How do you feel about intermittent fasting?

[Type-IIx]

I once met a girl in the gym , couple years ago, she was literally contest ready and this was her basic shape, chick was shredded af and pretty muscular for woman and she told me she‘s doing 18/6 for 6 years straight and she was building lean mass continuously

This was the point when tried IF for the first time and I got stronger and heavier and leaner all the same time ( I was on test and tren back then (when my body tolerated Tren) and I was on this two compounds for couple months but when I started IF I made ridiculous improvements (over all ,not only gaining muscle and loosing fat but it improved my sleep, I wasn’t tired anymore and Had more energy during the day like I got more shit done and didn’t waste time

So for me it was the opposite of what you guys telling

It can tend to lead to LBM loss for naturals that consume too little (particularly high quality) protein, not sure if this applies to OP: due to skipping breakfast, the most important meal for high protein intake (the nighttime & breakfast meals are most important). Drugs will stave off this catabolism. Otherwise, I do agree that it can be a healthy and effective way to restrict calories that fits well into a typical work schedule.

 

[cdoubleu]

Lots of good things to consider from a few different angles.

Thanks for the input from everyone. My schedule hasn’t given me a great chance to get back to the thread.

Based on the feedback at this point I may develop a plan where I can incorporate some I.F. on days that are less active to help with cut. Then on training days try to maintain my deficit but with meals spread out more throughout the day.
As I continue to recovery from the injury training frequency will go up so I will monitor how things go.

Trying to continuing gaining strength to support my recovery while in a deficit might prove to be difficult but I do want to prioritize my cut at this time.

 

[MR_Midas]

That's right, you need to prioritize and develop a strategy from this.

 

[Canknucklehead]

Trying to continuing gaining strength to support my recovery while in a deficit might prove to be difficult but I do want to prioritize my cut at this time.

This...

What injury are you recovering from? When did it happen?

How much do you need to cut? Lbs or bodyfat % And is there a deadline? I ask because you say you want to prioritize your cut over strengthening and recovering from your injury... which would be what I would probably prioritize.

If not I would keep your protein HIGH, keep your calories at or slightly below maintenance, and bump your cardio up... I wouldn’t cut TOO hard because if you are in too big of a deficit your body will not be able to heal from an injury as well.

Let us know! And good luck with your cut my friend! @cdoubleu

 

[MR_Midas]

I agree with the message above, there is little data about you and your tasks. And the questions you asked are very valid.

 

[cdoubleu]

This...

What injury are you recovering from? When did it happen?

How much do you need to cut? Lbs or bodyfat % And is there a deadline? I ask because you say you want to prioritize your cut over strengthening and recovering from your injury... which would be what I would probably prioritize.

If not I would keep your protein HIGH, keep your calories at or slightly below maintenance, and bump your cardio up... I wouldn’t cut TOO hard because if you are in too big of a deficit your body will not be able to heal from an injury as well.

Let us know! And good luck with your cut my friend! @cdoubleu

Well I tore a tendon in 2 locations on the posterior side of my shoulder mid summer of 2021. It was a long drawn out recovery because of a misdiagnosis in the early stages. I do go into more detail in a couple other threads so I didn’t want to bombard the forum with repeats. @MR_Midas

Allow Me To Re-Introduce Myself

After nearly 7 years away from Meso I logged back in again in May of this year. Because the vast majority of everyone active now is newer members I figured I would re-introduce myself to the community. -I’m 37 years -6’3”— 225lbs -One short cycle under my belt in 2014 that I had to stop at...

thinksteroids.com

Either way I’ve made tremendous recovery in the last 4 months with sports therapy 3 days a week. Out of therapy and now back to the gym looking to continue my strengthening all around.

With around a 14 month injury and such slow healing I ate as close to maintenance as possible throughout that entire period so I didn’t sacrifice what my body might need to heal up. Overall pretty happy that I only put on about 5lbs in that period with minimal activity compared to normal. Definitely probably traded some muscle for fat as well.

Now as far as prioritizing the cut, you affirm my thoughts about re-strengthening being difficult at the same time. The saving grace is recovery from the injury itself is finally complete. I was released from therapy 3 weeks ago or so.

So if I could do a bit of both that would be ideal. I would like to drop around 5%bf over a period of time while getting back into lifting shape and regain all the strength I’ve lost. So I think you are right, definitely not a hard cut. My goal ultimately is to get my tendons strong and bf to a decent range to take a shot at a cycle again in 3ish months. ( I have only ever been on PED’s for 4 weeks about 8 years ago, cycle I had to abandon)

Thanks man.

