Intermittent fasting has always been showcased as a way to get healthier and lose weight. The reality is that it’s not as simple as just not eating. There are some key tips that you’ll need to know about it before you get started to ensure you get the success that you’re looking for.
1- There Are Many Different Plans
Intermittent fasting is a broad term used to describe the behavior of eating during certain periods of time and not eating during the other. While there are many beginner guides out there to assist you in finding the right plan, we’re going to list out a few for you. These include the 16 hour fast, fasting one day a week, alternating fasting days, and the 20 hour fast.
2- Plan Fasting During Sleeping Hours
A great tip to help make the fasting period feel more manageable is to schedule it during your sleeping hours. This could be as simple as not eating anything after dinner. If you decide to follow the 16 hour fast, you can easily stop eating after your 6 pm dinner and be able to eat the next morning at 10 am. This schedule can feel more doable than not eating after your 12 noon lunch until 4 am the next morning.
3- Identify Boredom Munchies
While you eat because you’re hungry, you can also eat for many other reasons. One of the most common is boredom. It’s vital to the success of your overall intermittent fasting plan that you identify boredom munchies early on. Have activities in mind that you can do as soon as you realize that you’re hungry due to boredom. Preplanning can help to significantly reduce your risk of munching on food while you’re bored and in your fasting period.
4- Keep Your Water Intake High
Water is your best friend when it comes to intermittent fasting. It can help to allow you to feel fuller and keep your energy levels high. There’s nothing worse than feeling hungry and tired during your fasting period. Always take the time to drink a glass of water to see if it curbs your appetite before turning to food while fasting.
5- Ensure You’re Getting Enough Protein
Protein is a necessity to allow you to feel satiated throughout the day. It also plays a major role in retaining your body’s muscle mass throughout your intermittent fasting journey. Unfortunately, many intermittent fasters find it difficult to get enough protein in their diet. Don’t fall victim to this problem. By simply preplanning your meals, you can ensure that around 30 percent of your diet is made up of protein.
6- Start Off Slowly
While diving headfirst into new things can be an advantage for some goals, it’s not highly recommended for intermittent fasting. Your body gets very used to eating at the same times throughout the day. Skipping that meal for the first time can feel like an eternity. It’s best to ease yourself into your chosen intermittent fasting schedule by delaying your usual mealtime by an hour a day. Gradually work yourself up to the point where you can skip a meal as you’ll find it easier to stay on your fasting plan.
Intermittent fasting is a great way to boost your energy, lose weight, and regain mental resilience. By implementing the tips that we went over above, you can set yourself up for a great journey of intermittent fasting.
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