Intermittent Fasting

[falipey]

Hi,

I was just wondering if anyone here practices any kind of intermittent fasting?

It is something I have researched a lot and started seeing good results from. More difficult versions also sound quite good from a long term health perspective (24 hour fasts - modified alternative day fasting).

At the moment I am using 12-8 leangains style eating. I haven't exercised in a while but I am going to add it in from tomorrow.

If weight loss stalls I will look to add in longer fasts on non-workout days.

 

[falipey]

I tried the 5-2 diet for a while and it worked pretty well. 600 calories/day for 2 days, then whatever you want the other 5 days. I didn't go crazy on the other 5 days though, just ate normal calorie consumption (1700 or so, probably more on weekend days).

The fasting days I found tough, but if you make them non-sequential it is not so bad.

I think there are a couple of things to note here (from my experience and friends who have tried):

1. Definitely non sequential days make it easier.
2. Not eating is easier than eating less i.e. on 600 kcal days having one meal in the evening of 600 kcals is easier than eating three of 200 kcal.

I also think fasting seems to work better with the body than a straight calorie deficit. Periods of higher and lower calories with either a surplus or a deficit over a week seems to make me lose weight / gain muscle better.

I need to get back into shape now and it is my go to strategy.