Why Carbs are Essential for Getting Lean and Fit

There is a general belief that to get lean you have to reduce/ remove carbs from your diet ("No carbs before Marbs"), I disagree. While some people might find that for their body type a higher fat diet works better for them, across a larger demographic based (I have coached many people over the years) I am certain you can get lean, without going low carb!

In my experience most people are able to tolerate more carbohydrates than they think. Provided the training intensity is there (which I can provide), you've got your net calorie intake set at the right level and you're disciplined, carbohydrates should not stop you losing fat.

Yes, like with everything there is a tolerance level which partially ties into overall calorie intake along with other factors but ultimately if you're not able to lose enough fat it's because:

• Your overall approach to nutrition is wrong (calorie intake, meal timings, consistency, protein intake, fibre)

• You're not training hard enough and you're being lazy with your cardio

There are multiple reasons why I feel that keeping as many carbohydrates in your diet, whilst allowing for fat loss, is most important to achieving your best look.

A) Weight training is glycolytic which means having enough muscle glycogen readily available is going to enhance performance in your workout. When people reduce carbohydrates too much, even when replacing them with fats they usually notice a reduction in performance.

B) Carbohydrates keep your muscles looking fuller and harder, which enhances the overall appearance of your physique. Better separation and size improve the overall illusion. Often when people go too low on carbs they can look soft.

C) If you are carb cycling and you have kept carbs low for too long sometimes you can respond badly, or at least not know how your body will respond when you put a higher day in. By keeping a more balanced approach to nutrition I feel you're able to benefit more in the long run.

Yes, we have to manage carb intake during a diet in accordance with creating an overall calorie deficit - therefore there will be a ceiling, once you account for your protein target and healthy fats which must be included. However, I see people drop their carbs far too low which actually makes fat loss more difficult in the long run.

In summary, I will always keep a client's carbs as high as I feel possible, while at the same time improving their condition each week. If I feel someone has under eaten for too long, I will sometimes increase their calories and carbs at the start of the diet, to reset their body.

Although I am a big advocator of carbs, I will always keep the nutrient sources natural - I don't believe in having things like sugary cereal's before a workout!

Learn how to put all the components needed for a successful weight loss program together by contacting me on 07971 22 22 35 to schedule your time TODAY!

Blog Written by Tanvir Heer Coaching

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