The B.rad Podcast Listener Q&A - What Our Genes Expect, The Benefits of Slowing Down, and Are All Carbs Created Equal?(Breather Episode with Brad)
Lately, I’ve gotten quite a few questions from listeners about the importance of factoring in your maximum aerobic heart rate minus your age when exercising. I’ve talked a lot about the benefits you receive from doing this practice, but what happens when you (accidentally) exceed that figure?
Unfortunately, it can be all too easy to go over your ideal training heart rate. But it’s very important to be careful about not exceeding that number when you’re building cardio endurance and getting better at burning fat - because if you do, the metabolic effects of your workout will be altered. This is because exceeding your maximum heart rate causes you to tap into “glucose burning,” which will make it more difficult for your body to go back to a fat-burning state. However, it’s totally understandable how people can easily go over their max heart rate, so be sure to use a wireless heart monitor and keep at it with the MAF method of training!
Speaking of slowing down, I then tackle a question from a listener, a surgeon who has been taking a polarized approach to training (either low intensity or going super hard) and has been grappling with how he feels when he goes low-carb, for years. He also doesn’t find the literature or data supporting the low-carb argument to be especially strong, and wants to know if I know of any competitive Nordic skiers who have done well on a low carb diet? What an interesting question….as long as you’re doing a good job with your fat-burning workouts, and not drifting into glucose burning (by using the MAF training method) then you should be fine. But if you’re doing a lot of glucose burning workouts and consuming a lot of carbs, you will gain a lot from slowing down and pacing your workouts. This is because slowing down ultimately helps you go faster.
When it comes to the question of the amount of carbs that you should eat, focus more on the type of carbs you’re eating first. Try to stay away from refined carb products like pasta, bread, even those super tempting gluten-free pizza crusts - sure, they are gluten-free, but it’s also still processed food. You only live once, so of course you should enjoy some pizza every once in a while, but in terms of a sustainable carb source, you can’t go wrong with root vegetables. Because they’re whole foods, they make the best go-to carbohydrate option you can choose from. Plus, they’re loaded with nutrients. Try beets, sweet potatoes, carrots, potatoes, and things that are not as common, like taro and plantain, which are both super delicious. If you want to add some flavor, try mixing a little bit of curry powder with Primal Kitchen mayonnaise (and a splash of water or lemon juice) for an awesome dipping sauce for your sweet potato fries, or try frying some plantain slices in coconut oil and a little salt - delicious, easy, and satisfying! You also might find it most helpful to simply focus less on carbs, and more on nutrients. Most importantly - listen to your appetite. This has been a wonderful revelation for me recently and has allowed me to optimize my carb intake in conjunction with days that I perform more intense workouts. And, it also allows me to enjoy one of my favorite snacks, popcorn, without regressing into the Fatty Popcorn Boy again. Ultimately, going with the flow more and listening to your intuition is what I have found works best for me.
Interestingly, one of the original definitions in the dictionary of the word “diet” used to signify a day’s journey, or a way of thinking. So why not approach your diet the old-school way? You can’t go wrong if you just take it day by day, go with the flow, and respect your intuition and your natural appetite.
TIMESTAMPS:
Justin asks what is damaged if you go over the Maximum Aerobic Heart Rate of 180 minus your age? He says it’s easy to go over. [02:36]
Lee from Manchester England compliments Brad’s work and accent! [12:06]
A 61-year old orthopedic trauma surgeon writes in. He does polarized training and his concern is the problem he is having when he goes for low carbs. [13:43]
Go by your appetite!! Go with the flow!! [23:35]
Are you carrying excess body fat or not? [25:45]
LINKS:
QUOTES:
- "Slowing down will help you go faster, be healthier, and have more success."
- "Go by your appetite!!!"
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