Anyone else read "racing weight" and eat lots of carbs?
Sort of the opposite of that fat adapted thread, I am wondering if anyone else has read "racing weight" and applied the principles found there?
I read the book and for the last two months I have been tracking my food and trying to eat many more carbs. I have also been following the timing advice and eating most of my carbs in the morning and around workouts and eating more protein toward the end of the day. I have been shooting for 70% carbs, and 15% each of fat / protein. Realistically I have been in the 60-65% range for carbs.
I am actually eating more than I had been before tracking and haven't gained any weight. In terms of performance I had a great 10 mile race and I am currently running faster than ever. However, this could be attributed to reduced training volume and doing Z5 running intervals for the first time.
Personally I think I am going to stick with the strategy because it at minimum appears to be doing no harm and is perhaps helping me. I certainty enjoy eating carbs! I was afraid of feeling bloated all the time but it hasn't been the case at all as long as I keep fiber in check.
Comments
I read the book about six weeks ago. Like you, I was surprised by the high carb recommendation. It worked out to between 400-500g of carbs per day for me. That was usually what I'd do to carb load before a race.
I was nervous about implementing the diet, especially since I've tended to put on weight in the past. However, my weight has stayed constant. I have also posted some of my best runs and feel like I have more endurance on the bike. (Sadly, it hasn't improved my weak swim
I've also had much less fatigue and have more sustained energy through the day. Plus, it's fun to commit carbocide.
I am absolutely committed to some of the other major ideas in his book, however. I practice nutrient timing like a zealot. I think it is utterly critical to managing the impact of how the body processes calories. I also think the concept of managing appetite is extremely important, i.e. achieving "satiation" via eating some protein at each meal (maybe I overcorrect here hence can't get to 60% carbs!!!). Finally I think the whole understanding of caloric density of foods is also critical. If more people understood caloric density we would have a LOT fewer overweight people in the world!
I recommend this book to lots of people because it really has some simple concepts which can move the needle for people in a big way.
I read it last winter and it led me to avoid processed foods, drink more milk, eat more meat and protein later in the day and a bit more carbs early in the day, but a lot less food in general. I now weigh only 5-7 lbs more than when I was 19 (i'm 45)- a decrease of about 10 lbs overall and I've had my best season ever racing. Most days I feel pretty good, never feel bloated etc. I didn't use the grams of carbs etc but followed the sensible serving size approach and tried to become attuned to stomach hungry vs head hungry and stop eating when I was full.
In that book he does a good job of debunking all the diet fads...
I've been "Vegan" or more correctly "Plant Based" for over 4 yrs now... Never been fitter or faster... Is it my diet? NO Its the training and recovery.... There is no magic bullet... All these diets/theories are all selling something and its usually how to be skinny / stronger / faster and yet still eat what you want (its simple marketing to sell you and they tell you what you want to hear)! I'm a firm believe of calories in vs calories out... Timing of these calories to be important for performance and recovery... Most top end athletes are on some sort of high percentage carbohydrate diet NOT a high fat or other type (there are a few exceptions). Being plant based normally puts you into a higher carbohydrate mix anyway so yes I practice a high percentage carbohydrate diet.
The book is a good read, and a lot of great ideas. @MattA mentions timing, and I'm all over that. For me I've ended up settling on 'always' hitting the carbs pre and post workout (al-a Paleo with Joe Friel and Loren Cordain)...so 40-50g prior and 100g+ post...if 'training' for a specific event, add in carbs (gels) during workouts...makes a BIG difference in anything over 1 hour (I know 'they' say 90 minutes, but I guess I'm getting old)...I'm rarely over 50% carbs overall though...protein catches up later in the day and washes out the carb push of my typical morning workout.
BTW, @Satish, @MattA and @ Peter cover what I find a daily challenge for me, and one of the big things that I took away from the book...managing 'only eat when hungry' ...wrote a blog article summarizing it many years ago...still work it every day...some days more successful than others
http://www.irondaughterirondad.com/...ld-you-be/