I am kicking around the idea of intermittent fasting to break a plateau in my journey to be a little slimmer as I ease into my sixties.

Currently - I workout from 6:00 to 7:00 AM. I have protein as soon as possible after a workout. I've been taught to do this forever.

But if I fast, the timing works best if my fast is from 6:00 PM to 10:00 AM.

So, you see the dilemma.

Possible solutions:

Eat from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, making my fast from 3:00 PM to 7:00 AM (This would make it impossible to have a social life)

Start working out in the evening (I'd quit)

Have a protein shake at 7:00, but no other food until noon. (Why fast then?)

Abandon the idea of intermittent fasting

Abandon the idea that I need protein immediately after a workout.

Thoughts?

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Posted by Canuck Tiger

Member since Sep 2010

1806 posts

Posted on 6/3/23 at 10:21 am to InCaliForNow

I would do what feels best to you in terms of during the workout and during your day.

Personally I feel good doing cardio fasted in the am, but I don’t feel like I get good strength workouts in without some calories in my belly. I also feel like I make better progress in my diet if I eat before (to fuel) and after (to recover) my workout and just adjust the other meals of the day if I’m trying to lose weight.

I think the idea of a narrow “anabolic window” after lifting is largely overblown; you’ll be in a more anabolic state until you eat so waiting a couple hours isn’t a huge deal.

From Web

I’m also not sure there is much to the claimed benefits of intermittent fasting. It’s MOSTLY “I’m eating less cause I can’t eat half the time I’m awake” rather than some magic that happens after 15 hours, 59min or whatever. Since 30% of the protein calories you take in gets burned to break it down, and your body is totally depleted of glycogen stores after working out, a post workout shake is kinda like “free calories”.

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Posted by NewOrleansBlend

Member since Mar 2008

1184 posts

Posted on 6/3/23 at 11:26 am to InCaliForNow

I would say to just do what works best for your schedule, track your workouts and body composition to see how things are going, and make adjustments if necessary. The "anabolic window" is a myth. Getting enough protein is not however and that is something you will need to be careful with. I would recommend eating a minimum of 3 meals in that time, each with at least 50 grams of protein.

This post was edited on 6/3/23 at 12:18 pm

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