Caloric Intake duing Carb Cycling

[TheBigDog]

I am preparing for a photoshoot and I am currently doing the carb cycling described in this page.

I weight 188 and do cardio 5 times a week and lift weight 5 times a week (split). How much calorie should I be taking during the low carb cycling?

Please advice.

 

[plornive]

I think you should go as low as you want, at or above 50% of maintenance calories. Don't go any lower than that. If you want to decrease calories even more, limit calories slightly during the high carb days. Trust me when I say it is *hard* to do this as you will be very hungry, but it is effective if you can pull it off. I think the toughest part of this diet is avoiding a full-scale carb-binge during the high-carb days.

Your caloric deficit depends on how quickly you need to lose the weight.

 

[TheBigDog]

currently, I am taking about 1800 cal a day for my low carb day (50g carb, rest protein, ~10-15% of fat). do u think that's ok? (well, I have some fat to loose but I am mainly doing this for muscle pump on this Sat.)

 

[plornive]

Sure its ok. However, I don't have much expertice in carb loading for appearance. However, I have noticed some pretty dry cuts when not overeating on the high carb days.

 

[TheBigDog]

I am following the "guide" here..

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/mark4.htm

I am by NO MEANS any type of professional bodybuilder, but I figure this method should work for me to "maximize" the result.

I am open to any suggestions.

 

[plornive]

Give us some stats, like experience, etc.

Also, try doing a search on carb-loading, fat-loading, glycerine, taraxatone, sodium retention, pottassium, etc. These are all factors that influence appearance. You want to eliminate subcutaneous water. I am not an expert at this. Some people try to carb load before a contest or photo shoot and end up retaining a lot of water.

If I wanted to improve my look for a photo, I don't think I would carb-load too close to the big day. I would be too scared of "spilling over". I might carb load and leave 36-48 hours to "dry-out" if I was retaining too much water. Going into the sun or in a sauna can help if this happens. Taking diuretics for a few days before a photo can help (taraxatone and ephedrine-caffeine may work). Glycerine pulls water from under the skin and into the blood stream. If you work your muscles after this (pump yourself up), it helps to volumize your muscles, too. Takes maybe 5 hours. Some people like to take a swig of wine to make their veins more visible for that vascular look.

There is so much involved here and I don't really know much about it. Try asking some experienced competition bodybuilders about pre-contest dieting in preparation for a show.

 

[plornive]

http://www.mindandmuscle.net/magazine/i7qa.html
Check the question about taking shirt off in a club...

 

[TheBigDog]

I don't have any experience at all. So practically, I have ZERO stats. To be really honest w/ you, I am doing the Body For Life thing (well, just the frame work to get me going, after that, my workout routine and diet are more specific than what the book suggest). Now it is the end of the 12 months and I am trying to get into my best shape before my final shoot this Sat.

Like I said before, I am by no means any big bodybuilder. I do what I can do look as good as possible. I have gone a long way from 3 months ago and now I need to get myself in the best shape to get my best shot.

I will have to try the wine thing..

 

[plornive]

Good luck. Most important thing is that if you have time, take it slow and lift HARD. Don't neglect lifting to do cardio --- this will cost you lean mass. I have been there and it has cost me months of earning back muscle. Carbohydrate cycling is a very good regimen and I think it could definitely work well for you. Body-for-life type regimens are excellent and effective if done consistently for getting into actual shape (not pre-contest, etc.).

Search for pre-contest ideas all over Elite. I'm sure you can find a ton.

 

[TheBigDog]

Thank you for your advice.

I am still doing cardio 5 times a week and lift weight 5-6 times a week. Trying to be as active as possible.