9 Things You Should Know Before Intermittent Fasting

These days, everyone is all about intermittent fasting. The talk centralizes around the physiological and psychological benefits of skipping meals, like not having to carry around twelve Tupperware containers filled with six meals to last an eight hour shift. And how it increases insulin sensitivity, which, when combined with matterful training, creates an ideal environment for partitioning. (Read: more muscle gained, less fat gained.)

Yes, fasting — of all sorts of durations — is something I’m just about two years of experimentation into. And while I’ve seen incredible physical gains, there are some “things” fasting does that few people talk about. Some of these “things” are good. Others, bad.

You live and learn, as they say. But I just wish someone would have told me the following 9 things before embracing an intermittent fasting lifestyle.

1. Your conception of a big meal will be shattered.

People think intermittent fasting means you can eat anything in infinite quantities.

Not so much.

Overall caloric intake stays the same, but since there’s usually a reduced meal frequency, the size of meals increase to accommodate  Most former fasters are those that used to eat six, eight small meals daily. When they turn to intermittent fasting, it’s more like two, three meals daily.

For those that eat a lot of food, these two – three meals must be hearty.

Nate Green recently released a pretty cool experiment he did with his Precision Nutrition team and Martin Rooney. Check out the website: Bigger Smaller Bigger. On the first day of the “bigger” phase, Nate complained about having to eat four pieces of toast and porridge for breakfast.

Four pieces of toast?

After two years of intermittent fasting, eating four pieces of toast feels like eating one Ritz cracker.

Here’s what I ate for dinner the other night: chicken, meatloaf, rice, potatoes, vegetables. Yes, that’s a “big” meal. But if you’re a faster that’s relatively lean and looking to add muscle, you’re going to be cramming some food into your mouth.

2. Coffee will become meal, food group, and savior.

“Wait, what do you mean you don’t drink coffee? All big time intermittent fasting dudes drink it. It’s like a rite of passage.”

That’s what I told John Romaniello after he told me he didn’t really drink coffee.

Years ago, I downed coffee before doing fasted morning aerobic work. Every sip forced a gag reflex. Today, I can’t live without the stuff. Addiction is an understatement. And it feels oh so good.

A comical, yet fairly accurate, look at intermittent fasting is such: skip breakfast, drink coffee instead, have your first meal at lunch. In addition to coffee having some physiological effects on mobilizing fat in a fasted state, it also fights hunger — something most people used to eating a big breakfast need.

Over time, it becomes less of a drink and more of a meal. And then you suddenly become one of those idiots standing in line at Starbucks salivating over the stuff, even though a few months prior you couldn’t understand why anyone with a semblance of sanity would buy Starbucks.

3. Spiritual entities won’t steal your soul if you break the feeding and fasting window by a few minutes.

4. You may get a weird motivation to push your fasting limits.

5. You will hate people that complain about hunger.

I used to be one of them: people that whine and cry without breakfast.

“I’m so hungry, blah blah blah.”

Well, those people get annoying. Not because they need breakfast or anything, but because they can’t live without hunger for more than five minutes without erupting into emotional depression.

Shows you how lucky some of us are, living most of our lives fed plentifully.

I’m glad I’m not one of those whiners anymore. There’s something serene about being OK with a little rumble in the stomach.

6. It can mentally mess you up.

Right now, I eat two meals per day. I want to eat three, but I can’t. I blame it on the Warrior Diet.

Created by Ori Hofmekler, the Warrior Diet, in its simplest use, is eating one gigantic meal at night. I tried this for two weeks. That’s all. Just two weeks. My life has never been the same. Everyday becomes Thanksgiving. You want more and more and more, and you find yourself eating even though you’re stuffed to the gizzards.You get used to being either absolutely full or absolutely empty.

After stopping this one meal scheme, smaller meals don’t sustain you — they just make you hungrier. The only thing you think about is when the next meal is.

(This makes “cheat meals” especially dangerous, as you often find yourself overeating to the point of vomiting. It isn’t fun.)

