16/8 IF / Keto and weightlifting

[zaareleq]

Background - 63 and trying to get back into shape. Primary focus in the short term is lose weight. Various reasons I ballooned up to 330 lbs in my late 50s. I've lost 65 lbs over the last year and finally felt motivated enough to hit the gym again about 3 months ago. It's been a swallow the pride and recognize I'm not the alpha dog in the gym like I used to be lol. One other point, I cannot use anything hormonal at least for now but have been using various non hormonal things like Reduce XT, Alpha One , Cordarine , EAA's and creatine. So to the question. I've been keto for a few years now and have also been doing 16/8 IF most days. Based on timing when I can get to the gym I've been doing fasted state cardio and weightlifting. I'm starting to wonder if I need to modify that and not do the IF on training days. I am wondering if I'm actually putting myself in a super catabolic state. As I said I can't really take anything I think will preserve the muscle. I usually get in 3 days a week as often if I hit it hard I feel the need for two days recovery. Hoping that I can get that back to 1 day recovery consistently at some point. Appreciate any advice.

 

[Dustin07]

I was listening to a podcast recently, I think hubberman, and they were saying the end result of cardio fasted vs fed was essentially zero difference and that you should do whichever form you prefer. Lifting can be a different story though, I can lift fasted but definitely prefer to be fed.

 

[ironviking]

A bit late here but I'd just drop the intermittent fasting unless it is helping to keep your calories in range. IF might work great for people that don't work out but it really isn't good for exercise - there is catabolism involved. In fact I'm not a fan of cardio unless it is being done for cardiopulmonary reasons, it just takes up too much resources that could be used for recovery and the calories it burns could be pulled from the diet in a much easier fashion. Dropping 65lbs in a year is extremely good progress so keep it going and good luck.