Your Daily Cup: I Thought Intermittent Fasting Was A Hoax
Your Daily Cup: I Thought Intermittent Fasting Was A Hoax
I quite literally thought (in the beginning) that intermittent fasting was what the cool kids said for starving yourself to lose weight. Oh how naïve I was. With research and podcasts and blogs I came to the consensus that it may just be one the healthiest things you can do for your body.
I am not a medical professional and am not giving out medical advice. Before making health changes in your daily life it is in your best interest to seek medical advice from a professional before you decide to do so. This is based on my experience and the research I have found using public resources.
So let’s say you’re uneducated in this area. (I still have tons to learn.) I am going to bring to you the knowledge that I have come across. Here are the basics: Intermittent fasting is a period of time in which you do NOT consume anything to eat or drink with the exception of water, tea, black coffee, etc., therefore shortening the time frame in which you do consume food.
HOW INTERMITTENT FASTING WORKS INSIDE THE BODY
I’m going to slightly nerd out here for a moment. Typically we were brought up on the idea that you should be eating six times throughout the day, but fasting makes the body work. When you fast, your body rids itself of toxins, and your cells are forced into processes not normally stimulated with a constant flow of nutrients. When your body doesn’t have normal access to glucose, your liver converts non-carbohydrate materials (like fat) into energy. Our bodies conserve energy while fasting which in turn will lower your heart rate and blood pressure.
Ketosis occurs later in the fasting cycle - which is a term many have heard about by now. This is when the body burns stored fat for energy which is optimal for those looking to lose weight and regulate their blood pressure.
The cells in the body are strengthened by fasting because the stress that the body endures will force the cells to adapt, therefore creating the ability to cope. In comparison to exercising muscles with physical movement, resulting in growth and strength, fasting helps the cells ‘exercise’, so-to-speak. Am I boring you yet?
BENEFITS BASED ON EVIDENCE
I’m bringing you the benefits I read from The Wellnest (https://www.humnutrition.com/blog/intermittent-fasting/), just in case you want to fact check me.
Hear-say and many social media posts will rave about success with increased energy, weight loss, and even mental clarity, which I have experienced these as well. Some of the reported benefits:
Reduced inflammation - generally and in gut
Lowering total cholesterol, LDL, blood triglycerides, and blood pressure
Managing blood sugar
Weight loss
Improvements in degenerative brain disorders
Increase growth hormone secretion
CARRYOUT METHODS
With every health pattern there are different ways of carrying it out and www.healthline.com gives us some great options.
THE 16/8 METHOD: This involves removing the traditional breakfast meal and restricting the typical eating period to 8 hours, i.e. 1:00-9:00pm, or if you’re like me, 11:00am-7:00pm. Then you fast in between. This is the most popular, most sustainable.
EAT-STOP-EAT: This involves fasting for 24 hours, once or twice a week, for example by not eating from dinner one day until dinner the next day.
THE 5:2: With this, you consume only 500–600 calories on two non-consecutive days of the week, but eat normally the other 5 days.
LADIES, GET THIS, WE’RE SENSITIVE (Insert eye roll) … But seriously, our hormones play a part in intermittent fasting (go figure). Our bodies are extremely *sensitive* to calorie restriction, (as if I’m not sensitive enough). We should approach this with caution and possibly consider a modified approach. For example, shorter fasting periods, and fewer fasting days until you see how it will affect your body. Also, CONSULT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.
WHAT’S NEXT?
I am taking a modified approach on intermittent fasting, and I am keeping my progress updated by recording it in my very own Wellness Journal. You, too, can track your progress in any aspect of your health with the help of a wellness journal. Purchase one today through our Etsy site: https://www.etsy.com/listing/921719579/wellness-journal-6-week-food-tracker?ref=shop_home_feat_1&frs=1
Jessica Wallace is a local blog writer and co-producer of Your Daily Cup. Partnering with her sister, Julia, the two have created an online blog focusing on work, family and wellness with a mission to encourage growth within life and all it encompasses while empowering those who are inspired by their personal life realities. Read, like and share at yourdailycupblog.wordpress.com