If you’ve been thinking about trying IF (intermittent fasting), you should be sure you’re making an informed decision. Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of information available, as far as reliable studies go. And testimonials should usually be taken with a grain of salt.

If you’ve been thinking about trying IF (intermittent fasting), you should be sure you’re making an informed decision. Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of information available, as far as reliable studies go. And testimonials should usually be taken with a grain of salt.

In this two-part series, we’ll try to give you most of the questions and answers that do exist, and perhaps raise another question or two. Hopefully, that will help you make your decision.

What intermittent fasting is and isn’t:

1. It is taking a break from all caloric intake for 24 hours or more;

2. It isn’t just skipping dinner;

3. It is a way to force your system to burn stored fat rather than ingested sugar;

4. It isn’t a way to make up for that huge slab of chocolate cake you had for dessert last night;

5. It is a possible additional tool in your bodybuilding program;

6. It isn’t a substitute for either a solid diet or strenuous workouts;

7. It is a technique that many athletes claim has given them great results;

8. It isn’t a technique that works the same for every person under the same conditions;

9. It is a good way to burn stored fat if you have a double-digit BFI;

10. It isn’t the best approach if you have a 5% BFI;

11. It is a technique that might be helpful for a skinny guy on a bulk-up diet;

12. It isn’t for everyone.

Why does it work?

Basically, IF can be effective because when a person is on a calorie deficient diet, their body needs to get its fuel from somewhere, and if they’re not eating, it must find that fuel in stored fat. One day of fasting per week is a common approach, in which the individual will skip an entire day of eating, thus forcing their body to attack those fat cells.

If you’re one of those individuals, there are two things you can do to make your fasting a LOT more effective, though:

• Don’t fast from lunchtime Saturday until lunchtime Sunday – you’ll be more prone to overeating Sunday night, after which you’ll just go to bed while your body stores more fat. Better to fast from after dinner Saturday night until breakfast Monday morning. Sure, you’ll go to bed hungry, but you’ll eat more sensibly in the morning, and immediately be into your workout.

• Give your system a double-whammy by working out three or four times Saturday afternoon and Sunday – your body will need even more fuel to support the activity and will burn fat even faster. Plus, you’ll be getting in more great workouts, which is what it’s all about, right?

There are some other benefits to intermittent fasting, such as better rest. The human body will save about 70% of the energy it normally uses digesting food and converting it to fuel. That means you’ll be more rested and awaken earlier, ready and eager for another workout.

Learning about your subconscious conditioning will help you to overcome it. We form habits without even realizing it, and many of them involve food. Munching on popcorn during a movie, drinking a soda with the evening paper every day… these are habits you can break, once they stop being unconscious nibbling.

Also, don’t underrate the benefits of a sense of accomplishment in controlling your urge to eat something. Every battle won will give you more self-confidence and self-control, and discipline is the name of the game!

In Part Two of this series, we’ll share a few more pointers and give you some help in deciding whether intermittent fasting is a good technique for you. Meanwhile, keep your diet and physical training in line… without them, IF won’t do you much good.