Intermittent fasting is the new trend amongst health and fitness experts to help speed up weight loss. Losing weight fast and adopting a healthier lifestyle probably sounds too good to be true but the reality is, it’s possible (if done correctly)! To gain a clear understanding of how intermittent fasting can help with weight loss you must understand what it is exactly.
What is intermittent fasting?
Intermittent fasting is a diet plan where you fast consecutively for a set period of time everyday. This is usually between 16-20 hours of fasting. The most popular version is the 16/8 method where you fast for 16 hours and eat during the 8 remaining hours of the day. During the fasting time period, some may choose to consume low calorie beverages such as tea and black coffee (hold the milk and sugar). However, try to limit consumption as much as possible as the act of chewing can break the fast by prompting the nervous system to begin the process of digestion.
Benefits of intermittent fasting:
Intermittent fasting is a sure way for individuals to lose weight. Studies conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported that over 84% of participants lost weight regardless what method of fasting they did.
It also fast tracks weight loss while maintaining lean muscle mass. When you’re fasting, your body is forced to use its stored body fat for energy and the release of key fat burning hormones is optimised. Furthermore, extended hours of fasting dramatically decrease insulin, facilitating fat burning and keeping the excess weight off.
Can I work out while fasting?
Definitely. In fact, we recommend working out while fasting to help lose weight even faster. The most efficient workouts to do to fast track weight loss are 3-4 short intense training and weight workouts a week. This is because when your insulin is low, it enhances your growth hormone secretion, stimulating the breakdown of fatty tissue.
Conclusion:
With intermittent fasting, consistency is everything. Even though you are fasting for an unusually long time, it doesn’t mean that you can eat whatever you want during the eating period. Calories still count so try to maintain a healthy diet during the non-fasting periods and stick with it for an extended period of time if you want to see results.
We would love to know your results on intermittent fasting and what worked for you. Leave a comment below sharing your experience!
