Carb ups -- Are they worth it?

[frankenfurter]

I have about 100gm of carbs per day during the week and a carb up day on Sunday of about 400-500gms. Usually it's in the form of mashed potatoes, pasta or rice. I also have some desert like apple pie or ice cream or something.

My problem is this: It takes me two days to get my cravings under control after this carb up day. Monday and Tuesday are killers as far as the hunger. I never break, but man do it want to. So much so that I am in a really bad mood on those evenings, which kind of sucks for my family, since they need homework help, housework done, etc.

By Wed. tho, I am back in the routine and feeling fine, until Sunday, where the cycle repeats. I'm 6' 215 guessing around 15%bf. I want to get to 10% or so, around 195lb. I was on Atkins before getting serious with lifting around 8 months ago. I got down from 255 with the Atkins diet.

Sorry for the long post, but do you guys think I should cut out the carb up day? Or at least dump the desserts? Cut the carbs to 200-300?

 

[Burning_Inside]

you need carb up days..

NEED.
it's all about leptin and set points and whatnot.

Check out this thread http://boards.elitefitness.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=112853&highlight=leptin

and par deus site mindandmuscle.net

 

[HANSEL]

They have been working for me. Fun Too!

 

[MrMakaveli]

If your not already take eca on the two days after the carb-up to curb the cravings. There are also many things to help with the mood (try eating more potassium), search the boards they have been mentioned before.

 

[gymrat]

Well worth it. Leptin needs to be replenished.

It also helps your sanity.

 

[frankenfurter]

If your not already take eca on the two days after the carb-up to curb the cravings.

I can't take any stimulants because of a heart arrhythmia. I think it's probably the simple sugars that are killing me. I'll quit those and replace them with some oatmeal or other complex carb.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

[Kid Dynamite]

They're worth it, but keep them under control. Dropping the sugar might work, try replacing it with oatmeal or other stuff. Try alternating low/high gi foods.

 

[Shankerr]

I like carb up days. replenish leptin levels, replenish sanity, etc.

I always found that after a good carb up (I do one about every three weeks with about 700g cabrs in one day) I don't have any cravings for the next three week cycle. I find it actually keeps cravings in check... I guess we're all different.

 

[rperry]

im going to carb up 1 time per week.. should i do it at night or in the morning? should i do it before or after a work out????

what should i eat? potatoes, rice? ive been dieting for 7 days snd its time for a carb up day soon!

how many grams of carbs should i eat??? im 175lbs and consume about 250g of protein per day and about 10%bf?

 

[Puttn]

there is no time to carb up... just up your daily overall carbs like a couple per meal

 

[rperry]

there is no time to carb up... just up your daily overall carbs like a couple per meal

if i eat zero carbs ezcept for a grapefruit at breakfast i should take in about 100g of carbs for each meal, 5-6 meals????? thats not too much?????

 

[JJFigure]

I'm pretty lean right now, so based on Par Deus's advice, I carb load for 12 hours. I start with instant, flavored cream of wheat or oatmeal for my first three meals, then eat regular cream of wheat or oatmeal sweetened with 1 T honey for my last three meals. By the time I finish the last meal, I'm sick of carbs and am ready to go back to eating protein.

It definitely keeps the fat burning though - I'm amazed at how well adding refeeds keeps me from plateau'ing. I just keep them under control, count the calories, etc.