Published July 2021 on YouTube

1602: Why Intermittent Fasting is Bad

1. Controversial Fasting

Sal, Justin, and Adam discuss why fasting is a bad way to lose weight and the negative feedback they received from their previous episode on intermittent fasting. They delve deeper into the topic of fasting and explain why it's not an effective weight loss strategy.+

2. Understanding Fasting

Understanding Fasting:Sal and Adam discuss the history and benefits of fasting, clarifying that it is voluntarily not eating when food is available and around you. They also touch on different variations of fasting, including the Warrior Diet, the 16/8 protocol, and the fasting mimicking diet.+
History of Fasting:Sal and Justin discuss the history of fasting, which dates back to spiritual practices in major religions. They also touch on the medical history of fasting, including Hippocrates' observations that fasting improved certain conditions, such as seizures.+
Ketogenic Diet History:Adam, Sal, and Justin discuss the history of the ketogenic diet, which dates back to the 1920s and was initially used to treat epilepsy. They also touch on the medical and health benefits of the diet, including its potential use in cancer treatment.+

3. Fasting Benefits

Fasting History:Adam, Sal, and Justin discuss the history of fasting as a diet and how it became popularized in the 70s and early 2000s. They also touch on the science and research that supports the benefits of fasting.+
Fasting Benefits:Sal, Adam, and Justin discuss the benefits of fasting and how they are similar to those of calorie restriction. They touch on the reduction of inflammation and the health benefits of eating reduced calories. They also mention that even an unhealthy low calorie diet can be quite healthy in comparison to a relatively healthy diet that is high in calories.+

4. Benefits of Fasting

Benefits of Fasting:Sal, Adam, and Justin discuss the benefits of fasting, which they believe are mainly emotional, spiritual, and mental. They argue that weight loss is a byproduct and not the main reason for fasting. They also highlight how fasting can help people with impulse issues around food and anxiety around hunger.Show transcript +
Understanding Hunger:Adam, Sal, and Justin discuss the difference between true hunger and food cravings. They share personal experiences and offer tips on how to recognize and respond to each.+
Benefits of Fasting:Adam and Sal discuss the benefits of fasting, not only from food but also from anything that one may have an unhealthy attachment to. They emphasize the importance of self-control and the ability to refrain from certain things to maintain balance in life.+
Food Control:Sal and Adam discuss the double-edged sword of controlling food intake. While breaking food rules can be empowering, it can also lead to eating disorders. They also touch on how fasting for weight loss can encourage a bad relationship with food. Adam adds that taking a break from certain foods can help bring awareness to how the body responds to them.+
Benefits of Fasting:Adam, Sal, and Justin discuss the benefits of fasting on one's health and relationship with food. They share personal experiences of how fasting helped them improve their energy levels, sleep, and body composition. They also talk about how fasting can help break a bad relationship with food and give one more freedom to enjoy different foods.+
Benefits of Intermittent Fasting:Adam, Sal, and Justin discuss the benefits of intermittent fasting, including breaking the old every two hour window rule and being able to go without food for longer periods of time without sacrificing muscle growth. They also touch on how fasting can help improve one's relationship with food and change their mindset towards it.+

5. Fasting and Fad Diets

The Problem with Fasting:Sal discusses the problem with fasting for weight loss and how it can lead to binge eating behaviors. He explains that fasting from a spiritual standpoint is different and can be beneficial, but when done solely for weight loss, it often leads to a restrict-binge cycle. Sal also highlights the characteristics of binge eating, such as eating quickly and not fully enjoying the food.+
Fad Diet Failure:Adam, Sal, and Justin discuss the high failure rate of fad diets, including the Warrior Diet and anabolic fasting. While these diets may be appealing to the average person, they are not sustainable in the long term. Instead, they recommend focusing on health and wellness through proper nutrition and behavior changes.+

6. Who should AVOID fasting?

Fasting Risks:Sal and Adam discuss the risks of fasting, especially for women and those with hormone issues. Chronic fasting can lead to hormone imbalances and HPA axis dysfunction, which can cause symptoms like hair loss, skin issues, and low libido. Men with low fat and high stress may also experience lowered testosterone levels from fasting.+
Weight Loss Strategy:Adam and Sal discuss the negative effects of a super low calorie diet on weight loss strategy and metabolism. They explain how people approach fitness through motivation and hardcore restriction, which ultimately leads to failure.+
The Problem with Fasting:Sal and Adam discuss the potential pitfalls of fasting for weight loss and how it can lead to a bad relationship with food, especially for those with a history of restrictive eating. They emphasize the importance of developing sustainable healthy behaviors rather than relying on short-term motivation.+

7. Disrupting Eating Patterns

Disrupting Eating Patterns:Adam discusses how he introduced intermittent fasting to his clients in the competitive world to disrupt their eating patterns and break their addiction to food. He explains how it benefits the body and how he loves teaching people how to interrupt their eating patterns.+
Fasting and Capitalism:Adam, Sal, and Justin discuss the trend of fasting in the fitness industry and how companies have capitalized on it by promoting BCAA supplements and juice fasts. They also share their personal experiences with fasting and recommend using it as a way to detach from food and deal with emotions. The group emphasizes the importance of being aware of how your body reacts to food after a fast and using it as a tool to identify potential gut irritants.+

8. Fasting and Stress

Sal and Adam discuss the effects of fasting on stress levels and the importance of sustainable weight loss strategies. They also touch on the benefits and drawbacks of fasting as a tool for emotional and spiritual growth.+