like a milkshake, and with only 2.0-2.5 carbs.

The Chocolate Milk has 5 carbs per cup, so not too bad either.



The hood milk tastes alot like whipping cream, fricking delicious.
 
Ok, they now have Hood Calorie Countdown 2% Milk at Giant!


I bought 2 64 ounce cartons.


Macro Breakdown:

8 ounces (1 cup)

5 grams of fat
5 grams of protein
3 carbs


What I do is meassure out a half of cup (1.5) carbs, add 1-2 ounces of water, then 1 scoop of IsoPure zerocarb Cookies and Cream protein powder. 2 TBLspoons milled flaxseed.

This tastes like a milkshake, and with only 2.0-2.5 carbs.

The Chocolate Milk has 5 carbs per cup, so not too bad either.



The hood milk tastes alot like whipping cream, fricking delicious.


I LOVE that Hood chocolate milk!!!
 
I LOVE that Hood chocolate milk!!!

1 or 2 cups a day won't hurt. And you still have 20 carbs left to fill if you want. Personally I've been getting my carbs with spinach and tomatoes. 2 ounces of tomatoes yeilds like 1.5 carbs. I think botch said 3.5 cups of spinach is 1 carb. But nothing wrong with 1 cup of hoods chocolate milk with a greesy angus burger and cheese... baaahhahaha
 
I'm still thinking about it. It's on the shelf for the time being because I have a phera cycle coming up and I want my carbs during the cycle and post cycle therapy until hormones are in check again.

Have you seen any bloodwork on the lipid values after being on the diet for a few months? The book says that these values would improve on AD. I'm sure the author would understand people questioning such a bold statement.

Eating large quantities of fat in the presence of insulin is what screws with lipids and triglycerides. If you were eating a daily super sized double quarter pounder meal at McDonalds then you would be pretty unhealthy. But that is not the case with this diet since we aren't eating the french fries, bun, etc. It is carbohydrates that are the culprit. In fact, if you were to get bloodtests throughout the week you would see the largest fluctuation in lipids and triglycerides on this diet during the carb up portion.
 
I have a lot of experience with higher fat/low carb diets. His statement is not that bold really. Aitkens diets have repeatedly shown to improve lipid profiles.

I have seen in my own bloodwork repeatedly, improvements and my 72 year old father went from bordeline needing cholesterol meds to not needing them becuase of this type of diet.

Interesting... especially since you had bloodwork.

Eating large quantities of fat in the presence of insulin is what screws with lipids and triglycerides. If you were eating a daily super sized double quarter pounder meal at McDonalds then you would be pretty unhealthy. But that is not the case with this diet since we aren't eating the french fries, bun, etc. It is carbohydrates that are the culprit. In fact, if you were to get bloodtests throughout the week you would see the largest fluctuation in lipids and triglycerides on this diet during the carb up portion.

Let me try to understand this way of thinking... Because we are not primed to effeciently metabolize fat, we have negative repurcussions in terms of lipids with fat intake. Take away the carbs, fat metabolism efficiency improves. Therefore, less repurcussions with even increases in fat intake. :think: Am I on the right track?
 
Interesting... especially since you had bloodwork.



Let me try to understand this way of thinking... Because we are not primed to effeciently metabolize fat, we have negative repurcussions in terms of lipids with fat intake. Take away the carbs, fat metabolism efficiency improves. Therefore, less repurcussions with even increases in fat intake. :think: Am I on the right track?

No I believe we are primed to metabolize fat, but not carbs as a MAIN energy source.
 
I have used variations of aitkens diets in the past that have worked well for weigth loss, but they also ruin my gym workouts.

I am interested in trying carb cycling, but of all the programs i have found via search etc, they vary WIDELY in terms of carbs suggested, days at each intake level, fish oil inclusion, etc.

Does anyone have real life experience with a specific approach, the results they attained, mistakes made, etc?

I know there are a lot of people interested in this topic and would really appreciate you sharing your experience.

What's working great for me is doing low days (off days) and medium days (training days) then 1 load day a week (high days), and only eat carbs in breakfast, pre and post-workout, teh rest of the time only eat protein+fat. So i'll eat 100g's on off days, 150g's on training days and 300g's or so on a load day.
 
