I was wondering what you thought on this subject. Tonight was my carb up meal and at 8 pm I had not had it yet...and I was heading home from work to do a night time cardio session ( 30 min). The dilemma...is it better to eat my carb up meal then wait a while and do cardio ? OR go home do the cardio and then eat the meal ?

What I did was eat it before then did the cardio.

Leslie

One of the purposes of the carb-up meal is to restore muscle glycogen. And then use that glycogen to lift. I am in the opinion that you should have done your cardio before your carb-up. And then the next workout should be a lift not more cardio.

Thanks...I guess I did it backwards ! Well I get another chance to do it right as I am 12 weeks out from my show!!!

Leslie

Correct. The carb up meal is for restoration and to "jumpstart" the metabolism again after a period of carb depletion. Many times during contest preparation a carb up meal eaten directly before bed as the last meal will have a wonderful effect on how you look the next day. You will go from looking flat prior to, then the next day full and vascular. Besides that you memory miraculously comes back! It sounds as though your carbing up twice weekly - make sure to enjoy those meals. (I used to look forward to that carb meal all day)

Tammy Storch
NPC Judge (OH, KY, WV)
National B.Building Competitor

The immortal words of Socrates...."I drank what"?