Is it ok to cut carbs out pre-workout if I am using something like N.O Explode for energy?
This supplement is low carbohydrates only 6 grams per scoop. You will achieve more strength and muscle size gains if you have plenty of carbohydrates after your workouts to restore glycogen in the muscles. Glycogen is the primary fuel for most bodybuilding exercises. This will protect your muscle mass gains from being used for fuel during longer workout sessions. You should ask a dietician about your supplements to find out whether they are complete(you might think that protein is protein but imbalanced amino acids can be dangerous and useless for bodybuilding). If you have eaten a lot of carbohydrates the night before a workout you might not need any extra before your workout but it could give your muscles a boost of energy for a more effective workout.
I wouldn’t cut carbs out of my diet untill a 4-5 hours before bed. What are you going to use for energy? NO Explode is only dialating your vessels (akin to Viagra’s effect) allowing the nutrients to flow more readily thoughout your system, and giving you caffeine (not an ideal source of energy for anaerobic exercise.) Talk to a local nutritionist for a more personal answer based on your current routine timeline (which you didn’t list.)
So let’s say you empty your gas tank then try to go for a drive… Seems silly doesn’t it. Carbs are your body’s fuel even if you use a pre workout (super charger on your vehicle) then workout( go for drive) how will you make any progress…unless you like walking( in either case that is all you have fuel for)
Why are you cutting carbs? How low is your carb intake?
http://www.bc.edu/offices/dining/nutrition/topics/supplements.html
Here is an interesting article by a Registered Dietician(By Sheila Tucker, MA, RD, LDN
Administrative Dietitian, B.C. Dining) written for Boston College Dining.
Tucker recommends 1.4-1.8 grams per kilogram body weight when building new muscle vs. 0.8 grams per kilogram for sedentary people.
You weight converted to kilograms is about 77.5 so your protein needs shouldn’t exceed 140 grams or so until you reach a higher weight. Although I am impressed you can eat that much protein, you could reduce your protein intake by a whopping 135 grams and take a lot of stress off your kidneys. Adding an equal amount of carbs would keep the calories the same and probably speed your metabolism.
Hey again Gus!
I’m looking at your stats… Unless you’re on steroids, (which I DO NOT support–BAD decision!) your body is either a miracle of science, or you are wasting valuable protein because your body simply can’t process that much protein. Do you have a lot of excess foam in your urine? My guess would be that you do. This is a sign of too much protein. If you’re filling the toilet bowl with a mountain of foam, then you need to cut back. That’s just what I say about it. You should actually ask a doctor about that. I’m just trying to keep it real =)
The guidelines that my colleagues have offered are great guidelines as far as protein intake goes. I know you don’t want to miss out and you want to make sure that your body is properly fed, but don’t go too extreme. Think of your lifestyle in the long term. Get your body used to eating how you would normally eat. Like Shawn said, bust your butt! By busting your behind in the gym and eating balanced nutrition at the proper ratios, you’ll gain more long term muscle than you would by trying to expedite the process.
Hats off to you, sir, for keeping track of all that dietary information! I need to use you as an example for some clients!
Oh, your question… NO Explode for energy. I think this particular supplement might offer more of a placebo effect. I would advise you that the best thing you could probably do for yourself is to get used to working out without this supplement. You don’t need it if you eat as well as you say you do =). Value a balanced diet!