I am 2 weeks out and my energy levels are really low and workouts suffering. I am currenly on the 4 Week Out plan, so carbs are low. Should I add carbs to maintain my workouts or try to ride it out. I am stage ready at 4% and 171 lbs. Any input appreciated and welcome.

Mark

Thats a tough call, only you really know your body.

There are some bodybuilders who try to be show ready 4 weeks out so they can maintain calories and increase carbs slowly towards the day of the show with the theory being they will be more filled out etc.

Without knowing you or seeing you, etc., I dont think anyone on this board could rightfully tell you to go ahead and add carbs.

What I might be inclined to do if I were you, if I added them at all, would be post workout, that way your liklihood of storing them as fat is very very low and you will increase your liklihood of holding onto your mass. I think Id simply use Mass Maker (so you minimize the insulin spike), two scoops, you dont want to create a surplus but replenishing the muscles could lead to further fat loss and muscle rentention.

There are theories that post workout you want to spike your insulin and some will use fructose etc., but in this case if you do use carbs pwo you dont want your insulin spiked so Id go with Mass Maker which is designed for a slower release of the carbs which hopefully will allow you to stay in fat burning mode a little better.

Good Luck, you sound lean and mean.

Thanks Jason, I am out of Mass Maker so for todays workout I mixed 2 scoops of MP with 1/2 C. of ground oats. I drank half before and half after my workout and felt much better. I think the complex carbs worked well and provided a lasting energy source, at least enough to get me through the workout and provide a little help with recovery. I appreciate your input and enjoy reading your posts. Guys like you make this board the BEST source of info on the web. I have some photos posted at www.bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/simpleguy4/.

mark,

No problem, your link doest work though.

Good Luck!