Alternate day fasting is probably one of the most effective forms of intermittent fasting because the fasting period is so long. Studies have shown time and time again how effective this method can be with helping individuals lose weight, control their blood sugar levels, decrease their blood pressure, and more (4, 5).
14:10 and 12:12 tend to be the best for those new to intermittent fasting, because they are less restrictive in terms of when you can eat. 2) 5:2 Fasting – In this method, you can eat normally for five days a week, but on two non-consecutive days you consume 500-600 calories a day.
According to some researchers, fasting for 10–16 hours can cause the body to turn its fat stores into energy, which releases ketones into the bloodstream. This should encourage weight loss.
The benefits of a 16-hour fasting schedule are the same as a 12-hour fasting. They include weight loss, aid in the cellular repair process, improved sleep, improved digestion, increased mental health and clarity, and reduced insulin resistance.
In the case of Intermittent fasting, skipping your dinner is better and easier. You can have your dinner either early or have a heavy snack and can begin your fasting. Research suggests that fasting in the evening and overnight, then eating early in the morning is the better way to follow this diet to lose weight.
For example, studies have found that people who regularly fast more than 16 or 18 hours a day have a higher risk of gallstones. They're also more likely to need surgery to remove the gallbladder. Eating for 12 hours and then fasting for 12 hours is likely safe for most people, Longo explains.
Additionally, it will take your body a while to get used to this new eating schedule. So don't expect results right away. You may need to wait between 2 and 4 weeks to see or feel any results.
When you fast for shorter durations, your body doesn't have enough time to go into ketosis. This means it won't burn stored fat, and there won't be significant weight loss. As one study concluded, a fasting window of 18-19 hours is more effective in terms of weight loss than those between 12-17 hours [11].
This is how much weight you can lose with intermittent fasting. In doing the fast correctly and ensuring that it is aligning with your mind, body and soul–you can expect a good weight loss of anywhere between 2 to 6 kgs a month with excellent inch loss and increase in energy levels and brain function.
Instead of spreading out 3 large meals throughout the entire day, try to eat all of your food in a period of 8 or 10 hours and then fasting until the next day. Pick a window of time, like 11 am to 7 or 9 pm, and allow yourself to eat during then. Outside of those hours, only drink water or other no-calorie drinks.
The same is with intermittent fasting. Experts suggest that a person needs to follow the basic rules for at least 10 weeks to witness some positive results. Following the diet properly for this period of time will help you shed 3 to 5 kilos of weight (depending on your BMR).
Fasting on either a daily or weekly basis helps your body burn fat. There are different approaches to intermittent fasting but the most popular include: Alternate day fasting includes normal eating every other day, with days of restricted eating (500 calories) in between.
So, can you have a cheat day while intermittent fasting? Yes, absolutely. An occasional cheat day will not hinder your weight-loss progress if you do it right. In fact, it's scientifically proven that intentional cheat days can even enhance your metabolism [1].
Potential Drawbacks of Intermittent Fasting
If you're not already used to skipping meals or not eating for an extended period of time, the hunger and fatigue that can occur when starting IF can be difficult to handle. Other side effects can include insomnia, irritability, headaches, and nausea.
Side effects of intermittent fasting
Intermittent fasting can have unpleasant side effects. They could include hunger, fatigue, insomnia, irritability, decreased concentration, nausea, constipation and headaches. Most side effects go away within a month.
If you don't eat for 10–16 hours, your body will go to its fat stores for energy, and fatty acids called ketones will be released into the bloodstream. This has been shown to protect memory and learning functionality, says Mattson, as well as slow disease processes in the brain.
The study also suggests that skipping breakfast or dinner might help people lose weight, since they burned more calories on those days.
How many hours do you need to go without eating? Twelve hours is the minimum timespan for successful intermittent fasting. This is the best way to start out. So, if you have breakfast at 8 a.m., do not eat anything after 8 p.m. This will leave your stomach empty from bedtime till the next morning.
01/8Gain some inspiration with his weight loss experience
From being once body-shamed to not being able to play cricket and football well, following a well-structured Intermittent Fasting diet helped him drop a whopping 15 kilos in 2.5 months!
This shift can take 3-5 days of extremely low carb eating, but once you are there and maintain ketosis you may be able to burn 2-3kg of body fat a week, or even more if you have large amounts of weight to lose.