Low Carb Lover
Hello there. Welcome to Tuesday. Don’t make me say it, we all know what it is!
Yesterday morning Phoebe and I did not want to get out of bed. I kept hitting snooze, and she kept looking at me like “5 more minutes mom”. The dog loves bed more than any human ever could. Whenever we go to bed at night she barks, spins in circles, and jumps up and down with her tongue hanging out. It’s quite the ordeal trying to catch her. 99% of the time she jumps and I catch her mid leap and toss her on the bed.
For Monday, I did a low carb day for my food intake.
What I was expecting: to feel sluggish, tired, cranky, headache, and HANGRY (hungry+angry) after the gym
How I felt: energized, strong, no headache, not that hungry!
I know… I’m shocked too. Another reason why I am shocked? Well, I had a hard time hitting my calories. Yep, ME! I guess because carbs are calorie heavy. I can only eat so much chicken, so I did the low carb thing from other sources. I was good about logging my food so I could find out where I stood with my carbs. Technically I was a little higher than my goal because I am counting all my veggies as carbs as well, but the body doesn’t recognize those as the same, so really I am in the low carb range still.
Here’s a peek at what I eat on a low carb day while training:
Breakfast: Flax Porridge, Egg White Frittata, Raspberries
Lunch: Chicken breast, lettuce greens with cucumber, mushrooms, sugar snap peas, flax seeds, a little salsa and balsamic vinegar with a splash of extra virgin olive oil
-also had almonds!
Pre-gym snack: tofu squares with Mrs. Dash. This is a whole block of firm tofu, I divide into 3 servings.
Dinner: Broccoli stalks (yes I had all of these, DON’T JUDGE ME!), mushroom caps with a splash of balsamic
Low carb turkey meatloaf
A small side of broccoli slaw with sriracha and coconut vinegar
Dessert: Low carb brownie
I still wasn’t in 1600 land, so I made a low carb fluff/protein shake. Really it wasn’t a true fluff because it didn’t get fluffy. BUT, I did more than just ice, almond milk, and protein powder. I was puzzled at what I could add to make it slightly creamier without carb-ing it up. Then I saw silken tofu in my cabinet unopened. AH GENIUS!
1/3 of a package is only 2 grams of carbs. Win!
Looking back at this to me it seems like a lot of food, it’s really not! I get up at 4:30… well 5am and usually finish my last meal anywhere between 8 and 9.
Now that the food is out of the way, I did go to the gym and I made it a chest day. I didn’t want to go super heavy since I didn’t have carbs in me, but I ended up with a good lift because I felt so good! Oh and this was my look walking out of work. I break fashion rules. Scarf meet tank top.
- Standing chest fly’s, 12 lb kettles, 12 reps x 4 sets
- Pushups on bosu, 10 reps x 4 sets
- Smith chest presses, 65-75 lbs, 8-10 reps x 4 sets
- Side bends, 35 lb kettle, 12 reps x 2 sets each side
- Chest Press seated, 80-85 lbs, 12 reps x 4 sets
- TRX pushups, 10 reps x 4 sets
- Around the worlds, 8 lb kettles, 10 reps x 4 sets
- Chest Fly’s (lying on bench), 17.5 lb weights, 12 reps x 3 sets
Cardio: 20 minute step mill, 10 minute incline elliptical
My back is STILL burning from my session on Saturday, but it’s looking pretty good!
I had brought 2 of my brownies to the gym to give to my friend Alexis. One for her and one for her boyfriend. This was the text that followed:
She approved! Yippee! I always get a little nervous when people try my food. I think they will spit it out or say it’s gross since I am used to eating a certain way. Most of the time it all turns out! I have to say the brownies tasted MUCH better the second day too.
So turns out carb cycling is a success so far. I also found out my body REALLY likes the extra fat it is getting in place of the carbs. I feel better because of it.
That’s it for Tuesday. See you tomorrow!
XOXO With a Cherry On Top,
-Minnie
Brittany @ Barr & Table
You look so great! Good luck with the new cycling.. definitely want to hear more about it!
Katie
Thanks Brittany!
tam
Hi, glad the carb cycle is working for you! Just wondering what your macros are for low carb day? Can’t wait for the brownie recipe! Have good day Tam xx
Katie
So here is an average of macros on low carb day: 1600-1700 calories, 75-85 grams of carbs, 60-75 grams of fat, 130-150 grams of protein! But this is for my height, weight, and training schedule. Everyone is different!
Angie
I think it’s very interesting that you didn’t feel hangry at all, maybe I’ll have to give carb cycling a shot at some point
Katie
Me too! I thought I would be at the gym pushing people down the stairs to go get a protein bar! LOL