What is intermittent fasting all about and is it something I should be doing?
Intermittent fasting has become more popular than ever in recent years!
There are many celebrities, physical therapists, and influencers that they sing their praise for in terms of fat loss!
In this article, I discuss what it entails, the potential pros and cons, and if it’s right for you!
So, first of all, what is it?
Many consider intermittent fasting to be a diet, but in reality it is not. It is simply an eating pattern!
This pattern involves a cycle between the periods of eating and not eating. Only eat within certain time windows.
And why is it becoming popular?
If your goal is fat loss, the theory behind intermittent fasting is that most of the time you will consume fewer calories during specified meal times than if you just ate normally during the day.
Therefore, the principle is not to change what you eat, only when you eat!
For this reason, many people find it so easy to follow and simple, as it does not require a major behavior change.
This is probably why it is so popular with many people – people like it ‘easy’!
When do you fast and when do you “feast”?
While there are different variations of intermittent fasting, the most followed is protocol 16-8!
This involves fasting for a 16-hour period each day and eating within an 8-hour period.
Again, time frames can vary, but most people will eat between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m.
That would mean that they do a total fast for the 16 hours between 8 pm and 12 pm! The key is to choose the time frame that best suits your lifestyle, commitments, and schedule.
Is Intermittent Fasting For You?
1. If your fitness goal is fat loss, then intermittent fasting might be something to consider. By eating in a limited period of time, you are more likely to be in a calorie deficit and therefore promote fat loss.
2. There is very little planning involved – you don’t have to measure your food and prepare a ton of meals! It is very easy to remember!
3. It is much easier than dieting! You are not adding new foods that you may not like to your meal times, you are simply changing the pattern.
If you decide that intermittent fasting is for you, be sure to review the different versions and find the one that best suits your needs.
As with most things related to fitness, the best thing you can do is what you can follow consistently and in the long term!
You should also consider:
If you currently eat every hour or two, you will have cravings at least in the short term. If you are constantly hungry, this strategy is probably not for you!
Mindset is a big part of intermittent fasting. If you’re constantly thinking about food during periods of fasting and it makes you feel unhappy or irritable, it’s probably not for you.
