Week long water fast and 5x5 stronglifts

I was wondering if anyone here does a 5x5 or any other strength related program and occasionally water fast for about a week? I hate IF because I feel like I'm being teased constantly. Longer fasting work better for me for some reason, I can tolerate it much better. I was wondering if a week long water fast every 1 or 2 months will severely hurt strength gains? I don't care about bodybuilding I want to be strong for the sports I play but I am concerned about slowing down strength progress. I would ask the 5x5 community but most people in general think fasting is terrible no matter what. For my specific goal if you guys tell me its bad I'm more inclined to believe you.

BJJVAGABOND wrote: I was wondering if anyone here does a 5x5 or any other strength related program and occasionally water fast for about a week? I hate IF because I feel like I'm being teased constantly. Longer fasting work better for me for some reason, I can tolerate it much better. I was wondering if a week long water fast every 1 or 2 months will severely hurt strength gains? I don't care about bodybuilding I want to be strong for the sports I play but I am concerned about slowing down strength progress. I would ask the 5x5 community but most people in general think fasting is terrible no matter what. For my specific goal if you guys tell me its bad I'm more inclined to believe you.

BJJ,

I run a lot, and I do martial arts four or five hours a week. Unfortunately, I don't do very much as far as bodybuilding (weight-training) is concerned so I am probably not much help with that part of your question. I agree with you that IF teases us to some extent. And for whatever reason, longer fasting works better for me as well.

I have been doing one- and two-week (and sometimes longer) fasts fairly regularly for a couple of years. I don't do them every month, but last year I did fast 132/365 days, and I have felt no reduction in strength at all. The only problem I have is when I try to do longer runs (say, more than ten miles at a time) in the second or third week of a fast.

Thanks for your input. Its good to know I can train martial arts still, I am a Jiu-Jitsu player. If anyone else has any experience with this I would like to know. I don't want to drastically lose strength gains. I'm sure I will get stronger no matter what but will my progress be impeded in a serious way? A lot of power lifters and bodybuilders suggest you eat like a pig if you want to get bigger and stronger because the body needs nutrients to repair itself after heavy lifting. It seems excessive and I want to know I can fast without screwing myself out of strength. I've seen good results so far so I'm cautious to fast. My gym has forced me to fast this week, since I'm in Brazil and this week is a big party week for carnival and everything is closed. If there are any power lifters or bodybuilders on this forum please share your experiences.