HOW INTERMITTENT FASTING CAN MAKE YOU THE ULTIMATE HEALTHY HUMAN

Intermittent fasting? What is that? Isn’t that terrible for you? Aren’t you suppose to eat frequent meals every 2-3 hours to keep your metabolism up at all times and prevent muscle catabolism?

Well it is time to experiment people, and look into this. Why? I hate constantly spending time in the kitchen planning, preparing and eating meals every couple of hours ESPECIALLY if I have to make meals on-the-go. I need an alternative; a plan better suited for my lifestyle and sustainable. 

As much I love nutrition and eating healthy, I also don’t want to be consumed and obsessed by it. This brings us to intermittent fasting (IF), I LOVE IT. I am free of constant eating and believe it or not - HUNGER. 

Let’s get back to the first question: What is is? IF involves a longer period of no food intake followed by a relatively brief period of eating. For example, you’ll consume all your meals during an 8 hour “feeding window” and for the rest of the remaining 16 hours of the day you fast.

Sound complicated? Well, it simply isn’t. And you can make the eating window to whatever suits you, whether thats, 12-8, 11-7, 3-11 Etc. 

To name a few of the benefits of IF: they include increased insulin sensitivity, improved appetite control, reduced blood pressure and increase in fatty acid oxidation (especially later in the fast).

Like anything - there are bound to be a few skeptics, or “you are nuts” people – probably most fitness gurus, because they are so used to the “norm” of  5-8 meals and will think I am nuts for suggesting a fast with 2-3 meals a day.

Well, like I said previously… self-experimentation is crucial and you need to find out what works FOR YOU, if IF doesn’t work for you, don’t hate on it, just don’t do it. 

Dr. John Berardi experimented with IF on a six month journey, totally veering away from his previous approach. He dropped from a 10% bodyfat to a crazy 4% following the IF protocols; you can download the free e-book summarizing his experiment here.

And let me tell you - it is a huge relief to no longer need to be check the clock as to when your next meal is due. 

AND ON TOP OF ALL THAT - WHAT I LOVE IS THE OVERALL HEALTH BENEFITS: 

Taken from http://www.thefeelgoodlifestyle.com/fasting-for-fast-weight-loss-superior-fitness-and-better-health.html

The Mind-Blowing Health Benefits of Intermittent Fasting

Here are the scientifically proven benefits of doing regular fasts of 14+ hours for women, and 16+ hours for men:

• Increased Fatty Acid Oxidation (Body burns more fat as energy, leading to fast weight loss)
• Increased Cell Resistance (Slowed down ageing process, improved immunity)
• Increased Insulin Sensitivity (Less fluctuation in blood sugar levels, more constant energy & mood levels)
• Reduced Cortisol Production (Lower stress levels)
• Reduced Inflammation (Faster body healing, repair, and recovery)
• Reduced Cancer Cells Proliferation Rate (Reduced incidence of several types of cancer)
• Reduced Cognitive Decline for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease
• Reduced Incidence of Heart Disease

Not bad eh! And you haven’t heard the craziest part yet: most people start experiencing these benefits within 2 weeks of starting to fast!

These are some other great links to check out:

http://www.precisionnutrition.com/intermittent-fasting

http://www.leangains.com/2010/06/intermittent-fasting-and-stubborn-body.html