Here's the good news: even if you restrict carbs, you can eat plenty.

You can eat plenty around the workout. It's the only time when eating carb - especially the simpler carbs - is OK.

That's because exercise opens a metabolic "window of opportunity". During and right after exercise, carbs you eat will go in a much higher proportion straight to the working tissues (mainly muscles) to fuel and recover from the activity.

Actually, research has shown time and time again that recovery speeds up when athletes eat carbohydrates right after a workout. That's true for both cardiovascular and weight training, and the carbs can be eaten before, during, or after the workout (the best being after, if you must chose).

So, if you crave sugary foods, get your workout done and suit yourself. You deserve it, and now that you've trained, it helps instead of hindering you.

Enjoy.

ACTION STEP 20

Today or tomorrow, next time you crave a sugary food, go outside, and get a workout for at least 20 minutes. You can reward yourself after. Repeat every time you crave sugar.

ACTION STEP 20 REVISITED

Make it a habit of doing some sort of exercise prior to eating anything carb-rich. Alternatively, you can develop the habit of exercising (either cardio or abs) right before your biggest meal of the day, as it will likely contain carbs.