Hi Jen,

Thank you too for your sharing. You are so spot on when you say that there have been long held ideas about the 'need' of food to provide energy! For example, the myth that 'grazing' boosts your metabolism has been a big one. The actual opposite is true indeed because of the constant insulin release that prevents fat burning. Very interesting. Big snack bar companies have made fortunes promoting snacking - unhealthiness to say the least - to fitness circles and beyond!

Yes, I feel the same when you say:

For example, there can be the idea that you will need calories before you go exercise or get going for the day. I have found that I feel much more energetic at the gym or through the morning when I don't take in any food.

It is suggested that combining fasting and exercising boosts the body's muscle oxidation processes that counteract muscle aging. Also, it catalyses cellular processes that burn fat and glycogen for energy, so you actually have more energy as a result of this efficiency. Its amazing how this combination - fasting and exercise - boosts cognitive function, prevents depression and boosts growth hormone. I had to read all these while doing a BSc on Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences quite a few years ago and some pioneering sport scientists had written about it back then - fascinating how it is now practised and researched more widely!

A frontier of hierarchical inequality indeed and an invitation to look into the systemic conditioning we have all been 'affected' by. :)