I often check out a forum for bodyweight exercises because I do a lot of bodyweight exercises as part of my dry land training.
Anyway, many people on that board are all into this low carb stuff. I tried it out for 6 months but had the feeling that I don't have enough energy if I don't eat enough complex carbs like grains(pasta, rice, bread etc).
Is it just me or do other swimmers experience the same?
Just wondering...
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Former Member
The head coaches of some of the best USAS teams in my area have asked their swimmers to NOT do low carb due to lack of energy. They have gone so far as to put their thoughts against low carb in writing in the monthly newsletters. As we speak I'm looking for that particular article. I personally would never do low carb as I don't want to be a cranky slug.
It feels good to read this because I was accused of being the only one who claims he had no energy.
I really felt like an empty battery. I did a lot of mountain biking during that period. I always cycled up a steep hill that takes about 45 minutes to reach the top. It is always tough because cycling uphill for a long period always stays tough(carbs or no carbs) but while I tried out low carb it felt like I was cycling up Mt. Everest.
Once I cheated and ate a piece of sugary cake and went cycling after that. I felt like Superman.
The word drained comes to mind if I want to describe how I felt on low carb. As soon as I added whole wheat pasta, bread and brown rice to my meals my energy immediately was back to normal.
I was surprised that many on the other forum said they didn't feel the lack of energy but maybe it depends on the sport you do. I would say for swimming low carb is a definite no-no.
I would really like to read that article about the head coaches against low carb.
(btw, RIP Michael Jackson. I just found out while posting this)
The head coaches of some of the best USAS teams in my area have asked their swimmers to NOT do low carb due to lack of energy. They have gone so far as to put their thoughts against low carb in writing in the monthly newsletters. As we speak I'm looking for that particular article. I personally would never do low carb as I don't want to be a cranky slug.
It feels good to read this because I was accused of being the only one who claims he had no energy.
I really felt like an empty battery. I did a lot of mountain biking during that period. I always cycled up a steep hill that takes about 45 minutes to reach the top. It is always tough because cycling uphill for a long period always stays tough(carbs or no carbs) but while I tried out low carb it felt like I was cycling up Mt. Everest.
Once I cheated and ate a piece of sugary cake and went cycling after that. I felt like Superman.
The word drained comes to mind if I want to describe how I felt on low carb. As soon as I added whole wheat pasta, bread and brown rice to my meals my energy immediately was back to normal.
I was surprised that many on the other forum said they didn't feel the lack of energy but maybe it depends on the sport you do. I would say for swimming low carb is a definite no-no.
I would really like to read that article about the head coaches against low carb.
(btw, RIP Michael Jackson. I just found out while posting this)
