How Does Intermittent Fasting Work With Weight Loss?

Category: Weight Loss & Dieting Tips

We have all heard of the term intermittent fasting but what does it mean and exactly how does intermittent fasting work with weight loss? Does it mean constantly fasting in an attempt to loss weight? This would be definitely be a hard bargain for even the most committed person. So today we are going to explore how intermittent fasting works.

What is Intermittent Fasting?

The idea of intermittent fasting is relatively simple. It involves fasting for short periods of time and then eating healthy for a period of time then fasting again. It is a healthy cycle that allows the body to take in food while still controlling your intake.

How Does Intermittent Fasting Work?

There are multiple methods for intermittent fasting. The top three methods are based on creating intermittent fasting plans that revolve around how much you eat and/or when you eat. By controlling this you are not eating all the time. So let’s digger deeper into these three ways.



Formulating your intermittent fasting eating plan

We will take a quick look at the top three options you can take in creating the basics of your own intermittent fasting eating plan



Method 1:

Skip a meal and eat daily only during an 8 hour period. For example, 6 am to 2 pm. In this example, between 2 pm and 6 am you would not eat anything but could still drink water.

Method 2:

Take a day of fasting once or twice a week. During this day you won’t eat anything until the next day. This can be hard for people who haven’t practiced fasting in another way.

Method 3:

Significantly reducing the calories on two or three days of the week is the last method. The average person should eat between 1200 and 1500 calories per day. On the days you reduce your calorie intake you want to eat half of your regular calorie intake or less.

These three methods have been found to be very successful when it comes to fasting. A key part of using all intermittent fasting methods is to eat healthy on the times when you are allowed to eat. Many people will end a fast and want to overeat. If you are going to eat a lot, make sure it is low calorie health foods.

Why do these modes of intermittent fasting work? Each of these methods works by reducing the amount of calories you eat every week while still having you perform normal days and exercises. Simply by reducing the calories your body starts to get rid of fat from around the body.

Other forms of intermittent fasting may include: intermittent fasting one meal a day plan or a 24 hour intermittent fasting plan.

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Why is Intermittent Fasting Important?

Long term fasting has been popular for years but studies are starting to show that this may not be effective. In studies long term fasting was determined to have suppressed the bodies metabolism because the body gets used to having little to no food intake for a long period of time. You might think that intermittent fasting does the same thing, but think again.

Intermittent fasting has also been tested for effectiveness. During these studies, it was found during these studies that the intermittent fasting results in an increased metabolism. The fasting periods for these studies was about 48 hours a week.

With study results like this it is obvious which of the two options is best, intermittent fasting. In order to burn fat we will want to maximize the effectiveness of our metabolism. Studies showed that intermittent fasting can boost your metabolism by up to 14%. A small amount but one that is considerable when you factor in that intermittent fasting isn’t the only actions that you should be taking.

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Does Intermittent Fasting Work For Weight Loss?

From what you read above you might have already noticed that intermittent fasting works great as part of a weight loss plan. Studies around the world have been conducted into various methods of weight loss. When it comes to intermittent fasting, the results showed that a majority of people lost significant weight loss. The average person loses between 3 and 8% of their body weight by utilizing intermittent fasting.

The increased metabolism helps with this as does the reduction of calories that you eat.

It is crucial to note that no one method of weight loss works alone. In order to succeed when intermittent fasting you need to think about the whole body and the environment it is in. Healthy eating, for example, is key to weight loss.

During your non-fasting periods you want to incorporate positive foods such as fruits, vegetables, meats (proteins), and fibers. On the other hand, you will want to get rid of negative foods such as carbs/sugars, salt, and artificial ingredients. This may take some adapting to but it can help improve the results you see.

Another important part of your weight loss efforts is getting exercise. Exercise doesn’t always have to be at the gym though. You will want to get your heart rate up for at least 30 minutes every other day. This will help you to burn calories, build muscle, and keep a clear mind.

Sitting all day will greatly impact your weight loss goals. Make sure that you spend at least 5-10 minutes every hour walking around on your feet. If you don’t have a job that will let you do this, stand up at your desk and walk in place for a while.

These are just a couple of the things you can do to help improve the effectiveness of intermittent fasting. If you want to get the best results it can help to get a weight loss coach or see a weight loss clinic. Professionals can help you tune your weight loss plans specifically to your body, mind, and schedule.

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Other Benefits of Intermittent Fasting

While the majority of people who consider “how does intermittent fasting work” are thinking about burning fat, there are other benefits that you can receive from this practice. You will start noticing positive changes in your body that can do a lot for you.

As you lose weight, improve your fitness, and change what you eat you will improve your overall health. This health improvement doesn’t just affect your body, your mind will start to feel better. Most people who lose weight and improve fitness will notice that they feel better as they go about their days.

Some attempts to lose weight involve methods that can burn your muscles, not just fat. This is especially true when it comes to dieting plans. Intermittent fasting helps you to focus on burning fat while retaining your muscle. Increasing your protein and maintaining a fitness plan will help to ensure that you keep your muscle mass.

Mental health in general is tied to fitness, weight, and body image. All of these will improve as you go about intermittent fasting. At first you might find it difficult but as your body and mind adapt, you will start to notice the changes.

Improved health and reduced body weight also means that you are reducing your chances of contracting chronic diseases. Weight is tied to a number of chronic diseases, not just the well-known diabetes. Some cancers, heart conditions, and bone conditions have all been linked to weight gain and being heavy.

Overall, all of the benefits that you are getting from intermittent fasting will help you to extend your lifespan. Healthier bodies, minds, and spirits have been shown to live much longer lives.

Conclusion:

Intermittent fasting is a great way to start improving your health and reducing your body weight. You will gain positive tools to help yourself grow as a healthy person. Many of these tools come subconsciously through the habits you build. It is important to note that intermittent fasting is not for everyone though. If you find problems as you fast you may want to change up your fasting methods or consider other weight loss methods.

Now you know the answer to how does intermittent fasting work and you are prepared to start planning your own intermittent fasting efforts. Good luck and burn that fat.

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