I'm just a lil curious why you're on a low-carb method when you're quite small. There's a very unorthodox method that strongmen use which you could try applying.

Take your bodyweight in LBS x 20. Get that amount. That's the amount of calories you ought to be taking in a day. Then divide that amount of calories into 60% carbs/ 30% pro/ 10% fat. My case I need about 4000 cals a day, so about 2400 cals are from carbs. I've not done it, but I've seen it working for these guys. I intend to try it after my trip overseas.

They train twice a day usually, with very heavy weights most of the time. Morning when they get up, and then evening. They are still able to get much bigger and stronger. You could give it a shot if you'd like.

Here's the problem I think with you.

It could be because you're attempting to achieve two different goals at the same time. You want to grow bigger and lose fat (or at least make sure your fat gain is minimal) However, in order to grow bigger, you need excess calories for hypertrophy. You are afraid of fat gain because you're afraid that you can't keep the fat off in future. Yet you aren't very clear how your body works, how sensitive it is to carbs and how much protein you need in order to grow.

Your high stress training requires you to increase your nutrient intake, yet maybe you aren't sure what nutrients are they.Thus I've a strong feeling you don't feed your body enough of the right carbs and nutrients, for it to sustain the energy levels after your workout. (I could be wrong)

For myself, I know that my body isn't fussy about food. It can take just about anything and somehow or rather find ways to make it into energy for me. I'm lucky in that aspect, but my body also has a small but significant issue. It also decides to burn my protein during the process of synthesis. So in order for me to grow, I need about 200GMS of protein, a day and above. The others aren't so significant. I up my protein, I drop bodyfat.

I can't tell what's it for you. That's why I'd recommend you take the 60/30/10 rule and apply that for yourself. Then as you understand yourself better, adjust the amount of nutrients that you need. If you notice a good increase in muscle but also some fat, try reducing your carb levels. If that plunges your energy levels, adjust your timing of carb intake. If that doesn't work either, increase your fat intake before sleep to promote recovery. If everything works well, increase protein intake and see if that helps build even more muscle and better recovery.

Also if you think you're gaining too much fat but want to stick to the diet, add 1 conditioning circuit a week. If that works, add one more circuit (about 15 mins a circuit) per week and see how that affects you. I wouldn't go more than 2 circuits though with your current weight training already.

I could be wrong, everything I said could be just nonsense, but that's what I think. And don't worry, you're not overtraining. Many people think overtraining is something that can happen if you constantly deadlift and squat heavy. So many people think they're working heavy...but it actually ain't that heavy

This post has been edited by pizzaboy: Jun 1 2009, 04:08 PM