Edit, add link to more description of injury and a photo from close to 2 months ago.

 

[Canknucklehead]

Good to hear you are fully recovered! Any shoulder pain now or it’s completely gone?

How did you injure it?

It sounds like you have a good goal. If you work your butt off you should be able to lose some fat while gaining some of your strength back.

Again I think what I recommended previously I would still stick too.

Eat clean, lots of lean protein, veggies. Keep your carbohydrates mostly around breakfast and post workout. Make sure you do your cardio.

Why don’t you post up your diet and workout plan and I’ll be happy to help you out!

 

[Canknucklehead]

Also... any reason why you want to wait 3 months to start cycle? Is it primarily to start it when you are a bit leaner? What would you estimate your body fat at now? I checked your other thread and seen a pic... not sure if it is recent but that is definitely lean enough to cycle.

 

[Maximus014]

As long as it's plain coffee with no sugar added, I don't see why it should count.

You are correct, Black coffee does not break your fast

 

[cdoubleu]

@Canknucklehead
I injured it getting thrown tubing behind a boat full speed. As it goes, hanging on for dear life as your buddy does everything possible to throw you. Ha.

Pain is good now. At the point where there are just a couple awkward movements and the odd bad day. Very inspired to get strong again after being out for that long so looking forward to being back at the gym.

I’ll post up some more details and answer a few more of your questions when I have a bit more time.
Appreciate your help man.

At this point I’m coming back with;
3 day split: push-pull-legs
Then lots of work with bands and light weights on off days from gym with focus on recovery and progressing with therapy routine I had.

Cardio biking outdoors cause it still so warm here in the Great White North.

 

[cdoubleu]

Oh, photo from about 2 months ago

 

[MR_Midas]

Well I tore a tendon in 2 locations on the posterior side of my shoulder mid summer of 2021. It was a long drawn out recovery because of a misdiagnosis in the early stages. I do go into more detail in a couple other threads so I didn’t want to bombard the forum with repeats. @MR_Midas

Allow Me To Re-Introduce Myself

After nearly 7 years away from Meso I logged back in again in May of this year. Because the vast majority of everyone active now is newer members I figured I would re-introduce myself to the community. -I’m 37 years -6’3”— 225lbs -One short cycle under my belt in 2014 that I had to stop at...

thinksteroids.com

Either way I’ve made tremendous recovery in the last 4 months with sports therapy 3 days a week. Out of therapy and now back to the gym looking to continue my strengthening all around.

With around a 14 month injury and such slow healing I ate as close to maintenance as possible throughout that entire period so I didn’t sacrifice what my body might need to heal up. Overall pretty happy that I only put on about 5lbs in that period with minimal activity compared to normal. Definitely probably traded some muscle for fat as well.

Now as far as prioritizing the cut, you affirm my thoughts about re-strengthening being difficult at the same time. The saving grace is recovery from the injury itself is finally complete. I was released from therapy 3 weeks ago or so.

So if I could do a bit of both that would be ideal. I would like to drop around 5%bf over a period of time while getting back into lifting shape and regain all the strength I’ve lost. So I think you are right, definitely not a hard cut. My goal ultimately is to get my tendons strong and bf to a decent range to take a shot at a cycle again in 3ish months. ( I have only ever been on PED’s for 4 weeks about 8 years ago, cycle I had to abandon)

Thanks man.

Edit, add link to more description of injury and a photo from close to 2 months ago.

Now it’s more or less clear and of course in your case I think the smoothness of the diet is the key to success and health. Since after such an injury, you should not make sharp jumps in nutrition.

 

[cdoubleu]

Ok @Canknucklehead, getting back to a couple more of your questions.

Also... any reason why you want to wait 3 months to start cycle? Is it primarily to start it when you are a bit leaner? What would you estimate your body fat at now? I checked your other thread and seen a pic... not sure if it is recent but that is definitely lean enough to cycle.

A couple reasons I was gonna wait a bit to cycle. Regaining strength, especially of the tendons after injury, so I don’t accelerate too quickly that they can’t keep up.
Even outside of the injury I haven’t been in what I consider lifting shape for a while since I could do nothing of the sort for so long.

I also wouldn’t mind being a bit leaner as well, I am trying to be realistic, or even overshoot my estimated bf%, because I know many underestimate. I think I’m around 20%.

