New diet and bonking?

[Lynn39]

I have been following the South Beach diet for about a month or so. I'm trying to follow phase II right now which includes good carbs. For the most part, I have felt good.

Today I had planned a 30 mile ride. I woke up kinda dragging, felt like it took alot of energy to walk the dog around the block. I ate breakfast- eggs and toast & milk- about an hour before I left, still kinda dragging and I thought, maybe just go out for 10 miles, see how it feels. I rode about 4 miles, couple of small hills and I started feeling very weak, dizzy, sweating, I ate a few bites of granola, which was hard to do and I slowly went back home hoping I didn't pass out on my bike. When I got home, I drank some gatorade and ate some crackers and laid down, after awhile I felt better. I checked my blood sugar after this and it was 105. So it was probably quite lower.

I had gestational diabetes with my kids, I don't have diabetes now, but I tend to be glucose intolerant. My numbers run a little high.

Yesterday I didn't eat many carbs, but I thought I would be ok with eating breakfast before I went out.

Was this a bonk? Do I need to eat more carbs the day before I ride?

[SouthernBelle]

I'm quite familiar with SB. For rides of any mileage eat something carby around an hour before you ride. Also carry something with you. If you start feeling weak, find a place to sit down and snack.

[sundial]

I used to do Atkins and although it helped stabilize my glucose levels, it just didn't leave me with enough fuel for a good workout. I now eat a protein source with complex carbs about an 1 1/2 hours before my ride and it agrees with me. I like to eat a plain turkey sandwich using grainy wheat bread.

[mimitabby]

If you'd just eaten a nice complex meal, i don't think it's a bonk.
A bonk occurs after you burn all those carbs and there's nothing left.
You were feeling bad when you started.

How's the weather? is it hotter than you're used to? do you have a bug?

[Lynn39]

If you'd just eaten a nice complex meal, i don't think it's a bonk.
A bonk occurs after you burn all those carbs and there's nothing left.
You were feeling bad when you started.

How's the weather? is it hotter than you're used to? do you have a bug?

The weather is great. Maybe I do have a touch of something. I still feel a bit run down. I just wondered if the low carb thing depleted me. I did ride Sat & Sun and I was fine.

Thanks all for your help

[Tuckervill]

I did Atkins in the early part of the century. I lost a lot of weight but I didn't find it sustainable in general. On other times when I tried to start it again, I always suffered greatly from not eating enough carbs. Eggs and toast would not be enough fuel for me to work out on. Plus, I would get sick with some kind of cold or intestinal thing every single time.

So, I abandoned Atkins. I'm not against it for everyone....my dad and mom and stepmom all lowered their cholesterol using Atkins principles (using real butter and olive oil, for instance). But I can't live on it.

So yes, it could be your diet. On the morning you ride, eat more carbs?

Karen

[CatSilver]

I also had gestational diabetes when pregnant, and thought I'd offer my own experience. I have found that when I feel the way you described, it is almost always related to dehydration rather than nutrition. Light-headedness is one sure sign (something I used to think was related to eating) and weakness is another. I've been riding about 100 miles a week through the winter and need to meticulously watch my water intake. I have to force myself, usually, to drink much more than I want to... and find that when I do, my energy, focus and general sense of well-being picks up in an hour or two. I'm so used to paying attention to eating (as a woman), and constantly underrate hydration.

for what it's worth.

[Lynn39]

Thanks Everyone for your suggestions, I will check out the diabetes book. I'm going to Dr. this week for a check up, I will talk to her about what happened. I think it might be a good idea to get my insulin levels checked also.

I also had gestational diabetes when pregnant, and thought I'd offer my own experience. I have found that when I feel the way you described, it is almost always related to dehydration rather than nutrition. Light-headedness is one sure sign (something I used to think was related to eating) and weakness is another. I've been riding about 100 miles a week through the winter and need to meticulously watch my water intake. I have to force myself, usually, to drink much more than I want to... and find that when I do, my energy, focus and general sense of well-being picks up in an hour or two. I'm so used to paying attention to eating (as a woman), and constantly underrate hydration.

for what it's worth.

Catsilver,
This is a possibility too, I assumed it was my eating. I'll have to be more aware of it before I ride. Thanks..