Forum > Diet > Confusion with carbs, calories, and counting: any help!?

Hello, gorgeous gals! :)

I'm currently an aspiring competitor, and using the next few months as a way to continue to build a stronger base. I'm hoping to compete at the bikini level, but with the gains I've been making in lean muscle mass, figure is becoming more and more appealing to me!

I've been monitoring my macros for a while now, and I also currently carb cycle. But recently I lowered my carbs even further on low carb days, and my carb intake on high carb days truly isn't as high as it ought to be. I've been feeling exhausted, light headed, and SERIOUSLY bloated. I feel as if I'm eating additional vegetables just to try and make myself feel full, rather than eating carbohydrates. I know I haven't gained fat, but being so bloated is so discouraging because it FEELS as if I've gained weight.
I'm seriously confused though, so here is my first question: do you count your vegetables in your carb intake? I typically only eat broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, and green beans.

Just some background info: I train 2x a day: Lifting in the morning, cardio in the evening, with a typical burn of about 1,200 calories between the two workouts. I'm currently 5'8, 135 lbs. Unlike most, I usually do 6-8 meals a day because I'm up at four and in bed by around 10 pm, so my schedule is a little wonky.

Here is the meal plan that I am about to switch to.
I just finished writing it up, and it really isn't toooo different from what I'm currently doing, just some additional carbs. PLEASE, comments and suggestions are seriously welcome here! I could really use your advice.

My caloric intake usually comes to about 1,600-1,800 a day, but I'm concerned that it may be too low since I'm training 2x/day and working out at such a high intensity. I'm hoping to continue to lean out, but still be able to maintain muscle mass.

Thanks so much :)

Low Carb Day: I aim for lower carbs, higher fats, and higher protein.
Meal 1 [4 am, pre-lift]: 1/2 cup berries, 2 hardboiled egg whites
Meal 2 [6 am, post-lift]: 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup egg whites, 2 tbsp flax meal
Meal 3 [9:00 am]: 4 oz chicken, asparagus
Meal 4 [12:00 pm]: 4 oz tilapia, asparagus, 1 oz almonds
Meal 5 [2:30 pm]: 4 oz white fish or tuna, asparagus
Meal 6 [5:30 pm, pre-workout]: 6 oz sweet potato, 1 cup green beans
Meal 7 [7:30 pm, post-workout]: 4 oz salmon, 2 cups broccoli
Meal 8 [9:00 pm]: 1/2 cup fat free plain cottage cheese, 1 oz almonds


High Carb Day:
Meal 1 [4 am, pre-lift]: 1/2 cup berries, 2 hardboiled egg whites
Meal 2 [6 am, post-lift]: 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup egg whites, 2 tbsp flax meal
Meal 3 [9:00 am]: 4 oz chicken, asparagus, 1 cup brown rice
Meal 4 [12:00 pm]: 4 oz tilapia, asparagus, 1 cup brown rice
Meal 5 [2:30 pm]: 4 oz white fish or tuna, asparagus
Meal 6 [5:30 pm, pre-workout]: 6 oz sweet potato, 1 cup green beans
Meal 7 [7:30 pm, post-workout]: 4 oz chicken, 2 cups broccoli
Meal 8 [9:00 pm]: 1/2 cup fat free plain cottage cheese

~Karli

Hi Karli! Welcome to Figure & Bikini! Looks like you have a very clean diet. That's awesome. The best way to know if you're making the progress you would like to make is measure everything, keep a journal of your progress, and keep progress pictures. If you're doing that then you'll be able to tweak things as you go along. It really all depends on what your goals are and how you are progressing toward that on your current plan.

The one big thing that stood out to me is your sleep. If you're only getting 6 hours that would be difficult to gain muscle and lose fat - but everyone is different in their sleep requirements.

Good luck to you in your upcoming show! Very exciting!

With love,
Kristin