Anyone into fasting? Please share your experiences.

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I watched the BBC documentary some time ago and it was very interesting. How do you alternate your fast days? Are you doing the fasting with just water or like the 5:2 and with 500 kcal? I?ve never fasted intentionally, but it?s an interesting idea if the science really backs it up.

Obviously enough research hasn't been done to comprehensively evaluate the safety and potential benefits of fasting, but to my mind intermittent fasting doesn't necessarily sound that bad. It's the fasting that goes beyond 24 hours (i.e. for days on end) that sounds to me from a purely common sense point of view like something that could be dangerous and that could cause health problems. Mainly because some macro- and micronutrients aren't stored in the body so you need a constant supply of them, otherwise you are almost certainly going to, at some point, start seeing side effects of e.g. protein and certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Over long-term especially.

Like Metalwolfe commented I think it's important that people are well informed about the different aspects of fasting and are cautious before jumping into it. Myself included. I think I'll read up on this when I have more time.

I've been Intermittent Fasting as a lifestyle, for a year and a half. That's a minimum of sixteen hours fasted, per day. I go through my day's activities fasted, including very intense training sessions and competition (Powerlifting/Strongman). There is evidence to show that fasting gives your body a break from processing all that food and that this could lead to a longer and healthier life.
(Beneficial effects of intermittent fasting and caloric restriction on the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems)

As someone who has played with and read about various nutrition protocols; neither fasting, nor the dogmatic "several small meals a day" approach is more optimal for body composition (Unless; perhaps, you take performance enhancing drugs). I've built a lot of size, on this protocol and am also at my all time strongest. Last year, when it was my goal, I got to my all time leanest. One aspect of IF that MAY help you lose weight, is that it's easier to turn down mindless snacks, when your mind is set on the fast. Also, you will most likely find it easier to keep track of everything that you've eaten.

So, fasting can work quite well for an athlete. Whether IF is for you, boils down to how it fits with your lifestyle. Personally, I enjoy not having to rush home to cook another meal, or carry food around with me. Condensing my food into a few hour block is much more convenient!! Screw the dogma, fasting is great!! !!

gah Im on the last night of a 3 day water only fast, I put a stew in my slow cooker for tomorrow and its driving me mad! The smell is wafting deliciously into my bedroom and my stomach is eating itself, Im so hungry argh.

I will not make the slow cooker at night mistake again!