Ease Into Intermittent Fasting

• By Beth Meirav
• My Blog

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 - 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 tea with a teaspoon of honey (keep it under 50 calories and you are not breaking your fast). Honey helps to control my blood sugar so I don't get dizzy or light-headed. I utilize this method with other clients that are hypoglycemic or diabetic.

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!