What Are The Benefits of Fasting?
Intermittent fasting takes place when you willingly and temporarily stop your food intake for a set period of time and according to some studies, there are some significant benefits of fasting. Most fasts last anywhere from 12 to 72 hours.
According to a recent article published in Health Line, studies have found the benefits of fasting may improve blood sugar control, may enhance heart health, and could boost brain function. Besides these health benefits, fasting is also known to boost metabolism and assist with weight loss. In fact, the article states that fasting is known to be a better option than simply cutting calories when it comes to shredding fat and preserving muscle tissue.
This all sounds great, but those looking to try fasting should proceed with care. Fasting should be executed properly and in consultation with a certified coach or trainer.
The Right Way to Fast for Weight Loss
The type of fasting used for weight loss is called intermittent fasting. Various methods work for different people.
For beginners, a 12-hour window of fasting is a great way to start. This is because most of the fasting time takes place during sleeping hours. During the day, you would consume the same number of calories you normally would according to your nutrition plan.
Using your sleep time as part of your fasting window makes this plan attainable for many people. Eating dinner before 7 p.m. and then waiting until 7 a.m. to eat breakfast is not that big of a stretch for most.
If you don’t see results with the 12-hour window, you can stretch that window to 16 hours for men and 14 hours for women. This would likely mean that you skip breakfast and get your calories in later in the day.
During your fast period, it’s common to still drink water, tea, and other low-calorie beverages. Some may even choose to drink diet soda or coffee.
The 24-Hour Fasting Method
Once you’ve tried both of the above methods, you may be ready to do a 24-hour fasting method. Fasting for an entire day may cause some side effects like fatigue and headaches, so it’s important to work up to it but the benefits of fasting can be well worth the effort.
On a 24-hour fast, like the other fasting methods, you can drink low-calorie beverages, water, and tea. An easy way to measure your fast period is to go from breakfast to breakfast. Then, after the 24 hours, you would resume your normally nutrition consumption.
Get on Track With Your Nutrition at Fit Fx
Proper nutrition combined with high-intensity workouts leads to the amazing results you see at Fit Fx. You can check out just some of the success stories on our website. We encourage all our members to engage in proper nutrition and meal planning. If you need assistance with your nutrition planning or healthy lifestyle adjustments, we’re here to help with expert knowledge and recommendations suited for your goals.
Get started on your fitness journey with Fit Fx. Experience high-intensity group workouts, nutrition consulting, certified personal trainers, and monthly assessments, all in a community-driven environment. Check the schedule for a time that works best for you. Sign up today for our 6-week trial or try us for FREE and starts seeing the results you are looking for! You can also like our Facebook page and get even more valuable fitness tips!