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Flex Wheeler Told By Docs He Needs TRT for Life, Relives Synthol and Insulin Use: “It Created So Much Scar Tissue”
Flex Wheeler still gives back to the bodybuilding community years after his retirement. In The Menace Podcast with Dennis James, Wheeler discussed competing ‘naturally, using testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), and recapped his experiences with insulin and site-enhancement oils such as synthol.
For more than two decades, Wheeler was a global phenomenon in the sport of bodybuilding. He displayed an unforgettable blend of aesthetics, proportions, and v-taper with many also crediting him for his flexibility, slim waist, and graceful posing skills.
While he never laid claim to a Mr. Olympia title, he came remarkably close. Despite his status as a heavy favorite at the 1998 Mr. Olympia, Wheeler fell to Ronnie Coleman after introducing ‘The King’ to his long-time coach Chad Nicholls.
Wheeler’s incredible run in bodybuilding was filled with obstacles, many of which he still endures today. In 2019, Wheeler lost his right leg by amputation following a medical complication. In addition, he’s suffered from an array of health scares in the hospital. Currently, his transplanted kidneys are showing signs of failure, which he discussed in detail on a previous The Menace Podcast appearance with Dennis James.
In his latest undertaking, Flex Wheeler looked back on beating drug tests and competing ‘naturally.’ He also reflected on his use of TRT, insulin, and synthol in a conversation with James, Milos Sarcev, and Chris Cormier.
Flex Wheeler: “I Was Natural, I Passed the Tests and I Took What the Doctors Told Me To”
While Milos Sarcev doesn’t believe Wheeler was natural when he returned to the sport, Flex said he passed drug tests and took what doctors told him to take in a legal manner.
“I didn’t tell the truth already, but the pierce is the problem that you want to bring that up. Natural, half-natural, whatever you want to call it,” said Flex Wheeler.
“It was different. The clear – there’s no such thing as a half-natural, almost natural, and this kind of stuff. There’s no such thing, you’re either or right?” asked Milos Sarcev.
“I’m natural. I was natural. I passed the tests and I took what the doctors told me to take,” said Wheeler. [If a doctor gives you testosterone are you natural?] I don’t know I guess there’s an argument right but I wasn’t taking it illegally, I was on prescriptions at that time for health reasons.”
As for his testosterone, Wheeler recounted his levels being at 79, which prompted him to receive TRT to bring him back to a ‘natural level.’
“I’m not a doctor, I don’t know, I’m being sincere, I’m being serious, I would think if it’s bringing your hormones back to a natural level, and you’re down to, I think I was at 79 when I started, somewhere around that right, because I definitely wasn’t competing in the 2000s like I was.”
“USADA doesn’t allow testosterone replacement. If you get it from a doctor because your test level is super low and you got this limp spaghetti, they will not allow for you to do testosterone replacement, that’s considered doping,” said Dennis James.
Wheeler said he used EPO and growth hormone while receiving dialysis for his kidneys.
“Seriously though, seriously, not joking, what’s crazy is when I was on dialysis, they were giving me EPO and GH,” added Wheeler.
“When you say you were natural, and I know that you were not natural, we all know that you were not natural and you tried to force it, and you passed the test, I wasn’t in the project world record for people passing tests left and right. Passing a test and being natural are two completely different things,” said Sarcev.
‘The Sultan of Symmetry’ highlighted that he took minimum dosages after returning to the stage later in his career. He was informed by doctors that he would be required to take TRT for the rest of his life or face health consequences.
“I was taking such minimum dosages, right? It has nothing to do with being gifted. I was taking what my doctors were prescribing me right? What Milos is saying right, when I went back to doing what we normally do, there was a massive change,” Wheeler replied.
“I didn’t take anything illegal. I didn’t even take any diuretics, Clenbuterol, or anything. I did only what my doctors said to take and even at that time I stopped taking EPO. So for me, that is as natural as I can get.”
“When they told me I had to go back on testosterone for the rest of my life I was so pissed because I stuck myself for over half my life and I was looking forward to never having to do it again, when he told me I had to…”
Wheeler Talks Losing Joe Weider Contract from Broken Neck and His Experiences with Synthol and Insulin
According to Wheeler, he lost his lucrative Joe Weider contract after breaking his neck. He was eventually diagnosed with colitis (the inflammation of the inner lining of the colon). Given Joe’s history, Wheeler was worried Weider would fire him for his health condition as well.
“I lost my contract with Joe Weider for breaking my neck. Nothing I had control over,” said Wheeler. “I can’t go in there and tell this dude the truth that I got an eating disorder if he’s going to drop me for breaking my neck. I told a lie. I told a lie to be able to keep my contract. He didn’t fire me for that, but he fired me for breaking my neck.”
“When he fired me, I lost my seven-story house. I had to go live with Neil,” said Wheeler.
Sarcev first brought up rumors that Kevin Levrone used 120 insulin shots before a single show. Wheeler admitted he used a product called Pump and Pose, which James confirmed was a site-enhancement oil. Looking back, Wheeler said he used the product in his calves and shoulders but avoided injecting it into his gluteal muscles.
“There was a rumor that he [Kevin Levrone] put 120 insulin shots for one show,” said Milos Sarcev.
“If you wanted to know who used the most [site enhancement oils] Kevin did,” said Wheeler. “Pump and Pose, I never messed with Synthol but I used Pump and Pose, the very first version of it. I wouldn’t mess with it later on.”
“That’s exactly what it is, Synthol,” said Dennis James. “Like Chris said, he stopped injecting his butt because it would cause it to inflame up. I understand it causes inflammation. The majority of the things that I would take, I would put them in my calves, and then I would only use in secular, the other stuff, for my shoulders. What happens is it created so much scar tissue.”
This isn’t the first time Wheeler has revealed details about compounds used throughout his career. He joined Dennis James for a discussion a month ago. Wheeler talked about a cycle he used in 1993 and stressed that competitors were taking minimal amounts back in the day.
And Wheeler isn’t the only 1990s pro bodybuilding veteran calling attention to rampant drug use in the sport today. Recently, Rich Gaspari, who pioneered striated glutes in competition, tackled the subject. He posited that athletes are abusing drugs on a more frequent basis instead of building a physique with hardcore training and a clean diet.
A living legend of bodybuilding, Flex Wheeler will always be adored by fans given his honest and straightforward nature. While Sarcev may doubt some of his natural claims, it’s evident Wheeler overcame adversity on a number of occasions during his career.
RELATED: Lee Haney: Open Athletes Are ’60-Lbs Overweight Traumatizing Themselves with Terrible Diets’
You can watch the full video below from the Muscle and Fitness YouTube channel:
Published: 3 July, 2023 | 12:37 PM EDT
2023 District of Fengshan Kaohsiung Pro Scorecards
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2023 District of Taiwan Pro Results and Scorecards
The 2023 District of Taiwan Pro took place on July 2 and featured competitors from the Men’s Physique and Bikini categories. This event was located in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, and served as a qualifier for the upcoming Olympia show.
Bodybuilders still have plenty of time to earn their qualifications for the biggest show of the year. The cut-off period to earn an invite is October 9. This year’s Mr. Olympia will take place from Nov. 2-5 in Orlando Florida’s Orange County Convention Center.
The top three finishers from 2022 Olympia in Men’s Physique and Bikini are automatically invited back to this year’s edition of the show. As for the rest of the competitors, they will need to battle each other to determine who deserves the right to stand on the sport’s most prominent stage.
2023 District of Taiwan Pro Winners
Men’s Physique: Yoon Sung Lee
Bikini: Areum Song
2023 District of Taiwan Pro Results
Men’s Physique
Heading into this weekend, fans took notice of Wang Hsiang who last finished third at the 2019 NPC Worldwide Asia Grand Prix Pro Qualifier. He faced Yoon Sung Lee, a bodybuilder who impressed in third at the 2023 Asia Grand Prix Men’s Physique Pro. In the end, Yoon Sung Lee was victorious. Lee’s career highlight was a second-place finish at the 2022 Korea Men’s Physique Pro.
Winner — Yoon Sung Lee
Second Place — Wang Hsiang
Third Place — Minsu Kim
Fourth Place — Tomohito Koike
Fifth Place — Farouq Ishimoto
Sixth Place — Tom McNarma
Seventh Place — Tak Lam Charly Chau
Eighth Place — Ajith Raja
Ninth Place — Wu Chi Hung
Tenth Place — Woo Young Seo
Bikini
Sara Choi was on a mission for gold this weekend. Her last contest came at the 2023 Orchid Pro in sixth place. Sara reached her peak performance at the 2023 Musclecontest Japan Pro, securing a remarkable second-place finish. Additionally, she has showcased her skills at the Olympia on two occasions, achieving a 15th place finish in 2020 and sharing the 16th spot in 2021. She battled against Areum Song, who previously competed at last year’s Asia Grand Prix Bikini Pro where she finished runner-up. Ultimately, the judges favored Areum Song’s look best and she took first place this weekend.
