Fasting to Speed Up Fat-Loss

Hi there!!!! 
Just wanted to post a quick update as promised; I have been super busy with work and my own training and of course nutrition experiments!! I like to trial run everything on myself before suggesting to my clients that they should try a new approach with nutrition. For example, I have started incorporating a weekly or bi-weekly 24hour fast to create a simple caloric deficit and enable me to eat more on my training days! 
I will typically have my last meal, which is HIGH in fat and moderate in protein/carbs at around 3-5pm and not eat until the next day at 3-5pm. The only things I will consume are a black coffee, plain herbal tea and tons of water, especially if i plan to workout during the fast!

I have tried 24hour fasts and Intermittent Fasting (waiting 14-16hours to eat from the time of my last meal to my first meal the next day) and I've come to the conclusion that your body MUST be primed before fasting. What I mean by this is, your body must recognize FAT as its primary fuel source so that when you're in the "fasted state" you continue to burn fat rather than breaking down muscle for energy! 

Another key factor is having an alkaline PH versus acidic; if you're in an acidic state you are more prone to break down muscle and become catabolic during your fast therefore it is not as effective! There are many foods that contribute to healthy PH balance; I have found that by eliminating certain acidic foods from my daily eating plan and throwing in a high fat meal here and there, my fasts are SUPER effective; I'm dropping bodyfat a lot faster and I feel a huge improvement in my circulation and also in sleep quality! 

Fasting gives your digestive system a HUGE break, therefore allowing for increased blood-flow to stubborn areas which when working out, translates into more fatty acids being released into your bloodstream for energy!!!
My clients have also gone through the phase1 nutrition I set up (focus being on whole/alkaline foods), followed by a few cycled in "fat-loads" which primed their bodies to be able to go into a 24-hour fast without disrupting lean muscle mass maintenance/gain or healthy hormone balance. 
I would not recommend trying a 24hour fast right away, perhaps start by delaying breakfast by a few hours or having an earlier dinner to allow for a longer digestion window overnight!!! As I mentioned before I have tried fasting several times in the past and all attempts were unsuccessful until now, because my body had not been primed through the initial phases of nutrition geared to healthy hormone balance & going from a catabolic state to an anabolic, alkaline state!

Everyday for me is a new learning experience and there is never a day where I don't learn something new about the body's responses to new diet tricks or training methods:)
Stay tuned for more updates as the extreme training & nutrition journey continues!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

xo,

Alex L.:)

Lose Body-fat Faster By Incorporating NEGATIVE CALORIE Foods Into Your Meal Plan

By: Alex Liska

Negative calorie foods require more calories(energy) to digest than the actual calories these foods contain!!
It's not rocket science to know that all foods contain calories, however  "negative calorie foods" are much harder to digest; the body has to work extra hard in order to break down these foods and burn them off. In other words, by consuming these foods you provide your body with a natural fat-burning advantage!! 

Below are some examples of  "negative calorie foods" that you may want to consider incorporating into your daily meal plan:
-Celery
-Asparagus
-Tomatoes
-Onions
-Garlic
-Blueberries
-Grapefruit
-Cabbage
-Beans
-Cucumber
-Green Beans
-Water cress
-Endives
-Apples
-Cranberries (Unsweetened)
-Lettuce
-Pineapple
-Raspberries
-Cantaloupe
-Spinach
-Beetroot
-Watermelon
-Brussel Sprouts
And the list continues... there are quite a few negative calorie foods, even meats/fish that have a very high thermic effect meaning that your body must elevate its internal temperature and work very hard in order to digest and absorb nutrients from these foods. 
Remember, the harder your body has to work to digest foods, the faster your metabolism becomes. Along with exercise, adequate water consumption (minimum 10 glasses a day), and proper sleep you can rest assured that you will shed stubborn body-fat and lean out at a decent pace just by making use of "negative calorie" containing foods! 
These foods also help with satiety/feeling full, which is so important when trying to control your appetite and lose weight or simply add muscle mass without unwanted fat. Remember, "you are what you eat" so focus on eating clean and engaging in daily physical activity and you will be on the road to a long, prosperous, balanced life! :)



If you enjoyed this article don't forget to checkout "SUPERFOODS" on my other blog:
http://naturallyanabolic.blogspot.com/2011/04/superfoods.html
xo,

-Alex L.:)