Intermittent fasting as a concept has been received very well in India. Intermittent fasting probably is one of the easiest things which you can do. However, there are still some very basic doubts which exist. It is imperative that intermittent fasting is done correctly to get the best results. Not done correctly it may actually hinder and hamper your progress.
What is intermittent fasting ?
- It is a eating pattern that cycles between periods of fasting and eating
- It doesn’t specify which food you should eat but rather when you should eat them
- It’s not a diet in the conventional sense
- Human bodies are evolved to function without food for extended periods of time
Intermittent fasting methods
- The 16 : 8 method
- This method invariably involves skipping breakfast and restricting the daily eating period to 8 hours
- You then fast for 16 hours in between
- Eat-stop-eat
- This involves fasting for 24 hours, once or twice a week
How does intermittent fasting affect your body
- When you do intermittent fasting, following things happen
- Body adjusts hormone levels to make stored body fat more accessible
- The cells also initiate important repair processes and change the expression of genes
- The human growth hormone increases tremendously in the body
- Insulin sensitivity improves
- When you fast, the cells repair much faster
Health benefits of intermittent fasting
- It helps you lose weight and belly fat
- Intermittent fasting reduces insulin resistance, lowering blood sugar and fasting insulin levels
- It shows reduction in the markers of inflammations
- Intermittent fasting may reduce bad LDL cholesterol
- It may also help to reduce the chances of cancer
- When done correctly, it increases the growth of brain hormone
- It makes things easier as you don’t have to plan, cook or clean up after as many meals
Some important tips for intermittent fasting
- Have rock salt and cinnamon water in the fasting window
- It helps replenish the electrolytes in the body
- Find out what stage and level of intermittent fasting suits you the best
- There are high chances of hunger waves when you practice intermittent fasting
- Let these waves pass
- Don’t count your calories, instead count your macros
- Best workout time
- Best workout time for you would depend upon the intensity and duration of your intermittent fasting
- If your workout is intense, make sure it’s in your eating window
- How to open and close fast
- This makes a big journey in your weight loss journey
- Avoid consuming a big meal immediately after opening your fast
- This could cause heavy strain on your digestive system
- Along with this, avoid very big meals just prior to closing your eatig window as well
- Get good quality sleep
- Getting good quality and quantity of sleep is imperative for goof health
- It is even more important when it comes to intermittent fasting
- Avoid eating a lot close to bedtime