Winner — Areum Song
Second Place — Sara Choi
Third Place — Uyanga Bataa
Fourth Place — Heather Hei Man Kam
Fifth Place — Elizaveta Dementere
Sixth Place — Anita Chen
Seventh Place — Kristina Ivanova
Eighth Place — Yume Kurokowa
Ninth Place — Wang Machen
Tenth Place — Cecilia Liang
2023 District of Taiwan Scorecards
2023 District Of Taiwan Pro Men S Physique
2023 District Of Taiwan Pro Bikini
FitnessVolt congratulates the winners on their major victories!
Published: 3 July, 2023 | 9:52 AM EDT
2023 District of Taiwan Pro Scorecards
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}IFBB PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE®, IFBB PRO LEAGUE®, IFBB PRO® and the IFBB Professional League logo are registered trademarks owned by the IFBB Professional League.The IFBB Professional League logo cannot be altered in any way, shape or form without the expressed written approval of the IFBB Professional League. Where such approval is granted, the IFBB Professional League will provide the altered logo.© 2022 IFBB Pro, All Rights Reserved.
7-Day Carnivore Diet Meal Plan For Building Muscle and Strength
There are several extreme diets out there. They often involve eliminating an entire class of macronutrients or food types. Over the last few years, the carnivore (meat-only) diet has been trending worldwide. While many people swear by its ability to promote weight loss and improve digestion and brain power, others decry its avoidance of fruits and vegetables.
This article lays out a complete seven-day carnivore diet meal plan. We’ll also explore the diet’s benefits and potential drawbacks, along with meal planning strategies and tips for adjusting the carnivore diet for specific goals.
Understanding the Carnivore Diet
Carnivore Diet
The carnivore diet, sometimes referred to as the zero-carb diet, involves only eating animal products, such as meat, dairy, and eggs. The diet’s origins can be traced back to 1856 when Bernard Moncriff wrote a book about his experiences of eating only meat and drinking milk for a year. Three decades later, the Salisbury Diet, consisting of 12 weeks of eating nothing but meat and hot water, came into vogue.
In the 1960s, bodybuilding training guru Vince Gironda had his athletes use a steak and eggs diet. This diet was supposed to be the secret that got Vince’s athletes so ripped. Then, in 2018 orthopedic surgeon Shawn Baker wrote a book called The Carnivore Diet. The diet soon became a viral sensation. Several well-known figures, including Jordan Peterson, became vocal advocates of the diet.
Baker points out that a meat-only diet was the norm for humans for nearly two million years. Only in the last 10,000 years did we begin growing crops. When that change was introduced, according to The Carnivore Diet, humankind experienced an explosion in diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis. These diseases did not exist when we were solely meat eaters.
The modern-day carnivore diet is designed to reset the metabolism and return to how we have evolved to eat.
Rules of the Carnivore Diet
The carnivore diet is pretty simple and is built upon the following rules:
Consume fatty meats, mainly from ruminant animals: These animals have a digestive system capable of digesting plant material. Fatty meats are extremely nutrient dense.
Fat should be your primary energy source: Get your fats from meats like ribeye steak, pork belly, chicken wings, and rack of lamb. You should also consume fatty fish such as mackerel, king salmon, and arctic char.
Cut out all plant foods: On this diet, you must eliminate all vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes. This runs counter to what we are told in mainstream information sources. Yet, research indicates that plant foods may introduce toxic doses of carbohydrates, bacteria, and toxins into the body. [1] [2] [3]
Remove nuts and seeds: That means no walnuts, almonds, pistachios, flax seeds, or peanuts. Nuts contain antinutrients such as phytic acid and lectins, which may interfere with nutrient absorption and lead to digestive problems.
No alcohol: Because alcohol is made from fermented fruits and grains, it is forbidden on the carnivore diet. Alcohol also hurts fat digestion and dehydrates the body.
Related: Find Your Daily Protein Intake
Carnivore Diet + Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting essentially boils down to timing your food intake so that you have an extended non-eating (or fasting) window each day. This promotes fat loss by depleting glycogen levels and forcing the body to turn to stored body fat for energy.
There are many ways to do intermittent fasting. One of the most popular is the 16/8 diet, where you fast for 16 out of every 24 hours. This is the version I follow. I stop eating at 7 pm and then fast until 11 am the following day. I then eat two meals during the eight hours between 11 am and 7 pm.
Intermittent fasting mimics how our ancestors would have eaten in the wild hundreds of thousands of years ago. They didn’t have access to food every couple of hours, so they went for long periods without food. And when they did find food, it was animal-based. As a result, intermittent fasting and the carnivore diet are a natural fit.
According to the 2020 Harvard Carnivore Diet Study, 83% of the 2029 carnivore dieters studied were following some type of intermittent fasting (IF) plan. For many, this was more because the fatty meat meals they ate were so filling than being a conscious decision to do IF. The health benefits reported in this study were nothing short of astounding.
Here are some highlights:
93% experienced significant weight loss
100% of people with diabetes came off their injectable medication
97% reported improvements with gastrointestinal problems [4]
The combination of intermittent fasting and the carnivore diet has also been shown to improve inflammation dramatically. Inflammation is associated with a high-carb diet, so the low to zero-carb nature of the carnivore diet makes it ideal for reducing inflammation. At the same time, intermittent fasting has been shown to reduce the markers of inflammation. [5]
Another benefit of combining the carnivore diet with intermittent fasting is improving gut health. The combination encourages the breakdown of fatty acids into ketones. These ketones help restore the intestine lining, promoting intestinal permeability. [6]
Related: Learn All About Intermittent Fasting
Benefits of the Carnivore Diet
The carnivore diet is a pretty radical departure from the conventional way of eating. Fortunately, there are some compelling reasons to follow it. Here are the top five:
1. Improved Digestion
At face value, the carnivore diet may appear terrible for your digestion. After all, we’ve been told that fiber is essential for digestive health, and the carnivore diet eliminates all fiber. Contrary to popular belief, though, fiber does not improve your digestion. It may help you go to the bathroom more frequently but can also cause bloating and stomach cramps.
A carnivore diet eliminates several trigger foods that can cause digestive issues, including grains, legumes, dairy, and certain vegetables. You will also be cutting out nutrients like lectins and phytates, which can irritate the gut lining. Instead, you will be filling up on animal-based proteins, which are far easier for the gut to digest than plant-based proteins.
The high levels of animal fats in the carnivore diet also stimulate the release of bile in the stomach. This improves the digestion of fat-soluble vitamins.
Improved Digestion
2. Helps Relieve Autoimmune Diseases
More than a hundred types of autoimmune disorders affect everything from the brain to the thyroid to the muscles. They are primarily caused by inflammatory foods that permeate the modern Western diet. These include soy, grains, and refined sugars. When you go on a carnivore diet, you cut these foods out, with immediate benefits to your autoimmune system.
The low carbohydrate intake on the carnivore diet also reduces inflammation levels, helping offset autoimmune problems. The nutrient density of the animal-based foods that are the focus of the carnivore diet also supports the immune system and improves autoimmune symptoms.
3. Improves Mental Health
The billions of neurotransmitters in our brains allow us to experience our memories, thoughts, and emotions. When they are out of balance, we can experience a wide range of issues, such as sadness and anxiety disorders. Eating meat frequently contributes to maintaining the equilibrium and health of your neurotransmitters, which elevates mood and enhances cognitive performance.
One study published in the International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity found a correlation between eating meat less frequently than three times per week and a higher risk of mental health problems like anxiety and depression. [7]
Low-level meat eaters have been shown to produce lower levels of dopamine, the hormone that gives you a sensation of pleasure and well-being. Serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter that makes you feel calm and relaxed, are also reduced. Tyrosine and tryptophan, two amino acids abundant in meats, are used to make both hormones. According to a study in the Journal of Affective Disorders, meat eaters are 18% less likely to experience depression than vegetarians or vegans. [8]
4. Cardiovascular Health
Health organizations frequently advise people to decrease their meat intake to reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. They draw attention to the fact that animal products generally include high levels of cholesterol and saturated fat, both of which have been linked to an increase in cardiovascular illness. According to conventional knowledge, eggs shouldn’t be consumed excessively because of their high cholesterol level. Similarly, excessive consumption of hamburgers and steaks has been advised against for the same reason.
