Keep it Simple Stupid:
A guide to intermittent Fasting
May 2020
Disclaimer: seek medical advice if you start to experience too much awesomeness.
(But seriously you may need to consult a physician if you have any issues with sleeping, are pregnant, or have history with disordered eating).
I don’t eat breakfast. In fact, I don’t eat until early afternoon. And it’s not as uncomfortable as it may sound. Let’s start with why I do it. Our bodies are amazing and complex, and are built to run on a reserve or secondary tank. Think of yourself as a hybrid vehicle – right now you are running only on gas, but you have this incredibly effective electric system that you could be using as well. OC IV The electric system of our bodies is our stored fat. When we intermittently fast, we unlock the benefits of running on this electric system. I’m sure you’re saying, “These benefits better be good if I’m going to skip a meal.” And trust me, they are.
Intermittent fasting benefits:
- Reduces insulin production, which aids your body in burning fat. This means all that stored fat gets used for your energy! Yes, please!
- Increases the development of Human Growth Hormone, helping you repair and grow muscles more effectively.
- Removes waste from cells. Think about filling your hybrid with gas when the tank is still half full. If you do this, the amount of sediment that remains is horrific – it’s better to empty that tank out first and fill it back up when it’s cleaned out.
- Reduces inflammation. Goodbye joint pain (well, some of it)! Boosts metabolism. If you’re doing HIIT workouts, this ends up giving you a double whammy effect on your metabolism. More bang for your buck!
Ok, so now that you’re sold on why you should intermittently fast, I’ll expand on what it exactly entails. There are a couple approaches to IMF, the most common being 16 hours off / 8 hours on. This means that out of a 24-hour day, you only eat during an 8-hour window, and the other 16 hours you would fast. So if you have your last meal at 10 pm, your first meal would be at 2 pm. I like to eat my last meal an hour before bed, though you have some flexibility with that timing.
It may sound daunting, but I promise it’s not that bad. Here’s what you can consume during your 16 fasting hours:
- Water (duh).
- Coffee or tea is good – but straight, with no milk or sweeteners.
- Seltzer
- I like to use Hi-Lite electrolytes, which have no sugar, just salt, zinc, and magnesium.
- You cannot have any sugar. Not even that fake shit.
IMF isn’t easy, but it’s not as hard as you think. If it was easy everyone would do it, especially with all the benefits. But our brains are fighting to keep us at homeostasis where we’re comfortable. But, we can make deliberate choices to be uncomfortable in the short-term because we know there are long-term health benefits. Or not; it’s all about balance, and IMF might not be your jam. Intermittent fasting works for me because it’s simple enough to sustain long term. So, add this strategy to your wellness toolbox and give it a try.
