Intermittent Fasting

[nyjets7560]

What do you guys thing of an intermittent fasting recomp? I've decided to start it and will be eating maintenance calories on workout days-2700 calories (bwx14) as stated on leangains.com and 2000 calories on non-workout days.

What results can i expect as far as fat loss goes?

[UnflappedAcorn]

What do you guys thing of an intermittent fasting recomp? I've decided to start it and will be eating maintenance calories on workout days-2700 calories (bwx14) as stated on leangains.com and 2000 calories on non-workout days.

What results can i expect as far as fat loss goes?

What is Intermittent Fasting?

The most accurate definition is the simplest one: IF is merely alternating intervals of not eating (fasting) with times where you are allowed to eat.

Or, to use IF parlance, you alternate a fasting period with a feeding window. How long each will be varies depending on which “type” of IF programming you select—and there are several.

Each method of intermittent fasting will be discussed in a later article, but for now, it’s enough to mention that the differences come from expanding the fasting window. The fasting period on specific plans can range from 16 hours all the way up to 36 hours (with several stops in between), and each of those specific plans will have benefits.

It’s also important to note that every one of us does some form of fasting, whether you realize it or not. The least technical-while-still-being-accurate definition of fasting is simply “not eating,” so anytime you’re not eating, you’re fasting.

Most of us aren’t on a structured timetable of meals where the window of fasting is constant, so rather than fasting intermittently, we’re fasting haphazardly—and there’s no benefit there.

The exception for most people is sleep. When you’re sleeping, you’re fasting; therefore most of us have a fairly rigid fasting period of 6-8 hours per night, until we eat in the morning. It is for this reason, by the way, that our morning meal is called “breakfast,” as you are literally breaking your overnight fast.

Which brings me to my next point.

The Most Important Meal of the Day? Intermittent Fasting Science Tackles the Insidious Scourge of Breakfast!

Breakfast is sort of a hot topic in the IF world, and in fact seems to be the first point of contention for people looking in on intermittent fasting from the outside. Don’t we need breakfast?

Intermittent Fasting proponents tend to say no…which flys in the face of much of the dietary advice coming from every authority from Registered Dietitians to MDs. IF peeps don’t give a ****, though, because these dudes hate breakfast.

Here’s why: for years, we’ve been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. In fact, many people are often scolded by their physicians for skipping breakfast—particularly people who are embarking on a plan to lose weight.

There is some credence here, by the way: a study conducted in 2008 showed that participants who ate a calorically dense breakfast lost more weight than those that didn’t. The espoused theory for the results was that the higher caloric intake early in the day led people to snack less often and lowered caloric intake overall.

The value of that study has been questioned for many reasons, not the least of which is that despite the fact that roughly 90% of Americans eat breakfast, close to 50% of Americans are overweight. If eating breakfast is the first step to weight loss, then something else is going wrong.

More evidence seems to support the breakfast idea, though. There are some epidemiological studies that show a connection skipping breakfast and higher body weight.

Of course, proponents of the breakfast theory are quick to suggest that most people are simply eating the wrong breakfast, as quick n easy meals like Danishes and doughnuts, which can lead to weight gain.

However, the crux of the breakfast study is ultimately that a larger breakfast leads to lower overall caloric intake. That is, the argument for a larger breakfast ultimately boils down to energy balance; if that study is reliant on the position that weight loss comes down of calories in versus calories out, then the make up of the food shouldn’t matter. If we’ve learned anything from Mark Haub’s Twinkie Diet, it’s that you can eat garbage and lose weight; clearly, something else is going on.

The only real argument that breakfast crowd have is insulin sensitivity. As a very basic note on what this is and why this matters the more sensitive your body is to insulin, the more likely you are to lose fat and gain muscle. Increasing insulin sensitivity almost always leads to more efficient dieting.

Getting back to it, supporters of eating breakfast declare that as insulin sensitivity is higher in the morning, eating a carbohydrate rich breakfast is going to have the greatest balance of taking in a large amount of energy without the danger of weight gain.


Intermittent Fasting Guys HATE This Movie, And This Breakfast Eating, Insulin Resistant, Rag-Tag Group of Mismatched High School Archetypes.

This brings us back to IF. You see, insulin sensitivity isn’t higher “in the morning”; it’s higher after the 8-10 hour fasting periods you experience if you sleep. Or more specifically, insulin sensitivity is higher when glycogen levels are depleted; as liver glycogen will be somewhat depleted from your sleeping fast.

