Benefits of Intermittent Fasting (UPDATED 10/24/12)

[theoryrun]

I've been doing IF for a couple months just about now (for reference I weigh just under 220 at 6'5, around 10%-15% bodyfat, when I started IF I weighed 235) , here is what I have experienced:

Pros:
Broke multiple plateaus
More energy throughout the day (more energy for explosive lifting (I regularly do cleans/deads/squats/box jumps/squat jumps), more energy for studying)
Easier to focus (during lifting or otherwise)
I tend to eat healthier, I have lost any taste I had for sugar/crap foods
slowly losing extra fat while increasing strength

Cons:
Haven't found any yet - except for having to take the time to respond to silly comments like:

Originally Posted by TrueBias

In a nutshell, IF sounds like another quick fix and a miserable one at that.

That's quite the conclusion to draw based on the 'data' you've shared (your friend's account, which you have admitted to not even knowing if he adhered fully to the protocol)

I used to eat every 2 hours, 'ohh my metabolism is so fast' (like we can somehow 'feel' our metabolic rate, relative to others, right?) crammed shakes pre/post training, casein before bed, the whole bit -. Not sure what you mean by saying it's a quick fix - care to elaborate? It has been nothing but (an incredibly valuable) lifestyle change.

[gspieler]

So the general consensus here is that dumping a days worth of nutrients into your GI tract all at once is healthier for most people than eating multiple, moderately-sized meals spaced in reasonable intervals throughout the day?

[Cygnus-X]

Just like eating every 2-3 hours doesn't matter as much as the bigger long term picture, neither does not eating for 16 hours matter as much as the long term picture.

That people always have to go extremes and find something to believe in and restrict them is fascinating, I guess this is why religion has existed for so long and continues to exist.

[BulldogWrestler]

Originally Posted by Da Speeit

You still havent cited a conrete scientific "Pro" to the diet other than your personal taste.

• When im hungry as shit, i want some Ramen with a scoop of Ice Cream in it.
• Im not "Sharp" whatsoever. Trying to write when im hungry is brutal.
• I dont like eating the same shit every day.

So nothing you said is a "Pro" just "I like doing this so it's good for you"

oh god shut the fuck up

[Mat Hamm]

I have a question. Would drinking crystal light break the fast? I'm not sure if that would create insulin spikes or not

[mtruitt76]

Originally Posted by Cygnus-X

Just like eating every 2-3 hours doesn't matter as much as the bigger long term picture, neither does not eating for 16 hours matter as much as the long term picture.

That people always have to go extremes and find something to believe in and restrict them is fascinating, I guess this is why religion has existed for so long and continues to exist.

LOL. Awesome post. Meal timing doesn't really matter, but I am all about this new diet of 3 square meals a day. Shit is down right revolutionary.

[ebe9]

Originally Posted by Mat Hamm

I have a question. Would drinking crystal light break the fast? I'm not sure if that would create insulin spikes or not

Apparently, any zero calorie beverage won't break your fast. I'll have some black coffee occasionally with a Splenda since I fast all throughout the morning and afternoon.


On IF: don't knock it before you try it! And enough with this quick fix stuff about IF. It is indeed a lifestyle. I think most that call it a quick fix probably have jars upon jars and bottles of supplements as well. There's your quick fix.

That people always have to go extremes and find something to believe in and restrict them is fascinating, I guess this is why religion has existed for so long and continues to exist.

Funny you say that, when most religions DO have some sort of fasting in their worship, there's Ramadan and Lent. It puts into perspective I think the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of fasting every now n then.

Last point, IF after a couple days set me in ketosis, and that's how it won my heart.

[PUO3]

curious for the IF people, do you guys eat whatever you want, or you still try to eat healthy?

[anaconda]

Originally Posted by PUO3

curious for the IF people, do you guys eat whatever you want, or you still try to eat healthy?

I definitely am more liberal in my food choices when fasting. I don't feel the ill effects as much as when eating at more "regular" frequency so I get away with eating not as clean.

But as always, the cleaner you eat the better you feel and the better your results will be.

[PUO3]

Originally Posted by anaconda

I definitely am more liberal in my food choices when fasting. I don't feel the ill effects as much as when eating at more "regular" frequency so I get away with eating not as clean.

But as always, the cleaner you eat the better you feel and the better your results will be.

what would you say is your typical/average calorie intake per day? (i dont know how often you guys eat, it seems to vary a bit.)