Over time, I’ve broken free from this. But my current diet (you can find the old one here: The Diet to End All Diets), is still a manipulation of the Warrior Diet. Most of my calories are condensed into one bigger meal late in the day.

Surprisingly, despite the cited turmoil, I love eating this way. I learned how to cope with smaller meals (and even eat one or two of them per day, depending on the day) and not over stuff myself. It’s working out nicely with my lifestyle and physique, so perhaps the glass is half full?

7. The fasting period is an ejaculation of creativity.

After you get over the whiny, “Wahh I’m hungry, I can’t function,” phase, morning fasting is awesome. You’re alert. You’re energetic. You’re ready to get shit done. Since I depend on my brain to function at a pretty high level, this is awesome.

Part of me wonders whether or not this is just a crackpot theory though. I think this benefit gets boosted because the opposite — being stuffed — is like a coma for creativity and energy. And when you’re fasting and eating bigger meals, you’re going to be stuffed often. This leaves the fasting window the most productive feeling.

Regardless, I enjoy it. And it works for me and my schedule.

Combine the fast with coffee for creativity on steroids. +10 EXP.

8. Breakfast won’t be the same.

My beginnings with intermittent fasting weren’t glamorous. With a broken foot, I couldn’t stand upright for more than a few minutes without blood pooling to my foot and painfully expanding it inside of its cast. How was I supposed to cook? Answer: I wasn’t. So, I didn’t.

Prior to this, I loved breakfast. When I was an intern, driving down to sports facilities at 5:30AM, I woke up at 4:30AM just to make myself a gigantic breakfast.

But the timing of breakfast no longer appeals to me. (The food does though. I always eat breakfast for dinner.) From fasting and getting accustomed to eating bigger meals, breakfast becomes a bigger meal. And since bigger meals curtail energy and creativity, you feel like garbage from the beginning of the day onward.

Who wants that?

9. You might go Super Saiyan.

Goku ate big meals. Just sayin’…

+++++

Got anymore? What are some unexpected things that came about on your fasting journey? I’d love to hear them below, so drop some (spirit) comment bombs.

And be sure to let others know what they’re getting into with fasting. Use some of the nifty buttons on the side or bottom of this post to do your crew justice.

Ramadan and its rulings

When a person is called to testify in anything, his reliability is always an issue. Therefore, reliability of the muslims who report a sighting is important, as it would not be accepted from a person who is known to be a liar or easily misguided.         

The first sighting from a trustworthy muslim is acceptable. Muslims are assumed to be trustworthy unless evidence is established against them.

Then, the muslims with this knowledge are to give niyyah (intentions) to Allah, swt, to begin fasting the next full day and do so. If a muslim is not given knowledge from any source he deems reliable and is not able to sight it himself, then he should count thirty days from the previous month and start Ramadan at that time.

We should not wait for local sightings, but instead should accept any reliable muslim source that has announced the sighting of the new moon, anywhere in the world and begin fasting the next full day.

If two muslims disagree over whether a source is reliable or not, they should not argue over this because their minhaj is correct but their knowledge differs. They may discuss the reliability of the source, but cease when they realize they will not wind up seeing eye to eye. (See the article on Differing for more details on the proper manner of handling disagreements between muslims.) If, however, the two muslims disagree on the proper minhaj (methodology), which is to accept the first reliable sighting, then they must come with their proofs and disengage when there is not sincere seeking of truth but potential bickering/arguing instead.

Forbiddence of Fasting on the Day of Doubt

by Shaikh Saleem al-Hilaalee and Shaikh 'Alee Hasan 'Alee 'Abdul-Hameed

A Muslim should not precede Ramadan by fasting a day or two before it, thinking that it might be Ramadan, unless that occurs on a day which he is accustomed to fasting.

