Intermittent Fasting for beginners
Have you heard of intermittent fasting and wonder if it'll help you lose weight?
we've gone over ways to level up your fitness, help out your nutrition, and build a better mindset. Today, we're going to go over the ins and outs of intermittent fasting.
Hey, I'm not coach butt I have knowledge about weight loos , and I've share knowledge man or woman in their weight loss journeys. While there's no one-size-fits-all approach, we've seen intermittent fasting be a powerful tool for a lot of those in our community—people like Jason, who started walking every day in addition to intermittent fasting and lost an amazing 91 pounds.
Now, we're not saying it's a magic bullet for weight loss. You still need to make changes and put in the work. But let's talk about what exactly intermittent fasting is, how intermittent fasting works for weight loss, and how to figure out if it might work for you.
We'll also talk about one of the absolutely most underrated reasons to start intermittent fasting. And most importantly—before we go any further—I might refer to intermittent fasting as “IF,” so I don't sprain my tongue in the next few minutes.
Let's cover some basics first: What is IF?
In simple terms, it's making a conscious decision to fast during certain periods of the day and eat during a certain period of the day. This often means skipping certain meals on purpose.
A common method is the 16:8 plan. This means fasting for 16 hours a day and eating within an eight-hour window during the day. Many of us already eat in a 12:12 rhythm, so maybe skipping a dinner or breakfast won't be a big change for a lot of people.
Another popular strategy is fasting an entire 24-hour period once or twice a week. Here, you could have lunch one day, skip dinner and breakfast the following morning, and then pick lunch back up the next day. This may work better if you find fasting every day to be a challenge, but doing it a couple of times a week feels more manageable.
These are just two of the most popular methods, but others have adjusted their eating window to six hours, four hours, or even shorter. Talk to your doctor if you're willing to explore any of these shorter options.
Now, you're probably wondering: How does intermittent fasting help with weight loss?
Well, some claim that it increases your metabolism, causing you to burn more calories. The evidence for this isn't that great—it's pretty weak.
Instead, one study found that any effects on body weight from one’s meal schedule are likely to be brought about by a change in how much they eat.
In other words, people are losing weight through intermittent fasting because they’re likely eating less overall. Eating less frequently can result in fewer total daily calories, even if we're having slightly bigger meals at each sitting.
So no—intermittent fasting isn't a magic bullet. But it is, and can be, another tool in our tool belt.
Is intermittent fasting a good area for you to explore?
First off, it’s not recommended for:
-
Women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant
-
Those taking diabetes medication
-
Anyone taking various drugs that require food for proper absorption
-
Anyone with a history of eating disorders
Intermittent fasting could be triggering for those individuals. If you have any hesitation about your current situation, talk to your doctor before starting.
For anyone else, this could be a good experiment—or an easy adjustment—to test out.
A lot of members in our community report that it actually helps reduce mental strain, since you’re making fewer nutritional decisions throughout the day. That, in our opinion, is one of the most underrated reasons to try intermittent fasting.
What do you think? Are you tired of thinking about nutrition every hour of the day?
Those who don’t enjoy cooking as much may also like intermittent fasting, as you’ll be preparing and cooking fewer meals overall.
Navigating social situations may also be easier if you simply move your fasting window to those times, instead of trying to figure out healthy options on a menu or self-regulate after a few drinks. You just keep focused on the fast.
Alright, time for a quick round of some of the most common questions we hear regarding intermittent fasting:
Can I drink water or coffee during my fast?
Yes. Looking at the big picture, having low- or no-calorie beverages during your fast is totally fine. Let's look at the benefits of reduced daily caloric intake. Look for black coffee or tea without milk if possible. But even if you have to have milk in your coffee, don't sweat it either. Pick the level that helps you stay the most consistent while making progress towards your goals. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good.
What if I try intermittent fasting and still can’t lose weight?
As we said before, intermittent fasting is not a magic bullet. If you find progress has stopped, consider figuring out your daily caloric needs, doing some simple food logging to notice trends, or adjusting portion sizes during your meals. That can be very helpful.
“I’m so hungry!”
Well, not a question—but we understand your frustration. Switching up your eating schedule may be a bit uncomfortable at first. Look to keep yourself busy during fasting times, so you're less likely to be focused on how hungry you are before your next meal.
.jpg)
“What Should You Eat Before, During and after your Workout — PureFitFuel”
Thanks for Read Blog, What’s been your experience with intermittent fasting? Let us know in comment.
Comments
Post a Comment