Intermittent Fasting: 4 Reasons Why It Might Be Your Nutritional Solution

Last updated on December 15th, 2019 at 01:42 pm

Certain diet plans have received a lot of attention in recent years. Intermittent fasting is one of these nutritional solutions that has become increasingly popular. It is an easy way of achieving effective weight loss and ditching bad eating habits.

As a personal trainer I know the importance of designing a diet plan that suits the individual. Too many people approach intermittent fasting without doing the necessary research or consulting experts. Pursuing a diet without proper planning can be dangerous.

Thankfully, this guide will help you understand how intermittent fasting effects your body so that you can decide whether it is the health trend for you.

What Is Intermittent Fasting?

Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern practice that involves periods of extended fasting and concentrated eating. There are several ways to incorporate intermittent fasting into your nutritional routine.

• The 16:8 diet involves fasting for 16 hours per day and eating within an eight- hour window. This is usually done by only eating from midday till 8pm.
• The 5:2 diet involves eating only 25% of a normal calorie intake on two non-consecutive days per week. (BBC Health)

How Does It Work?

1. Intermittent fasting reduces calories intake, but it doesn't downgrade your metabolism. The intermittent nature ensures that the body does not have enough time to adapt your metabolism. 
2. Fasting up to 48h will increase your metabolism. Fasting for any time over 48 hours will make your body send alert signals for your metabolism to slow down and adapt to starvation. Metabolism increases to encourage you to look for food. 
3. Improves your hormone balance. Intermittent fasting can lower insulin (slows down fat storage), increase growth hormones to help with quick recovery, epinephrine sends signals to burn fat. 
4. Intermittent fasting can also lead to a calorie deficit without losing muscle tissue. Pure fat loss. With a classic type diet 25% of weight loss comes from muscles compared to only 10% with intermittent fasting.

Staying Healthy

Intermittent fasting is a good framework for your health and fitness journey. I have seen many clients respond positively to the fasting and eating patterns. Obviously, intermittent fasting is not suitable for everyone. It is important to consult your doctor before making any significant changes to your eating habits.

“According to a survey by the International Food Information Council Foundation intermittent fasting (IF) was last year's most popular diet”.(BBC News). During my personal training consultations, I am often asked about intermittent fasting. It is popular because it is relatively simple to accomplish and it produces great results.

Please feel free to get in touch and book a session!