Okay, intermittent fasting is probably something you have considered if you care about weight loss or the fit fam life. Now, there are probably hundreds of weight loss programs and mechanics out there.
Many don’t work or work for only a set of people while others are downright dangerous. One of these methods that have gained a lot of popularity recently is intermittent fasting.
The questions that you might ask her might include; does this method work? Is it safe? How exactly can I do it the right way? Well, keep reading and you will find out the answers.
What is intermittent fasting?
Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that can be effective in weight loss. It involves short-term but regular fasting followed by unrestricted eating. Fasting can include zero or minimal food consumption.
Apart from weight loss, intermittent fasting could also help reduce risk factors for some conditions including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. It does this by reducing blood sugar and cholesterol levels respectively.
Is it safe?
This is unlike other kinds of weight loss programs that restrict calorie intake and the types of food you can eat. Here, you can eat whatever food you like, just not all the time.
Sounds cool, right? And to top it off, it is safe for most healthy and well-nourished people. It is not recommended for everyone though. Especially for those with underlying medical conditions.
How to go about it
There are different methods of intermittent fasting that you can choose from. Here are the options:
- Alternate-day fasting: In this method, you alternate between a day of no food restrictions and a day of fasting. For example, you fast on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday but eat on the other days.
- Whole-day fasting: This involves 1-2 days of complete fasting every week. The other days having no dietary restrictions
- Time-restricted feeding: This involves eating only during a specific period of the day, like between 8 am-3 pm for instance. The rest of the day is dedicated to fasting.
Is it effective?
You have read so many facts about this weight loss method. But the most important thing to know is if it is effective? According to the Harvard School of Public Health, research does suggest that this method can be effective.
But it is not known if it is more effective than other weight loss methods. Even though several benefits of this method has been documented in animals, but the same has not been duplicated in humans.
Should I try it out?
Bottom line is that more research is needed to show the direct benefits and effects of intermittent fasting. For now, we do know that it can be an effective weight-loss strategy for some. So, why not try it out? You might find that it works for you.
