I've been looking more into fasted workouts lately. I often fast before a workout, but it hasn't been a priority. I've been reading through this study, which nests an exercise session within a "mini-fast".
What's impressive about this study is the continuing fat loss for the subjects in the 12-week study. Subjects actually lost slightly more weight in the second 6 weeks of the study than the first. This is unusual compared to other studies. In most diet studies, more weight is lost initially and then the weight creeps back up.
I've also been looking into fasting after a workout. Last month, I wrote that eating after a workout helps build muscle. I still believe this is true, but if a person's primary goal is fat loss than not eating after a workout might be the best strategy.
I also think that fasting may actually influence gut bacteria. I read through this study that suggest how a fasting hormone and gut bacteria can affect fat storage.
All this could explain why people often have good results on intermittent fasting protocols. While fasting may reduce the nymber of calories consumed, it may also change the gut bacteria. With traditional diets, calories are reduced but the frequent meals may not allow the gut bacteria to change for the better.
I've been looking more into fasted workouts lately. I often fast before a workout, but it hasn't been a priority. I've been reading through this study, which nests an exercise session within a "mini-fast".
What's impressive about this study is the continuing fat loss for the subjects in the 12-week study. Subjects actually lost slightly more weight in the second 6 weeks of the study than the first. This is unusual compared to other studies. In most diet studies, more weight is lost initially and then the weight creeps back up.
I've also been looking into fasting after a workout. Last month, I wrote that eating after a workout helps build muscle. I still believe this is true, but if a person's primary goal is fat loss than not eating after a workout might be the best strategy.
I also think that fasting may actually influence gut bacteria. I read through this study that suggest how a fasting hormone and gut bacteria can affect fat storage.
All this could explain why people often have good results on intermittent fasting protocols. While fasting may reduce the nymber of calories consumed, it may also change the gut bacteria. With traditional diets, calories are reduced but the frequent meals may not allow the gut bacteria to change for the better.