If you are reading this right now, you probably have an idea of what intermittent fasting is but are not quite sure if it’s for you. Maybe you have “google’d” it a couple times or have a friend who was talking about it at work the other day. Maybe you even just read my “what is intermittent fasting” post.
Either way, I’m going to assume from this point that you understand the basic concept of intermittent fasting but not sure why you might want to do it or if it’s right for you. I’m not going to try and convince you too fast or not. In the light of keeping it simple and being completely honest, I’m just going to speak to my experience and how it’s worked for me.
Where are you in your life right now?
In my opinion, you really have to know where you are in regards to your health and wellness. For me, the trigger to even google the term intermittent fast was when I hit my 30s. My metabolism slowed down and despite working even harder in the gym, I was still not getting where I wanted. I used to be able to eat anything I wanted.
I’m German and grew up eating cake and Nutella for breakfast. If I told you how much sugar I consumed as a child all the way through my 20s, you probably would not believe me. However, I was extremely active and was hard pressed to put on weight. I was skinny and lean no matter what I ate.
If you are at the point in your life where you can eat whatever you want, whenever you want and still not gain weight… fasting is probably not for you. There are other health benefits to fasting such as immune health, but most people start looking into when they are trying to lose weight.
If you have noticed your metabolism has slowed down, regardless of whether it occurred in your early 20s or late 40s, you may want to consider fasting.
Good News! Intermittent fasting is not a drastic change to your life
So let’s say for arguments sake you are at the point where your metabolism has started to tank. Here is the good news… unlike a diet, fasting is not going to change what you eat. Sure, consuming less fast food and eating more fruits and vegetables is better for you. I would find it hard to argue otherwise.
Starting a strict diet changes your whole life pattern and dictates what you can eat. Fasting simply stops you from eating. You can still eat what you want, just limit the time.
More freedom
When fasting you have limited time, but more freedom. huh? how does that work Lenny? Well, I see it this way… for me it comes down to skipping breakfast. I’m gluten free so yes I’m restricted a little more than the average guy, but if you eat normally, your lunch and dinner are whatever you want.
I just grab a coffee in the morning when the kids are eating breakfast. I’m usually up and about making breakfast with Aimee in the mornings and the kids don’t even notice I don’t eat. However, for dinner it’s important for me to sit down with the family. There is a lot that goes down at the dinner table and I don’t want to miss it.
If you stop eating by 7pm you can still grab lunch at work with co-workers. You can eat whatever you want for lunch. On a strict diet you’re going to be restricted with every meal. So there is your freedom! Eat what you want, just not all day long…
No cost
Fasting is free! You will probably even save money! If you pay more than $2 for a large black coffee you’re getting robbed. With a strict diet, you’re probably going to incur more costs.
Relatively quick results with little effort
I’d say if all you do is fast for 16 hours per day for 2 weeks, you are going to notice a difference. I’ve had friends try fasting and support that fact. No additional exercise, not change in diet, just steady results.
Give it a try. Today at 7pm stop eating and don’t start again until 11am tomorrow. Do that for 14 days. You will notice a difference. Money back guarantee! haha
Communicate
The last piece of advice I’ll leave you with is to communicate. If you have a spouse or significant other, let them know what you are doing. If no one around you is fasting, find a group of people to talk to on social media. Shoot me an email with questions and I’ll talk you through it as well. Just communicate.
Fasting is simple, does not require a huge life change, results will be noticeable, and doesn’t cost anything. No company profits off of you when you are not consuming anything. I’m not saying it’s a conspiracy, but I am saying it’s not going to be hot topic because it doesn’t profit anyone. We are a consumer driven society.
Fasting is worth considering is all I’m saying. I’m here to help anytime. shoot me an email and we can get a phone cal setup or just chat via email. Support and communication makes everyone better! Good luck no matter what you decide!
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