Tim Ferriss is a serial entrepreneur and world-class investor, who is probably best known for being the author of “The Four-Hour Workweek”.
What you may not know is that Tim regularly practises intermittent fasting because of its various perceived health benefits.
In this article, we’re going to examine Tim’s fasting routine and why he choses to partake in it on a regular basis.
However, before we go any further, note that Tim Ferriss is not a doctor. Please seek medical advice and supervision before thinking about going on a fast.
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What is Intermittent Fasting?
In case you didn’t know, ‘Intermittent Fasting’ sometimes referred to as ‘IF’ is simply a general term for various eating patterns that involve fasting (not eating) for short periods of time.
During fasting periods, you are free to drink plenty of water. Some people also drink non-calorific beverages such as Black Tea or Black Coffee.
It has become very popular in recent years, and there is a fair amount of research behind it that suggests that it may have some significant health benefits.
Conscious fasting has been practiced throughout human history for thousands of years, but it is only recently that it has gained traction because of its perceived health benefits.
As ever, you should be cautious before thinking about trying any new health regimen such as fasting.
We strongly recommend that you speak to your doctor before thinking about going on a fast, or making any other drastic lifestyle changes for that matter.
Who is Tim Ferriss?
Tim Ferriss is an American author, entrepreneur, podcaster and early-stage tech startup investor.
He has written several best-selling books, including “The Four-Hour Workweek” and “Tribe of Mentors”.
Tim launched his podcast, The Tim Ferriss Show, in April 2014. Since then, the podcast has grown a huge following, and is often the number one business podcast on all of Apple Podcasts, and it’s been ranked number out of 500,000+ podcasts on many occasions.
He sometimes refers to himself as a “human guinea pig”, as he is always testing out different methods for helping to improve aspects of health and more, and then sharing them with his audience.
You can find out more about Tim Ferriss in our in-depth biography.
(Photo: Tim Ferriss / Handout)
Tim Ferriss on Fasting
Tim has mentioned that he practises intermittent fasting on a number of different occasions.
One of the more recent mentions of his fasting protocol came when he was a guest on the Gary Vaynerchuck #AskGaryVee show in 2017.
Asked by host Gary what his fasting protocol currently was, he said:
“I do a three-day fast every month and then I do a longer five-to-10 day fast two or three times per year. It’s debatable which is of greater benefit.”
Tim also recently gave an interview with Business Insider in which he detailed the main reasons why he practices intermitting fasting.
“Fasting is of interest to me for medical use,” Tim explains in the interview with Business Insider in November 2017. “For instance, there are a number of cancer researchers who will do extended fasts.”
He continues in the same interview: “Fasting to me has become a routine part of my month.
(Photo: Tim Ferriss / Handout)
“I do a three-day contiguous fast every month and then I do longer fasts throughout the year with supervision.”
He adds: “Suffice to say, don’t try it at home without professional supervision.”
In Tim’s recent book, Tools of Titans, it’s easy to notice that many of the males interviewed practice some form of daily fasting.
The Tim Ferriss Intermittent Fasting Routine
As we mentioned above, you should not try any of the routines in this article without first seeking medical supervision.
Tim will typically begin his monthly three-day fast on a Thursday night – and it will run until Sunday night.
He will typically eat a low carbohydrate meal as his final intake of food on the Thursday night before beginning the fast.
The full schedule is broken down in his book Tools of Titans, but it involves plenty of walking and ketone supplements.
According to Business Insider, he allows himself “non calorific unsweetened beverages” such as Green Tea and Coffee during this time.
Tim also explains that he uses a finger-prick to measure his blood glucose levels during the fasting period so that he can aim for a safe level of ketosis.
Anything Else to Consider?
Intermittent Fasting has become incredibly popular in recent years, and there is some evidence to suggest that it has some significant benefits.
That being said, you should always ensure that you speak to your doctor or a medical professional before making any lifestyle changes such as going on a fast.
Tim Ferriss is well known for taking things to the extreme to unearth new information and tips for his audience.
(Photo: Tim Ferriss / Handout)
Our recommendation would always be to do your own thorough research before thinking about trying a protocol such as intermittent fasting.
We should also stress that making sure that you’re sticking to a healthy, balanced diet and getting plenty of exercise and rest should always be the building blocks of your overall health and wellbeing.
Wrapping Things Up – Our Final Thoughts
So, that brings us to the end of our look at the Tim Ferriss Fasting routine.
We’ve walked you through the basics of intermittent fasting and why it has become so popular in recent years.
We have also looked at The Tim Ferriss Intermittent Fasting Routine to give you a bit of an idea as to what Tim practises on a regular basis.
If you’d like to find out more about intermittent fasting, be sure to check out our dedicated IF guide.