From Aboo Hurairah, r.a., who said: He (saaws) said: "Do not pre-empt Ramadan by fasting a day or two before it, except for a man fasting his usual fast - then let him fast it." [Muslim]

So be aware, O brother in Islam, that whoever fasts the day about which there is doubt has disobeyed Allah's Messenger . Silah ibn Zufar reports from 'Ammar: "Whoever fasts the day about which there is doubt has disobeyed Abul-Qaasim (r.a.)." [Reported in mu'allaq form by al-Bukhaaree (4/119), connected by Abu Daawood (no. 3334), at-Tirmidhee (no. 686), an-Nasaa'ee (no. 2188) and Ibn Maajah (no. 3334). Its isnaad contains Abu Ishaaq as-Sabee'ee who is mudallis who has performed 'an'anah. His memory also deteriorated at the end of his life, however it has other chains and supports which are quoted by Ibn Hajr in Taghleequt Ta'leeq (3/141-142) which makes the hadeeth hasan]

Sighting the Moon

Appearance of the new moon is confirmed by the witness of two reliable Muslims, as he (saaws) said: "Fast when it is seen, and cease fasting when it is seen and perform the rites of Hajj based upon that and if it is hidden by clouds then complete thirty (days), and if two witnesses testify then fast and cease fasting." [Reported by an-Nasaa'ee (4/132), Ahmad (4/321), and ad-Daaraqutnee. Its chain of narration is hasan. This wording is an-Nasaa'ee's, Ahmad adds: two Muslim witnesses, and ad-Daaraqutnee has: reliable.]

It will not pass unnoticed that just because two witnesses are accepted in one case does not mean that a single witness cannot be accepted rather the witness of a single person that has seen the new moon is acceptable, for it is established that Ibn 'Umar, r.a., said: "The people looked out for the new moon, so I informed the Prophet that I had seen it, so he fasted and ordered the people to fast." [Reported by Aboo Daawood (no. 2342), ad-Daarimee (2/4), Ibn Hibbaan (no. 871), al-Haakim (1/423) and al-Baihaqee (4/212). Its chain of narration is saheeh as al-Haffidh Ibn Hajr says in at-Talkheesul-Habeer (2/187).]

The Number of Tarawih Rakat

According to Sheikh al-Albani:

1. The Prophet (sallallahu aleihi wa sallam) did not pray more than eleven rak'at for qiyam (thirteen if we count the two short introductory rak'at).
2. 'Umar (r.a.) commanded Ubayy Bin Ka'b (r.a.) and Tamim ad-Dari (r.a.) to lead the people in tarawih with eleven rak'at, in accordance with the authentic Sunnah.
3. All reports that the people at the time of 'Umar (r.a.), or any of the noble sahabah, prayed twenty rak'at are unauthentic and contradict the truly established reports. Similarly, all claims that the sahabah (r.a.) have made an ijma' (consensus) to pray twenty rak'at are baseless.
4. Even if a weak report were considered authentic by some people, one should still follow the well established authentic report, because it agrees with the number established in the Sunnah. One may not desert the Sunnah for anybody's understanding or practice.
5. With our certitude that the Prophet's (saaws) consistent practice is the best, it becomes obvious that one should adhere to the number established in the Sunnah, and refrain from adding to it. This has been the position of many 'ulama.
6. And even if we concede to the often misquoted and misunderstood statement that, "There are good innovations," we must adhere to the consensus among the scholars that following Sunnah is better that any innovation. 'Abdullah Bin Mas'ud (r.a.) said: "Doing little according to the Sunnah is better than doing much in way of bid'ah." [Authentic report recorded by ad-Darimi, al-Bayhaqi, and al-Hakim. The latter verified it to be authentic - to which ath-Thahabi agreed.]

Laylat al-Qadr

 

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #1962, Narrated AbuHurayrah  [Ahmad and Nasa'i transmitted it.]

Allah's Messenger said, "Ramadan, a blessed month, has come to you during which Allah has made it obligatory for you to fast. In it the gates of Heaven are opened, the gates of al-Jahim are locked, and the rebellious devils are chained. In it Allah has a night which is better than a thousand months. He who is deprived of its good has indeed suffered deprivation."

 

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #2092, Narrated AbuBakrah  [Tirmidhi transmitted it.]

