Intermittent Fasting - The Easiest Way to Calorie Restriction

One of the FAQs in this blog is ‘how to resist food’.  I must say food is irresistible in many cases. Don’t resist if you have to eat.  When I have to eat, I eat happily.  When I have to fast, I fast happily. I’ve mentioned in my previous posts that I’m much disciplined on weekdays and not much disciplined on weekends and holidays.  Fact is we need a way to regulate between eat and don’t eat. I’m not the one who says this. It’s been in the press lately about a 5:2 diet, meaning a little fasting (2 days) and a lot of feasting (5 days) weekly.  

For those who enjoy going out on the weekend to eat or drink with friends, they generally find it nearly impossible to have a good balance between social life and weight loss. 

But what if there is a way to eat what you want part of the time while still staying on your diet and losing weight? 

Try Intermittent Fasting 

Intermittent Fasting, or IF, is simply alternating periods of eating with non-eating. For example, a person may fast every other day of the week, or only one to two days per week. Doing this allows you to create a weekly caloric deficit rather than a daily caloric deficit.  

You see, most people try to eat the same amount of calories per day. So for example, let’s say that you have figured out that you need to eat 1,700 calories per day in order to lose weight.  So Monday through Thursday, you do a fantastic job of sticking to your diet.  But Friday night you get invited to go to happy hour with a friend and you end up eating and drinking 1,700 calories in one sitting!  

Well, if you had been following an intermittent fasting schedule you would have figured out how many calories you were allowed for the entire week, and then divided it up according to your schedule. This would allow you to eat a lower amount of calories on the weekdays thus saving up some extra calories for the weekend. With intermittent fasting, you make your diet work for you, not the other way around.  

But Is Intermittent Fasting Healthy? 

You might be surprised to know that intermittent fasting has many other benefits besides just weight loss. Studies have shown that it increases insulin sensitivity and lowers cholesterol. It also reduces blood pressure and inflammation, which is responsible for many chronic diseases.  

Intermittent fasting also teaches you how to develop self control and manage your hunger.  It helps you learn the difference between real hunger and eating just because it’s time to eat. This is very powerful in changing your behavior so that the resulting weight loss is long term. 

What Is The Best Way to Begin Intermittent Fasting? 

Brad Pilon’s Eat Stop Eat is the best way to begin a fasting regimen.  This is not just his ideas on what he thinks works well. His book is filled with solid research and science to back up his claims.  Once you download his book, you can begin the diet as soon as tomorrow.  You don’t have to stock up on expensive supplements or special foods. You don’t have to feel deprived because you can still enjoy your favorite foods. All you need is a little will power and the desire to make it happen.  

So what are you waiting for? You have nothing to lose but the weight!