Today, though, many medical professionals are changing their minds on this subject. We are discovering that meals high in cholesterol, such as eggs, red meat, and others, don’t necessarily lead to bad health. The real bad guys are trans fats, sugar, and carbs. The body needs cholesterol to function. It is a crucial part of cell membranes and is utilized to produce crucial compounds like hormones, fat-soluble vitamins, and bile acids that aid food digestion.
Additionally, considerably more cholesterol than you may consume through meat is naturally produced by the body. Therefore, eliminating foods high in cholesterol won’t significantly impact your blood cholesterol levels.
5. Weight Loss
Weight Loss
Weight management is among the most popular reasons for adopting a carnivore diet. It works for weight loss by limiting a person’s intake of carbohydrates, putting their body into ketosis, which is very similar to the ketogenic diet.
The body produces “ketones” while in ketosis, forcing it to use fat as fuel rather than glucose, which results in weight reduction. The carnivore diet is actually a stricter version of carb restriction than keto. It is more restrictive in terms of what foods are permitted. The carnivore diet involves consuming no carbohydrates, while the ketogenic diet permits a small amount.
Numerous studies have closely examined the effectiveness of the low-fat, restricted-calorie diet, the Mediterranean restricted-calorie diet, and the low-carb non-restricted-calorie diet. The outcomes were astounding. The low-carb non-restricted calorie diet produced the best benefits after two years in 95.4 percent of the study participants. [9]
Many theories exist as to why this is effective. According to one idea, meat tends to be more satiating, so even though you can consume more calories (non-restrictive), you inevitably eat less of it. In essence, you eat fewer calories because you feel full faster, which will help you manage your weight better.
Foods You Can Eat on the Carnivore Diet
Here are the foods you can eat on the meat-only diet:
Organ meats
Poultry
Fish
Meat
Eggs
Lard
Bone marrow
Butter
Salt and pepper
Milk
Yogurt
Cheese
Beverages You Can Drink on the Carnivore Diet
You must stick to the following liquids on the carnivore diet:
Water
Coffee (unsweetened and black)
Tea (unsweetened)
Foods That Are Not Allowed on the Carnivore Diet
Steer clear of these foods on a carnivore diet:
Vegetables
Fruit
Seeds
Nuts
Legumes
Bread
Pasta
Grains
Easing Into the Carnivore Diet
It is a good idea to transition gradually into the carnivore diet. A radical transition can be challenging, both nutritionally and psychologically. There is no need to give up all your favorite foods overnight.
Making one meal of the day a complete carnivore meal is an excellent place to start, and after you get used to it, you can move on to the next. Breakfast is one of the simplest meals to begin with. A quick and simple option would be some bacon or baked salmon. Replacing each element of a meal one at a time is an additional strategy for easing into the diet. For example, you can start by substituting more eggs for the toast in a meal of eggs, bacon, toast, cereal, and juice. The next day, you might have an extra slice of bacon in place of your cereal.
Then swap out the fruit the following day.
Nothing is wrong with completely giving up all non-meat foods, but just like quitting smoking, it is not something everyone can handle. Experiment to find a strategy that works best for you.
Sample Carnivore Diet Meal Plan
The following seven-day meal plan is designed for a person with a TDEE of 2,100 calories. To lose fat, reduce the daily calories by 210-315. To gain muscle, increase by the same amount.
Monday
Meal 1: 9 oz Ribeye Steak
Calories: 800
Carbs: 0g
Protein: 60g
Fat: 60g
Meal 2: Three Chicken Thighs
Calories: 600
Carbs: 0g
Protein: 50g
Fat: 45g
Meal 3: 9 oz Ground Beef
Calories: 700
Carbs: 0g
Protein: 60g
Fat: 50g
Total Daily Nutrition:
Calories: 2,100
Carbs: 0g
Protein: 170g
Fat: 155g
Tuesday
Meal 1: Bacon (2 rashers) and Eggs (3)
Calories: 600
Carbs: 1g
Protein: 20g
Fat: 55g
Meal 2: 9 oz Pork Chops
Calories: 700
Carbs: 0g
Protein: 55g
Fat: 50g
Meal 3: 9 oz Salmon Filet
Calories: 600
Carbs: 0g
Protein: 50g
Fat: 45g
Total Daily Nutrition:
Calories: 1,900
Carbs: 1g
Protein: 125g
Fat: 150g
Wednesday
Meal 1: 9 oz T-bone Steak
Calories: 900
Carbs: 0g
Protein: 70g
Fat: 70g
Meal 2: 9 oz Lamb Chops
Calories: 800
Carbs: 0g
Protein: 60g
Fat: 60g
Meal 3: 9 oz Shrimp
Calories: 400
Carbs: 0g
Protein: 80g
Fat: 8g
Total Daily Nutrition:
Calories: 2,100
Carbs: 0g
Protein: 210g
Fat: 138g
Thursday
Meal 1: 9 oz Beef Ribs
Calories: 900
Carbs: 0g
Protein: 60g
Fat: 70g
Meal 2: 9 oz Duck Breast
Calories: 600
Carbs: 0g
Protein: 45g
Fat: 45g
Meal 3: 9 oz Ground Turkey
Calories: 700
Carbs: 0g
Protein: 60g
Fat: 50g
Total Daily Nutrition:
Calories: 2,200
Carbs: 0g
Protein: 165g
Fat: 165g
Friday
Meal 1: 9 oz Sirloin Steak
Calories: 800
Carbs: 0g
Protein: 60g
Fat: 60g
Meal 2: Three Chicken Wings
Calories: 600
Carbs: 0g
Protein: 50g
Fat: 45g
Meal 3: 9 oz Bison Burger
Calories: 700
Carbs: 0g
Protein: 60g
Fat: 50g
Total Daily Nutrition:
Calories: 2,100
Carbs: 0
Protein: 170 g
Fat: 155 g
Saturday
Meal 1: 9 oz Ribeye Steak
Calories: 800
Carbs: 0g
Protein: 60g
Fat: 60g
Meal 2: 9 oz Ground Turkey
Calories: 700
Carbs: 0g
Protein: 60g
Fat: 50g
Meal 3: 9 oz Salmon Filet
Calories: 600
Carbs: 0g
Protein: 50g
Fat: 45g
Total Daily Nutrition:
Calories: 2,100
Carbs: 0
Protein: 170 g
Fat: 155 g
Sunday
Meal 1: 9 oz T-bone Steak
Calories: 900
Carbs: 0g
Protein: 70g
Fat: 70g
Meal 2: 9 oz Pork Chops
Calories: 700
Carbs: 0g
Protein: 55g
Fat: 50g
Meal 3: 9 oz Ground Beef
Calories: 700
Carbs: 0g
Protein: 60g
Fat: 50g
Total Daily Nutrition:
Calories: 2,300
Carbs: 0g
Protein: 185g
Fat: 170g
Carnivore Diet Calories and Macros
Regardless of what type of diet plan you are following, the basic principle of calorie equilibrium applies. If you eat more calories than your body burns off, you will gain weight; if you consume fewer calories, you will lose weight. To maintain weight, you should eat the same calories your body needs for daily energy.
The first step is determining how many calories your body needs daily. This is called your Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE). You can work out your TDEE with this online calculator.
My TDEE is 2,713. So, to maintain my current weight, I need to shoot for an average of 2,700 calories per day. I need to eat 10-15% fewer calories to lose weight. This will create a caloric deficit, forcing my body to turn to stored body fat to meet the extra energy demand. That means I should eat between 2,430-2,295 calories for weight loss.
Combine a 10-15% caloric surplus with strength training to gain lean muscle mass. For me, that would work out to be 2,970-3,105 calories per day.
When it comes to your macros, protein is the most important. That’s because your carbohydrate intake will be zero. Studies suggest that the ideal protein intake to maintain or build muscle is between .7 and 1 gram per pound of body weight. [10]
I weigh 200 pounds, so my daily protein intake should be between 150 and 200 grams. If my goal were to lose or maintain my weight, I’d keep it at the lower end of that range, and if I were in a bulking phase, I’d set my goal at around 200 grams of protein each day. The remainder of my daily calories will come from fats.
Addressing Potential Concerns and Criticisms
The idea of cutting fruits and vegetables from their diet is alarming to most people. So, let’s address some common concerns and criticisms surrounding the carnivore diet to see if we can set matters straight.
Increased Cholesterol Levels
There is no denying that meat has a high saturated fat and cholesterol content. This causes the liver to create more cholesterol than the body requires for normal function. For example, a 3-ounce serving of prime rib comprises roughly 75 milligrams of cholesterol and 14 grams of fat, six of which are just saturated fat. That’s more than the American Heart Association’s daily recommended cholesterol intake.
