“Fasting??!”

“Doesn’t that mean starving myself and not eating for days?!”

No, we are not about starving ourselves here, we are just trying to prevent disease….. And maybe lose a little tummy that’s always a plus.

Well intermittent fasting is not a diet, I don’t do diets. It’s a way of eating. Basically you eat for a 4-8 hour period and you fast for 16-20 hours.

When you fast for a period of time some crazy amazing things.

First off it changes the function of cells, genes, and hormones. These changes helps promote fat burn, protects against disease, and remove waste from cells.

There are also studies that have shown it may also may prevent cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and other neurodegenerative diseases.

It is very good for brain health as well. It improves metabolic features known as; reduced oxidative stress, reduced inflammation, and a reduction in blood sugar levels and insulin resistance.

Studies have shown it improves heart health as well. It improves many heart disease factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and inflammatory markers.

And of course, the one that everyone cares about, it promotes fat loss. Since you are eating for less hours you typically may consume less calories. It also may boost your metabolic rate by 3.6%- 14%. This would make your body burn more calories every day. There is also a study that shows after 24 weeks it may cause a weight loss of 3%- 8%. Which is a huge amount.

This past summer I practiced intermittent fasting for a while. My schedule would go

8:30-9am wake up and get ready for gym

9:30-10:30am Workout (mostly strength training)

11am Break Fast (making sure it hits all the macros since it is a post workout meal)

1 or 2pm midday snack

3-6pmish Last meal

I typically fasted for longer in the summer because of the way my schedule worked. I also ate heavier meals since I had much more time. (Epically the first meal) I consumed roughly about 1600 calories a day which was perfect for me. I noticed that while I was practicing intermittent fasting I felt less bloated, higher energy, and my weight went down a bit.

I still practice intermittent fasting when convenient. I typically eat dinner right after school then fast until I snack second period the next day.

Intermittent fasting is not a diet it is a pattern of eating. I choose to eat healthy because that works best with my activities, lifestyle, and body. Most of the health benefits come from the fasted state you are in, however eating healthy would have even more benefits.

Everyone is beautiful, just because I choose to do intermittent fasting to help me feel good, doesn’t mean you have to. Do what makes you happy!!!!

Read more about the benefits of intermittent fasting!!!

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-health-benefits-of-intermittent-fasting#section2