Anabolic Diet

[5004paloma]

I'm sure most have you have heard of the Anabolic Diet by Dr. Di Pasquale. Basically, it is a carb cycling diet that is close but not actually a ketogenic diet. Monday thru Friday the suggested macros are 60% fat, 35% protein and 5% (30g or less) carbs. On the weekends (24 to 48 hours) the macro ratios change to 60% carbs, 35% protein and 5% fats. The metabolic theory is that the body will begin to use fats rather than carbohydrates as a fuel source which according to Dr. D is more efficient. The anabolic theory is that during the week the diet keeps insulin levels low and allows testosterone and growth hormone levels to be elevated. Then on the weekend the diet causes hugh spike in insulin. The fatloss theory is that once the body has converted to fat burning from carb burning, a simple reduction is calories below maintenance will require the body to burn stored fat.

Sounds like a good theory, huh? Well, it just made me fat! I will admit that I gained a significant amount of muscle eating tons of red meat several times a day, but when I dropped my calories I didn't get the fat loss I hoped for.

Has anyone had success using this diet or a form of ketogenic diets?

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Dave_19]

I'm sure most have you have heard of the Anabolic Diet by Dr. Di Pasquale. Basically, it is a carb cycling diet that is close but not actually a ketogenic diet. Monday thru Friday the suggested macros are 60% fat, 35% protein and 5% (30g or less) carbs. On the weekends (24 to 48 hours) the macro ratios change to 60% carbs, 35% protein and 5% fats. The metabolic theory is that the body will begin to use fats rather than carbohydrates as a fuel source which according to Dr. D is more efficient. The anabolic theory is that during the week the diet keeps insulin levels low and allows testosterone and growth hormone levels to be elevated. Then on the weekend the diet causes hugh spike in insulin. The fatloss theory is that once the body has converted to fat burning from carb burning, a simple reduction is calories below maintenance will require the body to burn stored fat.

Sounds like a good theory, huh? Well, it just made me fat! I will admit that I gained a significant amount of muscle eating tons of red meat several times a day, but when I dropped my calories I didn't get the fat loss I hoped for.

Has anyone had success using this diet or a form of ketogenic diets?

Thanks for the feedback.

You are consuming more calories than you are burning simply put if its not working. what is your weight/LBM, and daily cal intake on your low/high days? what are your carb sources when you consume 5%? Also your fat sources on your weekly re-feed?

This type of dieting can be extremely effective, most guys mess up during the carb up or re-feed. I don't really support a 2 day carb up unless you're doing pure Keto for longer than 7 days. Of course this can work great still for some guys depending on many factors. I prefer to just not restrict carbs as long, and so intensely prior to the carb up day. I also end my high carb days differently, and perform fasted AM cardio on the morning of the high day since you will be most depleted.

 

[kingpeon]

Experiment with it whilst staying in your fat-burning physiology. Use low glycemic carbs on the weekend with enough fat to help blunt the insulin response. Only carb load for 12-24 hours. Workout in the AM on an empty stomach, if possible. Drop your calories across the board. These are some of the manipulations that helped me. If you're getting fat on this diet something is very wrong. It takes some time to dial it in just like anything else.

 

[mo chuisle]

I've been following a keto-type diet for the past 25 weeks. Granted, I've competed a couple times within this time frame, so there have been some breaks here and there, but I've found it to be a very successful fat loss formula for me. I don't carb up for 48 hours like the original diet plan, though, as that time span is too long for me to reach my fat loss goals. Since I started dieting after Thanksgiving, I've dropped about 10% bf.

Carl Lanore **broken link removed** Dr. DiPasquale about his theories of carbs and the Anabolic diet. It's a really interesting interview! (about 43 min long)

 

[ojs]

I'm sure most have you have heard of the Anabolic Diet by Dr. Di Pasquale. Basically, it is a carb cycling diet that is close but not actually a ketogenic diet. Monday thru Friday the suggested macros are 60% fat, 35% protein and 5% (30g or less) carbs. On the weekends (24 to 48 hours) the macro ratios change to 60% carbs, 35% protein and 5% fats. The metabolic theory is that the body will begin to use fats rather than carbohydrates as a fuel source which according to Dr. D is more efficient. The anabolic theory is that during the week the diet keeps insulin levels low and allows testosterone and growth hormone levels to be elevated. Then on the weekend the diet causes hugh spike in insulin. The fatloss theory is that once the body has converted to fat burning from carb burning, a simple reduction is calories below maintenance will require the body to burn stored fat.

Sounds like a good theory, huh? Well, it just made me fat! I will admit that I gained a significant amount of muscle eating tons of red meat several times a day, but when I dropped my calories I didn't get the fat loss I hoped for.

Has anyone had success using this diet or a form of ketogenic diets?

Thanks for the feedback.

The Anabolic Diet has been my mainstay in dieting for over 10 years. I don't have to do cardio while I'm on that diet and I stay under 10%

I only get off of it and mess around with TKD style diets for pictures or contests where I intend on getting below 6% and I have to do cardio anyway.

 

[5004paloma]

Thanks for all the great comments! Like I said, I gain some quality muscle - there is no doubt about that! I believe I took the original diet literally and consumed too many calories and not the right kind of carbs during the refeeds...

You are consuming more calories than you are burning simply put if its not working. what is your weight/LBM, and daily cal intake on your low/high days? what are your carb sources when you consume 5%? Also your fat sources on your weekly re-feed?

This type of dieting can be extremely effective, most guys mess up during the carb up or re-feed. I don't really support a 2 day carb up unless you're doing pure Keto for longer than 7 days. Of course this can work great still for some guys depending on many factors. I prefer to just not restrict carbs as long, and so intensely prior to the carb up day. I also end my high carb days differently, and perform fasted AM cardio on the morning of the high day since you will be most depleted.

My calorie intake was 3500-4000 calories/day. I was ~ 190lbs/152LBM. Carbs during the week were only green veggies. Fat on refeeds were mostly saturated - from dairy products.

Recently, I've gone back to 40/40/20 macro split and feel better - muscles feel full on a more consistent basis.

Again, your comments are helpful because I REALLY WANT TO MAKE THE AD WORK! Later this summer I will be beginning my first test cycle and looking to pack on some size. During this cycle I'm considering giving the AD another shot.

Anyone have experience with the AD on cycle? Dr. D has stated that the diet can be used for both gaining mass and leaning-out by simply manipulating the calorie intake.