But is high cholesterol necessarily a bad thing? Recent research has been challenging long-held assumptions. In a 2017 meta-study that included 68,000 patients, academics and cardiologists from 17 nations examined 19 heart disease studies. They discovered no connection between high LDL cholesterol and heart disease; evidence suggests people with higher cholesterol levels lived longer. [11]
One of the authors of the study, cardiologist Dr. Aseem Malhotra, commented: “The scientific evidence clearly reveals that we must stop fear-mongering when it comes to cholesterol and heart disease and focus instead on insulin resistance, the most important risk factor as a precursor to many chronic diseases.”
Insulin resistance is caused not by meat but by sugar and grains.
High Mercury Levels
There are some concerns about an unhealthy mercury intake resulting from eating a lot of fish on the carnivore diet. A healthy diet should include fish, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality protein, and other necessary nutrients. However, traces of mercury are present in practically every fish and shellfish. In general, eating fish does not provide a significant health risk for mercury poisoning. However, if consumed in large quantities, some fish and shellfish have greater mercury concentrations that could be harmful.
Avoid eating shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish whenever possible. Instead, choose seafood that has been shown to contain the least mercury, such as shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock, and catfish.
High Nitrate Levels
Processed meats like bacon, ham, sausages, and hot dogs usually have added nitrates. They serve as preservatives, helping in the reduction of dangerous bacterial growth. However, there is some proof that nitrites can harm cells and change into cancer-causing chemicals. The simplest way to avoid this issue is to reduce your intake of foods like smoked bacon, sausages, cold cuts, salami, jerky, and hams. Replace them with fresh meat on the bone.
Carnivore Diet Supplements
A carnivore diet that includes dairy and eggs covers your nutritional needs well. However, you can plug a few potential gaps with supplementation. I recommend three supplements:
Magnesium
Magnesium, which is primarily sourced from vegetables, nuts, and legumes, is critical for many bodily functions. To ensure you’re getting an adequate magnesium supply on the carnivore diet, consider taking 450 mg of magnesium citrate daily.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is well known for its immunity-boosting properties. Because it is mainly found in citrus fruits, you will struggle to get enough of it on the carnivore diet. Therefore, we recommend supplementing with 500 mg of vitamin C daily.
Multivitamin
Taking a daily multivitamin is a smart insurance policy that will ensure that you’re getting adequate amounts of vitamins A, D, E, and K, all of which may be low when you’re only eating meat. Check that the multivitamin contains 100% of RDA’s essential vitamins and minerals.
FAQs
Is coffee allowed on a carnivore diet?
Technically. Coffee is not allowed on the carnivore diet. That’s because it is derived from plant-based products. However, many people on the carnivore diet make an exception in this case due to the proven health benefits that come with drinking coffee. Coffee is also low in carbohydrates and calories. Obviously, you cannot add sugar to your coffee on the carnivore diet. At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference in terms of consuming coffee on the carnivore diet.
Do you have to eat organ meats on the carnivore diet?
No, eating organ meats is not mandatory on the carnivore diet. They are, however, encouraged due to their nutrient density and health benefits. Micronutrients are abundant in organ meats. They are especially plentiful in B vitamins, which promote energy. Including them in your diet will positively impact your overall health and give you more energy.
Organ meats also contain a lot of protein. Leucine, the most vital of the three branch-chain amino acids, is highly abundant in them. Leucine promotes protein synthesis, which is where muscle growth begins. The protein in organ meats is very bioavailable, meaning it will get into your muscle cells faster to promote protein synthesis.
Should I increase my electrolyte intake on the carnivore diet?
Yes, you should try to get extra electrolytes when on the carnivore diet. Electrolyte levels can run low on a low-carb diet like the carnivore diet. Low carbohydrate diets result in significantly less insulin release. Water leaves the body when insulin levels are low. You’ll lose electrolytes like magnesium, potassium, sodium, and water. This can leave you feeling lethargic.
I recommend salting your meats with Himalayan pink salt to prevent electrolyte loss while following the carnivore diet.
How strict should I be about cutting carbs when building muscle on a carnivore diet?
The keto diet is not the same as the carnivore diet. You will still be quite stringent about cutting carbs on a carnivore diet while trying to lose weight. However, you can relax some of your restrictions if you want to gain muscle bulk.
Carbs are necessary for muscular growth.
Your energy requirements on a carnivorous diet will be satisfied by fat. Your intake of carbohydrates will result in a favorable insulin response that will encourage protein synthesis. Additionally, it will improve your anabolic hormone response.
Eat a different amount of carbohydrates before and after working out. Consuming some carbohydrates before working out will also increase the intensity of your workouts. Consuming carbohydrates after exercise will refill glycogen reserves and hasten your recovery.
It will require some work to add extra carbohydrates to the carnivorous diet. Goat yogurt and honey are two carbohydrates that are suitable for carnivorous diets. Aim for about 100 grams of carbohydrates per day.
Conclusion
The carnivore diet isn’t for everybody. But the only way to know if it’s for you is to try it. The seven-day meal plan provided here gives you an excellent introduction to the diet. Simply repeat it for four weeks, then assess your results in terms of how you feel and how much you weigh. If you feel the need, reintroduce fruits and vegetables for a time before returning to a strict meat-only diet.
References
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Al-Kharousi ZS, Guizani N, Al-Sadi AM, Al-Bulushi IM, Shaharoona B. Hiding in Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: Opportunistic Pathogens May Cross Geographical Barriers. Int J Microbiol. 2016;2016:4292417. doi: 10.1155/2016/4292417. Epub 2016 Feb 16. PMID: 26989419; PMCID: PMC4772400.
Falomir MP, Rico H, Gozalbo D. Enterobacter and Klebsiella species isolated from fresh vegetables marketed in Valencia (Spain) and their clinically relevant resistances to chemotherapeutic agents. Foodborne Pathog Dis. 2013 Dec;10(12):1002-7. doi: 10.1089/fpd.2013.1552. Epub 2013 Aug 27. PMID: 23980710.
Lennerz BS, Mey JT, Henn OH, Ludwig DS. Behavioral Characteristics and Self-Reported Health Status among 2029 Adults Consuming a “Carnivore Diet”. Curr Dev Nutr. 2021 Nov 2;5(12):nzab133. doi: 10.1093/cdn/nzab133. PMID: 34934897; PMCID: PMC8684475.
Aeberli I, Gerber PA, Hochuli M, Kohler S, Haile SR, Gouni-Berthold I, Berthold HK, Spinas GA, Berneis K. Low to moderate sugar-sweetened beverage consumption impairs glucose and lipid metabolism and promotes inflammation in healthy young men: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011 Aug;94(2):479-85. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.111.013540. Epub 2011 Jun 15. PMID: 21677052.
Mihaylova MM, Cheng CW, Cao AQ, Tripathi S, Mana MD, Bauer-Rowe KE, Abu-Remaileh M, Clavain L, Erdemir A, Lewis CA, Freinkman E, Dickey AS, La Spada AR, Huang Y, Bell GW, Deshpande V, Carmeliet P, Katajisto P, Sabatini DM, Yilmaz ÖH. Fasting Activates Fatty Acid Oxidation to Enhance Intestinal Stem Cell Function during Homeostasis and Aging. Cell Stem Cell. 2018 May 3;22(5):769-778.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2018.04.001. PMID: 29727683; PMCID: PMC5940005.
Dobersek U, Wy G, Adkins J, Altmeyer S, Krout K, Lavie CJ, Archer E. Meat and mental health: a systematic review of meat abstention and depression, anxiety, and related phenomena. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2021;61(4):622-635. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2020.1741505. Epub 2020 Apr 20. PMID: 32308009.
Kohl IS, Luft VC, Patrão AL, Molina MDCB, Nunes MAA, Schmidt MI. Association between meatless diet and depressive episodes: A cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the longitudinal study of adult health (ELSA-Brasil). J Affect Disord. 2023 Jan 1;320:48-56. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.09.059. Epub 2022 Sep 23. PMID: 36162679.
Shai I, Schwarzfuchs D, Henkin Y, Shahar DR, Witkow S, Greenberg I, Golan R, Fraser D, Bolotin A, Vardi H, Tangi-Rozental O, Zuk-Ramot R, Sarusi B, Brickner D, Schwartz Z, Sheiner E, Marko R, Katorza E, Thiery J, Fiedler GM, Blüher M, Stumvoll M, Stampfer MJ; Dietary Intervention Randomized Controlled Trial (DIRECT) Group. Weight loss with a low-carbohydrate, Mediterranean, or low-fat diet. N Engl J Med. 2008 Jul 17;359(3):229-41. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa0708681. Erratum in: N Engl J Med. 2009 Dec 31;361(27):2681. PMID: 18635428.
