Intermittent Fasting Changed my Life
The Journey to a Healthier Life without the Compromise
Have you ever wondered how you can live a healthier life without compromising on all the foods that you love? Have you been afraid of dieting because with dieting comes sacrifice?
Intermittent fasting has changed my life and this is how you can use it to change yours!
What is intermittent fasting?
I began the journey 12 months ago intending to lose weight (as we all do), however, there are so many other health benefits to this change in lifestyle.
In it’s simplest form, intermittent fasting is a period of fasting followed by a period of eating.
The most common form is the 16–8 method. This involves a 16 hour period of fasting followed by 8 hours of eating. Other time frames can be used however, this is entirely dependent on the individual.
During the period of fast, the main aim is to reduce a spike in insulin levels. This means you are only able to drink water, black coffee or tea, without sugar or milk.
Any presence of foods or drink that cause a spike in insulin will break the fast and stop any further benefit in that particular period.
The greatest benefits of intermittent fasting are seen in the hours following the 12-hour mark. Therefore, the longer the period of fast, the greater the benefit.
Intermittent fasting is not a diet, it is a lifestyle change!
Why Intermittent Fasting?
Flexibility
Everyone’s lives are different, so a change in lifestyle has to fit in with each individual’s responsibilities. How you eat shouldn’t affect the way you live your life.
Intermittent fasting is flexible. You can fast through the night and eat during the day or eat in the morning and fast through the evening. Whichever suits your lifestyle the best!
The schedule I have practised over the last year has been to eat between 10 am and 6 pm (8 hour period) and fast through the late evening and the night until the following day. This means that during the day, I have the energy needed to get through and have the time in the evening to eat dinner before my fast begins again.
A great way to boost the benefits is to break your fast with food that doesn’t cause an instant spike in insulin levels. A piece of fruit is a great way to break your fast before eating something more wholesome.
I skip breakfast, but the idea that Breakfast is the most important meal of the day has been criticised by many health professionals.
Note: If you are finding it difficult to work your fasting schedule around your social life, A great method is to fast during the week but allow yourself days off during the weekend.
Eat that Pizza
You can still enjoy and indulge in the same great foods that you love. Why should you give up all of the great dishes the world has to offer to live a healthier life. The likelihood of restraining yourself from these foods is low and you are more likely to give in to the temptations.
Intermittent fasting allows you to eat with freedom within your eating period.
What are the health benefits?
Weight Loss
As a direct benefit of restricting the time in which you eat, you reduce the intake of calories.
Fewer calories = Greater caloric deficit=Weight loss
You’ll notice that by making this lifestyle change, you’ll start to drop the excess pounds that you’re body is carrying.
It is important, however, to consult your doctor on what your healthy body weight is. Again, everyone is different and as you reach your healthy weight, it is important to review your period of fast and extend or reduce as necessary.
Improved Metabolism
After a few months of fasting, I began to feel my body being able to digest food at a much greater rate. I was feeling less bloated after eating.
This allowed me to continue with my normal lifestyle without feeling tired after a heavy meal or feeling the need to lie down because I had eaten too much.
I also found that I was able to eat much more without putting the pounds back on.
Improved Self-confidence
Finally, I have felt so much more confident in my own body. For so many years, I looked at my body and felt that a change needed to be made.
I look at myself now and feel confident! I feel stronger and more agile whilst taking part in my sports.
The feeling is amazing!
You don’t have to give up what you love to change your life for the better. You don’t even have to change your life to change the way you eat. It’s a small change that with a little grit and determination, in the beginning, will completely change how you feel about yourself.
Give it a try! Make the change! Feel Better!
