In this article were going to be talking about intermittent fasting. A family member questioned if I was on a diet and I replied no intermittent fasting for me is a lifestyle.
This type of lifestyle has been around for decades in fact, if we examine our ancestors they followed this concept, even if we do not realize it. Before electricity, people would only eat during the daylight hours. This means in winter most cultures went to bed early, not eating in the evening, got up with the sun, began eating, working, and toiling in their lives until it was dark.
Weight Loss and Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting has benefits for your health because when we don’t eat constantly, our bodies can be healthier. The idea that intermittent fasting is a weight-loss diet became popularized in 2012 when a broadcast journalist did a TV documentary on it. Subsequently, several books came out written about losing weight, one of them the Obesity Code, goes into much of the idea of intermittent fasting being a way to lose weight.
A Lifestyle Not A Diet
I prefer to think of it as a lifestyle. With IF or intermittent fasting, it’s clarified that you still need to eat a nutritious diet. What I mean is that you should eat more fruits, vegetables, fiber, and healthy protein. Along with fats and avoid sugar, refined grains, processed foods, and of course stop snacking.
New research has suggested that not all Intermittent Fasting approaches are the same. We as human beings have become in sync with the day/night cycle, otherwise known as a circadian rhythm. Our bodies, our metabolism are used to daytime food, and nighttime sleep. Nighttime eating increases your risk of obesity and diabetes.
Time Window Of Eating
The second key to successful intermittent fasting is the time in which you eat. The ideal time frame is between 7 AM and 3 PM. Another popular time frame, the one I use, is from 10 AM to 6 PM. This one works best with my acupuncture practice.
What kind of health factors come into play?
Studies show that eating in these eight-hour windows is good for blood pressure, your heart, your digestion, and yes your weight. People who are close or at their ideal healthy weight live longer, experience less joint pain, sleep better, and are happier. Did I forget to mention you’ll have more energy as you age?
Why are they happier?
Could it be that intermittent fasting helps you keep your hormones in balance? There is research being done as I write this article suggesting that very thing. We know foods affect all of our hormones, not just the ones we know are important to our sexual drive but those that keep us alert and filled with energy.
So where to start?
First, start with limiting your sugars and carbohydrates. Take everything that falls into this category out of your life for 30 days. It will be hard and you’re likely addicted to sugars like many. One of the best ways is to read labels and find hidden grains or sugars.
Next stop snacking. If you need a snack, make it a piece of fruit. My go to is a banana which is high in sugar but it’s a healthy sugar. Another great one is apples.
In about seven days, lessen the time frame you eat to a smaller time. Instead of eating from the moment you wake to the moment you go to bed, set a goal of not eating after 6 PM. Do this for another week or two.
Then change the time you begin to eat in the morning to later in the day. Now this is if your goal is the 10 AM to 6 PM window. It would be the same if your goal is to eat only during the 7 AM to 3 PM window. I recommend the earlier times if you’re retired.
With intermittent fasting, you will enjoy more energy and sleep better at the very least. Your digestion may be happier and you find that you’re not as hungry. Is this easy?
More Energy and Less Pain
It takes time about 30 days to feel you have made this a lifestyle. Within about 14 days, your energy increases, perhaps even joint pain will decrease, and you will sleep better. I hope intermittent fasting as a lifestyle keeps you young and healthy no matter what age you are right.