Intermittent fasting takes that a step further: it seems that extending the fasting period beyond that 8-10 hours by skipping breakfast (and therefore further depleting glycogen) will increase insulin even further.

Insulin sensitivity is also increased post-exercise (due to further glycogen depletion in addition to other mechanisms), and so I feel it makes to most sense to compound benefits by training in a fasted state and then having a carbohydrate meal or shake, maximizing the already potent effect of your para-workout nutrition.

Ultimately, this all means that there’s nothing special about breakfast and no need to eat first thing in the morning—the first meal you eat to break your fast will be exposed to the benefits of increased insulin sensitivity.

On the other hand, I’ll take my tongue out of my cheek long enough to say that there’s nothing inherently evil about breakfast, either; that is, even if you practice some form of fasting, you can still eat breakfast. Remember, the more important part is the length of the fast, not the time of the fast. Skipping breakfast just happens to be the easiest way to implement a fast.

A discussion that mentions skipping breakfast—or any meal, really—will invariably lead into a discussion of meal frequency, which leads me to my next point.

On Frequency: Intermittent Fasting Crusaders Battle the Myth of Six Meals

And now we come to the It seems that over the past 15-20 years, hundreds of diet books have been printed, and no two were identical. In fact, some of them have been in direct opposition to one another.

Calorie-restrictive plans like Weight Watchers certainly don’t agree with plans like the Atkins diet, the first iteration of which allowed dieters to at all they want, as long as they kept carbs low.

Similarly, carb conscious plans generally call for products like yogurt or cottage cheese to be used as portable sources of protein, but many plans to reject dairy products altogether.

Despite the incredibly disparate natures of so many of these diets, the one thing that has been consistently suggested in most books published over the past 20 years is the frequency of meals.

If you’ve read a diet book, seen a nutritionist or hired a personal trainer at any point during that time, you’ve probably been told that in order to lose weight, you need to eat 5-6 small meals per day. (Note: this suggestion is sometimes phrased as “3 meals and 2 snacks.”)

This style of eating, commonly referred to as the frequent feeding model, is popular with everyone from dieticians to bodybuilders, and has been repeated so often for so long that it’s generally taken as fact.

Which it isn’t.

In fact, the reputed benefits of eating small meals more often have never been scientifically validated.

The first and most commonly cited of these is that eating frequently “stokes the metabolic fire.” Put less colloquially, the theory suggests that since eating increases your metabolic rate, the more often you eat, the more your metabolic rate will be elevated. That’s true, but it doesn’t lead to more fat loss—in fact, it’s been scientifically borne out that there won’t be a difference at all.

When you eat, your metabolic rate increased because of the energy required to break down the food you’ve taken in. This is called the Thermic Effect of Food, or TEF. So, while you’re be experiencing energy expenditure due to TEF every time you eat, the net effect is no different regardless of how many times you eat, as long as the total amount of food is the same.

You see, TEF is directly proportional to caloric intake, and if caloric intake is the same, at the end of the day, there will be no metabolic difference between eating 5-6 meals or 2-3. In fact, as long as the total calories are the same, you can eat ten meals or one meal, and you’ll still get the same metabolic effect.


We’ve also mentioned that eating less frequently tends to result in eating fewer calories overall, but that’s a pretty important point so it bears repeating: eating less frequently tends to result in eating few calories overall.

And speaking of caloric restriction: that brings us to another benefit. IF plans that require full day fasting drastically reduce your calorie intake, so if you are using a style of IF which requires you to fast for 24 hours twice per week, you’re reducing your food intake by about 30%. It’s not hard to see how that would lead to weight loss.

Going a little further, by restricting calories, you’re forcing the body to look elsewhere than the gut for energy, which can encourage cellular repair. That is, a cell will turn to its own damaged proteins for energy. While that cycle would be bad in the long term, keep in mind you’re only fasting for “brief” periods; when you eat again the cell will use the new cell-stuff replace the old cell-stuff that’s been consumed. All told, this phenomenon—which, again, stems from caloric restriction—can generally help prevent both disease and age.

For something more specific: one study out of the University of Utah showed that people who fasted just one day per month were 40% less likely to suffer from clogged arteries.

