In recent years intermittent fasting has gained a lot of attention. It has almost become one of the most popular fitness trends in today’s time. People are using this technique not only for weight loss but also for improving their mental health, as this technique involves cellular repair by removing base products from cells, according to studies.
What is intermittent fasting, and how does it work?
Many people wonder what is intermittent fasting and how it works for weight loss.
Let us understand the basics first.
Intermittent fasting is not your usual diet, but rather it is a pattern of eating meals. It focuses on where to eat rather than what to eat. Intermittent fasting diet plans involve dividing your day into two parts: an eating period and a fasting period. During the fasting period, one consumes no calories, allowing the body to burn fat while resting.
What are benefits of intermittent fasting?
Let us now talk about benefits of intermittent fasting that are scientifically proven. It helps in reducing overall calorie intake, thus making it popular among those who are looking to lose weight.
It not only improves physical health but also your mental health, as it regulates hormones like insulin and naturally repairs damaged body cells by removing waste.
Therefore, one can use intermittent fasting to lose weight and improve mental focus and clarity.
Types of intermittent fasting diet plans
There are certain intermittent fasting diet plans that one can choose from:
1. 16/8 method—fast for 16 hours, eat during the 8-hour window.
2. 5:2 method—eat a normal diet for 5 days and eat a lower-calorie diet for two consecutive days.
3. Eat Stop Eat—fast 24 hours once or twice a week.
4. Alternate fasting—fasting every alternative day.
But it is better to consult with a physician before starting intermittent fasting diet plans, as every individual is different and has different health conditions.
Using intermittent fasting to lose weight
There are certain things that one should keep in mind while starting intermittent fasting. One should start slowly instead of jumping to 16 hours of fasting, and during this diet, we should eat healthy and nutritious food and also stay hydrated. An individual should immediately adjust plans in case of fatigue, drowsiness, as this diet may impact people with certain health conditions.
During the eating window, one should increase their protein intake which keeps our body fuller for a longer time and also provides the strength our bones need. It’s always advisable to avoid junk food as much as possible as it unnecessarily adds extra calories to our diet which ultimately becomes a hindrance in achieving our health goals. Drink plenty of liquids, like green tea, black coffee, coconut water, lemon water that will help your body to maintain a healthy amount of electrolytes which balances your energy levels.
In the end I would just say that intermittent fasting in today’s time is not just a fitness trend but also a tool for good mental and physical health.
Whether your goal is to achieve your desired weight, to simplify your eating habits, or to improve your mental focus and clarity, intermittent fasting benefits you and your health and is key to most of your health problems.
So are you ready to try intermittent fasting and begin a journey to give your body the rest to repair itself for good?