Intermittent fasting(IF) is an eating pattern that switches between eating and fasting. Intermittent fasting is not a diet plan, it doesn’t tell you what to eat, but it is a better way to get the most out of what you eat. I have been doing intermittent fasting for over one year now and these are some of the benefits I have observed. Increased energy levels, fewer cravings, fewer worries about what to eat and when to eat, boost in metabolism and weight loss. Above all, I enjoy my meals now more than ever and don’t keep the tag on what I consume. Given that I generally prefer and eat home-cooked wholesome food.
I am not a nutritionist nor an expert in this field. But the changes I observed through intermittent fasting are so significant that I have no other go but to share them with you all. I stumbled upon intermittent fasting quite accidentally. As I was staying in an Ashram in India where they serve food only 10:00 AM and 6 PM I had no choice but to go with it and you are right I was not quite happy with the food timings. But later I started observing the benefits of this eating pattern and overall a good feeling started emerging that is when I researched a bit more and committed fully to it.
Different types of Intermittent Fasting plans
From ancient periods, the benefits of fasting were evident to people and commonly used for spiritual practices. Fasting helps to increase the production of growth hormones, is proven to help cure different health conditions, helps to control blood sugar levels by reducing insulin resistance, boosts brain function, etc. IF combines the benefits of fasting with eating a normal diet.
That said there are mainly 3 types of intermittent fasting
1. Alternate day fasting -You eat one day and fast the other day
2. You eat a normal diet for 5 days and fast for 2 days
3.16:8 ,in the 16:8 window, you eat between the 8-hour window and fast rest of the 16 hours.
The 16:8 window worked well for me. Generally, a 14/10 window is recommended for women. But I would suggest you test out which works well for you.
Starting with Intermittent Fasting
Before starting any new lifestyle changes try to understand what is the “why” behind bringing forth those changes, this will helps us to get into the roots of our own underlying beliefs and will shed light on if we will be able to keep up with the habit changes in the long run or not.
For intermittent fasting to be impactful we need consistency. So start with a bigger window for eating example if you have opted for the daily eating and fasting regimen 16\8 method, then start with 12hrs of eating and 12 hours of fasting, then gradually shift to 16hrs of fasting and 8hrs. of eating.
Intermittent fasting is one of the key changes I made in my eating pattern that is of multidimensional benefits. If you are curious about this eating pattern try it for 21days at least and see how it has impacted you overall.
Some useful links on Intermittent fasting:
Thoughts of Freedom 