I’m 5’7 145 (~17%) and trying to hit 180 @ 8%. I dont’ have a problem gaining fat during my bulk, but my question is this:
Provided I am getting enough calories…If I had my carbs during breakfast, in my Surge (pre/peri/post workout) and the PWO meal, with all other feed times being a P+F meal, would that allow me to bulk cleanly? Or do you guys think I should intake more carbs? I know you need carbs to grow.
I ask because it sounds like breafast, Surge, and PWO are the only real times you should need carbs, with some people dropping the PWO carbs if they are fatter individuals (but I take it that’s only during a cutting phase?).
I hate to turn this into another bulk/cut debate because it’s not; I just want to know if I keep the carb intake to only the most appropriate times and I take in enough kcals, is that the template for a clean bulk? Or is it more complicated?
What happens to my muscle building ability if I drop the PWO carbs?
Reading all those articles has raised a bit more questions for me, so I’m just looking for guidance. Thanks guys.
Oh, and I think the question arose in my head after reading all the virtues of the Anabolic Diet, hence my idea of going low-carb but higher fat (and therefore keeping carb intake to only the most crucial times).
I think it’s generally agreed that carbs are a big part of muscle growth, though there are many ways to go about it.
In terms of making your bulk clean, it depends on how your body reacts to carbs. You really have to experiment and fine out. A lot of people have had success with the a low carb bulk of sorts with AD, but at the same time, a lot have had success with high carb methods. Then there’s the middle ground with methods like Carb cycling.
So you have your pick in ways to bulk with low/med/high carb methods and how clean it is depends on your body’s reaction to carbs. The method you’re describing is sort of a carb cycle since your carbs are generally ingested around workout and are frontloaded (which would make it a cycle if you don’t workout everyday).
I ask because it sounds like breafast, Surge, and PWO are the only real times you should need carbs, with some people dropping the PWO carbs if they are fatter individuals (but I take it that’s only during a cutting phase?).
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i know people are going to disagree, but personally, i would never cut out my pwo carbs (the 45 minute window when you drink your Surge). even when cutting. the insulin spike is essential, and i don’t think this can be accomplished to a significant degree without the carbs.
if you are going to use a low-carb diet, cut out the breakfast carbs instead. just my opinion.
also, maybe you could mix 1 scoop Surge/1 scoop hydrolyzed whey protein instead of the recommended 2 scoops Surge. this could cut the carbs in half pwo if you really feel the need to.
If you’re not worried about gaining fat then my recommendation is go with carbs until you reach your desired weight. I went from 165 pounds a few years back, today weigh about 205 pounds, though I’m a little fat right now as I have been bulking.
Anyhow I have used low carb diets and have cut alot of fat, and I will use again in the near future. But the fact that gaining weight is your optimum goal I would go with carbs. Just stay away from refined sugars and such.
[quote]ktennies wrote:
i would never cut out my pwo carbs (the 45 minute window when you drink your Surge). [/quote]
I would not cut out the Surge, but I would cut out carbs from the first solid PWO MEAL eaten after I’ve downed the Surge.
With Surge, I was thinking of drinking half during the workout (P+F meal 2 hours before lifting) and the other half right after working out, with creatine and BCAA. I would buy a good BCAA powder, too, to have before bedtime, upon waking and before working out. I would have a P+F shake or snack before bed.
Which brings me to another question:
Is the effect of BCAAs different if I consume them WITH food as opposed to before?
For instance, if I have the BCAA 15-20 min prior to a shake or meal, does that give it more time to switch me to anabolic state, or can the body flip that switch and utilize the effect while trying to digest food? I’m asking if there’s a delay that I need to be aware of.
Have considered taking TRIBEX + HRX for the bulk but want to get the disciplined eating down for at least 3 months before supplementing.
You don’t want HOT-ROX for bulking, it’s a fat loss supplement and has appetite suppression.
Not to say TRIBEX or Alpha Male wouldn’t help, but really, at your starting weight, you just need to eat lots and lift heavy. Don’t overcomplicate things for yourself.
There isn’t a delay when consuming bcaas, I not sure if there’s actually anything faster than consuming pure bcaas.