Last summer I tried intermittent fasting as an experiment attempting to lose some body weight to become a more efficient runner. I figured it would work for me because generally I would not get hungry in the morning until I actually ate something. I regularly work out twice a day, so to accomodate I took some protein / BCAA's around the workout that fell outside the eating window. Within the window my diet was high in healthy fats, plants and protein - basically all the stuff recommended for this kind of diet.<p>It worked great for about a month or so, and I lost a couple of kg. Then the cravings started, mostly for sugar. Could no longer focus at work, was irritable, exercise performance declined. I ended up gaining all the weight back + about 1kg or so before I decided to cut it off. Right now I'm on a predominantly plant-based diet for about half a year now, feeling great, faster and lighter than ever.<p>My point: if you're a (semi-)serious athlete with the same goals I had, by all means try it out, but don't expect a silver bullet. The overwhelming majority of athletes follow a normal diet schedule and eat significant amounts of carbohydrates. I encourage everyone to experiment with their body to see what works for them - it's the one thing that's all yours, after all. Just don't assume you're the exception.