Carb Deplete~Why?

[Matte220]

Ok, I'm not new to this but am curious as to why all of us competing do the carb deplete then reload! I'm doing Jr Nats this weekend and today and tomorrow are 0 carb days (will probably end up w/ 15-20 g carbs from Natural Peanut Butter) and then will start the load phase w/ wet carbs (Cream of Rice) at 300g on Wed and gradually will switch from Cream of Rice to Sweet Potato's to Rice cakes to dry out as we get closer to Sat.

Is the carb deplete to help release water as I do know carbs hold water in our bodies. I'll buy this but the whole........I'll fill up bigger from overcompensation BS I don't believe.

Thoughts??

 

[Shelby]

You manipulate water via electrolytes, not carbohydrate. The traditional carb deplete followed by a carb load is for supercompensation, and it's not BS.

 

[Matte220]

Well Ok it's not BS but is sure isn't fun either....

 

[Shelby]

Welcome to bodybuilding.

 

[oldfella]

Without getting scientific with this, the main reason for depleteing is two fold. It will force the body to burn off the last bit of fat it is holding and to create a process by which the muscle will then grab a hold of any carbs ingested and shuttle them straight to the muscle to compensate for starving them (depletion) in this process they will take up much more than they need (overcompensation) in anticipation of this starvation occuring again. In addition to this the carbs will then shuttle water into the cells of the muscle along with them. This is what creates to fullness to the muscle. You then drop your water the night before. The body will generally get rid of the water between the skin and muscle first, since the carbs will hold the water there. You start posing (pumping) and bang, you fill out. This is why we do it. Does it work each and every time......NO. There are too many other factors that go along with this to determine when you actually peak for your event. But in general it is the best way to look big, dry and full on the day.

 

[Matte220]

Without getting scientific with this, the main reason for depleteing is two fold. It will force the body to burn off the last bit of fat it is holding and to create a process by which the muscle will then grab a hold of any carbs ingested and shuttle them straight to the muscle to compensate for starving them (depletion) in this process they will take up much more than they need (overcompensation) in anticipation of this starvation occuring again. In addition to this the carbs will then shuttle water into the cells of the muscle along with them. This is what creates to fullness to the muscle. You then drop your water the night before. The body will generally get rid of the water between the skin and muscle first, since the carbs will hold the water there. You start posing (pumping) and bang, you fill out. This is why we do it. Does it work each and every time......NO. There are too many other factors that go along with this to determine when you actually peak for your event. But in general it is the best way to look big, dry and full on the day.

Thanks man....I just need the reassurance! I know, I know as I've done this a few times b/f. Appreciate both your and !berserker thoughts. Did my upper body deplete tonight and was FULL and veiny which we all know makes this shit worthwhile! Shock Value....