To Carb or Not to Carb

Source: Flickr-- Darwin Bell

Over the past several months I have lost almost 40 lbs and lowered my body fat percentage by at least 7%. As I mentioned in Mr. Consistency my diet hasn't exactly been high carb. I have eaten a lot of protein and up until now it has paid off.

So what's the problem?

Recently my workouts have flopped in the gym. I have very little energy and I have not been getting the "pump" I normally achieve. Not to mention my strength has dropped significantly in the last two weeks.

Typically I would expect to see a decrease in strength as far as "raw weight" numbers go. (For example, say I bench press 350 lbs at 290lbs and someone who weighs 250lbs benches 320. While I can bench more raw weight than the 250lber, the 250lber is stronger as far as body weight to strength ratio goes. )

Two weeks ago I was still feeling very strong as far as my BW to strength goes... however that was two weeks ago. My strength has since dropped significantly in two weeks and I haven't changed anything with my workout, diet, or resting.

This left me scratching my head and while I still haven't 100% solved the problem, I think I have at least identified it. I think my Mr. Consistency has finally caught up with me and my body is beyond adapted to my eating habits. I frequently mix up my workouts, but I have neglected changing my eating habits.

For the past six months, I have done a relatively good job of burning fat and preserving hard earned muscle. I failed to realize that the decrease in my strength wasn't because I wasn't working out hard enough, but because I had pretty much limited my body's source of fuel (carbs). Limiting my carbo energy tank and having lowered my body fat percentage my body went searching for the next place to make energy. It just so happened to be that it took from my muscles... my hard earned muscles. Muscles I spent years in the gym working to achieve are being used as fuel to foster my workouts.... and while they haven't noticeably withered away.. they have noticeably lost strength.

So I picked up a good book from the Human Kinetics publishers and started brushing up on my nutrition. They brought me back to such a simple solution that FITNESS AMERICA doesn't want you to believe.

Higher energy workouts produce bigger muscle and strength gains!

It makes complete sense, sure protein repairs muscles but it doesn't provide hardly any energy to complete a workout. Carbohydrates are the body's most readily available source of energy and if eaten properly can give you the fuel to supercharge your workouts.

If you choose smart carbs such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables you will have more energy to work harder in the gym without worry about gaining fat....(For long term benefit stay away from simple carbs such as: sugar, white grains, sodas, candy, etc.)

If you sustain the energy to work harder in the gym, pump out more reps, lift more weight-- then your muscles will reward you with strength and growth. Remember protein does not make muscle grow, it repairs muscle faster so it can grow. It does not provide ample energy and if your workouts are lackluster--- it doesn't matter how much protein you drink-- your not working your muscles hard enough to grow or gain strength.


It's amazing how a peer-reviewed nutrition text book can show you so much more than MUSCLE MEATHEAD MAGS. Sure those guys tell you to take all the protein in the world, they don't have to worry about carbs for fuel-- they have anabolic steroids!!!


I'm out

----------------
Now playing: Alice In Chains - Brother
via FoxyTunes