refeed?

[nawchem]

When you do a carbup and then you weight lift what is the benefit?

If you did the exact same workout you always did at lowcarb would there be any difference in the effect?

Or is it that the carbs energize you and you end up working out harder and that causes the improvement?

[kbfunTH]

I don't see any benefit in a carbup. Bodybuilders use it for the so called 'fuller' look, which only lasts for a few hours or so.

[nawchem]

thanks Kb. I've been having my high carb days, like bfl but when I read a Lyle MacDonald book he said to have a workout with it- I couldn't understand what difference it makes.

[J.K.]

Hey Nawchem.. http://azedia.com/emoticons/cap2.gif

Nice to meet ya. In terms of refeeds there are a couple of terms out there -carb up, refeed, high calorie day, etc... As a result and because the terms are often used interchangably the definition can often depend on who you're talking to. However, in one way or another almost all of them are designed to to trick the body into staying out of starvation mode -usually by increasing consumption around every 4th day. That said, it's not a 'cheat day.' Calories (or carbs) are raised to about the same amount you would expect to burn that day. Healthy macronutrient ratios are also maintained usually by eating only whole foods. Again, since the reason for the refeed is to speed up a person's metabolism and keep it out of starvation mode, whole foods are used because of their thermic effect, which highly processed foods don't have.

In terms specifically of a 'carb-up' there are also a few more benefits. A carb-up will replenish glycogen in the muscles which has been lost as a result of exercising over several low-carb days. This replenishing of glycogen (which is used for energy) has a tendency to expand the muscles. Bodybuilders term this as being 'filled out.'

As far as the suggestion to exercise afterward I think it's a good idea. Number one, you should have lots of energy after injesting a lot of carbs. Plus, on the chance that you overdid it on the carb-up, exercising afterward would be a good way to hedge against that. Then finally, I think there's a psychological benefit to working out (especially with weights) after a carb-up. The reason is because you can finally get a good pump.. lol

Hope that helped. And cheers!

[nawchem]

Thanks JK! I very much appreciate the details. I have thyroid problems and read the flexible dieting book after noticing I lost weight better in the long run with some high carb days. I did eat stuff like fried chicken, potatoes and corn, carrots and peas yesterday (and ice cream) since he said to try to eat more starches than sugar. Now I understand why. I'm going to copy your post over to my journal. Thanks very much. :rose: