Last night I had the pleasure of speaking at a lovely home gathering with some amazing ladies—imagine a modern twist on a Tupperware party, but all about weight loss and healthy living. I shared tips, had hearty laughs, and sparked some real inspiration. Who knew discussing wellness could be so fun and empowering?
One of the big topics of conversation…fasting.
By now you’ve probably heard all about intermittent fasting. Perhaps you have toyed with the idea of starting but weren’t quite sure it was right for you or you didn’t know how to begin. The idea of fasting can also seem scary to some. Trust me, it’s easier than you think.
There are a number of different ways that you can do it. The parameters I set for my clients I believe to be the simplest and easiest way to be successful with intermittent fasting.
I advise my clients not to eat their first and last 4 hours of the day. Very simple, right? For example, if you get up at 7am then you can eat at 11am. It allows for some flexibility. Perhaps you slept late one morning. If you woke up at 11am that day (wouldn’t that be nice) then you would eat your first meal at 3pm. The way we do it at Sadkhin Therapy allows the window to shift based on your schedule and lifestyle.
Perhaps you are going out to dinner. You don’t want to hit the early bird special (although now I call it Happy Hour because it sounds cooler). You can eat later because you are staying up later. Just stop eating 4 hours before bed. Very simple.
Intermittent fasting is something you can ease into. I am actually hypoglycemic. I felt like fasting would be too much of a challenge for me as a result. I had a hard enough time with Yom Kippur, why would I fast on any other day? However, I decided to give it a try. I eased into it. I started with pushing breakfast an hour, then two, then it became an early lunch. Eventually, I gave up breakfast altogether and I eat typically 6 hours after I rise. Little by little I shortened my eating window. It does not have to be a drastic jump.
Try this…
Week One – wait one hour after you wake to have breakfast.
Week Two – wait 2 hours
Week Three – wait 3 hours
Week Four – Bam! There you go! You are at the 4 hours within the month! Way to go!
I do want to point out that you are drinking plenty of water during those morning hours. I also have a cup of unsweetened tea. Black coffee is fine too. Need a bit more? Ask me about a “dirty” fast.
Are you ready to give it a try? Just a reminder why you might want to consider trying IF:
It’s well known for it’s:
anti-aging benefits
boosted brain function
improved cardiovascular function
reduction of inflammation
improved insulin resistance
increasing blood levels of human growth hormone
increasing your metabolic rate by 3.6-14%, helping you burn even more calories
weight loss
Intermittent fasting teaches your body to use the food it consumes more efficiently.
Reap the benefits listed above by making this one change and let the magic begin!
If you’re curious about transforming your approach to weight loss in a relaxed, friendly setting, just invite me over! Let’s make healthy living a community affair.