My name is Dasar, I began experimenting with intermittent fasting back in 2017 but I wasn’t able to balance daily fasting with my work life. I noticed I was working out really hard and consistently, but when I looked in the mirror, I wasn’t close to where I wanted to be. My energy levels weren’t there, I wasn’t performing at work at my highest levels, and overall just knew something was off. This is where I truly began researching and learning the ins & outs of intermittent fasting, and all of the benefits it can provide. I wanted the low body fat percentage, I wanted the muscle preservation along with the constant body fat shredding, I wanted all of which came with intermittent fasting.
Since adding fasting to my life, I have achieved a huge milestone physique wise, to the point where my abs are showing and my body fat percentage fluctuates now between 10-11%, where I can maintain or decide to lower by restricting calories and fasting more, or even introduce more calories if need be.
Overall the confidence I have gained since truly applying intermittent fasting has been off the charts, I am able to weight train, perform cardiovascular activities at much higher rates. I suddenly am able to enjoy food now because of the hours elapsed without feeding.
Top 3 recommendations when it comes to fasting:
1) Be truly conscious of what you put in your body and aware of what breaks your fast.
Example being no added milk of any sort in your coffee, no creamer, 0 sugar, only water and black coffee during the fasted window. People tend to neglect this a bit, and it throws off the benefits of the fast drastically. The goal is to remain as insulin sensitive as possible when fasting, we want to be burning fat and utilizing autophagy as much as we can.
2) Eat during your eating window! Whether you’re doing a 16 hour or a 24 hour fast, you have to get your nutrients in! People tend to forget that you’re losing minerals and not taking in any vitamins/ sodium / necessities for regular functions when fasting, and end up underrating during the feeding window. If your goal is muscle preservation and body fat loss, you must not be scared to eat!
3) Don’t fast every single day! Utilize fasting intermittently, hence why the name has intermittent in it. When fasting, you tend to slow down your metabolism (which isn’t a bad thing), and by constantly fasting everyday, you are not giving your body a chance to repair its metabolism and reduce inflammation. My personal preference is to fast every other day, providing a slight shock to my body so it doesn’t get used to just fasting everyday. Your body needs to be shocked in order to obtain the true benefits of fasting.
What is your favorite healthy food to eat? What is the recipe?
My personal favorite healthy food recipe (typically my break fast meal) is lean 99% ground Turkey, 1.5 tablespoons of olive oil, 3 whole eggs. I’m getting my healthy fats with the whole eggs and olive oil, and the leanest of lean proteins in the ground Turkey. Mix in some hot sauce and yo have yourself a nutritional masterpiece that’s quite satiating!
How did you manage to integrate this healthy lifestyle into your life?
I managed to integrate this healthy lifestyle into my life by first, creating my financial freedom. My passion has always been fitness, but my time was tied to my job and I couldn’t live the desired lifestyle I truly wanted as a result. I have now managed to create multiple online businesses where they generate income without me being present at any specific location. By clearing up my time this way, I have been able to integrate fasting in an extremely efficient matter and change my life in the process for the better.
What motivates you to continue with this lifestyle?
What continues to motivate me is the fact that it’s only been less than a few years and the progress I’ve made has been life lasting. With this lifestyle, you go through your typical ups and downs. Some days you feel on top of the world, some days you feel like you’re almost wasting your time. The key here is to remain faithful no matter what is going on in your life in the moment. If you feel like eating and not fasting that day, do it. If you feel like fasting 3 weeks in a row, do it. Do whatever will bring you the most peace of mind because at the end of the day, this is where you will make your biggest breakthroughs.
What is your best piece of advice for those just starting to fast?
My best piece of advice to someone that’s just beginning to fast, is to take it step by step, day by day. Rome wasn’t built in one day, neither are your abs. You must shift your daily habits to accommodate your goals. Skipping breakfast is something that has now become more and more common, however, some people struggle with this concept. Simply Skipping breakfast and working out in that fasted state can over the course of a few weeks, can suddenly increase your HGH levels, increase your fatty oxidation, increase your mitochondria in the body thus creating more energy, and overall just have you feeling great. Don’t let one cheat meal or one bad day discourage you from the journey! Another piece of advice would be to Invest in mentors as well.
Anything else you would like to share?
I can honestly say intermittent fasting has changed my life drastically, and I think it will for many people as well. Restricting feeding requires a level of discipline that ultimately leads you to fulfillment in other areas of life, such as your job, business, relations, etc. When applying fasting, you have a new desired appreciation for food as well. When integrating fasting into your life, you’re introducing a tool that you can use to build that dream physique you have always wanted, all sustainably! You don’t have to be fasting 24/7 , 365 days a year. Use it as a tool in your toolbox to preserve muscle and shred fat, and love your new life!
Find Dasar on Instagram: @Dash.Fit