Fasting for Fat Loss
Mar
16
2009
Here’s a great blog post about fasting written by Craig Ballantyne. I usually find Craig’s posts entertaining, but this particular post was ‘extra special’ for a number of reasons:
- It starts with a picture of Steak AND a picture of a pint of Guinness!
- Craig talks in great detail about his experience with fasting
- Craig was a HUGE fasting skeptic, especially when it came to fasting during exercise! So it’s nice to read that he finds Eat Stop Eat so easy.
- Craig mentions one of my biggest pet peeves (Hint: He mentions it while talking about the other passengers on his plane)
- Last but not least, Craig mentions hitting a personal best with the Deadlift – It’s always motivating to read about people making progress in the gym – Makes me want to do deadlifts tonight.
You can read Craig’s post here ==> http://www.ttfatloss.com/fat-loss/fasting-for-fat-loss/
BP
Other posts you may enjoy
Comments
That was a great post by Craig. I’m actually fasting right now and looking at that steak & Guinness made me hungry!
(although I’d prefer something with a little more flavor like a Chocolate Oatmeal Stout).
I like the part about the passengers, haha. Funny thing is, before I started fasting I used to be like that! Reminds me of the “addicted” days – thank God I’m past that point in my life (and for people reading this, addicted to food…NOT drugs or any of that stuff lol).
To fasting!
Jeremy Reeves
http://www.HassleFreeFatLoss.com
Hey Brad, how good is this timing?
Since early this a.m. I’ve been tweeting and posting on fb the progress of my mini (a la ESE) fast today, which will morph into a blog post AND a mini-fast update article (I’m now 6 months in). I’ll let you know when it goes up! It’s great to have fitness pros recognize and support your work, isn’t it?
Cheers,
Lani
@Jeremy Reeves
I used to say that all the time, now its my new pet peeve. I’ve tried to erase “starving” from my vocabulary.
Instead of saying “I’m starving” I say “I want to eat” very different mind set.
B
@Lani Muelrath
Fantastic Lani,
Be sure to follow Lani at http://twitter.com/Lani_Muelrath
B
@Lani Muelrath
Fantastic Lani,
Be sure to follow Lani at http://twitter.com/Lani_Muelrath
B
P.S. – Sorry, forgot to tell you great post!
Brad, I enjoy the change up in eating (that’s how I term it)and have been experimenting with fasting beginning at different times of the day. I used to prefer dinner-to-dinner (6 pm-6 pm) but the other day I began at 2 pm after a large, late lunch. That worked our really well.
Well, today I’m enjoying food and that steak and ale looks to be just the thing… see ya!
Ron
I too have had great experiences with fasting so far.
I’m actually few hours into a potential 40hr right now. The 24s are really easy and I really want to shred off this last bit of fat. I originally planned for 36, but decided that waking up at 6am to eat didn’t sound appealing to me… even after not eating for a day 1/2
Brad,
I got your books and have a couple of questions that were not addressed in the book (or just maybe I didn’t look hard enough).
Like pnw fitness, 24 (1hour +-) fasting was just to easy… i was doing it Monday to Friday but consuming my regular caloric requirements for the day on my 1 meal. (I love it! It feels like i’m always going on buffet!) Early this week, I decided to do an ACTUAL FAST for a whole day, that would translate to a 48 hour fast for me. (I’m doing this on my non lifting day by the way – I work out MWF (Doggcrapp style) ) Here are my questions…
1)Is it ok to do this? I think I can even push for 2 FULL days of FAST -that would be Tuesday and Thursday for me (non lifting days)
2) On your protein book, your protein requirement FOR A DAY is around 120g. Should I eat more protein on eating days now that I’m actually not consuming anything for a day/days? Do I have to at least have my protein requirements daily for me to protect me from catabolism?
Thanks so much for your time!
Yeah fasting + exercise go well together.
Here is me smashing through my previous pullup record in a fasted state:
http://relativestrengthadvantage.com/intermittent-fasting-does-it-make-you-weaker-in-the-gym/
Yeah, I’m finding that when I say “I want to eat” it makes me feel that I have control over my eating habits.
