Should You Try Intermittent Fasting When You’re Trying to Get Lean?

Over the past few years, intermittent fasting has become increasingly popular. Many swear by its countless health benefits and claim that it is the perfect diet if you want to get lean without giving up your favorite foods. On the flip side, others warn against its disadvantages. The health and fitness experts at Driven Fit + SWS shed some light on this popular diet trend. 

What is Intermittent Fasting?

Intermittent fasting is a dietary pattern where you cycle between periods of eating and periods of fasting. By giving up certain meals, the diet allows you to eat much of the foods you enjoy, as long as they are healthy and consumed during a specific time period.

There are two types of intermittent fasting:

16:8 Intermittent Fasting

This diet is the most common and involves eating for 8 hours, abstaining for 16 (eight hours of which is sleeping). Most people who practice 16:8 fasting eat between 12 pm and 8 pm, however, this eating period can be adjusted to fit any lifestyle. During fast, you can drink water and unsweetened coffee or tea. 

5:2 Intermittent Fasting

This form of fasting involves eating normally five days a week and restricting calories two days a week (500 per day for women, 600 per day for men). An example of 5:2 fasting is abstaining on a Tuesday and Friday. A more restrictive 5:2 fasting involves eating no foods on the two fasting days. 

Interested in learning more about intermittent fasting? Call/text Driven Fit + SWS at (813) 440-3016 to schedule an appointment! 

Benefits of Intermittent Fasting to Get Lean

You eat mindfully. Since you are consciously abstaining from food for a certain amount of time, intermittent fasting will make you more aware of when and what you eat. 

You will break unhealthy eating patterns. By fasting for a certain period, you may start to recognize unhealthy patterns such as emotional eating. 

During the fasting period, you may get frustrated, angry, or bored, and you cannot resort to foods as a coping mechanism! So often our hunger cues get mixed up with our emotions. With intermittent fasting, no matter what emotions spring up, food cannot be the answer. 

It can help you lose bodyweight. Because you are skipping meals and naturally limiting your calorie intake for the day, it makes total sense that you will lose weight! The question is will you keep it off long-term? 

Add a healthy diet and exercise into the mix, and you’ll start shedding pounds in no time! In fact, studies show intermittent fasting is more efficient for weight loss than simple calorie restriction. In one study, participants lost a half-pound per week on the 16:8 model and 1 ½ pounds on the alternate-day fasting model. 

Through diet and exercise, the wellness programs at Driven Fit + SWS can restore and rejuvenate your body! 

Disadvantages to Fasting When Getting Lean 

Almost every diet has disadvantages, intermittent fasting being no exception. Some of the KEY drawbacks  include: 

• It doesn’t follow strict rules on what you eat. To maximize the results of intermittent fasting, it should be paired with a healthy diet. Remember: you can’t outrun your fork…
• Fasting on workout days could affect performance. Because you’re exercising in a fasted state (with no energy to fuel you), your body will take energy from wherever it can. This can result in depleted energy, low blood sugar, fatigue, and weakness. 
• Weight loss from intermittent fasting does not always mean fat loss. The body needs fat to survive, so when you’re fasting (especially when working out), the body may let go of muscle instead of fat. The result? The “skinny fat” body. Not exactly what you’re looking for! 

Feel Great, Live Better Without Fasting

You may not need to fast to achieve your weight loss goals. At our South Tampa studio, it’s more than just what you eat; we take a whole-body approach to fitness. At Driven Fit + SWS, clients love how our total body solution including health and wellness programs transform their lifestyle to feel great and live better.. Start your path to total body restoration and call/text (813) 440-3016! 

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