I think that IF can have good effect on partitioning if used in a manner like Martin prescribes (i.e. PSMF days and overfeeds after workouts) but it’s not a 200% increase by any means.

When I first started fasting (IF for Neurotic Athletes) I was filling calories with chocolate and ice cream and getting leaner. I was also sweating like a pig, which was strangely satisfying.

The issue with the fasting is just that: most people are emotional eaters and so they freak the fuck out when the fast ends. Shorter fasts like you’re talking about helps to balance some of that, especially reminding that “Hey nutto, your sleep was 8 hours; just don’t eat 3 hours before bed and 2 hours after you wake up. Enjoy your coffee on an empty stomach.” Love the orthorexic phrase, btw.

I got used to calling it a “cheat” meal ages ago when I first went on a diet; I have to clarify to clients that it’s a planned meal that’s not usual to your diet. Don’t stuff yourself but savor the flavor, so to speak.

Thanks for the feedback!

Interesting set of questions. Much like you guys, I’ve found that the IF thing isn’t some holy grail re: partitioning. It’s greatest benefit seems to be psychological. It really makes you loosen up about what you’re eating. I’ve been doing it for about a month. I typically workout late in the afternoon or early evening, and the last thing I want to do when I get home is consume a bunch of clean foods. First the prep time, second the sheer volume and time it takes to eat. I’ve turned to junk food to get my calories in and I couldn’t be happier. Nothing quite like eating pizza every day and dropping fat.

I don’t adhere strictly to the 16/8 thing either. I just eat when my hunger is noticeable and task performance or concentration begins to suffer. That’s usually the 13/14 hour mark for me. I think the best thing about IF is that it gets you back in touch with your hunger cues. You really can feel the full range of sensations from stuffed, to neutral, to ravenous (if you really push the fast), and I think it helps restore for orthorexics a certain level of body sensitivity that disappears on OCD 6-8 meal-a-day plans.

I haven’t had a ‘cheat’ meal in years. I think more than eating something ‘unclean,’ cheat meals and refeeds carry the connotation of overeating, and this actually trumps the importance of eating an unclean food in the dieter’s mind. But since I’m overeating within the limits of caloric goals every single day, I have no desire to just eat to the point of physical discomfort like most dieters do. I think this goes back to the body sensitivity thing.

Great work guys.