6 Reasons to Fast (Even If You're Not Trying to Lose Weight)

As many of you know, I was recently contracted for a second book deal with Dr. Kellyann Petrucci—to write another “For Dummies” book, this one on Intermittent Fasting. This is exciting. There are scarcely any mainstream books on this subject matter, and I look forward to bringing the practice of Intermittent Fasting to the masses. 

[You can pre-order the book HERE. If you are interested in Intermittent Fasting, or are already practicing IF, I think you will find the information in this book to be tremendously useful.]

I will talk more on that book in an upcoming post. For now, I want to briefly overview Intermittent Fasting and tell you why I think it’s worth your while, even if you’re not trying to lose weight.

In brief, intermittent fasting is when a man puts himself into a position of voluntary poverty with regards to food. He skips breakfast for a day. And maybe lunch and dinner too, depending. It’s the practice of not eating for a while, and, every once in a while, it’s something I believe everyone should practice.

Here are a few reasons why:

1. Burns Fat
   
   Fasting cuts through body fat like a warm knife through butter, so quickly that you might even witness the excess dripping down your leg and into your sock. It leans you out and quick too. Largely this is due to a stark reduction in calories. But also is it due to the striking or a more balanced hormonal profile (see point 3).  
   
   
2. Boost Brain Power
   
   Intermittent fasting spurs the growth of new brain cells, surges neurogenesis, and detoxifies that 2.8lb ball of pinky flesh. It keeps the brain clean, so to speak, and wards off the odds of premature cognitive decline to some considerable extent.
   
   
3. Optimizes Hormones
   
   Fasting keeps insulin in check, which, when let run amok accelerates the aging process and bullies other hormones into submission. Not good. Fasting beats insulin down, encouraging growth hormone, our natural fountain of youth, to surge, and glucagon, the fat-burner, to go about his business uninterrupted.
   
   
4. Boosts Energy 
   
   Fasting is slightly stimulating, as it has been shown to increase adrenal response. In part, this promotes lipolysis (fat burning), but it will also give you the added benefit of alertness and enhanced productivity. I do most of my “work” while fasted, as I’m hardly productive after a large meal.
   
   
5. It’s Medicinal
   
   Fasting is the world’ oldest cure all. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, once said “instead of medicine, fast for a day.” Almost all animals, except humans, fast instinctively when sick or injured. And it works too. Fasting allows the body to repair itself and to flush out toxins—both of these processes are severely inhibited in a fed state. 
   
   The old axiom of “feed a cold, starve a fever” is misquoted. Originally, it was “IF you feed a cold, you’ll have to starve a fever”. 

6. Enhances the Effects of Exercise

   Fasting and intense exercise potentiate one another, meaning, they increase each other’s positive effects. 

   Fasted exercise helps to lean you out more quickly (increases lipolysis) and build muscle more efficiently (improves insulin sensitivity). 

   My recommendation here is micro-fasting (16 hours of fasting, 8 hours of eating). That is, skip breakfast, train around eleven or noon, then break your fast with your post workout meal. Because the muscle will be hungry, make this your largest and carb-heaviest meal of the day.
   

Quick post today, as I’m traveling and got places to be, ya know?

But I’d like to hear what you have to say about intermittent fasting.

What has been your experience with intermittent fasting? Like it? Hate it? Please share your thoughts, or leave any question you may have in the comment section.

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