[Sammy]

Goodtymes,

A couple of weeks ago, you posted that during soccer games your energy level would drop. You thought of adding more carbs for those days. Did you find something to "fix" that drop.

Sammy

[goodtymes]

Not really.

I called my brother-in-law who is an MD and asked him about how quickly humans process carbohydrates. He told me a few things.

1) When doing physical activity, your digestive system slows or stops--if you eat something within 3 hours of activity, you may not have enough time to break it down and use it.

2) The digestive process can take between 3 hours and 3 days, depending on many factors. His best guess is that 12 hours before an event is a good guess to try to give your body some carbs.

3) Carbo-loading for several days before an event is useless. Your body will process the carbs and either use them or store them generally within 12 hours of eating them.

So, I didn't ask other important questions like "How many carbs does your body need to have a full supply of ready energy?" or "Can't I get the energy I need from fats and proteins?" or "Should I get the carbs in complex or simple form?" I'm gonna call him again.

I think that I am ready to maintain now, and so I'll be doing some careful experimenting. I know a few Final Stretchers who have 60+ carbs a day and who enjoy Atkins Maintenance foods like whole grains, potatoes, brown rice and beans. Next time I have a soccer game I'm going to have 40-60 or so healthy carbs 12 hours before and see what happens. I'll keep you posted, but it might not be for a couple of weeks.

Wish me luck!

Be sure to share what you learn doing your own research and experiments.

Ben

Disclaimer--I did not tell my brother-in-law MD that I am doing low carb. I don't want to get into that with my family just yet. I just told him I was curious about carbs and physical performance.

[wiredfoxterror]

[goodtymes]

Thanks for the advice. I appreciate getting guidance from people who are down the "maintenance" road a ways and can help me avoid pitfalls. I do need to remember that it will not be easy.

Coupla questions:

What would you eat if you decided to try to get 40 carbs at one sitting?

What does "level 1" and "level 2" mean (Somersizing, right?)

The little reading I've done about Atkins seemed to imply that on Maintenance you can have a carb heavy (50 carbs or so) meal occasionally as long as you balance things out for the week. I could be mistaken. Does that pass the smell test for you?

I'll probably still experiment down the road, but I'll be more cautious thanks to your advice.


Again, thanks for looking out for me! I love this forum!