I do think aas will be a good compliment to getting back in full form sooner than later, especially because of my age now. I just want to be disciplined enough to wait till I’m feeling pretty strong again.

I definitely welcome any incite around that.

 

[Canknucklehead]

Ok @Canknucklehead, getting back to a couple more of your questions.


A couple reasons I was gonna wait a bit to cycle. Regaining strength, especially of the tendons after injury, so I don’t accelerate too quickly that they can’t keep up.
Even outside of the injury I haven’t been in what I consider lifting shape for a while since I could do nothing of the sort for so long.

I also wouldn’t mind being a bit leaner as well, I am trying to be realistic, or even overshoot my estimated bf%, because I know many underestimate. I think I’m around 20%.

I do think aas will be a good compliment to getting back in full form sooner than later, especially because of my age now. I just want to be disciplined enough to wait till I’m feeling pretty strong again.

I definitely welcome any incite around that.

Good answer... I was wondering why you wanted to wait, but that makes a lot of sense. Train hard for 3 months and then get on the gas after that if you feel ready.

Any ideas on what you will run?

 

[cdoubleu]

Good answer... I was wondering why you wanted to wait, but that makes a lot of sense. Train hard for 3 months and then get on the gas after that if you feel ready.

Any ideas on what you will run?

I did get some pretty good feedback a little ago with some cycle considerations.
With all that I’m thinking about starting simple low test- like 300mg - see how I respond after a bit and adjust from there.
I kinda want to make the best use of my time on, especially if Im gonna have a few week period where I feel things out, so am leaning towards 14-16 week total time on.

Any thoughts about that?

 

[cdoubleu]

I see I mentioned training but not diet.

My diet is quite similar to your suggestions, although I could always try to find ways to up the protein more I think.

I kept carbs quite low when my activity was low during injury and have kept that concept moving forward on my none training days.

Based on some of the feedback I got from this thread in the early stages I realized My morning fasting may not have been the best. So I’m getting at least some protein in the am then nothing till close to noon.

Depending on the day and activity Im anywhere between 3000-3500 cals

 

[MR_Midas]

Ok @Canknucklehead, getting back to a couple more of your questions.


A couple reasons I was gonna wait a bit to cycle. Regaining strength, especially of the tendons after injury, so I don’t accelerate too quickly that they can’t keep up.
Even outside of the injury I haven’t been in what I consider lifting shape for a while since I could do nothing of the sort for so long.

I also wouldn’t mind being a bit leaner as well, I am trying to be realistic, or even overshoot my estimated bf%, because I know many underestimate. I think I’m around 20%.

I do think aas will be a good compliment to getting back in full form sooner than later, especially because of my age now. I just want to be disciplined enough to wait till I’m feeling pretty strong again.

I definitely welcome any incite around that.

That's right, you need to work consistently and systematically, and ass will certainly help. But all together.

 

[MR_Midas]

Good answer... I was wondering why you wanted to wait, but that makes a lot of sense. Train hard for 3 months and then get on the gas after that if you feel ready.

Any ideas on what you will run?

Yes, I also did not immediately understand at first why she decided so. And then I figured it out

 

[cdoubleu]

That's right, you need to work consistently and systematically, and ass will certainly help. But all together.

I’m looking forward to having it all come together once everything is in place.
Thanks Mr

Have you ever been in a similar situation and had success or benefit using aas after an injury?

 

[Canknucklehead]

I did get some pretty good feedback a little ago with some cycle considerations.
With all that I’m thinking about starting simple low test- like 300mg - see how I respond after a bit and adjust from there.
I kinda want to make the best use of my time on, especially if Im gonna have a few week period where I feel things out, so am leaning towards 14-16 week total time on.

Any thoughts about that?

Sounds good my first cycle was test E for 12 weeks at 500mg/week.

Personally I would go with 500 a week, but if you want to start with 300 go for it. To me that is just slightly above normal levels and you will most definitely shut down your natural test levels post cycle.

How many grams of protein are you getting per day? @cdoubleu


For your question on an injury, I had a pretty bad broken leg (open fracture). Once I was able to move around a bit I took 200mg of test and 200mg of deca per week. Hit the physio hard and made a full recovery.


Also: I don’t think you are nowhere near 20%bf. I would estimate you 12-15% from the picture I saw.

Looking forward to your progress. Let me know if you need any help!