So now…
I started Intermittent Fasting February 7th. So far I’m really liking it. I’ve never been good about controlling my eating, and this makes me feel like I have more control. I have a 4 hour window where I can eat and 20 hours where I cannot. My window is noon to 4:00 each day. My problem so far has been getting in enough protein. I’m always way off. I have a plan, but I keep not implimenting it. I’ll start off o.k. then the rest of my foods won’t be ready and I’ll end up scarfing down peanut butter or a protein bar. Today I think I have it.
I’m also going to try zig-zagging my calories. Today will be a high day, yesterday was low. Tomorrow will probably be moderate. Haven’t fine tuned that yet either.
I’ve also started pushing myself harder to lift heavier. I had gotten REALLY slack in that. I think IF is helping me feel better during lifting time, so feeling better makes me feel more like doing it.
So….I think getting my protein up/ cycling calories/ and lifting heavier should help me see some progress. My weight right now is 142.8. My goal is 130, or to see some good ab defination. So I guess getting the bodyfat down enough to see nice abs is really the goal. And I’m shooting for August 1st.
February 26, 2008 at 7:06 am
Fasting?? I’ve never heard of anyone using this strategy who wanted to lift heavier or lose body fat. You’ve got to feed your body good fuel consistently to keep your metabolism up so you’ll burn the fat, have energy for good cardio and lifting sessions, and be able to grow some good muscle which also speeds up fat burning. If your body thinks it’s starving it will actually try to conserve energy and your metabolism will slow down, which is not what you want! I think you’d be much better off eating small meals consisting of clean carbs and lean proteins several times a day, supplemented with some protein shakes. Sorry, but I see your fasting method as a guaranteed road to failure in the long-term, since it’s not something you can keep up as part of a permanent, healthy lifestyle. Don’t mean to be preachy, but I’m just repeating what others say and from what I know from personal experience to be true.
February 29, 2008 at 8:54 pm
No food for 20 hours? With the way you work out I don’t think I could fast for that long. More power to you!
BTW - I showed my workout buddy your profile and she was very impressed. She told me to make sure I stay on your good side
March 4, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Hi, thanks for the comments. I appreciate your concerns. If I start feeling like what I’m doing is counter-productive I’ll do something different.