has anyone done a low carb diet and lots of cardio?

[Thong Maniac]

Yes. Just tried it. Did it for two weeks. Had the worst headaches in my life.
Everyday. Got me scared. Was almost ready to call the doctor. Started eating carbs and they
Went away. I will never do that shit again!!!!!!

This. My brain stopped working. Was literally not thinking or speaking straight.

Calories are all that matters. Carb cycling = still comes down to calories. Full time job or travel, carb cycling is about as realistic as religion

Also, ceph, are you accurately counting cals now,Or still over estimating by 250-500 per meal to justify your eating disorder?

[oldschoolfan]

ive tried it doesnt work to well.

you need carbs if doing cardio at least 100 to 150 grams per day, i run almost every day and let me tell you if i go to low on carbs my run

is really hard to to     on low carbs.   

[Azure]

Yes, it was essentially the last 4 weeks. Prior to that I was doing carb cycling!

How much cardio?  I will never diet without carbs again. Headaches and terrible binges after

[cephissus]

This. My brain stopped working. Was literally not thinking or speaking straight.

Calories are all that matters. Carb cycling = still comes down to calories. Full time job or travel, carb cycling is about as realistic as religion

Also, ceph, are you accurately counting cals now,Or still over estimating by 250-500 per meal to justify your eating disorder?

dude, let me just assure you that you are clueless

im fat now (by my standards) and can barely muster the energy to get out of bed.  clearly, somewhere along the line i really lost my way and i'm trying to sort things out.  i appreciate honest advice and replies to my threads, but there's no need for you, simon, yamcha, etc. to indulge in these snide (and repetitive) digs against me.

i'm sure you all feel clever for "reading between the lines" of my posts but it's getting very old.  im glad i can serve as a whipping boy for you all, but consider for a second why you (particularly jeff) enjoy hounding me at every opportunity...

[cephissus]

also, peter attia's pro-keto site, eatingacademy.com was the inspiration for this thread.  particularly, this article:

http://eatingacademy.com/how-a-low-carb-diet-affected-my-athletic-performance

i thought it was very interesting (along with parts 1-3 of the same series).  he portrays ketosis as some sort of miracle state with practically no downsides.

while the article is compelling, it's also a little suspicious.  if there really is little or no downside to a low carb diet, and other people could replicate his results (drop tons of body fat % while improving endurance and increasing calories), i think more people (particularly athletes) would try this diet.

that said, i haven't ever heard of any real athletes on a low carb diet.

[TEH boob]

I've done a generally low-carb diet for long periods of time (months) and found that once I started eating carbs on a regular basis, the difference in my speed and perceived effort was remarkable (duh).


After 90 minutes of cardio, you need to refill your glycogen stores (which is why endurance athletes use gels) or dip into alternate energy sources; so, if you have a body trained to burn fat more efficiently, you will perform better than those who always have full glycogen stores.

[Lustral]

lots of keto proponents claiming ketosis is even better for endurance athletes than typical high carb diets...

probably the wrong forum to ask, but anyone trained like a cyclist, marathoner, etc. on keto or low carb (eg. less than 150 grams a day)?

Cyclists take in massive amounts of carbs. 60 odd kg riders consume 6000 calories per day mostly carbs. Wtf are you talking about? How the fuck can you cycle 200km uphill on chicken.

[Leatherneck]

I've trained for half marathons and marathons (3 to be specific) on relatively low carbs. I would guess I was closer to 200 grams a day. On race day and the few prior I was way above my typical amount of carbs.

[cephissus]

I've done a generally low-carb diet for long periods of time (months) and found that once I started eating carbs on a regular basis, the difference in my speed and perceived effort was remarkable (duh).


After 90 minutes of cardio, you need to refill your glycogen stores (which is why endurance athletes use gels) or dip into alternate energy sources; so, if you have a body trained to burn fat more efficiently, you will perform better than those who always have full glycogen stores.

so did you abandon the low carb diet once you noticed this "remarkable difference"?

any opinion on which is better for body composition, long term?

[TEH boob]

so did you abandon the low carb diet once you noticed this "remarkable difference"?

any opinion on which is better for body composition, long term?

Well, I'm coming up on a marathon in a few days, so I stopped low carb when I started training. Low carb to me is <75-100g/day, and it just wasn't possible with 16+ mile training runs.