AbuBakrah heard Allah's Messenger say, "Seek it (meaning Laylat al-Qadr), on the twenty-first, twenty-third, twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh, or on the last night."

 

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #2096, Narrated Anas ibn Malik  [Bayhaqi transmitted it in Shu'ab al-Iman.]

Allah's Messenger said that when Laylat al-Qadr comes, Gabriel descends with a company of angels who invoke blessings on ever who is standing or sitting and remembering Allah, who is Great and Glorious. Then when their festival day comes, i.e. the day when they break their fast, Allah speaks proudly of them to His angels saying, "My angels, what is the reward of a hired servant who has fully accomplished his work?" They reply, "Our Lord, his reward is that he should be paid his wage in full." He says, "My angels, My male and female servants have fulfilled what I have made obligatory for them, and then have come out raising their voices in supplication. By My might, glory, honour, high dignity and exalted station, I shall certainly answer them." Then He says, "Return, for I have forgiven you and changed your evil deeds into good deeds." He said that they then returned having received forgiveness.

 

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, #125, Narrated Abu Huraira

The Prophet said, "Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."

Last Ten Nights of Ramadan

 

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #2102, Narrated Anas ibn Malik; Ubayy ibn Ka'b

The Prophet was accustomed to engage in private devotion in the mosque during the last ten nights of Ramadan; but one year he omitted it and he engaged in it for twenty nights the next year.

[Tirmidhi transmitted it, and AbuDawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it from Ubayy ibn Ka'b.]

 

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #2107, Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar  [Ibn Majah transmitted it.]

When the Prophet observed a period of private devotion in the mosque, his bedding was placed for him, or a couch was put down for him, behind the column of repentance.

What Does Not Invalidate the Fast

 

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, #154, Narrated Abu Huraira

The Prophet  said, "If somebody eats or drinks forgetfully then he should complete his fast, for what he has eaten or drunk, has been given to him by Allah." Narrated 'Amir bin Rabi'a, "I saw the Prophet cleaning his teeth with Siwak while he was fasting so many times as I can't count." And narrated Abu Huraira, "The Prophet said, 'But for my fear that it would be hard for my followers, I would have ordered them to clean their teeth with Siwak on every performance of ablution." The same is narrated by Jabir and Zaid bin Khalid from the Prophet who did not differentiate between a fasting and a nonfasting person in this respect (using Siwak). Aisha said, "The Prophet said, "It (i.e. Siwak) is a purification for the mouth and it is a way of seeking Allah's pleasures." Ata' and Qatada said, "There is no harm in swallowing the resultant saliva."

 

 

Recommended to Eat before Fajr

 

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Vol.3, Book 31, #143, Narrated Sahl bin Sad

I used to take my Suhur meals with my family and then hurry up for presenting myself for the (Fajr) prayer with Allah's Apostle.

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Vol.3, Book 31, #146, Narrated Anas bin Malik

The Prophet said, "Take Suhur as there is a blessing in it."

Fiqh-us-Sunnah 3.130a

The sunnah would be fulfilled by eating a small or large quantity of food, or even just by drinking a sip of water. Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported that the Messenger of Allah said: "The pre-dawn meal is blessed, so do not neglect it even if you only take a sip of water. Verily, Allah and the angels pray for those who have pre-dawn meals." This is related by Ahmad.

When Ramadan Begins

 

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #1962, Narrated AbuHurayrah [Tirmidhi transmitted it.]

Allah's Messenger said, "Calculate on the basis of the new moon of Sha'ban when Ramadan begins."

Breaking the Fast

 

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #1989, Narrated AbuHurayrah [Tirmidhi transmitted it.]

Allah's Messenger said, that Allah Most High said, "Those of my servants who are quickest in breaking their fast are dearest to me."

 

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, Number 178, Narrated Sahl bin Sad

Allah's Apostle said, "The people will remain on the right path as long as they hasten the breaking of the fast."

 

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, Number 182, Narrated Anas

The Prophet said, "Do not practice Al-Wisal (fasting continuously without breaking one's fast in the evening or eating before the following dawn)." The people said to the Prophet, "But you practice Al-Wisal?" The Prophet replied, "I am not like any of you, for I am given food and drink (by Allah) during the night."

