Photoshoot carb up

[Anaval]

Hey guys, I was told to post this here in addition to the nutrition section...

So I have a photoshoot in 3 weeks (this will be my 3rd) and I am unsure of what to do for carbing up. For my past 2 shoots ive depleted for 3 days then carbed up the day before then shitloaded the morning of...ive always come out flat. And on top of that i lose definition after loading. I've done plenty of research, but I feel like traditional carb ups and shitloads will spill me over. I am thinking of doing a 2 day carb up (300g day 1, 150g day 2). Water will be as high as I can go until cutting it around 4pm the day before. Then shitloading 6 hours before.

What do you guys think?

I plan on being 9% BF @ 180lbs (163lbs lean mass). Not sure how much carbs are needed for that much.

On a side note, I am currently carb cycling (HI, Low, no) and I look best the mornings of my low days.

[FireGuy]

If you currently look best on your low days I am thinking maybe you are not "flat" after carbing up, maybe you are spilling over. This would also explain your loss of definition after carbing up as well. What is your current carb levels on your high and low days and what are you doing anything for depletion other than just dropping carbs?

[Anaval]

If you currently look best on your low days I am thinking maybe you are not "flat" after carbing up, maybe you are spilling over. This would also explain your loss of definition after carbing up as well. What is your current carb levels on your high and low days and what are you doing anything for depletion other than just dropping carbs?

I am definitely flat after my carb up since I lose 8-10lbs overnight plus I'm ripped before I shitload...just REALLY flat.

OH! And I have used taraxatone for water shedding.

HI- 290g
Low- 185g
No- <40g

Not really much else for depletion than depletion workouts, ridiculous amounts of water.

[M302_Imola]

it also might be helpful to list your carb choices

[Anaval]

it also might be helpful to list your carb choices

Do you mean for the carb up or what I am currently eating?

I am currently having:
Steel cut oats
Blueberries
Ezekiel bread
Sweet potato

[FireGuy]

After stepping back and looking at the bigger picture I think the problem is the 9% bodyfat. While that is fairly lean it is still quite a bit too high to get full effect of a carb depletion/load. Dont get me wrong, you can make some sublte changes in the way you look by doing it but you are also likely to worsen your look (as appears to be happening). If it were me I would do my exact same routine you are doing now and time it so your shoot is on the day after your low day as you stated that is when you look your best. Maybe drop water late the night before or the day of but that's it. I see bodybuilders who arent quite in contest shape (7-9%) try and carb up before a show and it is always an epic fail.

[Anaval]

After stepping back and looking at the bigger picture I think the problem is the 9% bodyfat. While that is fairly lean it is still quite a bit too high to get full effect of a carb depletion/load. Dont get me wrong, you can make some sublte changes in the way you look by doing it but you are also likely to worsen your look (as appears to be happening). If it were me I would do my exact same routine you are doing now and time it so your shoot is on the day after your low day as you stated that is when you look your best. Maybe drop water late the night before or the day of but that's it. I see bodybuilders who arent quite in contest shape (7-9%) try and carb up before a show and it is always an epic fail.

Ya that's what I was starting to think as well. Thanks a lot fireguy!

[M302_Imola]

Do you mean for the carb up or what I am currently eating?

I am currently having:
Steel cut oats
Blueberries
Ezekiel bread
Sweet potato

Was meaning carb choices are low and refeed days which I presume you listed? Carb choices look good just finding the proper amounts so you don't spill over is the tricky part. FireGuy is the expert on this stuff so I would def follow his advice. Good luck w/ the photoshoot!