While there’s certainly a lot to be said for caloric restriction, it’s important to keep in mind that intermittent fasting isn’t just about eating fewer calories—there are also hormonal benefits that lead to improved body composition.

For starters, there’s the improved insulin sensitivity that comes with fasting, especially when paired with exercises, as we’ve covered; however, fasting has other hormonal benefits, including (but not limited to) an increase in the secretion of growth hormone (GH).

Growth Hormone has a myriad benefits—a discussion of which in full is beyond the scope of this writing—but for our purposes it’s enough to say that the more GH your produce, the faster you can lose fat and gain muscle. Additionally, GH tends to offset the effects of cortisol, which is (in part) related to belly fat storage; so it seems likely that fasting can help you lost belly fat, at least indirectly.

Still not satisfied? Well, if you need another benefit, fasting reduces inflammation as well, which can have implications for improved immunity as well as increased fat loss.

[nyjets7560]

Started intermittent fasting a week ago with what said above and following a 16hour fast and 8 hour feed.. following that for 8 weeks while supplementing with bioforge pro max.. looking to reduce bodyfat by at least 2% then back to bulking with IF

[JMCandelario]

Strong Great Text Wall of China up there ^

I've done an IF recomp before; it works...but if I had to go back and do it again, I'd stick to either clean bulking or going for pure fat loss. Sometimes on a recomp, the slow progress is frustrating.

[xBONExCROWNx]

Who the **** just posted a novel up in here are you ****ing serious?

[lmaestro]

Who the **** just posted a novel up in here are you ****ing serious?

lol http://ryanreynoldsworkoutroutine.co...-renegade-diet

[ralphyw2]

Few questions guys please help,
When fasting, can we have trace amounts of calories, like chewing gum, black coffee, and tea.
And assuming my workout were to end right on my feeding window (2pm), would it be a good idea to have dextrose and WPI to break my fast as post workout nutrition?

[spek578]

Few questions guys please help,
When fasting, can we have trace amounts of calories, like chewing gum, black coffee, and tea.
And assuming my workout were to end right on my feeding window (2pm), would it be a good idea to have dextrose and WPI to break my fast as post workout nutrition?

not sure about the dextrose and wpi, but black coffee, sugar free gum, and anything with 0 calories is fine. just go to http://leangains.com and go to the most popular tab, then click on "intermittent fasting and stubborn body fat" , pretty much covers what were looking for

[guitaristplayer]

“I only eat once a day,” says the 30-year-old Plitt, making no excuses for his diet protocol, “and whatever I want. I eat pizza, burgers…yesterday I had three footlong sandwiches at Subway.” WARRIOR DIET MUCH?

[Terminator734]

working for me i eat in a 4-6 hour window 2 big meals with fruit in between here and there 2100 calories or so carb heavy on training days more healthy fats less carbs on non training days lost mass no doubt about it but definition wise great v cut misection 6 pack chiseled didnt lose much in strengh department overall IT is working for me

[austinbbdp]

It is working like crazy for my lil bro seeing all
Kindz of gainz

[stefanuus]

i think IF is the only way to go tbh i mean we calculate calories per day right? so what defines an "End of the day". Is it going to sleep? What if our sleeping cycle is mid day? what if its 4 hours at night and 4 hours during the day? Thats why i think that fasting is really what determines it. I mean u eat ur cals and ur body burns them, then it starts burning fat. Lets say ur cutting on 2000cals per day, if you had a meal at midnight and then another meal after 4 hours of sleep your body could see it as eating 3000 cals on 1 day and 1000 cals on the other which will still lead to similar amount of fat loss but it might lead to gaining a bit of fat on the first day and losing a bit of muscle on the other altho this will prob be very minimal. Thats why with IF ur always hitting the same defict every day and its a bit more effective

btw this is just my theory and how it all makes sense to me. I have no proof behind it


Also IF works great for me

[x_Exhaust_x]

Day number 8 for me, and I feel great! I have less energy for my workouts though. It feels as if bodyfat is decreasing, but not too sure.

[SDH9]

On Day 6 of IF......so far not so bad. Blood sugar levels are stable.... not that hungry during fasted periods. I could definitely do this eating schedule long term but like the above person said, feeling less energy in the gym and TIRED ALL THE TIME. I do however wake up more alert in the mornings like the twins have talked about in their you tbe videos.