Success or Failure

 

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #1989, Narrated AbuHurayrah [Darimi transmitted it.]

Allah's Messenger said, "Many a one who fasts obtains nothing from his fasting but thirst, and many a one who prays during the night obtains nothing from his night prayers but wakefulness."

During Ramadan, Paradise Opens its Doors, Hell Closes its and Satan's are Chained

Hadith - Ahmad and an-Nasa'i

`Arfajah said "We were with `Utbah ibn Farqad while he was discussing Ramadan. A companion of the Prophet entered upon the scene. When `Utbah saw him, he became shy and stopped talking. The man [the companion] spoke about Ramadan, saying "I heard the Messenger of Allah say during Ramadan: "The gates of Hell are closed, the gates of Paradise are opened, and the devils are in chains. An angel calls out : 'O you who intend to do good deeds, have glad tidings. O you who intend to do evil, refrain, until Ramadan is completed.

Travel

 

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, Number 164, Narrated 'Aisha

(the wife of the Prophet) Hamza bin 'Amr Al-Aslami asked the Prophet, "Should I fast while traveling?" The Prophet replied, "You may fast if you wish, and you may not fast if you wish."

 

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, Number 167, Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah

Allah's Apostle was on a journey and saw a crowd of people, and a man was being shaded (by them). He asked, "What is the matter?" They said, "He (the man) is fasting." The Prophet said, "It is not righteousness that you fast on a journey."

 

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, Number 168, Narrated Anas bin Malik

We used to travel with the Prophet and neither did the fasting persons criticize those who were not fasting, nor did those who were not fasting criticize the fasting ones.

 

Hadith - Al-Tirmidhi #2028, Narrated AbdurRahman ibn Awf [Ibn Majah transmitted it.]

Allah's Messenger said, "One who fasts in Ramadan while travelling is like one who breaks his fast when not travelling."

Menses

 

Hadith - Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 31, Number 172, Narrated Abu Said

The Prophet said, "Isn't it true that a woman does not pray and does not fast on menstruating? And that is the defect (a loss) in her religion."

Fabricated Hadith Regarding Ramadan

1.

"If the servants knew how great Ramadaan was, then they would wish that Ramadaan lasted all year. Indeed Paradise is decorated for Ramadaan from the start of the year till the next year..." and it is a long hadeeth. Reported by lbn Khuzaimah (No. 1886), lbn al-Jawzee in Kitaabul-Mawdoo'aat (2/I 88-I 89) and Aboo Ya'laa in his Musnad as occurs in aIMataaIibuI-'Aah~ah (46/a-b manuscript) by way of Jareer ibn Ayyoob al Bajalee: from ash-Sha'bee: from Naafi' ibn Burdah: from Aboo Mas'ood alGhifaaree. This hadeeth is fabricated (mawdoo'), the cause being Jareer ibn Ayyoob. Ibn Hajr quotes his biography in Lisaanul-Meezaan (2/I 01) and says: "Famous for his weakness." Then he quotes the saying of Aboo Nu'aim about him: "He used to fabricate ahadeeth," From al-Bukhaaree: "Munkar in narrating hadeeth," and from an-Nasaa'ee: "Abandoned!" Ibn al-Jawzee declared it to be fabricated, and Ibn Khuzaimah said after relating it: "If the narration is authentic, since there is some doubt in the heart about Jareer lbn Ayyoob al-Bajalee."

2.

"0 people a very great month has come upon you, a month containing a night better than a thousand months. Allaah has made it an obligation to fast in it, and standing in prayer in its night is a supererogatory action. Whoever seeks nearness to Him with a good deed in it will be like one performing an obligatory action in other months... It is a month the beginning of which is a mercy, the middle Forgiveness, and its end is a granting of freedom from the Fire..."

