How can you keep strength up and carbs down?

[Swole_2112]

I recently started carbing up on my diet. My strength has increased, but since I'm holding more water weight I look like garbage. Today I decided that I just can't stand looking like this, even if my power has increased. As a result of this conclusion, I've decided to return to my low carb lifestyle. I like having the power but would like to keep my body fat lower at the same time. While considering how I could possibly accomplish this, it occured to me that perhaps the supplementation of creatine into my diet would aid in this process. Anybody have any thoughts on this topic?

 

[fortunatesun]

Have you tried a simple otc diuretic like dandelion/uva ursi

 

[Swole_2112]

Have you tried a simple otc diuretic like dandelion/uva ursi

No, and the reason is that even though the extra bloat I'm experienceing is water weight, it will become fat as time goes on. I don't think a simple otc diuretic will do the trick.

I also did a little research with regard to the creatine. The creatine would definately help to maintain and even increase my strength, it would probably result in the same or greater bloat than carb consumption alone.

 

[fortunatesun]

I would try carb cycling then.
You would alternate high carb days and low/moderate days depending on your activity level. Workout days are high carb, esp. after training sessions. Rest days would be lower carb, all of them low G.I, and consumed in the earlier part of the day. The actual amounts are dependant on the individual. Obviously a person with lower BF would be allowed more leeway as well.
There are other ways to carb cycle, 4 on/1off, or 5/2 (weekends) but this one is more often used for lean mass gains opposed to fat loss.

 

[Steve720]

I would try carb cycling then.
You would alternate high carb days and low/moderate days depending on your activity level. Workout days are high carb, esp. after training sessions. Rest days would be lower carb, all of them low G.I, and consumed in the earlier part of the day. The actual amounts are dependant on the individual. Obviously a person with lower BF would be allowed more leeway as well.
There are other ways to carb cycle, 4 on/1off, or 5/2 (weekends) but this one is more often used for lean mass gains opposed to fat loss.

Definitly Carb cycling.. has definitly worked for my body composition

 

[Swole_2112]

Maybe carb cycling is the answer. I think I'll give it a try. Thanks, bros.

 

[david_diesel]

carb cycle bro...I thought that the high carb days (255-300 carbs) were gonna bloat me but it didn't. It's the way to go as far as getting the strength you need and keeping your body comp near the same. Use it to bulk and to cut

 

[markshark]

I would try carb cycling then.
You would alternate high carb days and low/moderate days depending on your activity level. Workout days are high carb, esp. after training sessions. Rest days would be lower carb, all of them low G.I, and consumed in the earlier part of the day. The actual amounts are dependant on the individual. Obviously a person with lower BF would be allowed more leeway as well.
There are other ways to carb cycle, 4 on/1off, or 5/2 (weekends) but this one is more often used for lean mass gains opposed to fat loss.

good post

 

[Swole_2112]

It's settled then. I'll give carb cycling a shot.

 

[karachi183]

Carb cycling works for me. I just have 1-2 carb up days on the weekend. By the time monday mid-afternoon comes i've usually dumped 2-3 times and feel full of energy and slim then i spend all week on low carbs after 12(afternoon). But in my case i've found that i need carbs just as much as protein and for this i've added in place of my last meal a protein shake filled with oats on top of everything else. I personally feel that whole food carbs are much harder to burn that liquid and i feel much more alert in the AM.