Well, as we know, any anaerobic work like the heavy lifting you describe, or the "explosive" HIIT routines I like to do, relies on glycogen stores, as fat can only be utilised to fuel aerobic activity. Comments I've seen on low-carb (e.g. Atkins) websites point out that the very low-carb "induction" phase is designed specifically to deplete the body of glycogen and hence stimulate ketosis, or fat-burning. They also tend to stress that the level of carbs an individual would require after that for maintenance depends on their typical level of activity, particularly I would guess, anaerobic activity. All this suggests that any very low-carb regime doesn't obviously lend itself to supporting a lot of anaerobic work, although there may well be adaptation issues that could modify this over time - perhaps Bert or someone else more competent than me could comment on this.
That said, you seem to have enjoyed success on your nutrient mix before switching to low-carb, apart from feeling hungry. Did you also perhaps suspect that you might lose more fat by shifting to low-carb? My own experience is that fat-loss is 99% "calories in, calories out", and that from that perspective (as opposed to any views one might hold on the purported health benefits of any particular nutrient balance) one will continue to lose fat and spare - or even build - muscle provided that one maintains the necessary moderate calorie deficit and exercises appropriately.
So it certainly seems that one option is for you to resume the approach that worked before, on this basis. Of course, the "hunger" that prompted you to change would need to be addressed. I put it in quotes because, as so many people have shared in this group, "hunger" tends to be a psychological state at least as much as a physical one, and there are techniques for controlling it - exercise of course being one. I've also found that bulk can work to control psychological hunger. In my case the issue tends to manifest as not feeling full enough by the end of my window. I typically don't calculate precise ratios of fat/carbs/protein, though I'm alert to the "fuel" aspects we've discussed, and to my overall calorific balance.
So if I still feel a little "hollow" some time after my main meal I'll consume something not too high in calories, but reasonably bulky and hence physically filling - e.g. fruits, oatmeal, liquids (soup, tea, water) - so that overall I get a satisfactory feeling of satiation. I find that provided I'm getting the right nutrients, and also provided I ensure that my stomach gets that critical "full enough" feeling, any "hunger"signals are generally subdued until the start of the next window. In the interim I drink water/tea/coffee when I'm thirsty, or if a twinge of that "hollow tummy" feeling occasionally intrudes.
Perhaps some of these tweaks might help? Might be worth a try.
David
-----Original Message-----
>>I've had a thought about your comment re feeling light-headed, as you say
you also did when low-carbing, and your feeling of weakness when working
out. I wonder if your muscles aren't (yet) storing enough glycogen to power
your strenuous workouts adequately? You probably need more adaptation time
to give your muscles the strong hint that they need to suck it up when you
make it available in your window, but you might also consider upping your
carbs a bit, at least for a while, to see if this has any effect. I do
sometimes wonder whether the low-carb approach is best when there is a high
level of daily demand for muscle glycogen - we know that racing cyclists and
others who need both endurance and burst strength tend to load up on carbs
prior to strenuous efforts.<<
David - I feel this is exactly what I am currently dealing with!
My story:
Been on this wellness journey for over 6 yrs, doing heavy weight lifting (4
X/wk) and 'many' diets to try to shed this last bit of fat off my body (last
time I measured, I was at 18% body fat).
Have been working out fasted for well over a year (thanks, Burt!), but
usually only 10 hrs as I WO at 6am and my last meal is usually around 7pm.
In August, I chose to start eating low carb, high fat, simply because I was
tired of being hungry all the time (if I dare broke my fast w/carbs, I was a
goner!) (thanks, Ellen & Carolyn!).
Mid September, I discovered I had above-normal blood sugars.
I stopped using Fast5 in an effort to get this new WOE under my belt and to
regulate my blood sugars.
I stopped my 4X/wk weight training in mid-October and switched over to a
"Slow Burn" style of lifting (work out once every 7-10 days) I got about 6
work outs in before I realized I needed to quit because of a shoulder
injury. I was not in the gym for 6 wks.
2 wks ago, I went back to the 4X/wk weight training. Eating HFLC (less than
25g Carbs daily), my blood sugars have come down nicely. The first week
back to training, they went high, then crashed low (122/77). I was
initially consuming a glucose food post-WO, then, after a week of weight
lifting, got brave and cut that out and just had my 20g protein/4g carb
shake. The first day, I was fine! No hunger for over 5 hrs! But I
couldn't duplicate it! The next time (this Monday), I had the same protein
shake post-WO and was hungry an hour later and had another half a shake. I
got the nibbles all day (and my blood sugars were higher than usual: 98).
Tuesday, I had the larger protein shake but then got this weak/wobbly
feeling within an hour. Desparate, I cooked up and ate 70g of sweet potato
(loaded w/butter). I just couldn't attain the 'satisfied' feeling all day!
I ate nuts and cheese (anything quick at hand) to try to get that satisfied
feeling. I finally gave in to tortilla chips.
I just read "somewhere on the 'net" one guy consuming his daily alottment of
carbs in his post-WO meal.
I feel that my workouts are depleting my stored glycogen and I'm getting
mixed messages on whether I need to replenish that or not.
But I can't function with that weak/woggy feeling so need to know which
steps to take.... Do you have some links for me to read to help?
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