January 18th, 2021
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
Almost every diet has disadvantages, intermittent fasting being no exception. Some of the KEY drawbacks include:
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!
Categories: Lifestyle