The Anabolic Diet

[Yeah-Buddy]

Im just wanting to know if anyone has had any experience with DiPasquale's Anabolic diet? I'v read it over and over and it makes a lot of sense but at the same time is a scary thought to actually man up and try incase i get fat over it!

It seems like the majority of peoples experiences have been very good, and the majority staying on it after trying it out.

[Pseudonym]

I've just spent three weeks on it, and I'm very impressed. I did a carb-up after the first week, then decided I should do it properly, so went back and did the full low-carbs-for-12-days induction thing. To be honest, I didn't notice any real problems while I switched to burning fats - seems like my body's quite happy to do that. No real carb-withdrawal symptoms at all, so I'm not sure that the induction phase was completely necessary.

I can see the progress though - definition in quads and abs is improving almost daily. Very satisfying! And no weight lost yet, either. In fact, I may have gained some (but then, eating the equivalent of 1.5kg of steak a day, I guess that's to be expected!)

I'll get my BF% tested again next week, but at this stage, I would recommend it. :nod:

[boostinggtir]

Where can I read up about this diet?

[Ronin]

I seem to remember reading another thread about this diet here not so long ago. I also read some info about it on the Stronglifts website. I've been on a low-carb diet for some time now, keeping the daily carb intake to the barest minimum possible (usually under 20gm). Also have recently increased the cardio, and the combination seems to be showing results. However, there are certain carbs that I really do miss (mmmmmmmm bread, pasta *drool*). Am I to understand that I can continue to do what I already do, for 5 days of the week, load up on my long-lost carbs for the weekend, and experience even better fat loss than I have been?

Forgive my scepticism, but I've generally found that if something sounds too good to be true, then it usually is. And after going through what I have to lose 30kg of fat, I am shit-scared of doing anything to put it back on again. If someone can convince me that this isn't going to happen, I'll gladly give this diet a shot.

[Mr_Krabs]

Ive been on it for a similar time to pseudo and I am also very impressed with it (I skipped the induction period too). I decided to ease myself into it with the scope to drop carbs further if need be so Ive actually set my carb limit at 100g per day (almost 3 times what is suggested). In the first 2 weeks my weight dropped 1.5 kg, I thought this would mostly be water being that I was on quite a carb rich diet before but my BF% also dropped by 0.8% (5.5mm drop in 6 skinfold sum). In the mirror is also where Im seeing the most differences, a definate "hardening" of my physique and new cuts visable in delts, abs, bis, quads and calves :grin:

Well worth a go especially if you are new to this kind of dieting, it kind of feels like a beginners intro to low carb dieting for me :pfft:

Just make sure you monitor your progress closely and fine tune where necessary, length of weekend carb ups is the first place to be careful but you can definately feel the "softening" when you over do it :shifty:

Edit: I forgot to say that the high fat diet has sent my test levels skyrocketing (measured in the official libido meter units :pfft: )

[GHOSTN]

so is this hi fat, hi protein keto type diet?

any of you guys got a link to where we can read up on it?

cheers

[HaNs]

any of you guys got a link to where we can read up on it?

http://tinyurl.com/y8uomya

[rose]

Where can I read up about this diet?

Here 8)

[Pseudonym]

In the mirror is also where Im seeing the most differences, a definate "hardening" of my physique

:nod: Forgot about that bit, but yah, it's wicked.

Apparently this isn't actually a ketogenic diet. You're allowed trace amounts of carbs, and they're enough to stop you going into ketosis. But you're still burning fat for fuel, which I thought was the definition of ketosis. So I don't understand how that works.

On the downside, it required me to nearly double my already-pretty-decent protein intake, and that ain't cheap! :doh:

[rose]

On the downside, it required me to nearly double my already-pretty-decent protein intake, and that ain't cheap!

Heh! Stop ya whining :roll: :pfft:

[rose]

Forgive my scepticism, but I've generally found that if something sounds too good to be true, then it usually is. And after going through what I have to lose 30kg of fat, I am shit-scared of doing anything to put it back on again. If someone can convince me that this isn't going to happen, I'll gladly give this diet a shot.

The World According to StrongLifts 8)

"1. Not Eating Enough Fat. You need fat for energy since you’re not eating carbs for 5 days. Eating fat also promotes fat loss: your body stores less fat if you eat fat constantly. Stop worrying about getting fat: you won’t. Eat your fats.

9. Weekend Junk Food. Avoid turning weekend carb ups into junk fests. Excess junk food will make you reach the couch. Control your intake of junk food and eat clean carbs: pasta, rice, potatoes, oats, …

And the biggest mistake is eating carbs on no carbs days. The Anabolic Diet only works if you apply it as laid out."

[Yeah-Buddy]

so is this hi fat, hi protein keto type diet?

any of you guys got a link to where we can read up on it?

cheers

This is not a keto diet, DiPasquale stresses this numerous times in his book. The aim is to sit just about Ketosis, thats where the use of 30g max carbs per day comes in.

The Anabolic Diet has been recently updated to The Anabolic Solution and there are taloired versions for both bodybuilders and powerlifters out. Im not sure how the powerlifting version differs, im not a powerlifter so have not opened the file I have - its 200+pages so it has not tempted me.

An over simplified version of the diet can be found here:

http://www.tmuscle.com/readArticle.do?id=460968

http://www.tmuscle.com/readArticle.do?id=459762

The actual book is much more in depth but very interesting. I think it holds a lot of validity but the problem is it goes against what most people believe e.g. you cant get big without lots of carbs.

The more I read this the more I'm convinced.. atleast enough to try it properly for a while.