PNW,
Let me know how it goes…
I’ve never been a big fan of pushing the fasts longer, but have done the same thing as you, extending my fasts a little bit simply because I wasn’t hungry.
B
Brad,
Why don’t you like the fast to go longer than 24-hours? Is it a muscle loss issue?
Several times I’ve checked my RMR (via indirect calorimetry) at the 12-, 16, 24-, 36- and 40th hour into a fast. I have yet to notice any material difference (decline in metabolic rate, that is). I’m below 10% BF too.
Brad, I have a concern, primarily about the amount of calories I am now eating. I have been following ESE for well over a year, and had great success. My concern is as of late, I am finding myself not really wanting to eat, I am just not hungry. I am concerned as I have been watching my intake, and it is typically 1200-1600 calories a day. I should be consuming 1900-2000. Should I be concerned for this ‘lack of hunger’ for extended periods of time, am I at any kind of risk for not consuming enough calories for my body to function…..
@Brad Pilon
Honestly it was a little rough. I had a really stressful day and was around a bunch of allergens. Whenever I get exhausted (allergens drain me) I love nothing more than to eat. Probably just the body looking for a boost. By about hour 20 I was ready to eat. My previous three fasts 20 was a breeze.
My advice for those going to try longer, is to make sure it’s a normal, kick back or a “good” busy day. I did complete all 40 (11:30am ended), but with all the added chaos/stress… hour 30 and beyond was a nightmare.
I’ll try these longer ones again under better circumstances, but I’m starting to feel 30 hour will be my longer fast happy medium.
Hey Brad,
I’ve just started with 24 hour fasting and I’m suprised at how easy it is. I’m wondering if you or anyone else on here has experienced any sort of decline in mental acuity towards the end of their fast. I still went and worked out at hour 24 and had a great workout, but I felt a little out of it. Maybe this is just my body adjusting? I don’t think I’ve gone 24 hours without a calorie in over a decade!
Also its really interesting that my muscles seem to have responded to that post-fast workout more than normal.
Matt
http://www.lifeofahero.com
Brad,
After reading your book, I was very impressed with the many benefits of fasting you describe.
I have fasted for 24 hours, once a week, for about 5 weeks now. The fasts have gone well and, like Craig, I’ve noticed that I’m able to workout 20 some-odd hours into a fast, no problem (maybe ’cause I know I get to eat soon, lol).
Anyway, my question is this: I’m 48 years young and have been training with weights for almost 30 years and I am fairly knowledgeable about my own body re: how to eat and train to look lean and muscular.
How will Eat Stop Eat help me since I’m actually NOT unhappy with my current level of body fat and my physique in general?
I’m assuming it has to do with maintaining hormone levels, blood sugar levels, and a kick in natural GH, but I’d like to read your thoughts.
Maybe I’m just looking for a way to rationalize not fasting “cause it is kinda tough at times and I’m hungry now (7 hours into a 4PM – 4PM fast).
Thanks,
Mark
@James
I really like the simplicity of 24 hours. Really, it’s probably not much better than 23 or 25.
When it comes to longer fasts, I have experimented with them, and found them to be too intrusive. Towards the end of a 40 hour fast I was definitely FORCING myself to make it.
I couldn’t imagine asking people to do that once or twice a week.
B
@Greg
Hi Greg, it really depends on your age, height, weight and goals. Plus, keep in mind that we almost always underestimate how many calories we eat by 10-30%.
B
@pnw fitness
Interesting, so we had similar experiences. I find 24 to be easy, and 36 to be my limit before it becomes a challenge.
B
@Matt
Hi Matt,
I’m usually more alert during my fasts. It will be interesting to see what others say.
B
@Mark McCullagh
Great question
The main benefit outside of weight loss is exploring your relationship with food. What makes you eat? I find this to be a fascinating study as it constantly changes.
For me this is the biggest non-weight loss benefit.
B
Regarding alertness during a fast, I have experienced this as well.
Especially during the last 8 to 10 hours or so. I did a 4PM to 4PM fast yesterday (Sunday) and I slept really well, got up in the morning and had a large black coffee and I felt great. Really alert and energized!