As far as body goes, it seems like I have the same level of definition, but I am physically wider. Basically- clothes don't fit, but 'toned'-ness is the same as before.

Would be fine for a dude, but as a woman, I preferred the more delicate low-carb look

[Set It Up]

Well, I'm coming up on a marathon in a few days, so I stopped low carb when I started training. Low carb to me is <75-100g/day, and it just wasn't possible with 16+ mile training runs.

As far as body goes, it seems like I have the same level of definition, but I am physically wider. Basically- clothes don't fit, but 'toned'-ness is the same as before.

Would be fine for a dude, but as a woman, I preferred the more delicate low-carb look

interesting
only one woman on here who ever did marathons

[Thong Maniac]

dude, let me just assure you that you are clueless

im fat now (by my standards) and can barely muster the energy to get out of bed.  clearly, somewhere along the line i really lost my way and i'm trying to sort things out.  i appreciate honest advice and replies to my thread, but there's no need for you, simon, yamcha, etc. to indulge in these snide (and repetitive) digs against me.

i'm sure you all feel clever for "reading between the lines" of my posts but it's getting very old.  im glad i can serve as a whipping boy for you all, but consider for a second why you (particularly jeff) enjoy hounding me at every opportunity...

Wow man wtf? You that sensitive over some jabs about your calorie counting skills? Bro, ive been there. Same problem as you. Reading this forum and having people make fun of me, actually helped me get over it. I still have some anxiety about eating but its way better. Didnt mean to go over the line man, i honestly didnt think i was.

[Thin Lizzy]

I've trained for half marathons and marathons (3 to be specific) on relatively low carbs. I would guess I was closer to 200 grams a day. On race day and the few prior I was way above my typical amount of carbs.

Low carb is generally considered to be under 50 grams a day.

Moderate carbs is in the 100-150 range. To me, this is ideal. Even at 150, it's only 600 calories. If you're getting fat on that, you're eating too much fat. I know that portion control is something that gets scoffed at, lately, but most of the experts who do this are fat.

Regarding Ketosis, if it's such a desirable state, why does your body kick you out of it so easily? That would be because Ketosis is a starvation response, the equivalent of an emergency parachute.

[DroppingPlates]

dude, let me just assure you that you are clueless

im fat now (by my standards) and can barely muster the energy to get out of bed.  clearly, somewhere along the line i really lost my way and i'm trying to sort things out.  i appreciate honest advice and replies to my threads, but there's no need for you, simon, yamcha, etc. to indulge in these snide (and repetitive) digs against me.

i'm sure you all feel clever for "reading between the lines" of my posts but it's getting very old.  im glad i can serve as a whipping boy for you all, but consider for a second why you (particularly jeff) enjoy hounding me at every opportunity...

How much is your body fat? I believe that you should rather worry about your energy (read: health/well being) first, so going keto is only going against you on the long run.

[cephissus]

Wow man wtf? You that sensitive over some jabs about your calorie counting skills? Bro, ive been there. Same problem as you. Reading this forum and having people make fun of me, actually helped me get over it. I still have some anxiety about eating but its way better. Didnt mean to go over the line man, i honestly didnt think i was.

no problem... i'm just getting tired of the "out of date" comments... seems everyone remembers my binge thread but none of the posts in the last month or two.

i'm the same actually.  the ridicule i received in the binge thread helped me, but i think my problems are deeper than an "eating disorder".  so yeah, the criticism helped in the past, but i don't think eating is my main problem anymore, so now it's more annoying than helpful.

How much is your body fat? I believe that you should rather worry about your energy (read: health/well being) first, so going keto is only going against you on the long run.

i don't know, i'd say definitely over 10.  i agree, and i am more worried about my health than my body composition... though in a twisted way i always was.

initially, i was interested in ketosis because many people say it helps their "brain fog".  i don't really know what people mean by that, but my mind has been a mess in the past few months, so i thought maybe it could help.  when i read some of these articles by peter attia (which, admittedly, read a bit like propaganda), i was surprised to find that it could possibly benefit athletic performance (which i'm trying to focus on), as well.

my brother is also very into paleo / keto -- i know he's recommended my parents read gary taubes' books more than once).  if it helped him, maybe it could help me...

i planned to try the two extremes -- first high carb, low fat (vegan), then high fat, low carb (keto).  i'm still in the vegan phase, and its definitely going better than my previous strategy (starvation), but that isn't saying much, lol...  i'm suspicious of both approaches, but after so much reading and thinking i figured i just need to experiment if i'm ever going to get anywhere.

