what are yourthought on Intermittent Fasting

that is one method of IF

leangains has the 16-8 method which I like better but thats just me

Do you do that 1-2 days a week, or everyday?

as a rule I do it 7 days a week. If a social occasion (usually morning events) happens where I cant resist what they are offering, I go ahead and eat but account for it in my overall calorie total

So I have to ask about your energy level while doing this? The 16/8 plan sounds like it would work for me, fasting from 8pm to Noon, but my work out would be right in the middle of the fasting at 6 am. Do those that do this still have energy to do that?

And my other question is about calories? Do you still try to reach your calorie goal on that day? That sounds more difficult.

I would start with the leangains website for a lot of great info on this.

For me, my energy levels are great. My workout is during the fasted state (almost always) and I cannot imagine why I would ever stop doing this

So I have to ask about your energy level while doing this? The 16/8 plan sounds like it would work for me, fasting from 8pm to Noon, but my work out would be right in the middle of the fasting at 6 am. Do those that do this still have energy to do that?

And my other question is about calories? Do you still try to reach your calorie goal on that day? That sounds more difficult.

Personally, I feel more energetic. Fasting has actually eliminated the horrible blood sugar dips I would have (queasiness, headache, etc. when not eating first thing in the morning.) Whenever I worked out before breaking the fast, I would have half a protein shake beforehand, the other half afterwards during the feeding window. I read somewhere that if you're having under 50g of carbs you aren't breaking the fast (I wish I could remember where I read it for the source, sorry.). No idea if that's true, but I'm sure someone knows. There are many well-informed people in the IF group

as far as breaking the fast, leangains allows coffee and 10g of BCAA supplement. I would think any substantial intake of calories including half a protein shake would break the fast. Im not positive but pretty sure it would.

I do it and even bumped it up a notch last week and lost 10.1 lbs THIS WEEK. No joke. I have been plateaued for almost 5 months. Going up and down the same few lbs since June/July. I eat in a 16/8 pattern already, almost every day. I decided last week I was also going to make 2 of those days "Eat Stop Eat" style dinner--to-dinner fasts (20-24 hours.)
Monday morning I weighed 205. Fasted that day, ate dinner and ended up eating 1241 kCal.
Tuesday I was 203.5. ate regular - in an 8 hr window (1900 cal).
Wednesday, weighed 200.6, fasted that day till dinner (1183 cal).
Thursday weighed 198, ate normally in 8 hr window (1538 cal).
Friday weighed 196.3 (broke through my plateau!) Friday is usually a high calorie day for me and was 3018 cal.
Saturday I weighed 194.9

I can only say in my experience, it has helped BIG so far. I didn't find it difficult to do, insane hunger wasn't a problem, but I was ready for dinner at 5:00 when I walked through the door and I do feel that I ate more calories at dinner than I normally do, but I didn't go all out. I was just trying to make sure I got at least 1000 calories in me (since I'd exercised off at least 400 each of those days as well.). Luckily for me, my husband is our dinner maker, so I was able to eat right away.

I plan on using it as a tool, like anything else.

ETA: I don't feel a lag in energy and even do my workout in the middle (I work out at noon, even on the 2 days I didn't eat until 5:00) I don't break my 16/8 fasts until after I work out either, so all my workouts are fasted. I feel much better this way. Food in my stomach makes it harder for me to workout...

How is everyone going to say it works?

It will only work if you burn more calories than you consume. If you eat too much you won't lose any fat. Even if you're doing IF. It's not about if IF "works" or not. It doesn't. What works is burning more than you consume.

I did IF for a year, with no additional benefits.

What are peoples thoughts on this?

I kinda want to try it just to see if it makes me feel any different...I can see the benefit if I want to get into lifting because there's moments you're a giant energy store if that makes any sense...

I also want to try it so I feel I have some fire to throw at the *'s who say its not sustainable. It seems those who do it on my friends list are sensible intelligent people.

Well, it definitely won't work for weight loss if you do it and you don't eat at a deficit. Still gotta count your calories. There's nothing magical about IF, it's really just more of a helpful mechanism for eating at a deficit for some people. Also there are non-weight-loss related benefits. But yeah of course, EVERY diet or way of eating works if you eat less than you burn

So I have to ask about your energy level while doing this? The 16/8 plan sounds like it would work for me, fasting from 8pm to Noon, but my work out would be right in the middle of the fasting at 6 am. Do those that do this still have energy to do that?

And my other question is about calories? Do you still try to reach your calorie goal on that day? That sounds more difficult.

Personally, I feel more energetic. Fasting has actually eliminated the horrible blood sugar dips I would have (queasiness, headache, etc. when not eating first thing in the morning.) Whenever I worked out before breaking the fast, I would have half a protein shake beforehand, the other half afterwards during the feeding window. I read somewhere that if you're having under 50g of carbs you aren't breaking the fast (I wish I could remember where I read it for the source, sorry.). No idea if that's true, but I'm sure someone knows. There are many well-informed people in the IF group

as far as breaking the fast, leangains allows coffee and 10g of BCAA supplement. I would think any substantial intake of calories including half a protein shake would break the fast. Im not positive but pretty sure it would.

Probably. I can't remember where I read that for the life of me. I don't do that anymore, but for someone with really low energy while working out, it might be an option.

Really interesting thread, I had considered fasting from around 7pm until night (I go to sleep around 1am). Sometimes, I have my coffee in the morning and do some cardio (although I have my protein shake afterwards). But I never considered doing a proper fasting. It would be really interesting to go through all those articles posting (now I have the curiosity)

I have used it with great success, and have about a dozen friends/family who have had great results as well, across the age/gender/health spectrum.

It works for me. I do 16/8 or 14/10 every day. Sometimes it 19/5 depending on my shift pattern. I've found it really easy and the weight and fat is literally melting off me. I run 3 days a week, usually fasted and it doesn't affect my performance. I also do Bodyweight training 3 days a week too. I stay under my calorie goal and I'm not hungry either. The worst you can do is actually try it.