renaissance periodization is a very science-heavy approach to gaining muscle size and strength / decreasing body fat percentage etc. it's all about maximizing the volume of work you can do in a week, and maximizing the number of weeks you can keep up your training before extended recovery is necessary. it's useful for amateur athletes, though nothing special for elite strength sports competitors. i'm combining intermittent fasting because i find it prevents the sort of excess fat gain that can occur during the less metabolically active "bookends" of the day. in other words, you frontload simple carbohydrates (sugary fruits and vegetables that metabolize quickly) within a few hours before your workout, and take the rest as complex carbs in the hours following your workout with lots of protein to fuel muscle growth and regeneration.