[vracula]

I have been on a diet similiar to this low to no carb weekdays and then carbs on the weekened,i lost 7 kgs on it,mainly fat,but i have tapered off and on it for personal reasons ,but i keep coming back because i know it works.

I usually mess up on the weekends and eats lots of crap,eat clean carbs on the weekends and you should be fine.

I hit a plateau at 91 kgs and started taking some arson (muscle asylum project) thought it would increase the fat burning process,it did bugger all then get rid of water.but it did get me past that 91 to 90 and abit below just for my sanity sake.

[GHOSTN]

and being "the anabolic diet" i take it theres only small muscle losses?

can anyone coment on this that has actually done it and been sucesful

[holdenman]

so is this hi fat, hi protein keto type diet?

any of you guys got a link to where we can read up on it?

cheers

This is not a keto diet, DiPasquale stresses this numerous times in his book. The aim is to sit just about Ketosis, thats where the use of 30g max carbs per day comes in.

The Anabolic Diet has been recently updated to The Anabolic Solution and there are taloired versions for both bodybuilders and powerlifters out. Im not sure how the powerlifting version differs, im not a powerlifter so have not opened the file I have - its 200+pages so it has not tempted me.

An over simplified version of the diet can be found here:

http://www.tmuscle.com/readArticle.do?id=460968

http://www.tmuscle.com/readArticle.do?id=459762

The actual book is much more in depth but very interesting. I think it holds a lot of validity but the problem is it goes against what most people believe e.g. you cant get big without lots of carbs.

The more I read this the more I'm convinced.. atleast enough to try it properly for a while.

If your only eating around 30g a day of carbs and your burning fat for fuel, it IS a keto diet. No two ways about it

[Mr_Krabs]

[if your only eating around 30g a day of carbs and your burning fat for fuel, it IS a keto diet. No two ways about it

Yep spot on there mate, it might not be "the keto diet" but if theres little to no carbs in your system you will go into ketosis meaning that your body will make "ketone bodies" to feed your brain as only these and glucose can be used by the brain as fuel.

[Ronin]

Ok, so the science appears to support this, so I'm leaning towards trying it out. However, everything I've read concerns people cutting down their carbs to do this, and the difficulties in this. My question now is, has anyone here approached it from the other side? I've been successfully doing low-carb 7 days a week for many months now. So for me to do the Anabolic Diet, would actually involve a drastic increase in carb intake. So I guess what I'm after is some sort of reassurance from someone who's BTDT, that doing so isn't likely to pile on the shed-load of fat I've worked off already.

Anyone?

[rose]

What's your motivation? Give people some insight into your goals so they can advise accordingly. My initial advice is to follow it properly. Keep the carbs clean and don't use it as an excuse to have a junk food fest at the weekend. Check the 10 Anabolic Diet Mistakes You Must Avoid on the StrongLifts site 8)

[Pseudonym]

Ronin, the other thing is this: let's say the diet doesn't work for you, and you do start to put on fat again. It won't all pile on overnight - you'll see it creeping back on the scales and in the mirror. If that happens, stop and go back to what you've been doing successfully. But I'd say this diet's worth a try.

[Flex]

If your only eating around 30g a day of carbs and your burning fat for fuel, it IS a keto diet. No two ways about it

You burn fat for fuel on a normal diet, on a keto diet you burn ketones. Depending on the timing of your carbs, your bodyweight and muscle mass, and your initial glycogen status, 30g of carbs a day will probably mean you won't enter ketosis unless you're burning shedloads of cals in cardio.

Technically your body can convert protein into glucose which is probably going to happen on a low carb diet, on a keto diet your body is converting fat into ketones giving your brain a fuel supply. You'll know you're in ketosis when your sweat and breath starts smelling like ammonia and people don't want to be within a metre of you. You're also going to be flat as f*ck whereas 30g of carbs should help keep your muscle appearing a bit more full. Come the weekend carb up on a keto though and you turn into the Michelan man.

[TGD]

Can any one comment on muscle loss/gain? Strength gains/loss?

[TGD]

And.. anyone that could post their weekday diet - Would be appreciated.

I'd love to see the NZ version of food intake given most online articles are from the states where they have way more options.

[Pseudonym]

Right now, it's variations around this theme:

Breakfast - blueberry custard, which is not nearly as repulsive as it looks

5 eggs

Spoonful of Splenda

1/2 tsp vanilla essence

Water

Handful of blueberries

Morning tea

2x scoops protein @ 25g ea

15 almonds (one small fistful)

50g cheese

75ml cream

Lunch

300g prime beef mince (90% lean)

tomato puree

veges

Afternoon tea

2x scoops protein @ 25g ea

15 almonds (one small fistful)

50g cheese

75ml cream

Dinner - Greek salad

250g chicken

100g feta, crumbled

20g olive oil, drizzled

Splash of balsamic vinegar (or cider vinegar to keep Rose happy :wink:)

Broccoli, sundried tomatoes, etc

Supper - Tuna melt

1/3 big tin of tuna

Tomato puree (pasta sauce)

100g cheese

Slice cheese over the top, and nuke till it melts.

Post workout

2x scoops protein @ 25g ea

TOTALS:

Protein: 408g

Carbs: 18g

Fat: 284g

[NZPT]

Right now, it's variations around this theme:

how are you finding it? results on the fat loss muscle gain?

what do your w.e carb intake look like?

interested to give it a crack

[two_phat]

Mine looks relatively similar to Pseud's cept I tend to have more red meat in there.

I'm actually really enjoying it. I don't feel as tired after meals as i used to with carb heavy meals. The food is good and I don't feel hungry all the time.

I feel like I've dropped a bit of fat already (only been on it two weeks) and haven't noticed any loss of strength or muscle so far.