Intermittent Fasting and Bodybuilding

ejrod50

I've been lifting weights my whole life, but have recently started taking my nutrition seriously. I am looking to start bodybuilding, I have friends who compete and they have encouraged me to do it. I am currently at 198.5 and 12% BF. I recently started a intermittent fasting diet (12pm-8pm food window). What are your thoughts on fasting could it work with bodybuilding or is it just contradictory?

livingleanlivingclean

Are you trying to grow muscles, or lose fat to compete?

Unknown

This content has been removed.

RoxieDawn

12:8 IF protocol is just an eating schedule. Eat all your calories in any way and at any time you want to. If you are trying to bulk/build muscle a calorie surplus is needed so just eat all your calories in that time frame/schedule.

ejrod50

livingleanlivingclean wrote: »

Are you trying to grow muscles, or lose fat to compete?

I was attempting to do it simultaneously, and it was working for a bit but I've kind of hit a plateau and I'm not seeing much results. I'd appreciate any feedback, here to learn. Haha

ejrod50

filbo132 wrote: »

It depends what you are using IF for, if it's to build muscles, it is still possible to do IF, but be aware that you have to be in a caloric surplus and may be difficult for you to eat all that food in a small window frame, it is not impossible, but it can be a lot of food. If it's to lose weight, IF is an excellent tool, but be aware that you aren't going to build much or any muscles while being in a caloric deficit unless you're using gear.

Eating all that food in that small amount of time is definitely the toughest part. Leaves me with my stomach hurting most of the time. Haha

Lean59man

RoxieDawn wrote: »

12:8 IF protocol is just an eating schedule. Eat all your calories in any way and at any time you want to. If you are trying to bulk/build muscle a calorie surplus is needed so just eat all your calories in that time frame/schedule.

This.

If you are trying to gain definition you will have to reduce your calories to get to a lower bodyfat %.

The opposite if you are trying to gain weight.

Intermittent fasting alone won't do anything. It can make your eating schedule more acceptable.

I do intermittent fasting 16/8 and my bodyfat % and bodyweight only changes if I vary the calories.

Think hard about competitive bodybuilding. You can only be successful at it if you are willing to take drugs.

mmapags

ejrod50 wrote: »

filbo132 wrote: »

It depends what you are using IF for, if it's to build muscles, it is still possible to do IF, but be aware that you have to be in a caloric surplus and may be difficult for you to eat all that food in a small window frame, it is not impossible, but it can be a lot of food. If it's to lose weight, IF is an excellent tool, but be aware that you aren't going to build much or any muscles while being in a caloric deficit unless you're using gear.

Eating all that food in that small amount of time is definitely the toughest part. Leaves me with my stomach hurting most of the time. Haha

Then don't do it. It has no advantage for either fat loss or muscle gain. It is just an eating schedule to help hit your goals. If it's a struggle, don't do it.

watts6151

Lean59man wrote: »

RoxieDawn wrote: »

12:8 IF protocol is just an eating schedule. Eat all your calories in any way and at any time you want to. If you are trying to bulk/build muscle a calorie surplus is needed so just eat all your calories in that time frame/schedule.

This.

If you are trying to gain definition you will have to reduce your calories to get to a lower bodyfat %.

The opposite if you are trying to gain weight.

Intermittent fasting alone won't do anything. It can make your eating schedule more acceptable.

I do intermittent fasting 16/8 and my bodyfat % and bodyweight only changes if I vary the calories.

Think hard about competitive bodybuilding. You can only be successful at it if you are willing to take drugs.

There are such things as Natural shows.

sijomial

ejrod50 wrote: »

filbo132 wrote: »

It depends what you are using IF for, if it's to build muscles, it is still possible to do IF, but be aware that you have to be in a caloric surplus and may be difficult for you to eat all that food in a small window frame, it is not impossible, but it can be a lot of food. If it's to lose weight, IF is an excellent tool, but be aware that you aren't going to build much or any muscles while being in a caloric deficit unless you're using gear.

Eating all that food in that small amount of time is definitely the toughest part. Leaves me with my stomach hurting most of the time. Haha

It sounds like IF suits you when cutting but not when bulking - so why not do that?

Cutting - skip breakfast.
Bulking - eat breakfast.
Maintaining - eat breakfast at the weekend only.

PWRLFTR1

Here is Terry Crews explaining how he does IF, it might be helpful
https://youtu.be/dW_99QcCTzE

AmyGerard12

Thank for these infos