By Supplementation & fasting is what helped me get to my leanest physique
I will answer this based on my journey as a figure competitor (many eons ago) and the process I took in order to attain my physique. Here is a photo from 2012 to highlight my physique results. (by the way, I am not 100% sure what my body fat percentage was before I started – but let’s use 18% as a good number)
As you can see, I’m quite lean here, and I was preparing for one of my last line of comps. for the season. Let me just say, that this took a huge amount of dedication, perseverance and self discipline. Getting down to this number (I was hovering between 7–8% body fat) is not for everyone -and I do not recommend it in any way, unless of course there is a purpose.
During this time, I undertook a nutritional cleanse, which was to re-set my liver, digestion and get my body back into the fat burning mode again. Because I was dieting for more than a year, I was not responding to anything, due to the body being in a constant caloric restriction (not healthy in any way). I did this cleanse for 7 days straight, consuming certain vitamins, minerals, shakes and only a certain amount of vegetables.
Yes, this was hard, and it did drive me a bit insane, but as you can see, it was working (forgive me, I can’t find a before photo right now). This pretty much did the job, and when I started eating again, I was getting leaner and leaner. My metabolism reached it’s peak potential because I gave it a huge break, and filled it with many nutrients. Technically, it was a fast, but one with a difference. Some food sources were consumed, but they were minimal. My body was still receiving all that it needed, through specific supplements and shakes.
This kind of cleanse is not available anymore. But let me save you a huge amount of time, money and effort needed with this kind of plan. It can be done another way, and that is through fasting.
Now, obviously if you are doing to do a fast for 7 days, you can opt to do the whole time with just water (and I was not allowed coffee by the way!), and allowing only one kind of cruciferous veggie per day, only 3 times within that period. But I must admit, from day 1–3, I was not allowed to eat anything, apart from consuming herbal teas, water and branch chain amino acids. If you have fasted before, you will be familiar with this process and not find it challenging. If you are going to head down this pathway, then arm yourself with supplements and vitamins – ask a professional for some help. Also, exercising lightly is encouraged – nothing vigorous.
This process does make sense to me now I’ve been on the fasting journey for a while now. It proves that allowing your body to take a break from overconsumption of foods, whilst filling it with the nutrients it needs via supplementation, and carefully utilising cruciferous veggies for their cleansing potential, you will infiltrate the perfect environment for resetting your metabolism and fat burning potential. The beauty of this is that when you begin eating, your body is so rejuvenated, that it assimilates nutrients as it should.
It’s really important to keep eating clean as you will, and keep up with your regular training as you begin eating proper meals. Why not opt to fast a few days a week to keep yourself in maintenance mode? Who knows what kind of results you will get. The only way is to try it out.
In summary, to lose body fat, fasting is your best option, and 3 months is a good amount of time to swap and change, according to your results. Just make sure that if you have any concerns when getting started, that you see your doctor for any clearance. I’m not a medical professional in any way, just a highly crazy person that likes lifting, being lean and muscular. It’s not for everyone, but I’m enjoying it. I hope you enjoy the journey as well. Feel free to contact me if you need further assistance on intermittent fasting in any way. I have plenty of other similar blog posts on my wesbsite or join me on fb and insta social. Please feel free to upvote this answer if it has been useful in some way to you.