Morton RW, Murphy KT, McKellar SR, Schoenfeld BJ, Henselmans M, Helms E, Aragon AA, Devries MC, Banfield L, Krieger JW, Phillips SM. A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression of the effect of protein supplementation on resistance training-induced gains in muscle mass and strength in healthy adults. Br J Sports Med. 2018 Mar;52(6):376-384. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2017-097608. Epub 2017 Jul 11. Erratum in: Br J Sports Med. 2020 Oct;54(19):e7. PMID: 28698222; PMCID: PMC5867436.
Ravnskov U, de Lorgeril M, Diamond DM, Hama R, Hamazaki T, Hammarskjöld B, Hynes N, Kendrick M, Langsjoen PH, Mascitelli L, McCully KS, Okuyama H, Rosch PJ, Schersten T, Sultan S, Sundberg R. LDL-C does not cause cardiovascular disease: a comprehensive review of the current literature. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2018 Oct;11(10):959-970. doi: 10.1080/17512433.2018.1519391. Epub 2018 Oct 11. PMID: 30198808.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Reveals ‘Unbelievable Turnaround’ in Acting after Bodybuilding: ‘My Liabilities Became Assets’
Legendary bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger is easily the most popular competitor in the history of the sport. The seven-time Mr. Olympia made a name for himself in the film industry too after hanging up his posing trunks. In a recent interview with the Academy Museum, Schwarzenegger revealed the ‘unbelievable turnaround’ he experienced in acting as a bodybuilder in the 80s.
Arnold Schwarzenegger dominated the IFBB Pro League Men’s Open division with his proportionate muscle mass, size, and symmetry. After placing second in his Mr. Olympia debut, Schwarzenegger returned with a vengeance to secure his maiden Sandow trophy at the 1970 Mr. Olympia. After his final win at the 1980 Mr. Olympia, Arnold walked away from the sport with seven titles.
Besides his contest schedule, Schwarzenegger’s popularity skyrocketed after his starring role in the docudrama Pumping Iron (1977). The movie is credited for shining a spotlight on bodybuilding which featured the charismatic Austrian center stage. Following an amazing career, Schwarzenegger explored his passion for acting. He applied the same work ethic he developed as an athlete and became the first certified superstar to have come out of bodybuilding.
Earlier this year, Schwarzenegger reflected on the evolution of his physique over time. The 75-year-old admitted he did not like his body now that he’s in his later years and shut the door on retiring from training anytime soon.
Additionally, ‘The Austrian Oak’ laid out four effective ways to build a custom routine that fits into any schedule. Then, he revealed the two-compound PED (performance-enhancing drug) protocol he utilized at the height of his powers. He listed Dianabol and testosterone as the substances of choice and issued a cautionary message warning against the risks of overusing steroids.
Arnold Schwarzenegger offered two intense circuit workout routines targeting the upper body weeks ago. He also provided insight into his secrets for staying consistent with training sessions and getting results. He followed up with a grip strength test and another circuit workout focused on enhancing longevity.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Details His Start in Bodybuilding & Turning the Sport’s Image Around in the US
via Instagram
In a recent YouTube video, Arnold Schwarzenegger detailed how he got his start in bodybuilding which ultimately led to his arrival in America.
“I realized very quickly as I got into it that bodybuilding was an American sport so I felt like I could be another Steve Reeves, who did the Hercules movie, and Reg Park,” said Schwarzenegger. “They became kind of my idols. I would read everything about those world champions in bodybuilding and follow everything they did. When I read Reg Park was working out five hours a day, lifting heavy weights, doing 50-60 sets of exercise and lifting 50 tons of weights a day, I’d do the same thing.”
Although he thought bodybuilding was a huge sport in the US, he soon found out it wasn’t.
“When I came to America I thought bodybuilding is very popular in America, it’s an American sport but in fact it was not. What I read in the magazines that it’s huge, guys getting into movies with bodybuilding, become businessman, successful, and making millions of dollars, none of it was really true. There were some that became successful and got into movies but the reality was that when I walked around in America, people always came up to me and said you must be a wrestler, a football player, lifter or something like that. They did not guess bodybuilding. I realized very quickly I had to put my know how about selling and marketing. I started hiring publicists. I was the first bodybuilder ever to hire a publicist.
“I got on all these shows and talked about what bodybuilding’s all about, to explain what it was. Because the press was writing stupid articles, not because they were vicious but they just didn’t know.”
Schwarzenegger Reveals ‘Unbelievable Turnaround’ in Acting after Bodybuilding
Arnold Schwarzenegger credited Pumping Iron as the turning point in his career.
“Without Pumping Iron, I wouldn’t have been able to be successful in this mission because it really kind of showed the personalities of bodybuilders, the camaraderie, psychology behind it, pose off and compete against each other.”
He shared how he was told by industry executives that he would not find success because of his thick German accent and massive build.
“When I started getting tired of bodybuilding competitions and won 13 championships, I wasn’t as excited anymore being on stage and beating all these guys. There must be something else that’s kind of very risky and we have to work hard, something new I could go after, and it was acting. It was going into movies. I remember agents, managers, studio executives always saying to me forget it Arnold. You’re a great bodybuilding champion, we’ll help you start a business or a gym or something but forget about acting. No one has ever made it with a German accent… if you want to be a star, a leading man, that’s impossible. Number two, your body is too big.”
In the end, both points of criticism were proven wrong as they became his biggest assets.
“A few years later, Ed Pressman comes to me and he says I bought the rights for you for Conan the Barbarian. He said finally when I saw Pumping Iron I said to myself that guy could do Conan. He has finally the body that no one has. He has the muscles, he could do Conan. All of a sudden, the director said if we didn’t have Schwarzenegger we would’ve had to build him. A few years ago, I heard it was impossible to get a job with a body like that and now all of a sudden this is the body we need for Conan. This liability was my asset.
“Then comes Jim Cameron for Terminator 1, he said to me you know why this movie’s so successful and why people bought in? It’s because you talk like a machine. Your German accent worked to such an advantage. You talk like a machine, like no one else does. All of a sudden, it’s an asset to have a German accent and talk like me. It’s an asset to have a body like me and all the schmucks in Hollywood were saying you would never get a job, never be a leading man. This was the unbelievable turnaround.”
Arnold Schwarzenegger gave fans a look into his current diet, which is mostly vegan two weeks ago. He revealed he consumes about 80 percent less meat than he used to and detailed his preferred sources for getting protein. He took a trip down memory lane by reminiscing about his famous photo in posing trunks in Munich, Germany a week later.
Schwarzenegger’s story of reaching unparalleled heights in various fields will inspire generations to come given the challenges he faced along the way.
RELATED: Lee Priest Says Remove ‘Useless’ Divisions & Backs Arnold Schwarzenegger Over Chris Bumstead
You can watch the full video below.
Published: 2 July, 2023 | 2:12 PM EDT
Rich Gaspari Shares Abs Exercise for Strength & Training Intensity Tip for Hypertrophy: ‘Total Annihilation’
Bodybuilding veteran Rich Gaspari is a strong proponent of using intensity to enhance his package in the gym. Although he moved on from professional competition years ago, his decades of experience have turned him into a revered figure in the community. In recent posts shared on Instagram, Gaspari shared an abs exercise for building strength and offered a tip on how to boost training intensity for hypertrophy.
Rich Gaspari first gained attention for his insane muscle mass, definition, and granite conditioning in the mid-1980s. He’s widely regarded as the first Men’s Open competitor to display striated glutes. Although he did not win Mr. Olympia, Gaspari was a perennial contender who participated in seven Mr. Olympia contests and took three silvers to eight-time champion Lee Haney. He also made history by becoming the inaugural champion of the Arnold Classic. Following a glittering career, he was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2004.
Gaspari opened up about the cost of bringing dry conditioning on stage earlier this year. He revealed he never took harsh diuretics and achieved the grainy conditioned look with consistent training and also credited genetics. Given the focus on being dry in contemporary competition, Gaspari bashed coaches for risking their athletes’ lives with diuretics.
Three months ago, Gaspari fired shots at the Women’s Bikini and Wellness athletes for the rampant use of PEDs (performance-enhancing drugs) in competition. He believes trainers push athletes to use heavy amounts of gear when it’s not necessary, making even regional shows hard to compete in as a natty.
