What You Need to Know About Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting is all the rage because it works! It is simple and effective. The only thing is you have to be able to go without food for up to 16 hours. If you’re concerned, ask your doctor. What’s helpful is you can count the hours you’re sleeping as fasted time. What makes it most appealing  is you can structure your plan based on your lifestyle and schedule. 

You can also base your plan on your body’s rhythm.  Are you the type to wake hungry or are you hungrier in the evening? I am hungry in the afternoon so it suits me to eat after 1:00. I stop eating at 8:30pm, about a 12 hour fast.  In the morning I drink a lot of water, and have black coffee. 

Don’t get lost in the details, play around with it until it fits. It’s not rigid and that’s what makes this great!  Don’t get crazy with your fasting amount as it can become unsafe. Lastly, don't talk about intermittent fasting, it’s boring to pretty much anyone. Don't bring it up on dates, or when out with your friends. No one cares.

Here are my quick fasting tips: 

Stay hydrated!! This is in my opinion the most important point as it makes everything easier.  The body sends messages of hunger when dehydrated and you don’t need that noise.  Being dehydrated can challenge your success and ahearence.

Plan!! Pick an eating/fasting schedule after you’ve looked at your week ahead. The more you’re able to cater this to your week, the better chance you’ll adhere to the process.  

Don’t be rigid!! You don’t have to do this everyday. For me I don’t do intermittent fasting on the weekends.. This doesn’t mean you can’t take a midweek break. Some folks go two days on one day off,  it’s whatever works best for you. 

I’ve been asked what food or meal should you have when breaking a fast?  Literally anything you’d normally eat.  That’s assuming you weren’t eating a ton of crap prior.  Keep eating well like proteins, greens, grains, fats, and fruits.  Keep saturated fats or fast food to a minimum, essentially just put some thought into what you eat.