We are all constantly looking for new ways of staying in shape and looking fit, so when news comes of a new method of keeping our bodies looking hot and sexy, while coming to an ideal weight, we are surely interested to find out more about it.

Intermittent fasting is the new trend among personal trainers and body builders, because is a way of boosting the metabolism without following a restrictive dietary plan. And who has the time for a daily meal plan when your agendas are fully booked with dates!?

What’s intermittent fasting?

Intermittent fasting is a period of time when you choose not to have food entering your body. You are allowed to have coffee, tea and water, but that’s about it. Intermittent fasting can go from a couple of hours without eating any type of food, to a whole day without touching the fridge. It all depends on the type of fasting you are going for. But keep in mind that every decision regarding the period of time you intend to fast must be discussed with your physician, in order to make sure your body can take it.

What happens to your body when you fast?

What’s really important to know is that we are designed to go for days without food, without any health consequences. So, in this situation, by not providing our body with food, it will end up going to the body fat that has been stored away, consuming it in order to get the energy we need for our daily life.

Did you know that when we eat, we ingest more energy than our body can immediately consume? Well, part of that excess energy is being transformed into fat deposits. The medical explanation is far more detailed, and it involves insulin, glucose levels and glycogen but we’ll leave that to the dietitian to explain it better.

What are the benefits?

Fasting is said to have detoxification benefits. Some of the benefits our bodies get from fasting from time to time, are: weight loss, increased fat burning, lowered blood sugar levels, improved concentration, increased energy levels, improved blood cholesterol and life span.

There are multiple ways of intermittent fasting

The 16:8 way of intermittent fasting means that you only have an 8 hours window to eat, while you fast for the other 16 hours. It’s actually pretty simple, because it means you get to eat between 11:00 am to 07:00 pm. During this 8-hour window you get to eat two to three normal meals. That doesn’t mean you get to overindulge yourself with sweets or fast food.

Gradually you can shrink this window to a 4-hour eating period, with the next 20 spent fasting. But during those 4 hours you must have two good and healthy meals.

The 24-hour fasting

This can be done two to three times per week and it actually means that you spent 24 hours fasting. So, if you’ve had your last meal at 7 pm, next day you’ll skip breakfast and lunch and eat one single meal, the dinner at 7 pm.

The 5:2 intermittent fasting plan

This plan means that you can eat normally and healthy for 5 days and two days a week you will fast. But, in these two days you get to consume 500 calories per day. These calories can be consumed during one single meal or throughout the day.

36-hour fasting

This type of intermittent fasting means you eat normally one day and the next day you fast. The pattern repeats itself during the entire week.

Watch your health, be active, see a doctor before starting the intermittent fasting diet and see if it works for you. Do not try it if you are underweight, you are pregnant, you are breastfeeding or you are under 18 years old, because at this age your body needs extra nutrients.

Let us know if it worked for you and give us some pointers on what you do to stay in shape and feel fit!