What is intermittent fasting all about and is it something you should be doing?

Intermittent fasting has become more popular than ever in recent years!

There are plenty of celebrities, physical therapists, and influencers singing its praises in terms of fat loss!

In this article, I look at what’s involved, the potential pros and cons, and whether it’s right for you.

So first, what is it!?

Many consider intermittent fasting to be a diet, but it really isn’t. It’s just a pattern of eating!

This pattern involves cycling between periods of eating and not eating. You only eat within certain time windows.

And why is it becoming popular?

If your goal is fat loss, the theory behind intermittent fasting is that, in most cases, you’ll consume fewer calories during your specified eating times than if you just ate normally throughout the day.

Therefore, the principle is not to change what you eat, only when you eat!

For this reason, many people find it easy to follow and simple, requiring no major behavior change!

This is probably why it is so popular with many people: people like it ‘easy’!

When do you fast and when do you ‘party’?

While there are different variations of intermittent fasting, the most followed is the 16-8 protocol!

This involves fasting for a period of 16 hours each day and eating within an 8-hour period.

Again, the time periods can vary, but most people eat between 12pm and 8pm.

That would mean they do a total fast for the 16 hours between 8pm and 12pm! The key is to choose the time frame that works best for your lifestyle, commitments, and schedule.

Is intermittent fasting for you?

1. If your fitness goal is fat loss, intermittent fasting might be something you consider. By eating in a limited amount of time, you are more likely to be in a calorie deficit, therefore promoting fat loss.

2. There is very little planning involved – you don’t have to measure your food and prepare many meals! It is very easy to remember!

3. It’s so much easier than dieting! You’re not adding new foods to your meals that you may not like, you’re just changing the pattern.

If you decide intermittent fasting is for you, be sure to check out the different versions and find the one that works best for you.

As with most things related to fitness, the best thing you can do is what you can maintain consistently and long-term!

You should also consider:

If you currently eat every hour or two, you will have cravings at least in the short term. If you are constantly hungry, then this strategy is probably not for you!

Mindset is a big part of intermittent fasting. If you’re constantly thinking about food during fasting periods and it makes you feel unhappy or irritable, it’s probably not for you.