Intermittent Fasting
Something I have been doing for awhile that I wanted to share with you is intermittent fasting. I have read about its effectiveness for weight loss, cleansing, and even physical healing.
Essentially it is choosing a block of time where you consume your allotted calories, then the rest of the time you fast. There are many methods to this voluntary fasting effort. A typical timing cycle includes an 16/8 split. This means that you fast for 16 hours while having an 8-hour window for eating.
During the fasting stage, it is said (and researched) that the body is better able to convert stored fat into fuel. This may actually help with weight loss, if that is your goal.
I have an odd eating schedule compared to most people, but I generally fast for 12 hours and conserve a window of 12 hours for eating. Within my eating period, I don’t consume too many calories, however.
I find that for me, I am more energetic throughout the day. I rest well, I feel strong and alert for my gym workouts, yoga classes, and my mind feels clear for writing and other creative endeavors.
I’m also a big fan of baking (i.e. cakes and cookies). With my intermittent fasting, I don’t feel guilty with consuming my sweet treats and I seem to burn off the calories pretty quickly.
Have you tried intermittent fasting? Want to learn more about it? Here’s an article I found regarding this method. See if it is something that might suit your goals and desires. (And as a note, consult with a physician to see if this type of fasting is healthy for you.)
