Before CBL, I used intermittent fasting (IF). I used the LeanGains (LG) approach (16hr. fast/8hr. feeding). Per the LG approach, my understanding was that enough slow digesting protein needed to be in the system the night before to provide the necessary amino acids for recovery and prevention of catabolism during the next day's fast.With CBL, the ingestion of MCT oil, proteins etc. is recommended during what would be the 16 hr. fast time for LG (morning/early afternoon). Question: I understand the anti-catabolic benefit of this, but won't the ingestion of anything (carbs or not) reduce the burning of body fat because the body will use the ingested food (shake) as fuel instead of burning bodyfat?Thanks for any help.

It depends how much you use.  Also I wouldn't compare CBL to IF.  I think they are trying to do two different things.  CBL is much more performance focused and prioritizes muscle growth more.  Yes there are some people that perform well in the gym while using IF, but most don't.

Thanks for the reply. I think there are many CBL users that are confused as to how one use's CBL to achieve low BF levels (i.e. <9%). Can CBL be adjusted for this goal or would a different protocol be required?

That's because CBL really isn't for that.  It can be done, but you have to really pay attention to your food intake and you have to keep the carbs on the low side.  Nothing really fancy, just figuring out your macro intake to get that low.  Fasting can be used, but that isn't something that must be used.

This is an element of CBL I've been considering for a while now too.I generally only consume black coffee and water until lunch time as I don't want to put anything into my system that may jeopardise fat loss. The book says its fine to add full fat cream to your coffee etc. so I'm probably being over cautious?

maybe.. I have been experimenting with adding food back in first thing in the AM.. been doing it for a couple weeks.. honestly i like the way i look and feel much more by having nothing until lunch.. but i also eat pretty late upto like 9:30pm so my time from that meal till my next is only about 13hours

This is an element of CBL I've been considering for a while now too.I generally only consume black coffee and water until lunch time as I don't want to put anything into my system that may jeopardise fat loss. The book says its fine to add full fat cream to your coffee etc. so I'm probably being over cautious?

maybe.. I have been experimenting with adding food back in first thing in the AM.. been doing it for a couple weeks.. honestly i like the way i look and feel much more by having nothing until lunch.. but i also eat pretty late upto like 9:30pm so my time from that meal till my next is only about 13hours

Sano the cortisol and adrenaline junky!

heh i could use a good shot of adrenaline in the AM 😛

Then that's when you eat a ULC breakfast, and ULC lunch. Start the day with the AM Shake and have a good amount of carbs with protein PWO.

I'm doing a Leangains/CBL hybrid right now trying to cut down a little. Basically it's CBL in a 16/8 window. On training days I have a small ULC lunch at 12pm, train at 4pm and try to get my food in from 6-8pm.  On rest days I stay ULC and have my meals split up in the 8 hour window.What I like is that I can stuff my face on training days with almost everything and do not go overboard with my total calories (try to keep it at +10% of maintenance). And on rest days I can keep my intake effortless at -20 to -30%.Although after consecutive off days training sucks big time that's why I will add a small backload on the last day off.

I've been running a 12 week Leangains style 16/8 IF set up and I have dropped inches from my waist while my lifts went up, and I'm new to lifting.  I think it's the best way to drop fat myself, but I have never tried to put on lean mass with it.That said, I don't think there is anything super magical about IF per se, but skipping breakfast allows me eat bigger, more filling meals later on, which help with diet compliance.  Overall total intake and macronutrient cycling I think are a bigger part of the fat loss equation.

Sorry, this should say I'm NOT new to lifting, which is why to see my lifts increasing consistently has been surprising.