How Long Should My Intermittent Fast Last

How Long Should My Intermittent Fast Last

Intermittent fasting is a type of eating pattern that has been growing in popularity in recent years. As its name suggests, it is a cycle of fasting and eating over a certain time period, and although it can have the same results as a diet, it is more of an eating routine than a diet.

Regular Patterns

An example of a regular pattern for someone who is intermittent fasting is to fast for 16 hours, two times a week. This way of managing when we eat is nothing new; in fact, it has been around for thousands of years. In ancient times, long before refrigerators and supermarkets, hunters would often have to go for long periods of time without food simply because there was nothing to eat. Many people who practice fasting regularly believe it is a far more natural way of eating than to stick to a routine of three meals a day, always at the same time.

Methods

There are several different ways you can fast. Whichever method you try, you will need to divide your days into eating times/days and fasting times/days.

Some fasting routines are more popular than others. For example, the 5:2 diet is very trendy at the moment. This involves eating between 500 and 600 calories on two days of the week and eating normally the remaining five days.

Another popular method is the 16/8 routine, which requires you to only eat within an eight-hour window each day and then fast for the other 16 hours. This window is typically during the same hours each day, and people often time it to include the hours they are sleeping.

Weight Loss

Whichever method you choose, you should notice weight loss if you are reducing your caloric intake. However, it is important not to fall into the trap of overeating during the allowed eating times.

Another reason intermittent fasting works well for many people is that it doesn’t require you to change what you eat; it's all about timing. If you struggle to give up your favorite sandwich or evening meal for any amount of time, you can still enjoy it as long as you eat it within the eating window. Intermittent fasting is popular because it is manageable and doesn’t require you to be hungry for days and weeks on end. It requires only small lifestyle changes to get results.

How long to fast

In addition to the more obvious health benefits, intermittent fasting can keep you at a constant healthy weight instead of yo-yo dieting. When you are happy with your weight, you can return to a regular pattern. Intermittent fasting is also convenient as it can easily be started again at any time if necessary.

Shakes and Meal Replacements

Many people choose to replace meals with a shake. This can help keep hunger at bay and give the body what it needs. Plant-Based Protein Shakes can help support you in your new eating routine and taste delicious, making it easy to skip a meal. Shakes are a great way to support any weight loss program. They are low in sugar, fat and calories. The Reset360 All-In-One shake contains multi-nutrient protein powder, doesn’t have a chalky or grainy taste like other shakes, and is easy to mix with just water.

How fasting affects the body

When you fast, your body reacts in different ways. It adjusts the levels of hormones in your body, which help to build muscle. It lowers insulin levels, which helps the body to access stored body fat, and it stimulates cell repair while aiding the body’s natural defenses to disease. If you have the mindset to succeed, it’s a win-win!

Tradition and Religion

Many religions include fasting in their calendar, from Islam and Judaism to Buddhism and Christianity.

Traditional diets can leave us feeling miserable, either because we are constantly hungry or because we have failed, which can cause us to comfort eat and fall into a cycle of bad health.

If you want to give intermittent fasting a try, decide on a routine you are going to follow, choose when to start, and plan your life around it. That way, you will be giving yourself the very best chance of success. Intermittent fasting is easier than dieting. It’s more convenient and can be more effective. It is also proven to be good for your health and reduce the risk of diseases. Finally, it can boost your well-being. After all, when we look good, we feel good!