It is also a long hadeeth; this is the most well-known parts of it. This hadeeth is also reported by lbn Khuzaimah (No.1887), al-Mahaamulee in his Amaalee (No.293), and al-Asbahaanee in at-Targheeb (Q/178, B-manuscript) by way of 'Alee ibn Zayd ibn Jud'aan: from Sa'eed ibn al-Musaayib: from Salmaan. This isnad (chain) is da'eef (weak) due to the weakness of'Alee ibn Zayd. Ibn Sad says about him, "He is somewhat weak, he is not used as a proof" Ahmad ibn Hanbal said: "He is not strong." Ibn Ma'een said: "He is weak." Ibn Abee Khaithumah said: "Weak in everything." Ibn Khuzaimah said: "I do not accept him as a proof due to his weak memory." - as occurs in at-Tahdheeb (7/322-323). Ibn Khuzaimah said after quoting his narration: "If the narration is authentic." Ibn Hajr says in al-Atraaf "It is narrated by 'Alee ibn Zayd ibnjud'aan alone and he is weak" as As-Suyootee quotes from him injam'ul-Jawaami' (No.24,714). Ibn Abee Haatim reports from his father in 'Ilalul-Hadeeth (1/249) that he said: "The hadeeth is munkar (denounced)!"

3.

"Fast and you will be healthy." It is part of a hadeeth reported by lbn 'Adiyy in al-Koamil (7/2521) by way of Nahshal ibn Sa'eed: from ad-Dahhaak: from lbn 'Abbaas. At-Tabaraanee reports it in al-Awsat (I /Q, 69 A-manuscript of Majma' ul-Bahrain) and Aboo Nu'aim in at-Tibbun-Nabawee as occurs in Takhreejul-lhyaa' (7/40 I) by way of Muhammad ibn Sulaimaan ibn Abee Daawood: from Zuhair ibn Muhammad: Suhail lbn Abee Saalih: from Aboo Hurairah. Its isnad (chain) is weak. Aboo Bakr al-Athrum said: "I heard Ahmad say - and he mentioned the narration of the people of Shaam from Zuhair ibn Muhammad, he said: 'They report ahoadeeth from him that are munkar."' Aboo Haatim said: "There is some weakness in his memory, his ahaadeeth narrated in lraaq are better than his hadeeth narrated in Shoam due to his weak memory." AI-'lj lee said: "These ahadeeth which the people of Shaam narrate from him do not please me," as occurs in Tahdheebul-Kamaal (9/4 I 7). Muhammad lbn Sulaimaan is from Shaam and has a biography in Taareekh Dimishq (I 5 Q,386 - manuscript) - so his narrations from Zuhair, as the scholars have stated, are munkar and this hadeeth is one of them!

4.

"He who abandons fasting during a day of Ramadaan without a valid excuse, or illness - then even if he were to fast forever it would not make up for it." This hadeeth is quoted in disconnected form by al-Bukhaaree in his Saheeh (Fathul-Baaree, 4/160) without an isnad. It is connected by lbn Khuzaimah in his Saheeh (No.1987), at-Tirmidhee (No.723) Aboo Daawood (No.2397), lbn Maajah (No. 1672), an-Nasaa'ee in al-Kubraa as occurs in TuhfatulAshraaf (10/373), al-Baihaqee (4/228) and lbn Hajr in Taghleequt-Ta'leeq (3/I 70) byway of Abul-Mutawwas: from his father: from Aboo Hurairah. Ibn Hajr says in Fathul-Baaree (4/I 6 I): "They disagree greatly in their narration from Habeeb ibn Abee Thaabit, it has three weaknesses: (i) contradiction of its narrators, (ii) the condition ofAbul-Mutawwas is unknown, (iii) doubt about whether his father met Aboo Hurairah or not" lbn Khuzaimah says after reporting it: "If the narration is authentic, since I do not know Abul-Mutawwas or his father."

 

These are four ahaadeeth which have been declared weak and unreliable by the scholars, yet we still hear them and see them every day in the blessed month of Ramadaan. It is apparent that some of these ahadeeth contain parts whose meaning is correct and established in the Sunnah. It is important, however, to know that they are weak, and put them in their proper perspective.