carb loading and depleting

[jaydawg40]

I'm doin my first contest next weekend, and i was just wondering what the best approach would be for carb depleting and carb loading. How long for each? Which kinds of carbs? Fast acting? Slow acting? And i was told by one former competitor to have a small chicken breast with my meals when carb loading. And i was also told by a different competitor not to eat ANY protein during the carb loading phase. Looking for any input.

 

[Makavelli]

I'm doin my first contest next weekend, and i was just wondering what the best approach would be for carb depleting and carb loading. How long for each? Which kinds of carbs? Fast acting? Slow acting? And i was told by one former competitor to have a small chicken breast with my meals when carb loading. And i was also told by a different competitor not to eat ANY protein during the carb loading phase. Looking for any input.

If you have a coach listen to them. If you don't I would get one quick. The carb loading and dropping water will make or break your physique. You should have had this down weeks ago. There are so many different theories on this that you are going to get lots of different answers by posting on a board. They will all conflict with each other. I consider myself an expert at carb loading and dropping water.

 

[jaydawg40]

If you have a coach listen to them. If you don't I would get one quick. The carb loading and dropping water will make or break your physique. You should have had this down weeks ago. There are so many different theories on this that you are going to get lots of different answers by posting on a board. They will all conflict with each other. I consider myself an expert at carb loading and dropping water.

No i don't have a coach. I've been wingin it up until now and have seen amazing results so far. But i know the final week out could either make or break it for u. So i would like to hear what u have to offer. I was goin to deplete sunday, monday, tuesday, then load wedesday, thursday, friday. Gradually cut my water on friday with my last glass at 6:00 p.m. Weigh-in is at 7:00 p.m. friday night. Pre-judging begins at 10:00 a.m. saturday morning. How would u deplete? How long? Is 3 days too long? And how would u carb load. I was gonna eat 50 grams of white potatoes with 50 grams of brown rice, every 2 hours. i was gonna have a small chicken breast with that but was told i shouldn't consume any protein on my loading days cuz i'll use the excess amount i comsumed during the depleting days. Hit me back with what u think. Thanks bro.

 

[Lifterforlife]

I have done 12 contests. The carb loading/deplete is really a crapshoot for the natural athelete. I found it best to continue into the contest with my diet intact, the night before I have a large bowl of oatmeal, and in the morning my regular breakfast with a sweet potato.

It is easy to overshoot the carbs, and spill over. Be very careful here. A trial run is usually warranted about 6 weeks out or so to see how you respond to a carb load, if 2 days, 3 days, etc. after depletion.

Anyway, pre stage, high sugar high fat. I make a goo...chocolatate protein, peanut butter, and m&ms's. Mix with enough honey to make a pudding type consistency.

 

[jaydawg40]

I have done 12 contests. The carb loading/deplete is really a crapshoot for the natural athelete. I found it best to continue into the contest with my diet intact, the night before I have a large bowl of oatmeal, and in the morning my regular breakfast with a sweet potato.

It is easy to overshoot the carbs, and spill over. Be very careful here. A trial run is usually warranted about 6 weeks out or so to see how you respond to a carb load, if 2 days, 3 days, etc. after depletion.

Anyway, pre stage, high sugar high fat. I make a goo...chocolatate protein, peanut butter, and m&ms's. Mix with enough honey to make a pudding type consistency.

Should i consume protein during the carb loading phase. I've been told to have a small chicken breast with each meal, to comsuming no protein at all. What have u done? What did u carb load with?

 

[Lifterforlife]

I would never do a carb load with no protein. However, not to the extent you normally eat.

When I deplete, I do it the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the show, then start my carb up on Thursday and continue into Friday, tapering back toward the end of the day.

This works for me through trial an error. I come in pretty full.

I have never won an overall, but have placed second numerous times and third also. Only twice have I not placed in the top 5 in my class.

 

[Lifterforlife]

I would also suggest potassium load, but not sodium. Just keep normal sodium. Drink low sodium spring water. A bit of sodium pre stage can help with the pump also.

And don't forget to potassium de-load afterwards. Go off the potassium just as you go up on it.

 

[jaydawg40]

any thoughts on carb loading with puffed wheat? Want to load with "dry carbs" to help me dry out as much as possible.

 

[Makavelli]

I would also suggest potassium load, but not sodium. Just keep normal sodium. Drink low sodium spring water. A bit of sodium pre stage can help with the pump also.

And don't forget to potassium de-load afterwards. Go off the potassium just as you go up on it.

For most people you shouldn't potassium load. That's more dangerous than not having enough potassium. Most competitors actually get their potassium levels too high. Whether one take additional potassium or not depends on what diuretics they are using.

 

[Aries13]

Im struggling up the same hill as you
Here is the thread I started a week back(I think)....

http://www.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?t=467418