What's working great for me is doing low days (off days) and medium days (training days) then 1 load day a week (high days), and only eat carbs in breakfast, pre and post-workout, teh rest of the time only eat protein+fat. So i'll eat 100g's on off days, 150g's on training days and 300g's or so on a load day.

That's more like carb cycling. You are still a carb burner with this diet. But if it works for you, then stick with it.
 
What's working great for me is doing low days (off days) and medium days (training days) then 1 load day a week (high days), and only eat carbs in breakfast, pre and post-workout, teh rest of the time only eat protein+fat. So i'll eat 100g's on off days, 150g's on training days and 300g's or so on a load day.

THIS is more of what I think I could handle. I don't think I could psychologically handle the AD at this point... maybe I'm not hardcore enough, but I still want to learn about it :study:
 
THIS is more of what I think I could handle. I don't think I could psychologically handle the AD at this point... maybe I'm not hardcore enough, but I still want to learn about it :study:

That is what I thought at first. You have to go purchase "The Metabolic Diet". The Anabolic Diet was the first edition of this diet. The Metabolic Diet book is much more refined with a lot more information. I have been on the Diet for years and years. Also I have tried his "Radical Diet". I have went as low as 800 calories durning my low carb portion and still was gaining strength and losing fat. Its all about getting the diet down tight(details,details). Of course you get out of it what you put into it and I have slacked a lot since then. I went off of the diet a few months ago for about two months and I felt like crap. With the less carbs I have about 10 times more energy than I did when I was eating a carb-laden diet. I think clearer, my IBS symptoms are completely gone during the low carb portion. Everything about the diet is great. I have even talked on the phone personally with Dr. Mauro Di Pasquale.
 
I love the anabolic diet. I hit the 3 week mark 2day so it should all really kick up a notch from here on out (from all that I've read).

I dont crave carbs at all anymore. If I see somthing that looks really good like PB&J, all I tell my self is "on saturday you can eat 5 of those if you want" and it gets me thru.

I really think that my arms have grown on this diet while loseing 10lbs. My shirts are also fitting tighter in my chest. waist is down a little less than 1.5". I feel great all the time.

Whats better than going to the movies on a friday night and getting a large popcorn and pepsi and actually feeling like your in the middle of a workout when you walk outta the movie? Then wake up the nest morning and feel full and dry?
 
I love the anabolic diet. I hit the 3 week mark 2day so it should all really kick up a notch from here on out (from all that I've read).

I dont crave carbs at all anymore. If I see somthing that looks really good like PB&J, all I tell my self is "on saturday you can eat 5 of those if you want" and it gets me thru.

I really think that my arms have grown on this diet while loseing 10lbs. My shirts are also fitting tighter in my chest. waist is down a little less than 1.5". I feel great all the time.

Whats better than going to the movies on a friday night and getting a large popcorn and pepsi and actually feeling like your in the middle of a workout when you walk outta the movie? Then wake up the nest morning and feel full and dry?


I agree, eggs and cheese are way more appealing than plain oatmeal.


I'm on day 23 myself. So 3 weeks, 2 days.
 
I love the anabolic diet. I hit the 3 week mark 2day so it should all really kick up a notch from here on out (from all that I've read).

I dont crave carbs at all anymore. If I see somthing that looks really good like PB&J, all I tell my self is "on saturday you can eat 5 of those if you want" and it gets me thru.

I really think that my arms have grown on this diet while loseing 10lbs. My shirts are also fitting tighter in my chest. waist is down a little less than 1.5". I feel great all the time.

Whats better than going to the movies on a friday night and getting a large popcorn and pepsi and actually feeling like your in the middle of a workout when you walk outta the movie? Then wake up the nest morning and feel full and dry?

I love Saturday afternoons after the first few high carb meals because I look the leanest, hardest, and fullest that I did all week and I feel like a million bucks (usually all sedated from the carbs). :thumbsup:
 
Been a lurker for a couple years now. Decided that this would be a good thread to start posting to. I have been on the AD for 10 days, the first 6-7 days i felt really energized and dried out. I just finished my second meal today and i am kind of feeling sluggish. Curious as to how long it took for your energy levels to start leveling out? I know an old poster (tribulis sp?)at T-Nation said it took him about 6 weeks to start leveling energy wise.
It would also be nice to know how to use BCAA's on this type of diet considering that iit s protein sparing in nature.
 