Rich Gaspari / Instagram
Gaspari has kept up with training regularly post-retirement and often educated his audience on topics related to fitness. He detailed the anti-aging peptide stack he’s utilizing to improve his quality of life months ago.
The 60-year-old fired shots at modern bodybuilders for not giving much attention to their calf muscle development three months ago. He offered donkey calf raises as an effective exercise for enhancing muscle growth and definition in the group. Then, he provided some of his best tips to grow legs and techniques for increasing intensity on leg day.
Rich Gaspari shares abs exercises for building strength
In a recent Instagram post, Rich Gaspari shared leg raises, crunches, and twisting crunches as effective abs exercises for building strength.
“Training abs strengthens your core that can help you with training other parts of your body,” wrote Gaspari. “Leg raises are great to do for training lower Abs. I also do ab crunches to work overall abs along with twisting crunches to work intercostals. Rep range on abs for 15-50. Do Abs at least 2-3 times a week.”
Rich Gaspari is not a fan of the modern Men’s Open division. He voiced his disapproval of the evolution of the category, arguing a loss in the creative element three months ago. He feels bodybuilding is an art form instead of a sport and praised the Classic Physique division for keeping the art alive.
Gaspari issued a cautionary message against the use of trenbolone two months ago. While he conceded the steroid could result in impressive gains, he highlighted the adverse effects it may cause to the liver and cardiovascular system.
Gaspari’s tip on increasing training intensity for hypertrophy
Gaspari shared tips on how to get in the right mindset for intensity training and boost it further for hypertrophy.
“I still train with total intensity, train a muscle to failure. I don’t have my phone with me that I’m constantly texting or reading e-mails or looking at YouTube or doing whatever,” he said. “I’m going to the gym to train a certain body part I’m training. What I see right now is I see too many people distracted. And they are not making the gains. You really have to train with intensity.
“When I went to a gym training for competition, I went to the gym with the mindset I was going to battle, to war, to train a body part to total annihilation or total failure. If I didn’t do a certain weight or personal max in reps, drop set, giant set, if I didn’t finish that I imagined that my whole family is going to get killed and they were going to kill me. That’s really extreme but when you have that type of mindset going to the gym for total annihilation, you’re going to train a muscle much harder than you’ve ever trained before. That’s what it’s going to take for hypertrophy and muscle to grow.”
Rich Gaspari laid out a modified version of sumo squats to boost lower-body strength two months ago. He recommended using a platform to elevate feet for added range of motion to target glutes.
Gaspari extended his support for four-time Classic Physique Olympia champion Chris Bumstead for his dominant reign last month. He backed Bumstead to be competitive in the Open class if he packed on about 40 pounds of muscle mass.
His latest offerings are sure to help many fans take their fitness game to the next level with a strong core and intense mindset.
Published: 2 July, 2023 | 11:44 AM EDT
Chris Bumstead All Excited To Train In His Private Gym – “Dreams Do Come True”
Chris Bumstead is all set to take his game a notch up with his personalized gym that is nearing completion. In a recent back workout video posted on his YouTube channel, CBum gave a tour of this gym and spoke about the potential benefits of having one for yourself.
Bumstead is the foremost representative of Canadian bodybuilding. He has a global appeal among bodybuilding fans due to his insanely aesthetic physique. Since winning the Classic Physique Olympia title in 2019, CBum has honed his physique further and further to defend his top spot at 2020, 2021, and 2022 Olympia.
While most champions would attempt maximum title defenses in their capacity, CBum has a very clear plan of action. He intends to win only a couple of more Classic Physique Olympia titles and move on from competing. A few other trophies like the prestigious Arnold Classic Physique would have looked good on the champion’s shelf. However, collecting Olympia trophies is the only competitive goal for the 28-year-old.
CBum is currently in the middle of his off-season and making gains before the start of his 2023 Olympia prep. Although he will be a massive favorite heading into the show, CBum will not leave any stone unturned.
Apart from his bodybuilding schedule, Bumstead is working on his new gym. He showed the progress they have made so far before the workout and gave a tour of the gym in making. So without a second’s delay, let’s see how Bumstead is achieving back growth this off-season.
Chris Bumstead shows his personal gym
At the beginning of the video, Chris Bumstead talked about the progress of his personal gym which is being built at the moment. He gave a brief tour of the place and stated that a personal space would really help him focus on training and content creation.
“Everyone has the dream to have their own gym. I didn’t think I would get one because I didn’t think I would ever want to run a gym… Coz I knew a lot of hell went into it and you don’t make a lot of money for it.”
He further stated:
“But I am super grateful right now to be in the opportunity to be able to build it for myself and literally, just like, use it for content and prepping for Olympia. So I think this is going to be something that, really like, puts me on a straight focus drive this year at the Olympia.”
Bumstead can do without the company of a lot of people when he is training. Additionally, he feels a lot more comfortable making videos and talking into a camera when there aren’t many people around. So he expects the training as well as the YouTube content to be far better when his gym becomes operational in a few weeks’ time.
“Super pumped, excited… Dreams do come true. There’s a lot of things I’ve wanted in my life but gym is one of those things where you come her, shut off, put everything away and just kill yourself in the gym,” CBum concluded.
A place customized to meet every personal requirement will definitely add more quality to Bumstead’s training sessions. So the task of dethroning the champ might be a little more difficult for the opponents as Bumstead intends to prep for the 2023 Olympia in his new personal gym. After showing the gym around, Chris Bumstead proceeded to perform the off-season back workout at the local gym.
CBum goes through a back workout
Lat Pulldown
CBum’s workout started with this lat-focused vertical pulling movement. This compound exercise primarily works the latissimus dorsi muscles in the back. It helps build a wide back and imparts that much desired ‘tapering down into the waist’ look as a result.
Bumstead used extremely heavy weights in the first set and tried to control the negative/eccentric phase of the rep as much as he could. He reduced the weight for the second set and paused at the bottom of the first five reps so as to get a good squeeze.
Another benefit of this method was that it helped him make the second set equally difficult in spite of using lighter weights. The 28-year-old felt a good pump in the muscles after ripping both sets and moved on to the second exercise.
Incline Dumbbell Rows
Bumstead next took to this free-weight horizontal pulling exercise. Incline dumbbell rows work all the major pulling muscles in the upper body like latissimus dorsi, teres major, teres minor, trapezius, and biceps brachii. Performing rows on an incline bench uses gravity to maintain focus on back muscles.
Since the person is in an inclined position with chest pressed against the bench, it is not possible to rely on momentum or sway back and forth to pull the weights when the reps get difficult. As a result, only back muscles have to be utilized to lift weights without any assistance.
CBum cranked out a few good sets of incline dumbbell rows and took to another highly effective rowing movement next.
T-Bar Rows
In a world where you were forced to incorporate only one rowing exercise in your training routine, T-bar rows would be your best bet. This compound movement is an effective back builder that enables growth in terms of muscle and strength gain as well as density.
Chris Bumstead warmed up with a couple of sets first. He then got a few heavy sets of T-bar rows under the belt and moved on to the next exercise.
Seated Rows
The Classic Physique Olympia champion took to one more rowing exercise and performed seated rows. He did the exercise on a Prime plate-loaded rows machine to add more stimulus to the back muscles. Seated rows work almost all the muscles in the middle back region and also help with improving upper body posture.
Bumstead demolished some good sets of seated rows and took to a lat pulldown variation next.
Reverse Grip Lat Pulldown
Bumstead took the next stop at the Hammer Strength plate-loaded machine and performed reverse grip lat pulldown. The reverse grip targets more of the lower lats as the upper arms are closer to the body. Additionally, this variation also engages the biceps due to a reverse grip and enables pulling heavier weights in comparison to the traditional lat pulldowns.
CBum performed this exercise maintaining a good tempo and jumped into a cable machine exercise next.
Superset – Banded Cable Lat Pullovers and Barbell Curls
Bumstead finished the back workout with this superset. He mentioned that he is working on improving mobility these days and also explained the reason for performing reverse grip lat pulldown instead of regular grip for the previous exercise.
“Underhand grip pulldown machine because sometimes the pulldown bar breaks my wrist. I am working on mobility. So I am doing 10 sets of superset – biceps curls and lat pullovers. Just going back and forth 10 reps ish… until I die. So hopefully getting a hundred reps of each and then that’s it,” CBum stated.
After pushing through all the sets within this superset in rapid succession and minimal rest periods, Chris Bumstead called it a day in the gym.
Overall, the workout included:
Chris Bumstead is all set to start the competition prep for the 2023 Olympia soon. Training in his personal gym will definitely help him maintain focus and add more wrinkles to the game. If he stays healthy and continues to increase the training intensity, we will certainly see him wear the Classic Physique Olympia crown for the fifth time.
