Intermittent fasting has been at the peak of diet trends for several years. The followers of Intermittent fasting say very emphatically, this diet controls weight, with a healthy life. Ongoing research on intermittent fasting consistently yields encouraging and positive results. This diet also maintains blood pressure and cholesterol levels within healthy limits.
Intermittent fasting is good, but the big question is when to start. The answer is to start now. And for that, you have to follow some simple but very effective tips. And there are several recognized methods of intermittent fasting, eating on time is more popular. In this case, you have to fast for a certain time of the day, and the rest of the time can be eaten. This is called a fasting window.
Intermittent fasting doesn’t specify which foods you should eat. There are many different ways to do intermittent fasting, 16/8 method is one of them. This method involves fasting for 16 hours each day and eating only within an 8-hour window. For example, you could skip breakfast and eat lunch at noon and dinner by 8 pm.
If you’re interested in starting Intermittent fasting, there are a few things you need to know. Here are 5 simple steps :
1. Don’t be in a hurry at the beginning
If you run too fast from the beginning, you will be tired, so it is also applicable for Intermittent Fasting. First, you have to start with 12 hours of fasting. Then gradually come to the 16 and 8 hour schedule. Do not eat extra low carb foods at first.
2. Understand why you are fasting
If you don’t have a specific goal, you can’t succeed at anything. Intermittent fasting does not only reduce weight, it also helps to recover from my problems. This habit can keep the digestive system good by removing digestive problems. Meanwhile, intermittent fasting controls diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol. Many people do intermittent fasting to give up overeating and gain spiritual peace and go one step further on the path of well-being. So you need to know what you really want.
3. Eat breakfast as late as possible
Fasting all night long and postponing the morning meal a little bit is an easy way to start intermittent fasting. If you get up in the morning and work out, go out for a walk or engage yourself in yoga, there will be no craving to eat. It is possible to do the same thing when you are busy. In this way, the fasting window can be increased gradually.
4. Drink plenty of water
Many times when we get thirsty, we think that we are hungry. You have to keep yourself hydrated while doing intermittent fasting. As the feeling of hunger can be handled, the toxin of the body will be released effectively. Healthy and normal adults should drink two to three liters of water a day.
5. Be kind to yourself
You can’t constantly put pressure on yourself. Everyone’s body is different. So if someone else loses weight quickly, it is not that you will lose equally. Again, it can not be forbidden to eat your favorite food at all. Likewise, the fasting window should be taken in the morning or night according to the time of eating together with the family. Diet is for life, not life for diet.
Intermittent fasting has become a popular strategy for managing weight that shows promise for improving health. The various approaches are flexible, but the secret is to start slowly, recognize one’s own delaying breakfast, staying hydrated, and practicing self-compassion. According to the Annual Review of Nutrition, intermittent fasting is a particularly useful strategy for losing weight and improving general health. This is a personalized journey that prioritizes a sustainable and life-affirming approach over strict dietary guidelines.
To read more blogs, click here.
Writer:
Rupsana Hasan
Intern, Content Writing Department
YSSE