Q&A: Intermittent Fasting (IF)

Question: Hey Marek, what’s your take on intermittent fasting? I guess I’m at a crossroads deciding where I want to take my body. My problem lately is that I have a good 15-20lbs of fat to take off but I’m so obsessed with lifting heavy and going for size gains. That’s why I thought maybe intermittent fasting might be able to help.

Answer: Not a fan. Why fast if you want to grow, develop more LBM, keep nitrogen retention high within the body (which continuous eating provides)? Personally, I don’t find it optimal in competitive bodybuilding. BUT if you’re an individual that enjoys working out, staying lean, not looking to get onstage, and it keeps your happy with fulfilling all those aspects, then cool bro. I just see it like this….in competitive bodybuilding, we strive to keep improving our physiques each and every time we get on stage, and that requires non-stop growth and repair. Food provides those abilities. See my point? I don’t think fasting is bad for the common gym/fitness individual though. Different goals require different methods.

Just eat under maintenance (200-300cals less) for a bit, and add some cardio, and you’ll tighten up/drop bf% OR if you want to stay “fuller” keep cals the same, and just add cardio. Either way, you’ll progress in the direction you want. Just do it RIGHT! do not excessively under eat; no bueno at that point.

BTW, love getting questions like these man. I will try to give my personal view, while try not to bash the other.