Like many CrossFitters, I intermittent fast fairly frequently. Most mornings, I fast. Call it intermittent fasting, the 8-hour diet, whatever. For me, it’s what feels natural. Stop eating at 9pm the night before, fast until 1pm the following day (these hours aren’t set in stone). I’ve never liked breakfast foods, so I don’t miss that, and it’s easier for me to never start eating than to eat, stop, eat.
Since I like working out in the middle of the day to break it up, I end up working out in a fasted state quite often. I’d guess four days a week, I work out without having eaten anything since the night before. And my energy levels are totally normal! If I’m feeling low I’ll have a little protein, like a hard-boiled egg, but usually I’m pretty good to go.
Confused about fasting? One of the most complete (and LONGEST) posts I’ve seen on it from LeanGains: Top Ten Fasting Myths Debunked.
I have been intermittent fasting, another explanation of why you should too.
Want the science? Study on Fasting / Martin from LeanGains on Fasting
I think fasting is really, really easy and effective. But it does take a little bit to get used to–the first time I tried incorporating fasting into my diet, I didn’t have a problem fasting, but I didn’t see results in two weeks so I decided it “didn’t work.”
When I went back to fasting, I didn’t set out to “fast,” I set out to listen to my body about when it was hungry. And it ended up looking like a fasting cycle. Then I started seeing increases in energy and productivity during the morning fasts, and I was sold. Body changes didn’t come til even later, but as I’ve mentioned before, I’m working out less than ever before and maintaining or even losing weight.
It’s all pretty good, and I’m pretty happy. Listen to your body!
Recommended reading: The Alternate Day Diet by Dr. James Johnson.
Speaking of reading, if you haven’t already, buy Robb Wolf’s The Paleo Diet.