Been a lurker for a couple years now. Decided that this would be a good thread to start posting to. I have been on the AD for 10 days, the first 6-7 days i felt really energized and dried out. I just finished my second meal today and i am kind of feeling sluggish. Curious as to how long it took for your energy levels to start leveling out? I know an old poster (tribulis sp?)at T-Nation said it took him about 6 weeks to start leveling energy wise.
It would also be nice to know how to use BCAA's on this type of diet considering that iit s protein sparing in nature.

Dont! Use leucine solo around workout time.

BCAA can be converted to energy. This diet is very protein sparing in itself.

I made the mistake of picking up a bunch before I started my AD diet, O'well live and learn
 
Hormone Manipulation (Carb Cycling)

T-Bone, I have read the original AD and almost all of the thread at T-Nation but have yet to here some of the basic principles of the "Radical Diet".
I read somewhere that when cutting to take calories from fat but on such a low calorie approach it would not make sense to have 200 grams of protein on a 800 calorie day. I am assuming that one would keep the percentage of fat high as fat is your primary fuel source on this style of eating.
It would also to be wise to wave calories as 800 is not even enough for a little girl sitting on her ass all day. Something like 2500, 2000, 1500, 800?!!, 1500, 2000, 3000 for your carb up?
Anyone else with some input feel free to chime in.
 
Dont! Use leucine solo around workout time.

BCAA can be converted to energy. This diet is very protein sparing in itself.

I made the mistake of picking up a bunch before I started my AD diet, O'well live and learn

You mean it will be converted through gluconeogensis. But what if you're on A.A.S?
 
So... we should sip nothing during workout? I love my BCAAs and don't want to part with them if'n I don't have to.
 
If you're using like Xtend, and you do 2:1:1, and you do two servings. Thats about 7 grams of bcaa's that could potentially be gluconeogenic. So that's potential for 7 carbs. If you're eating very low carbs on that day, I don't see a problem with bcaa's. But i'd like to hear what botch has to say also.
 
T-Bone, I have read the original AD and almost all of the thread at T-Nation but have yet to here some of the basic principles of the "Radical Diet".
I read somewhere that when cutting to take calories from fat but on such a low calorie approach it would not make sense to have 200 grams of protein on a 800 calorie day. I am assuming that one would keep the percentage of fat high as fat is your primary fuel source on this style of eating.
It would also to be wise to wave calories as 800 is not even enough for a little girl sitting on her ass all day. Something like 2500, 2000, 1500, 800?!!, 1500, 2000, 3000 for your carb up?
Anyone else with some input feel free to chime in.


Well the idea behind the Radical Diet is first you do your 11 days of low carbs or assesment phase and then the regular carb up of 12-48 hours. After that you lower your calories to 800-1200 for the low carb portion of the diet. At this point you set a goal for yourself of so much fat loss. Until you reach that goal, and not until you reach it do you do your next carb up. On your carb up you don't go over 2000 calories. Say you want to lose 7 pounds in two weeks, well you stay on the low carb portion till you reach that goal and then do the carb up. I wouldn't set a whole 7 pounds though, I would start with maybe 5 pounds. Keep in mind this diet is only meant for short term, 8 weeks to be exact.

Heres a quote,

"2. Once you’re fat adapted (i.e. your body depends mainly on both dietary and
body fat, not carbohydrates or muscle protein, to produce the energy it needs) you
can cut calories by cutting the amount of fat in your diet. As the amount of fat in the
diet naturally decreases, the body then uses body fat as its primary fuel."

You see so once you are fat adapted you also use fat on your body for fuel and not just dietary fat. So the reason you lower you fat intake is to burn body fat and not dietary fat. I have the E-book version of the Radical Diet. Like I said before though there are a lot of little details about it that you need to have the book to figure out. Maybe I'll email Mauro and see if I can get him to join this board and answer questions.
 
