FT Questions....

[Scott Stevenson]

Scott, maybe hoping for some insight Regarding the FT nutrition. I am a first thing in the morning trainer. I follow the recommendations in the e-book regarding the peri workout nutrition and then cut carbs off through afternoon and in to evenings. I started experimenting with doing some carbs before bed with my shake and found that I wake up more glycogen loaded and have a better pump in the gym. Total carbs peri workout around 250 and doing another 50 via oatmeal pre-bed. I started doing this because I was waking up in the am pretty flat during my dieting phase. So I basically have carbs pre/intra/post/post meal 2, then pull for 3 meals, then reintroduce carbs last meal. Has anyone else seen any positive benefit to this half assed carb back loading, or am I just setting myself up for fat accumulation with these carbs before bed?

My guess is what you're sensing - the pump in the gym - is due to water shifts (or lack of water loss) brought on by the carb intake at night. You're better hydrated in the AM and get a better pump. (Give the same carb intake over 24hr, I'd not expect that you have greater muscular glycogen with the late day carb).

I don't think you're setting yourself up for fat accumulation with this. You might sleep more deeply with those carbs before going to bed, which can help with recovery overall (meaning you'd accumulate muscle more readily, directing caloric intake towards FFM vs. fat). If you getting a better pump means a better workout, then I'd go for that option, too.

-S