Intermittent fasting is everywhere these days, and for good reason. It's an amazing tool for weight loss and overall health. But before you dive into the fasting lifestyle, there are a few key things you should know to set yourself up for success.
Here’s what you need to keep in mind:
1. Intermittent Fasting Is a Lifestyle, not a Diet
When you hear the term "intermittent fasting," don’t think of it as just another diet fad. It’s a lifestyle change, not a temporary solution.
Intermittent Fasting is Not About Short-Term Fixes
Intermittent fasting isn’t a quick-fix diet where you’ll lose 20 pounds in 10 days. It’s about adopting a fasting lifestyle that involves specific eating and fasting windows. This approach is designed to be flexible and sustainable, fitting seamlessly into your daily routine.
No Complicated Diet Rules to Creating a Successful Intermittent Fasting Lifestye
Forget about rules and restrictions. With intermittent fasting, you don’t weigh or measure anything. There are no strict calorie counts or macro goals to hit. You simply follow your fasting and eating windows as they work for you.
2. Mindset Is Key to Success
One of the most crucial elements of a successful fasting lifestyle is your mindset. This isn’t a quick fix but rather a gradual process that requires patience and persistence.
Embrace the Adaptation Phase of Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting isn’t about losing tons of weight overnight.
The first few weeks are about allowing your body to adapt to this a way of eating.
During this time, you may not see dramatic changes on the scale, and that’s okay, there are so many amazing things going on inside your body that you can’t see.
Understanding Metabolic Switching
The adaptation phase is extremely important, it is when your body is learning to move from burning sugar for energy to pulling fat stored from your fat cells to burn for energy. This shift, known as metabolic switching, is how we lose weight.
However, this process can take a few weeks, this is where patience is needed.
Move Beyond the Diet Mindset
We’re all so used to fast results from dieting, because that is what we were told – 30 pounds in 30 days, detox for fat weight loss, lose 10 pounds in 1 week - intermittent fasting might feel slow at first.
Remember, this is a long-term lifestyle change. Be patient and avoid the temptation to expect instant results.
3. Start Slow for Best Intermittent Fasting Results
Jumping straight into long fasts can be extremely stressful on your body causing you to feel tired and nauseous. To avoid this, move slowly into longer fasts to give your body time to adapt.
Begin with Small Adjustments to Create a Successful Intermittent Fasting Lifestyle
Start by extending your fast by just one hour. If you usually have breakfast at 8 AM, try waiting until 9 AM for a week. If that’s too much for you, try pushing your dinner forward by 30 minutes and your breakfast back by 30 minutes.
This small change allows your body to adapt without feeling overwhelmed or stressed.
Assess and Adjust Your Fasting Window Gradually
After a week, check in with how you’re feeling. If you’re comfortable, delay breaking your fast another hour. Continue this gradual approach, reassessing how you feel each week.
Listen to Your Body for Intermittent Fasting Success
If you ever feel uncomfortable, don’t force yourself to extend your fast. Stick with your current fasting window and reassess after another week. It’s important to listen to your body’s signals and make adjustments as needed.
By approaching intermittent fasting with the right mindset and a gradual plan, you’ll set yourself up for a successful and sustainable lifestyle change. Happy fasting!
Want to learn more about the fasting lifestyle and how to make it work for you?
Download my “Fasting Made Simple” guide by clicking below
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