Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting (IF) is an excellent method for losing weight. It involves regularly fasting for periods of time throughout the week. The concept stems from our prehistoric ancestors, who would eat on a hunt-and-kill basis. Without refrigerators and store-bought snacks, they had to fast between each hunt, only eating small amounts of whatever could be gathered. So, when fasting in the present day, your body is imitating its natural eating habits. This can help your body function better and contribute to weight loss.

IF can be a very successful way to lose weight when done correctly. But, if you have any past or current health concerns, you should talk to your doctor before trying it out.

Things to know

IF is great for weight loss because of the caloric restrictions involved. During fasts when no food is coming in, your body will utilize its stored fats for energy. Make sure not to overcompensate during the eating period though; you should be consuming your normal daily amount of calories in this time.

IF is perfect for busy lifestyles. Plenty of techies in the Bay Area and beyond find they’re too busy with work to worry about food, and many people simply forget to eat when work stacks up in front of them. IF may fit in well with your schedule. It’s great for the busy body, excellent for weight loss, and has shown to support an improvement in bodily functions.

This should be everyone's top goal when it comes to health and fitness. Improving how our body functions means we’ll feel better in general. Our levels of HGH increase, our cells are able to initiate repair sequences, insulin levels improve, and our immune system is boosted — and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

The Three methods

There are three different methods of undertaking an intermittent fasting diet. The 16/8 method, the Eat:Stop:Eat method, and the 5:2 diet. Each of these methods can give the same results but they all work differently for everyone. Test one out for a month and see how you feel.

The 16/8 method

Also known as the Leangains Protocol, this is the most popular method of all three. It involves 16 hours of fasting and eight hours of eating. It’s recommended to skip breakfast for this method, so the most frequent hours of eating are between 12 and 8pm.

The Eat:Stop:Eat method

Just as its name suggests, this method involves eating, stopping, and eating again. Essentially, you’ll eat at your normal schedule, but take a 24 hour fast once or twice during the week.

The 5:2 diet

This method involves five days of eating normally followed by two non-consecutive days of low calorie intake. During a low-calorie day, it’s recommended to intake around 500-600 calories.

Final words

You now have some options to structure your IF game plan. But remember, just because you’re restricting when you eat doesn’t mean you should binge when the time comes. If you have any prior or existing health concerns, consult a doctor before trying out a fasting diet.

Furthermore, IF is a little more complicated for women. So do your research, and make sure IF is a good option for your body before trying it out.

Maddy has worked in the health and fitness industry for 5 years. She has a bachelors in Exercise Science and has recently received her Masters in Exercise Physiology. She has worked with a wide demographic of clients as a Personal Trainer and loves helping people reach their goals and continue to grow.  She is an outdoor enthusiast and dedicates her workouts to rock climbing, hiking and whatever new experiences may come her way.

Main Photo Credit: vetre/shutterstock.com; Second Photo Credit: Marina Litvinova/shutterstock.com; Third Photo Credit: bluedog studio/shutterstock.com