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I've done intermittent fasting (specifically, the 'Leangains' protocol) for 6 years now, and it's treated me very well. The biggest benefit to me is that it mak

I've done intermittent fasting (specifically, the 'Leangains' protocol) for 6 years now, and it's treated me very well. The biggest benefit to me is that it makes diet adherence much easier, and keeps my macronutrient intake top-of-mind, which has a sort of trickle-down effect in my overall health. Coupled with intense fasted weight lifting or sport activity, I feel great whether I am cutting or bulking. I can play 90 minutes of soccer while fasted and feel more energetic than anyone else on the field. For anyone interested in starting: ease into it, track your calories and protein/fats/carbs to get a sense of what ratios make you feel better / lose bodyfat more effectively, and keep in mind caffeine and alcohol will feel more potent. Some people find the first few days uncomfortable, but wait for the one week mark before making any judgments (or 1-month if you're comfortable gathering more data).

bcook 11y ago
I have always preferred avoiding digestion when physical exertion is imminent. The harder I work, the less hungry I become. People have mentioned to me that I may have a food allergy, or some other type of disorder that makes digestion a problem. Have you considered this?
- stevenkovar 11y ago
  It's not so much that I feel better exercising while fasted; it's that I don't feel inhibited exercising while fasted. However, the hunger-dampening effect of working out is common[0]: > "There are two important hormones involved in provoking appetite: ghrelin and peptide YY. Ghrelin is a hormone that stimulates hunger while peptide YY suppresses it. Aerobic and anaerobic exercise, such as weight training, both stimulate an increase in the peptide YY hormone. This is the primary reason healthy people have a feeling of fullness post-workout." After reflecting for a moment, I realize I experienced that sensation more often before I started intermittently fasting. [0] http://www.livestrong.com/article/405012-exercise-loss-of-appetite/ http://www.livestrong.com/article/405012-exercise-loss-of-ap...

bcook 11y ago

I have always preferred avoiding digestion when physical exertion is imminent. The harder I work, the less hungry I become. People have mentioned to me that I may have a food allergy, or some other type of disorder that makes digestion a problem. Have you considered this?

stevenkovar 11y ago
It's not so much that I feel better exercising while fasted; it's that I don't feel inhibited exercising while fasted. However, the hunger-dampening effect of working out is common[0]: > "There are two important hormones involved in provoking appetite: ghrelin and peptide YY. Ghrelin is a hormone that stimulates hunger while peptide YY suppresses it. Aerobic and anaerobic exercise, such as weight training, both stimulate an increase in the peptide YY hormone. This is the primary reason healthy people have a feeling of fullness post-workout." After reflecting for a moment, I realize I experienced that sensation more often before I started intermittently fasting. [0] http://www.livestrong.com/article/405012-exercise-loss-of-appetite/ http://www.livestrong.com/article/405012-exercise-loss-of-ap...