How to cycle carbs?

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20 weeks to go, 6-7kg to lose!
Philipp's picture
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Joined: 2010-10-28
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How to cycle carbs?

What do you think is the better way or which advantages or disadvantages have different variations of cycling carbs?

Variation 1:
Lower carbs on basic diet days and 1-2 high carb days on that you raise your carbs significant (for example 75-100%)

Variation 2:
Moderate amounts of carbs on basic diet days and only a moderate increase in carbs on the higher carb days (25-50%)

 

For example:
3 days 150g carbs, 1 day 450g carbs (variation 1)
or
3 days 200g carbs, 1 day 300g carbs (variation 2)

Both examples contain 900g carbs in a 4 day period. What are in your opinion the benefits of this two different strategies?
 

 

Ran a 5k (www.cjsbus.org) with Cameron and Lynnea dominated the kids' dash - good way to start a Saturday!
Dr. Joe's picture
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Joined: 2006-10-14
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Depends on body type/met rate, goals, amount to lose, body fat percent, etc.

 

Fewer carbs on baseline days if you don't lose fast and need lower carbs/cals, but then you may not be able to tolerate as high of carb reloads.  More moderate baseline carbs if you're ectomorphic and need to guard against muscle loss.  The length of time between carb increases is just as big of a factor.  You can go 2, 3, 4, 5, 6......days.