If you're using like Xtend, and you do 2:1:1, and you do two servings. Thats about 7 grams of bcaa's that could potentially be gluconeogenic. So that's potential for 7 carbs. If you're eating very low carbs on that day, I don't see a problem with bcaa's. But i'd like to hear what botch has to say also.

I don't know that I'd equate the gluconeogenesis of amino's as the equivelant to carbs...

Besides, 2 out of the three aminos in BCAAs (leucine, and isoleucine) are ketogenic aminos.
 
I'm pretty sure BCAA supplements are fine on this diet. As long as their are no carbs in the supplement. Yep, I just looked and he even sells a Amino acid supplement called Amino. Also a workout drink called Power Drink. Definitely BCAA supplements are fine on this diet.
 
4 sure, I know I wont be using any any time soon.

Kinda sucks because I'm sitting on 4 big tubs of Xtend, and 3 smaller ones :sad:

Just don't go too crazy with BCAA's and you can use your xtend. Do like 4-6 scoops or something.


I think isoluecine can be either gluco or keto, depending on how you body handles it. So one serving yeilds 1.75 grams of valine, which is gluco, but in 6 scoops, that's only potentially 5.25 carbs in the worst case scenario.
 
So if i am fat adapted it would be best to keep my protein higher than fat so that my body will want to use body fat? Maybe 50/50? I am 234lbs and want to lose 24lbs. So i have some time until the weather starts getting nice. I think that i will stay on the original until i have a few carb ups under my belt. I here that they can get out of hand in the beginning especially if your going two weeks at a time with very little calories.
Also if anyone reading this thinks that they should start the radical diet right away, you should think twice as it may take up to 3 months until your fully fat adapted. You will feel even worse on low calories as your body has not fully made the metabolic shift from gas to diesel.:twisted:
 
I have not read this thread yet; I am merely bookmarking as my name came up in a search here.



For those interested in this, you may find an article I wrote called "BodyOpus: Reloaded" (my tribute to Duchaine) of some benefit. I unfortunately cannot put links to the Lean Bulk forum any longer on here but if interested, the article probably comes to about 30-35 pages printed out. Sort of brings the 1996 phenom up to date.



Nonetheless, I will check back with this thread over the weekend and see what is being said.


D_
 
T-Bone, I have read the original AD and almost all of the thread at T-Nation but have yet to here some of the basic principles of the "Radical Diet".
I read somewhere that when cutting to take calories from fat but on such a low calorie approach it would not make sense to have 200 grams of protein on a 800 calorie day. I am assuming that one would keep the percentage of fat high as fat is your primary fuel source on this style of eating.
It would also to be wise to wave calories as 800 is not even enough for a little girl sitting on her ass all day. Something like 2500, 2000, 1500, 800?!!, 1500, 2000, 3000 for your carb up?
Anyone else with some input feel free to chime in.

I'm going to try waving calories in a few months but it will be somewhat different than what you have written. Probably will have the ~800 cal days be on Monday and Friday w/ calories peaking midweek.
 
Considering two reputable people are doing or have done a VLCD version of this diet I am having second thoughts on my cut. I have kind of been toying with the idea of something like this:

Meal 1: Whey/Casein Blend Shake
Meal 2: 2 eggs 2 Cups Spinach
Meal 3: Whey/Casein Blend Shake
Meal 4: 1 Can Tuna 2 Cups Spinach
Meal 5:Whey/Casein Blend Shake (PW)

Between each meal I would consume about 6g of BCAA. This = 30g each day.

Fitdays says this is: 1056kcal, 51g Fat, 12CHO, 137Pro

One of my concerns of going so low in calories is catabolism. For anyone who has done such an approach about how much fat/ muscle would one expect to lose in a 6 week time frame?
I know on the velocity diet people have lost 16-20lbs of fat and a little muscle in 28 days.
Could similar results be expected from such a radical change in calories?

Can not wait for first CHO up on Sunday. Should be good! If i do not go into a coma.:burg::burg:

Oh yeah, as far as CHO ups on the Rad Diet is it the same idea as the AD. %60CHO, %30Fat, %10Pro
 
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