Episode 7
Listen on
If you are looking for an easy way to lose weight, without losing muscle, then Intermittent Fasting could be the answer.
What started as a trend amongst bodybuilders, has since become mainstream and is now used by many everyday dads as their preferred weight-loss or weight-maintenance strategy.
The concept is simple. Instead of having to follow a strict diet and count your calories each day, you simply refrain from eating for set periods during the week.
Brad Pilon is recognised as a leader in this area. He has done a lot of scientific research into Intermittent Fasting and wrote the original book on the topic, called Eat, Stop, Eat.
Brad is a dad himself and understands the real-life challenges of dieting. In this interview, he shares his own experience of Intermittent Fasting and offers practical guidance on how and why it can be an easy and effective option for busy dads who want to shed a bit of weight.
He also explains some of the other less obvious benefits that can be gained from Intermittent Fasting.
Today’s Guest
Brad Pilon is a Canadian Author with a graduate degree in Human Biology and Nutritional Sciences. He is one of the world’s leading advocates of Intermittent Fasting, and is known for his common sense, logical approach to improving health, losing fat, and building muscle.
Brad worked in the bodybuilding and supplements industry for many years doing research and development, before returning to University and conducting graduate research into ‘non-nutrition’ – the scientific effects of fasting on the body.
His 2007 book ‘Eat, Stop, Eat’ was one of the original and top selling books on the topic which helped start the worldwide trend that continues today.
Brad has been practising Intermittent Fasting for well over a decade and continues to write about the topic on his blog at BradPilon.com
- Website: bradpilon.com
- Book: Eat, Stop, Eat
- Instagram: @bradpilon
- Facebook: @bradpilon
What you’ll learn
- Brad’s first interest in Body Building
- His 6 years doing R&D for a Canadian supplement company
- His graduate degree into no-nutrition (fasting)
- How your metabolism is affected by what you eat and when
- How the body burns fat (not muscle) during fasting
- Other benefits of fasting outside of weight loss and muscle building
- Different ways of doing Intermittent Fasting
- Everyday fasting e.g. 12-16 hours every day (the 16:8 method)
- Every other day fasting e.g. 16-20 hours fasting every second day
- 24 hours fast – once or twice a week. (the 5:2 method)
- How Brad manages his own weight using Intermittent Fasting
- Why IF makes sense for busy dads like Brad
Resources
- Harvard Paper: Intermittent Fasting: Surprising Update
Quotes from Brad Pilon
“what you learn from fasting is that a great deal of the eating you do is based, not on a true hunger, but more of a want”
(on how fasting can build a resilient mindset)“I like to think of it as taking your traditional diet and squeezing it into one or two days per week. And then on the other days, you can eat like a normal adult.”
Great post. I’ve been practising intermittent fasting since about 2015. I think of it as a lifestyle choice now, and it’s been pretty easy to maintain despite having a wife + 2 kids.
I don’t eat breakky in favour of a cup of coffee (no milk) and only start eating after midday. Generally it’s a 16:8 rhythm for me every day. I’ve not done a 24h fast for a while as it’s a bit tougher to not join the family during traditional meal times (esp. dinner).
In terms of weight loss, I found it’s been a slow burn for me as during eating hours, I’m not strict on what I eat. Over the years of IF, I’ve definitely dropped ~10% of my pre-IF weight and have been easily maintaining the loss.
Keen to hear more thoughts about supplements for mens health and exercise. E.g. fish oil, vitamins (D/K), zinc, creatine, etc.
Nice one Sam. If you’ve been doing it since 2015, then I think we can safely say that’s a habit now. And the 16:8 method is very popular, as you are essentially just skipping one meal a day, which doesn’t sound too hard 🙂 Well done sticking at it and I’m glad you are getting results. I’ve just started experimenting. I’ve done my first two 24 hour fasts and they were easier than I expected. But it depends on each persons personality and their lifestyle I think. For some, the 16:8 is going to be easier than the 5:2 method and vice versa. Each to their own. Try a few options and find the one that works for you. Good feedback, thanks Sam.
Like!! Thank you for publishing this awesome article.
Your style is unique in comparison to other folks I’ve read stuff from. Thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I will just book mark this blog.To find the perfect diet just answer some questions at customketodiet.readreviews.ga to get a personalized diet program