[Thong Maniac]

no problem... i'm just getting tired of the "out of date" comments... seems everyone remembers my binge thread but none of the posts in the last month or two.

i'm the same actually.  the ridicule i received in the binge thread helped me, but i think my problems are deeper than an "eating disorder".  so yeah, the criticism helped in the past, but i don't think eating is my main problem anymore, so now it's more annoying than helpful.

i don't know, i'd say definitely over 10.  i agree, and i am more worried about my health than my body composition... though in a twisted way i always was.

initially, i was interested in ketosis because many people say it helps their "brain fog".  i don't really know what people mean by that, but my mind has been a mess in the past few months, so i thought maybe it could help.  when i read some of these articles by peter attia (which, admittedly, read a bit like propaganda), i was surprised to find that it could possibly benefit athletic performance (which i'm trying to focus on), as well.

my brother is also very into paleo / keto -- i know he's recommended my parents read gary taubes' books more than once).  if it helped him, maybe it could help me...

i planned to try the two extremes -- first high carb, low fat (vegan), then high fat, low carb (keto).  i'm still in the vegan phase, and its definitely going better than my previous strategy (starvation), but that isn't saying much, lol...  i'm suspicious of both approaches, but after so much reading and thinking i figured i just need to experiment if i'm ever going to get anywhere.

Try keto for 3 weeks. If you can make it that long, im telling you...you havnt experienced "brain fog" until you have done keto. My brain chemistrybchanged or some shit. I couldnt function normally. Terrible breath too and awful blood profile. The brain fog bs you read about and how your mind gets better on it, was total crap IMO

[DroppingPlates]

i don't know, i'd say definitely over 10.  i agree, and i am more worried about my health than my body composition... though in a twisted way i always was.

initially, i was interested in ketosis because many people say it helps their "brain fog".  i don't really know what people mean by that, but my mind has been a mess in the past few months, so i thought maybe it could help.  when i read some of these articles by peter attia (which, admittedly, read a bit like propaganda), i was surprised to find that it could possibly benefit athletic performance (which i'm trying to focus on), as well.

my brother is also very into paleo / keto -- i know he's recommended my parents read gary taubes' books more than once).  if it helped him, maybe it could help me...

i planned to try the two extremes -- first high carb, low fat (vegan), then high fat, low carb (keto).  i'm still in the vegan phase, and its definitely going better than my previous strategy (starvation), but that isn't saying much, lol...  i'm suspicious of both approaches, but after so much reading and thinking i figured i just need to experiment if i'm ever going to get anywhere.

I was actually under the impression that you were more concerned about your body fat rate than your health, so it's good that you say this.

Not that long ago I heard the term 'brain fog' for the first time. It was a guy on Youtube (unfortunately in Dutch, so I won't post it) who extensively described what he tried to overcome his chronic fatigue. He explained 'brain fogs' as moments that you're unable to think clearly. One of the key things that seemed to work for him (i.e. less fatigue) was avoiding certain foods and even old buildings because of the fungi.
He found many of these insights on this web page, https://www.bulletproofexec.com/

I would suggest to consume a moderate amount of carbs, say 30-40 energy%, to have enough energy (glycogen) in the tank, but on the other hand to avoid high blood sugar peaks. Eat small meals, say every 3 hour and be very selective in your food sources. Don't go to into extremes with your carbs or nutrition in general, this will only hurt you on the long run.

[cephissus]

Try keto for 3 weeks. If you can make it that long, im telling you...you havnt experienced "brain fog" until you have done keto. My brain chemistrybchanged or some shit. I couldnt function normally. Terrible breath too and awful blood profile. The brain fog bs you read about and how your mind gets better on it, was total crap IMO

lol!  i dunno man, it sounds extremely suspicious to me too, but there are so many people who claim low carb / keto = superior brain function that i'm starting to think there must be something to it.  maybe a genetic thing... some people do better with carbs, some without?