You can watch the full workout video here, courtesy of Chris Bumstead’s personal YouTube channel:
Published: 2 July, 2023 | 9:05 AM EDT
7-Day Carb Cycling Meal Plan
Eating healthy and working out go hand in hand, or they should! What you eat can have a direct impact on your training results. A poor diet can undermine your progress and could even mean you make no progress at all.
Subsequently, most exercisers follow an eating plan designed to support their workouts, and that matches their training goal. Unfortunately, there are a lot of diets to choose from, and while some are safe, effective, and healthy, many others are not. Sadly, some people cannot tell the difference between the good and the bad and end up following unsuitable or unsustainable plans.
Carb cycling has proven popular with bodybuilders and is gaining traction within the general fitness community.
In this article, we discuss why and how to do carb cycling and provide you with a sample 7-day meal plan to try.
What is Carb Cycling?
Food can be divided into three macronutrient groups – protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Your body uses protein for muscle repair and growth, fat for slow-release energy and energy storage, and carbs for instant energy. All three macro groups are important, and diets that contain all three are generally the healthiest and easiest to stick to.
However, lower-carb diets can be effective for weight loss, and cutting carbs may increase fat burning.
Unfortunately, low-carb diets can be hard to stick to and often lead to hunger and cravings. In addition, cutting carbs can also hurt your workouts, reducing intensity and duration. That’s because carbs are converted to and stored as glycogen, which is your body’s preferred fuel source during intense exercise. Fewer carbs mean less glycogen, and less energy, too.
With carb cycling, you consume more carbs on training days and fewer carbs when you are less active. This ensures you have the fuel you need to power through your workouts but are less likely to store fat on rest days.
Carb cycling means you can enjoy many of the benefits of a low-carb diet while still providing your body with the fuel it needs for intense exercise.
Related: Can Carbohydrates Improve Athletic Performance?
Sample carb cycling/training plan:
Monday – intense strength training/high-carb diet
Tuesday – low-intensity cardio/low-carb diet
Wednesday – intense strength training/high-carb diet
Thursday – intense strength training/high-carb diet
Friday – low-intensity cardio/low-carb diet
Saturday – intense strength training/high-carb diet
Sunday – rest/low-carb diet
Carb Cycling Meal Plan Benefits
Not sure if carb cycling is for you? Consider these benefits and then decide!
Less hunger and fewer cravings compared to a standard low-carb diet
Low-carb diets invariably lead to low blood glucose, which can trigger hunger and cravings. While you may be able to ignore these sensations for a couple of days, eventually, they’ll wear away your willpower, and you’ll break your diet.
With carb cycling, a carb-rich meal is never more than a day or two away, so you should experience fewer cravings and less hunger, and you won’t need to rely on your willpower as much. This should make a carb cycling meal plan easier to stick to than a standard low-carb diet.
Glycogen replenishment for better workouts
High-carb diets are commonly associated with improved athletic performance (1). As mentioned above, your body converts carbs into glycogen, which is your body’s preferred source of fuel during high-intensity exercise. Intense training depletes your glycogen stores, and lost glycogen must be replaced before you can repeat a similarly demanding workout.
Standard low-carb diets do not replenish muscle glycogen, and, as a result, once your stores are depleted, you’ll find it hard to train very hard or for long. Your muscles will basically be running on empty.
However, with carb cycling, glycogen-depleting workouts are accompanied by plenty of dietary carbs, ensuring your glycogen stores are restocked regularly. This ensures that you always have the energy you need to work out.
Increased fat burning
Low-carb diets have long been associated with fat burning and weight loss (2). When you cut carbs from your diet, your body has no choice but to start burning fat for fuel. Also, consuming a lot of carbs, especially during periods of sedentarism, can cause fat storage and weight gain.
Carb cycling could help you lose fat faster by eliminating the competition for fuel and making fat your primary energy source on your low-carb days.
Variety
Following the same diet day after day can soon become boring. Carb cycling is essentially two diets combined (low-carb and high-carb), so you should find it more varied and interesting.
Depending on your carb cycling plan, you probably won’t eat the same way for more than two days in a row. This variety can make carb cycling more appealing than a standard low-carb diet, especially for long-term use.
Carb Cycling Meal Plan Drawbacks
While carb cycling is popular and works, there are also a few of drawbacks to consider:
Macro tracking can be time-consuming and inconvenient
Needless to say, if you are going to manipulate your carbohydrate intake from one day to the next, you’ll need to count and track your macros. After all, if you don’t know how many grams of carbs, protein, and fat you are consuming, you won’t be able to adjust your intake.
While macro tracking is not as challenging or time-consuming as it used to be, you’ll still need to use an app or website to record your food intake.
Macro tracking does get easier the longer you do it, but initially, it can be a hassle. Some people also find it stressful. However, macro tracking is part and parcel of the carb-cycling diet.
It can take some of the enjoyment out of eating
Any diet, even a flexible one like carb cycling, can take some of the enjoyment out of eating. Food should be one of life’s pleasures, but carb cycling means you’ll need to be much more aware of what you eat. You may even have to turn down certain foods as they may not fit your diet, e.g., a slice of a colleague’s birthday cake on a designated low-carb day.
Eating out can be difficult
The carb cycling diet is quite prescriptive, and on high and low-carb days, you’ll have both macro and calorie goals to hit. This can make eating out very challenging, if not impossible. While some eateries publish nutritional breakdowns for the meals on their menu, there is no guarantee they will match your needs.
In most cases, carb cycling means you’ll have to prepare all your own meals, and eating out will have to be limited to the occasional cheat meal.
If you change your workouts, you’ll need to change your eating plan, too
With carb cycling, your meals should match your workouts. You eat fewer carbs on the days you are less active and more on the days you train. So, if you change your training, e.g., skip a workout or do an extra session, you’ll also need to alter your diet.
Not suitable for everyone
While carb cycling has the potential to be a safe diet and is not as restrictive as many other eating plans, it is not suitable for everyone. People who should not try carb cycling include those with diabetes, anorexia or other eating disorders, or nutritional deficiencies. If in doubt, speak to your doctor before trying carb cycling.
Sample 7-Day Carb Cycling Meal Plan
Carb Meal Plan
You can enjoy many of the benefits of carb cycling simply by eating more carbs (grains, potatoes, rice, fruit, legumes, pasta, etc.) on training days and minimizing your intake of those foods on rest or active recovery days.
However, to help take the guesswork out of carb cycling, here is a sample meal plan to try.
Adjust portion sizes and your caloric and macro intakes based on your nutritional needs and exercise goals. Use this handy Carb Cycling Calculator to determine your requirements.
Day 1 – High Carb
Suggested workout: Lower body strength training
Breakfast
1 cup of oatmeal
2 slices of wholemeal toast
2-3 eggs, cooked to taste
1 cup of orange juice
Snack
1 cup of natural yogurt
1 banana
¼ cup of mixed chopped walnuts
Lunch
8 oz. grilled chicken breast
2 cups of pasta with tomato sauce
Large mixed side salad
Snack
Protein shake
½ cup of granola with 1% milk (or non-dairy alternative)
Dinner
8 oz. grilled steak
1 medium-sized baked potato
1 cup of green beans
1 cup of fresh fruit salad
Day 2 – High Carb
Suggested workout: Upper body strength training
Breakfast
2-3 scrambled eggs
2 slices of wholemeal toast with butter
1 cup of cereal with 1% milk (or non-dairy alternative)
Snack
1 tuna pouch in oil
4-6 wholegrain crackers
Lunch
1 large turkey sandwich
2-3 plain rice cakes
1 apple
Snack
4 oz. of beef jerky
1 banana
Dinner
1 cup of beef chili
1 cup of cooked brown rice
Large mixed side salad
Day 3 – Low Carb
Suggested workout: Low-intensity cardio or rest day
Breakfast
3-egg omelet
4 oz. of grilled bacon
¼ cup of grated cheese
Snack
½ cup of mixed nuts
Lunch
1 large tuna salad
½ cup of cooked quinoa
Snack
2 oz. of string cheese
1 salmon pouch in oil
Dinner
8 oz. grilled fish fillet
Mixed oven-roast vegetables
Sugar-free Jell-O with heavy cream
Day 4 – High Carb
Suggested workout: Lower body strength training
Breakfast
2-3 pancakes with maple syrup
1 banana
Protein shake
Snack
1 apple
2 tablespoons of natural peanut butter
Lunch
Large bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich
1 oz. potato chips
1 cup 1% milk (or non-dairy alternative)
Snack
1 cup of fruit-flavored yogurt
1 oz. of raisins
Dinner
1 homemade 6 oz. grilled hamburger/cheeseburger
3 oz. potato wedges
2 cups of broccoli
Day 5 – Low Carb
Suggested workout: Low-intensity cardio or rest day
Breakfast
2-3 eggs cooked to taste
½ avocado
2 oz. of ham
Snack
6-8 carrot sticks
2 oz. of hummus
Lunch
6 oz. grilled chicken breast
Large mixed Greek salad
Snack
1 low-carb protein bar
Dinner
8 oz. grilled salmon fillet
1 cup of green beans
2 cups of cauliflower
½ cup of corn kernels
Day 6 – High Carb
Suggested workout: Upper body strength training
Breakfast
2-3 waffles with maple syrup
4 oz. of grilled bacon
½ cup of blueberries
Snack
2-3 hardboiled eggs
1 banana
Lunch
2 cups of chicken and noodle soup
4-6 wholegrain crackers
1 apple
Snack
4 oz. of mini pretzels
2 oz. of low-fat cream cheese
Dinner
1 homemade pizza with protein and vegetable topping, e.g., tuna and peppers
Large side salad
Day 7 – Low Carb
Suggested workout: Rest day
Breakfast
2-3 eggs, scrambled
1 oz. of American cheese
2 oz. of grilled bacon
Snack
1 cup of cottage cheese
¼ cup of mixed nuts
Lunch
1 large low-carb roast beef and vegetable wrap
1 cup 1% milk (or non-dairy alternative)
Snack
Berry and protein powder smoothie
Dinner
Chicken stir-fry with mixed vegetables
Zucchini noodles
7-Day Carb Cycling – FAQs
Do you have a question about our carb cycling meal plan or this type of diet in general? No problem, because we’ve got the answers!
