Low carb diets and sports
Discussion
I have a question. Its about whether low carb diets are good things to be on when you're also wanting to race and compete in a very energy intensive sport.
A friend of mine is doing just this. To be honest she really doesn't need to, she's in great shape but thats for another discussion. She's doing a diet with her friend (who does need to shed a few pounds) so I guess there is a moral support, in this together, angle.
Not sure what level of carbs she is eating, but basically it amounts to a small potato. Something like that.
But I think its really hampered her performances. She didn't swim very well at the sprint gala we were at the other week and apparently this weekend has gone much the same, to the point where disappointing performances in the 50's has caused her to pull out of the 100's completely.
Of course this could just be getting older (mid 30's!) but up util trying this diet she's been on the money with times.
So is low carb a bad idea in this case or is a dip in energy levels like this just something you have to push through until your body works out where else to get its energy from?
A friend of mine is doing just this. To be honest she really doesn't need to, she's in great shape but thats for another discussion. She's doing a diet with her friend (who does need to shed a few pounds) so I guess there is a moral support, in this together, angle.
Not sure what level of carbs she is eating, but basically it amounts to a small potato. Something like that.
But I think its really hampered her performances. She didn't swim very well at the sprint gala we were at the other week and apparently this weekend has gone much the same, to the point where disappointing performances in the 50's has caused her to pull out of the 100's completely.
Of course this could just be getting older (mid 30's!) but up util trying this diet she's been on the money with times.
So is low carb a bad idea in this case or is a dip in energy levels like this just something you have to push through until your body works out where else to get its energy from?
They say if you go through ketosis, your body will use fat stores as energy. Does she have fat stores?
Personally, I'll be eating the EU wheat mountain if I were competing every weekend. If I don't get a decent lunch before my tennis session every week (and that's non-competitive), I'll be eating crisps and chocolate bars for fuel. (It's like the food equivalent of a dirty bomb but it gets the job done.)
Personally, I'll be eating the EU wheat mountain if I were competing every weekend. If I don't get a decent lunch before my tennis session every week (and that's non-competitive), I'll be eating crisps and chocolate bars for fuel. (It's like the food equivalent of a dirty bomb but it gets the job done.)
I've been on low carb for about 2 months and train at the gym at least 4 times a week and play squash every Tuesday night. I have a diet whey protein shake before any excercise and they seems to give me enough energy to be competitive. When I'm excerting myself for longer periods of time ie hill walking I've been known to have a chocolate bar. I eat a lot of protein throughout the day and never feel hungry.
I would have said she doesn't have a lot of fat to be honest. Large upper body of course due to swimming, but mostly muscle. Flat stomach. She's basically just the right side of womanly in figure. So probably not a lot of fat to go round. Only early days yet, being a few weeks into this diet. Its not something she's doing on her own though, I believe there is a PT who has arranged this for her.
Sprints, all explosive energy. High intensity for short duration. Possibly, low carbs means that instant energy reserve just isn't there.
These are only 25 to 60 odd second races depending on distance. Doesn't sound like much, but its 100% exertion whilst also not being able to breathe as much as you really want to. (i.e. 50 freestyle and 50 fly are ideally, 1 - 2 breaths total. Head down, power on). The body must be able to grab energy in short order and convert/produce it with a lack of oxygen.
Sprints, all explosive energy. High intensity for short duration. Possibly, low carbs means that instant energy reserve just isn't there.
These are only 25 to 60 odd second races depending on distance. Doesn't sound like much, but its 100% exertion whilst also not being able to breathe as much as you really want to. (i.e. 50 freestyle and 50 fly are ideally, 1 - 2 breaths total. Head down, power on). The body must be able to grab energy in short order and convert/produce it with a lack of oxygen.
Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Monday 18th May 12:07
Hoofy said:
At this stage, I think it's only fair to ask for a photo of her. 
She's a police officer as well so I'd be getting the beat downs if I did that.She was a very good swimmer back in full training days (and is still bloody rapid today!) and I mean contending for spots on the GB team. So I guess, go look at those girls if you want an idea!
Otispunkmeyer said:
I have a question. Its about whether low carb diets are good things to be on when you're also wanting to race and compete in a very energy intensive sport.
A friend of mine is doing just this. To be honest she really doesn't need to, she's in great shape but thats for another discussion. She's doing a diet with her friend (who does need to shed a few pounds) so I guess there is a moral support, in this together, angle.
Not sure what level of carbs she is eating, but basically it amounts to a small potato. Something like that.