[BDPfit]

Do you guys take a pre-workout supp to give you energy before lifting? Cause I just realized that the twins always say how much they love their pre-workout and it makes sense since IF undoubtedly lowers your energy levels. You might want to give that a try if you feel your workouts are suffering. Also, the pre-workout supps always hit me 10x harder if I haven't had anything to eat in a while, so it should definitely give you guys a boost.

[shahrukhch10]

bro i gotta fast for a whole month.. it makes you weak but well worth it

[wisdommaster1]

on my second day of IF, it makes eating a lot easier to track when it's 2 meals and mine are both at work too.

[Vaper]

Is it safe for your liver to eat like 150 grams of protein in one serve for prolonged perods of time. This is the only thing that is stopping me and why i thought the whole 6-8 meal thing was so popular.

[Libthetics]

IF is an excuse to binge eat for most people. weight gain or loss is determined by energy balance. keep it simple & track your food intake.

[ZackeryVon]

IF is amazing. Lost over 11 pounds so far and all of my lifts are sky rocketing. Excellent eating protocol in my opinion.

[chris725]

IF is an excuse to binge eat for most people. weight gain or loss is determined by energy balance. keep it simple & track your food intake.

Nahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh IF does not mean you don't track your foods, you do both. You burn fat instead of calories while working out then start your eating window right after working out. At least that's what I do.

[spek578]

i also saw strength gains when i ran it a few months ago. once you get used to the initial discomfort of not eating, it feels SO GOOD to stuff your face . seriously , my dad would make fun of me for not eating , but i did eat he would gape in amazement at how much i would eat.

anyways, i actually have a question of my own

would it be detrimental to have my feeding window during the morning and afternoon to bedtime? schedule like this:

wake up 6am for school, start eating and eat all my calories during the school day (eat until 1 pm, dismissed from school at 2, start fast), then around 3 id hit the gym.

would not having any food in my system after training and through the night do more harm than good? thanks

[JMCandelario]

Is it safe for your liver to eat like 150 grams of protein in one serve for prolonged perods of time. This is the only thing that is stopping me and why i thought the whole 6-8 meal thing was so popular.

Yes, it's ok.

[spek578]

i also saw strength gains when i ran it a few months ago. once you get used to the initial discomfort of not eating, it feels SO GOOD to stuff your face . seriously , my dad would make fun of me for not eating , but i did eat he would gape in amazement at how much i would eat.

anyways, i actually have a question of my own

would it be detrimental to have my feeding window during the morning and fasting afternoon to bedtime? schedule like this:

wake up 6am for school, start eating and eat all my calories during the school day (eat until 1 pm, dismissed from school at 2, start fast), then around 3 id hit the gym.

would not having any food in my system after training and through the night do more harm than good? thanks

Bumpppp

[nealbha]

i also saw strength gains when i ran it a few months ago. once you get used to the initial discomfort of not eating, it feels SO GOOD to stuff your face . seriously , my dad would make fun of me for not eating , but i did eat he would gape in amazement at how much i would eat.

anyways, i actually have a question of my own

would it be detrimental to have my feeding window during the morning and afternoon to bedtime? schedule like this:

wake up 6am for school, start eating and eat all my calories during the school day (eat until 1 pm, dismissed from school at 2, start fast), then around 3 id hit the gym.

would not having any food in my system after training and through the night do more harm than good? thanks

Good question...Wondering about this too

[ZackeryVon]

The hours in which you fast and feed are not very relevant. Make it fit your schedule.

[spek578]

The hours in which you fast and feed are not very relevant. Make it fit your schedule.

i know but isnt sleep an important time for growth? therefore needing nutrients..?

[Eddysx]

i've lost so much weight off if, fast for 18 hours (6 hour eating window)
go for it!

[luckydragonherb]

would not having any food in my system after training and through the night do more harm than good? thanks

Personally I like to fast unil after my workout, then that's when I have my biggest meal. I get way more hungry after a workout and I think there's a good reason for it. That's when you're hormones are up and all that...ravenous hunger is like your ancient trigger to kill and eat raw meat like a boss. I'd go with it.

[youngbuckets5]

“I only eat once a day,” says the 30-year-old Plitt, making no excuses for his diet protocol, “and whatever I want. I eat pizza, burgers…yesterday I had three footlong sandwiches at Subway.” WARRIOR DIET MUCH?

oh yeah it works for the world's top fitness model who rides/has ridden multiple cycles so it will surely work for an average lifter like op!