I was actually under the impression that you were more concerned about your body fat rate than your health, so it's good that you say this.

Not that long ago I heard the term 'brain fog' for the first time. It was a guy on Youtube (unfortunately in Dutch, so I won't post it) who extensively described what he tried to overcome his chronic fatigue. He explained 'brain fogs' as moments that you're unable to think clearly. One of the key things that seemed to work for him (i.e. less fatigue) was avoiding certain foods and even old buildings because of the fungi.
He found many of these insights on this web page, https://www.bulletproofexec.com/

I would suggest to consume a moderate amount of carbs, say 30-40 energy%, to have enough energy (glycogen) in the tank, but on the other hand to avoid high blood sugar peaks. Eat small meals, say every 3 hour and be very selective in your food sources. Don't go to into extremes with your carbs or nutrition in general, this will only hurt you on the long run.

thanks for the advice.  i thought i would try both extremes for a short period of time to see how they affected me.  in the end, i think the best way will be somewhere in the middle, but how would i know without pushing the boundaries first?  unfortunately, my will to push is flagging already... but if i don't at least try, i feel the "unknown" will drive me crazy.

i've read some stuff from the bulletproof guy before.  to be honest, i'm highly wary of diet advice coming from someone who uses caffeine.  i think most people have no idea the impact a drug like that can have.  i sure as hell didn't for the first few months i started drinking coffee.  i now realize that shit allowed me to skip meals, gave me crazy delusions of grandeur, and alternately calmed me or sent my anxiety skyrocketing.

only once i got extremely lean did i begin to notice how everything affected me... in a normal state, the effects are hidden under numerous layers of consciousness.  when i was starving, though, a lot of my everyday feelings got stripped away, leaving me acutely aware of the impact of every little choice i made, hence my ever deepening neuroses.  i could get drunk off a single beer, and one bag of black tea could mean the difference between a day spent steeped in depression and worry and a serene, relaxed day of high productivity.

that's actually one of the reasons i decided to try a vegan diet first.  one prominent proponent of the diet continually insists that most low-carb advocates are also caffeine addicts... a claim which aligned with my experience.  if anything is going to let me operate without that drug, i'm all for giving it a shot.

[DroppingPlates]

thanks for the advice.  i thought i would try both extremes for a short period of time to see how they affected me.  in the end, i think the best way will be somewhere in the middle, but how would i know without pushing the boundaries first?  unfortunately, my will to push is flagging already... but if i don't at least try, i feel the "unknown" will drive me crazy.

i've read some stuff from the bulletproof guy before.  to be honest, i'm highly wary of diet advice coming from someone who uses caffeine.  i think most people have no idea the impact a drug like that can have.  i sure as hell didn't for the first few months i started drinking coffee.  i now realize that shit allowed me to skip meals, gave me crazy delusions of grandeur, and alternately calmed me or sent my anxiety skyrocketing.

only once i got extremely lean did i begin to notice how everything affected me... in a normal state, the effects are hidden under numerous layers of consciousness.  when i was starving, though, a lot of my everyday feelings got stripped away, leaving me acutely aware of the impact of every little choice i made, hence my ever deepening neuroses.  i could get drunk off a single beer, and one bag of black tea could mean the difference between a day spent steeped in depression and worry and a serene, relaxed day of high productivity.

that's actually one of the reasons i decided to try a vegan diet first.  one prominent proponent of the diet continually insists that most low-carb advocates are also caffeine addicts... a claim which aligned with my experience.  if anything is going to let me operate without that drug, i'm all for giving it a shot.

Sure, you can try those carb extremes, but there are plenty of anecdotes who indicate the outcomes.

I fully agree about the coffee. It may be good antioxidant source and it's caffeine might give you a push when you mentally need it, but it can also work against you. I would suggest to try the decaffeinated version.

Without going too much into details, you've got to realize that there are basically two routes that could solve your fatigue problem: the medical route and your own 'journey'. I think that both routes have pros & cons, but being a pragmatic/scientific oriented person myself, I would suggest to try the medical route first.

[Raymondo]

Did both five years ago. Not more than 50 carbs a day and an hour cardio in the morning. The fat melts away fast but so does some of the muscle. Helped with work related stress, too.