But I think its really hampered her performances. She didn't swim very well at the sprint gala we were at the other week and apparently this weekend has gone much the same, to the point where disappointing performances in the 50's has caused her to pull out of the 100's completely.
Of course this could just be getting older (mid 30's!) but up util trying this diet she's been on the money with times.
So is low carb a bad idea in this case or is a dip in energy levels like this just something you have to push through until your body works out where else to get its energy from?
A while ago I posted a link to a fella (maybe a triathlete) who stayed in keto but advised to replenish the carbs he used in his extreme sport.A friend of mine is doing just this. To be honest she really doesn't need to, she's in great shape but thats for another discussion. She's doing a diet with her friend (who does need to shed a few pounds) so I guess there is a moral support, in this together, angle.
Not sure what level of carbs she is eating, but basically it amounts to a small potato. Something like that.
But I think its really hampered her performances. She didn't swim very well at the sprint gala we were at the other week and apparently this weekend has gone much the same, to the point where disappointing performances in the 50's has caused her to pull out of the 100's completely.
Of course this could just be getting older (mid 30's!) but up util trying this diet she's been on the money with times.
So is low carb a bad idea in this case or is a dip in energy levels like this just something you have to push through until your body works out where else to get its energy from?
Last year the Doctor twins did the sugar/fat test. THe guy who was operating on fat lost more muscle in their cycling test.
I can't comment on this (or any specific situation) but having experimented with many differing diets from full on Atkins, to Paleo, high protein bodybuilder, etc. I find myself with more energy and 'well being' on a relatively low protein whole food diet.
My meals are primarily vegetables, mostly green/leafy with various root veg and taters with a small portion of meat/fish/eggs/whatever once a day. A few pulses and beans find their way onto my plate too. Fruit and yoghurt for pudd most days.
My only training is weights 2-3 times a week. I'm sure were I to increase my protein intake to 'recommended' levels I may put on more muscle, faster, but that's not important to me anymore.
Sorry, ended up off-topic but I reckon for the type of sport/training in OP WPC may be wise to eat more carbs.
My meals are primarily vegetables, mostly green/leafy with various root veg and taters with a small portion of meat/fish/eggs/whatever once a day. A few pulses and beans find their way onto my plate too. Fruit and yoghurt for pudd most days.
My only training is weights 2-3 times a week. I'm sure were I to increase my protein intake to 'recommended' levels I may put on more muscle, faster, but that's not important to me anymore.
Sorry, ended up off-topic but I reckon for the type of sport/training in OP WPC may be wise to eat more carbs.
In fighting sports where there is a strict need to meet weight requirement and thus closely control weight and bf then low carb diets are generally preferred, but our bodies run on glucose and it's essential for decent brain function so unless your friend is competing at a very high level where every day life is expected to be sacrificed I'd say that feeling good is going to aid performance more that 1/2lbs of body fat here or there - she should do what makes her feel good.
I found the article.
http://eatingacademy.com/sports-and-nutrition/keto...
another one.
http://eatingacademy.com/nutrition/the-interplay-o...
http://eatingacademy.com/sports-and-nutrition/keto...
another one.
http://eatingacademy.com/nutrition/the-interplay-o...
I Carb-Back load in the day, low carb/high fat/high protein in the day so my body uses fat for energy and then neck a load of carbs post Workout to kickstart my recovery and build muscle. Can't see how a a 100% low carb diet for sport could be a good thing.
I train in Olympic weightlifting 4 times a week.
I train in Olympic weightlifting 4 times a week.
I tried this in the past and didn't have a lot of success. I ad plenty of fat reserves but found when pushing in training I just didn't have energy to hold the intensity.
Carb cycling works well, so high carbs on the tough training days, low carb on the easier days and 0 carbs on rest days.
Only really any use if you are hoping to lose fat at the same time as training and competing. If you don't have the fat then what's the point?
Carb cycling works well, so high carbs on the tough training days, low carb on the easier days and 0 carbs on rest days.
Only really any use if you are hoping to lose fat at the same time as training and competing. If you don't have the fat then what's the point?
t. Well, less of the cider and single malts. I save them for "carb backloading". 
Art0ir said:
Otispunkmeyer said:
I have a question. Its about whether low carb diets are good things to be on when you're also wanting to race and compete in a very energy intensive sport.
No. HTH.FredClogs said:
In fighting sports where there is a strict need to meet weight requirement and thus closely control weight and bf then low carb diets are generally preferred, but our bodies run on glucose and it's essential for decent brain function ..
Our bodies can quite happily run on fat. Ketones are fine for brain function. In fact brain cells are far more efficient using fat (ketones) as an energy source.Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff