One method for weight loss that has gained a lot of popularity recently is intermittent fasting. Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that cycles between periods of fasting and eating. Studies have shown that this lifestyle allows your body to adjust its hormone levels to make stored fat more accessible. This, combined with the fact that calorie intake is reduced, can make intermittent fasting a great weight loss plan for some.
There are three popular methods to intermittent fasting; the 16/8 method, eat-stop-eat, and the 5:2 diet. The 16/8 method involves only keeping your eating periods at 8 hours, and then fasting for 16 hours before the next eating period. For the eat-stop-eat method, there is a 24 hour long fast for one or two days a week, followed by a normal eating schedule for the rest of the week. Lastly, the 5:2 diet calls for two-consecutive days in a week of eating only 500-600 calories. The other five days follow a normal eating routine. Intermittent fasting is not for everyone, for it requires a lot of commitment. If you are looking to integrate intermittent fasting into your routine, first talk to your physician about if your current health allows it. Also, make sure to take some time to consider if you'll also be able to stay dedicated to the fasting.