1. Is carb cycling the same as keto?
Carb cycling involves both high-carb and low-carb days. In contrast, the ketogenic diet or keto is low carb all the time. Not eating more than 50 grams of carbs per day puts you into a state of ketosis, where your body has to make and use ketones for energy.
As even small amounts of carbohydrates can disrupt ketosis, it’s safe to say that carb cycling is not a type of ketogenic diet, and carb cycling and keto are not the same.
2. Is carb cycling safe?
Providing you eat healthy, natural foods during your carb cycling diet, this eating plan should be safe for most people. However, if you eat a lot of junk food, even if it fits your macros, you could be deficient in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which is not good for your health.
That said, if you have difficulty stabilizing your blood glucose, suffer from diabetes, or have a history of eating disorders, you should speak to your doctor before starting a carb-cycling diet.
3. Will I lose weight by carb cycling?
The main factor that will determine whether or not you lose weight is the number of calories you consume relative to your TDEE or total daily energy expenditure.
For example, if you need to eat 2,000 calories to maintain your weight but only consume 1,500, your body will burn fat to compensate for the energy shortfall. In contrast, if you eat 2,500 calories but only need 2,000, you’ll gain weight instead.
Carb cycling makes it a little easier to lose weight and avoid weight gain, but your caloric intake is the most crucial factor to consider.
Related: Bulking vs. Cutting: The Best Methods to Accelerate Gains!
4. Is carb cycling good for building muscle mass?
Carb cycling comes from the world of bodybuilding, so it’s safe to say it can help you build muscle when combined with an appropriate training plan. The high-carb days provide your muscles with the energy they need for training, while carb intakes are lower on rest days, which should help minimize fat gain.
Carb and calorie cycling feature heavily in many diets, including Lean Gains, which is one of the most popular body recomposition training and eating plans.
5. How many high and low-carb days should I have in my carb cycling meal plan?
High-carb days should coincide with your most intense workouts. So, if you hit the gym three days a week, you should have three high-carb eating days. The remaining four days, where your activity levels are lower, should be paired with low-carb days.
This means you must sync your workout program with your eating plan. Failure to do so, e.g., an intense workout on a low-carb day, could compromise your workout and results.
6. What should my calories and macros be on the high and low-carb days?
Your calories and macros depend on several factors, including your weight, activity levels, carb tolerance, and training goals. As such, we can’t tell you what your calories and macros be on the high and low-carb days.
However, if you check out this calculator and enter all the requested information, you’ll receive all the details you need regarding both calories and macros.
7. How long can I stay on the carb-cycling meal plan?
Theoretically, you can continue carb cycling for as long as you like. It’s less a diet and more a sustainable style of eating and training. That said, you should not follow our 7-day plan for more than a couple of weeks as you’ll probably get bored with our food recommendations.
Use our plan to get you started, but then, as you get a feel for the high and low-carb days, start creating your own meals. However, make sure you track your macros to ensure you’re hitting all your nutrient targets.
Closing Thoughts
In a world where crazy diets and bad nutritional advice are all too common, carb cycling is like a breath of fresh air. The concept is simple – eat more carbs on training days and less when you are not so active.
This creates the ideal nutritional environment for building muscle and losing fat.
However, while carb cycling is straightforward in theory, it may be somewhat more complicated in practice. You’ll need to get into the habit of measuring and tracking your food intake, changing your diet from one day to the next, and synching your meals to your workout. Some people will this difficult and even stressful.
As such, carb cycling is not for everyone.
But, if you want to gain muscle while losing or avoiding unnecessary fat gain, carb cycling could be the approach you’ve been looking for. Give it a try, and let us know how you get on!
References:
Henselmans M, Bjørnsen T, Hedderman R, Vårvik FT. The Effect of Carbohydrate Intake on Strength and Resistance Training Performance: A Systematic Review. Nutrients. 2022 Feb 18;14(4):856. doi: 10.3390/nu14040856. PMID: 35215506; PMCID: PMC8878406. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35215506/
Barber TM, Hanson P, Kabisch S, Pfeiffer AFH, Weickert MO. The Low-Carbohydrate Diet: Short-Term Metabolic Efficacy Versus Longer-Term Limitations. Nutrients. 2021 Apr 3;13(4):1187. doi: 10.3390/nu13041187. PMID: 33916669; PMCID: PMC8066770. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33916669/
2023 Orlando Pro Results and Scorecards
The 2023 Orlando Pro delivered an exciting show and took place on July 1. Men’s Open bodybuilders gathered in Orlando, Florida for a chance to guarantee passage to the upcoming Mr. Olympia competition.
For this year’s most prestigious contest, athletes have until October 9 to secure their respective invites. The 2023 Mr. Olympia show will return to Orlando, Florida from Nov. 2-5 inside the Orange County Convention Center.
Qualifying has been more difficult this year because there are fewer months to earn an invite than in 2022. In addition, the point system has been removed so bodybuilders must win a pro show to step on the big stage.
Heading into this weekend, all eyes were on the defending champion Hassan Mostafa, who took gold at this event last year. Tonight was extra important for Hassan as he narrowly missed receiving his Olympia invite to Iain Valliere back at the 2023 Toronto Pro Supershow. Meanwhile, fans also expected a solid performance from veteran Phil Clahar, who continues to defy time with improvements season-to-season.
In the end, Phil Clahar emerged victorious this weekend in Orlando and will have the opportunity to face the reigning Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan. ‘The Persian Wolf’ asserted himself at the top of the category last year after dispatching contenders Derek Lunsford and Nick Walker in the finals.
2023 Orlando Pro Winner
Men’s Open: Phil Clahar
2023 Orlando Pro Results
Men’s Open
During prejudging and the finals, fans and the judges acknowledged it was a two-man battle between the reigning champion Hassan Mostafa and Phil Clahar. Clahar brought great conditioning which helped him shine during some of the comparisons. Many fans saw the contest close as Mostafa once again brought an impressive package to the stage.
Clahar has his sights set on the upcoming Masters Olympia contest in Romania on Aug. 26-27, 2023. Although he hasn’t clinched a victory in an Open show since turning pro in 2018, he has consistently been a strong contender in several competitions. In fact, he secured the second overall position at the 2021 Tampa Pro, finishing just behind Valliere.
Clahar’s most recent appearance was at the 2022 Boston Pro, where he achieved a respectable sixth place.
Winner — Phil Clahar
Second Place — Hassan Mostafa
Third Place — Stan de Longeaux
Fourth Place — Emmanuel Alvarez
Fifth Place — Chris Didomenico
Sixth Place — Jason Lowe
Seventh Place — Mohammad Alnsoor
Eighth Place — Ray Short
Ninth Place — Matt Kouba
Tenth Place — Erik Ramirez
2023 Orlando Pro Scorecards
2023 Orlando Pro Results Men S Open
FitnessVolt congratulates the winner on the big victory!
Published: 1 July, 2023 | 9:14 PM EDT
