The Power Of Intermittent Fasting: A Sustainable Approch To Weight Loss And Health

Have you ever felt as if you’ve tried every diet imaginable and still can’t seem to lose weight? That was me not long ago. Everything from low-carb to juice cleanses had failed to work for me. After scouring the internet searching for something new and sustainable to try, that’s when I discovered Intermittent fasting (IF) and I decided to give it a try and I haven’t looked back since.

What is Intermittent Fasting?

Intermittent fasting is a type of eating pattern in which you alternate between periods of eating and periods of fasting . The various methods of Intermittent fasting are as follows:

The 16/8 method entails fasting for 16 hours and eating within an 8-hour window.

Fasting on alternate days means eating normally one day and fasting the next.

The 5:2 method entails eating normally five days a week and restricting your calorie intake to 500-600 calories the other two days.

Intermittent fasting is an intriguing concept that can be intimidating at first . When I first heard about it, I was skeptical and wondering how depriving myself of food could lead to weight loss. However, as I dug deeper into the science, I began to understand the process.

When you fast, your body enters a state of ketosis, in which it begins to burn stored fat for fuel instead of relying on glucose from the food you eat. This happens because when you don’t eat, your body is forced to use up its glucose stored and then it switches to breaking down fat for energy. This can result in weight loss as the body begins to use up its fat reserves for fuel.

How Intermittent Fasting Works

One thing I like about intermittent fasting is that there are various methods for doing it, allowing you to find what works best for you. The 16/8 method, in which I fast for 16 hours and eat during an 8-hour window, was the easiest for me to follow when I first started out . I would start fasting the previous night at 8PM and eat my first meal at 12 Noon the next day. I did this for 7 days straight without changing my diet and lost 2lbs. It allowed me to still enjoy my favorite foods, while also creating a calorie deficit.

Imagine my excitement! So I decided to extent my fasting period the following week to 20 hours which is the 20/4 method. I fasted for 20hrs and eat during an 4-hour window with healthier meal choices. That week I lost 5lbs!!!! I don’t know about you, but I love to see when my scale move in the downward direction.

What are the benefits of Intermittent fasting?

Intermittent fasting isn’t just for weight loss; it can also have incredible health benefits. It can, for example, improve insulin sensitivity, which is great news for anyone with type 2 diabetes (like my grandma). Fasting trains your body to use insulin more effectively, which can help lower blood sugar levels and lower the risk of diabetes-related complications. It’s incredible to think that something as simple as when you eat can have such a big impact on your health.

But that’s not all – intermittent fasting can also reduce inflammation in the body, which is a game-changer for anyone who suffers from chronic pain (like me). Inflammation has been linked to all sorts of health problems, from heart disease to cancer to Alzheimer’s disease. So, anything I can do to reduce inflammation in my body is a win in my book. And the fact that intermittent fasting can help with that is just another reason why I’m a big fan of this approach.

But let’s be real, one of the biggest challenges with any diet is sticking to it long-term. That’s where intermittent fasting shines. For me, it helped to reduce cravings and improve my relationship with food. By limiting the number of hours I could eat, I became more mindful of what I was putting in my body and avoided mindless snacking and it cuts down my grocery shopping cost. I eat less and spend less money on food! Needless to say more.

Final Thoughts

Take it from a serial dieter, Intermittent fasting has been a game-changer for me. It’s not a magic bullet, and it’s not for everyone, but if you’re struggling to lose weight or improve your health, it’s definitely worth considering. It may seem hard at first to stick to, but I promise you if you can be consistent for 14 days it gets much easier. As always, make sure to talk to your doctor before starting any new diet, and find what works best for you.