Losing Weight: I was Intermittent Fasting and didn't even know it!
by Wendy, Retirement Enthusiast
Fasting
Intermittent Fasting can help you lose weight. In 2014, a study found that intermittent fasting can help lose up to 8% of body fat in only 3 to 24 weeks. A BIG PLUS is that the weight loss is usually in people’s midsection, goodbye Fat!
Intermittent Fasting also helps anxiety and depression… and can even help prevent Alzheimer's. Big WOW there.
I don't eat breakfast, as I don't even get hungry until noon or so. Sometimes I do breakfast with Mom (out for early doctor appointments) but not normally. This is simply my norm. I know its important to eat breakfast to start the day off on the right foot, but I just don't.
SO today, I read this article that talks about the three different types of fasting. Big WOW — I am fasting! I am not losing weight but also haven't gained weight in years… who knew?
What is Intermittent Fasting?
This is a new pattern of eating, not dieting.
16/8: You eat only in an 8-hour window, leaving the other 16 hours in the day for fasting.
This is what I do and yet never realized it's considered fasting. Many people (like me!) choose to skip breakfast and eat their meals between noon and 8 pm, or 1 pm to 9 pm. Works for me!
Eat-Stop-Eat: With this fasting idea, you fast once or twice a week, but you’ll do so for a full 24 hours.
This is a bit more difficult but is doable. I used to fast for one day week (during Lent a few years). I remember being hungry at lunch when everyone was going out to get lunch. Instead, I walked and walked until I got out of the food mood, and went back to work. All good. Ate at dinner — so I fasted from dinner to dinner. I bet it would be more difficult now when retired, and home all day.
I did this fasting for lent — but also loved knowing I could overcome my food-brain! I can do this!
5:2: Here you eat regularly for 5 days and fast for two (nonconsecutive) days. However, on the fasting days, you’re allowed up to 600 calories.
This is an interesting idea… you can eat, just be mindful of the only 600 calories you are allowed on your fasting day and make it worthwhile. I'm not a big eater — bet I could do this one too.
Why Fast?
You will simplify your food-brain, thinking about when to eat, rather than what to eat. I like that — its easier to limit the times you eat, compared to watching every food you eat. You should, of course, eat well during non-fasting periods, but the good thing is you don't have to bother counting calories.
Intermittent fasting is also free, flexible, and simple. And, it costs nothing… only paying attention to the times you can eat.
How Fasting Affects You
Fasting seems, to me, to be perfect for retirees! As always, it might be a good idea to discuss it with your doctor first. People with diabetes, heart conditions, and if you are on blood pressure medication should talk to their doctor first.
During fasting, insulin levels drop and human growth hormones rise. This makes fat burning easier (not sugar burning). This increase in growth hormones can also promote muscle gain… something any retiree could use.
There are also changes in cells and genes to help protect against diseases and promote cell repair – this also flushes out toxins.
Intermittent fasting can increase new neural and nerve cell growth improving overall brain function. That's a big benefit! It has also been linked to decreasing the symptoms of anxiety and depressions and may even reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Do your own research if you care to, but do consider fasting for your aging program!
Anybody else "fast" out there?
Source: Neurocore Centers
