Fasting for Fat Loss

steakI stepped off the plane on Saturday feeling amazing, even though it had been almost 20 hours since I last ate. But I didn’t care, because I was fasting for fat loss. In fact, this was the best fast I’d ever done.

But first, let’s go back in time to Friday afternoon. I was at a seminar in New Jersey, and we finished up a very rich lunch of steak, mashed potatoes, rolls, and berries and yogurt for dessert. That was at 1pm and I was full.

I didn’t want anything else, but my buddy Zach Even-Esh wanted to go have a beer to end another success meeting. I said sure, so off we went to a pub in New Brunswick, New Jersey. By 4pm we were done, and I was still full. g

I decided right then I would move my Monday fast up by a couple of days, since I was going to sleep in and then I had a flight back to Toronto on Saturday morning. I figured that schedule would work in my favor, keeping me busy to make the fast go smooth.

And I was right – this weekend’s fasting for fat loss was easy.

On the other hand, last week I tried fasting from noon on Monday to noon on Tuesday, and to be honest with you, I didn’t enjoy that schedule, but that’s another story for another time.

So after the beer with Zach I went back to the hotel, slipped in a short 15 minute arm workout, and chilled out while reviewing the exciting new info I discovered hanging out with some really sharp fitness experts all week. I can’t wait to use these tips to help make Turbulence Training even better.

The next morning I woke up and got myself to the airport. I started to get a little hungry, and as you know, airports are full of all sorts of temptations, and even plenty of healthy food options (from almonds to apples and salads – no excuses to not eat right in airports anymore!). Besides, it was nice to save money not spending it on overpriced junk in the airport.air

Plus, because I was in the fasting mindset, it wasn’t a bother to avoid all that…I looked through some magazines for what was new in the workout world, and then I started writing some Turbulence Training newsletters and blog posts. The next thing I knew, it was time for my flight.

When we landed in Toronto, it was funny to listen to other passengers complain about how hungry they were…because they hadn’t eaten in 3 hours! But that’s what we’ve become adapted to…eating all the time…and it’s no wonder no one can stick to a diet.

Now at this point, I also had to decide whether or not I was going to workout…after all, I had been fasting for 20 hours, and every trainer would say I was crazy for working out without a pre-workout snack.

And those trainers that are really brainwashed by the media would say, “You can’t workout unless you have a pre-workout drink containing a 2:1 ratio of carbs to protein.” I can’t stand those types of “pocket protector personal trainers”. They need to lighten up and quit quoting so much science.

pullups, pull-up exerciseBut off I went to the gym where I actually had as a good of a workout as I would have had if I had been eating my normal meals. I deadlifted 355 without straps and with an overhand grip. I finished up with more deadlifts, some military press, good mornings, and pullups.

Stronger than I was last week. Good stuff. And the fast continued to go by, well, “fast”.  I wasn’t slowed down at all during the workout. I felt great…and when I was done, I was up to about 22 hours, and that’s when I finally had a chocolate milk after my workout.

So that’s it, that’s how fasting for fat loss goes…and that’s how easy it is.

Let me know if you have any questions about fasting (I’m sure you do!),

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Fasting For Fat Loss