Carb Cycling Question?

[ChemProf]

I am trying to cycle carbs and calories. Currently I train at 5:30 in the morning 3 days a week. Here is my training and carb split.

Monday - Legs - High Carbs (300 - 500 g)
Tuesday - Interval Cardio - Low Carbs (50 - 75 g)
Wednesday - Chest/Bis/Abs - Medium Carbs (150 - 300 g)
Thursday - Interval Cardio - Low Carbs
Friday - Back/Traps/Abs - High Carbs
Saturday - Shoulders/Tris/Calves - Medium Carbs
Sunday - Low Carb

My question is that since I train early in the morning, should I rearrange my carb cycling so I am getting carbs in my system the day before my workouts? For example on Sunday I am doing low carbs but then have to lift intensely on Monday morning before getting any carbs in my system. My pre-workout "meal" is a handful of almonds and 1 scoop of whey protein about an hour before I workout. So far, I haven't felt any ill effects or low on energy with this cycle but wanted to know which would be better for continuing to build muscle. Carbs in system before the workout or carbs to build after the workout.

[coz999]

You have the perfect setup. I loved AM workouts on low carbs because I could get carbs in pre and post and the rest of the day would be veggies. That way at the end of the day I wouldnt be dragging ass. I would get a bowl of protein powder oatmeal in before and after. No worries about before bed. Carbs are such a touchy subject. How many and when they are needed is individual opinions but having a big bowl of oatmeal in u before u work out will feel good

[kpipes0683]

I agree with coz. I prefer to train in the evening myself, but in the past when I had to train early in the morning I made sure that I was up a good hour or more before training to have a good amount of carbs to fuel my training session. I go with a cup of oatmeal(if it's a leg or back day, a cup and a half)and 50g of protein powder in the blender. Then for my during workout shake I sip on 50g waxy maize, 10g hydrolyzed whey isolate, and some bcaa powder(when I can afford it). After that, it's a post-workout drink broken up into two separate shakes(80-120g waxy maize, 5g creatine, bcaa's). First I down the waxy shake, wait about 15 minutes and then drink my 40-50 grams of whey isolate.

I've "carbed up" the night before as well in the past with complex carbs, and that has caused me to have some pretty intense workouts. Since I train strictly all evenings, I no longer have to do this. Best thing that you can do is experiment and find which method works best for YOU. On those low days though, I only use carbs around my training sessions and that's it. I've been carb cycling now for a few months and I'm liking the results.