Intermittent Fasting: Is it worth trying?
When we eat may be as crucial as what we eat. Studies have shown that intermittent fasting provides some benefits to human health such as lower inflammation, weight loss, and improved cognitive functions.
Intermittent fasting has become a popular health regimen trend in the past few years and I decided to give it a try. Furthermore, there are different ways of doing it and the one I experimented with each day or on certain days of the week is the 16/8 method, where I fast for 16 hours and eat within an 8-hour window.
Like others, I have been interested in improving my health. I incorporated several health regimens such as exercising, cutting back on unhealthy snacks, staying hydrated, and so forth. Among these health tactics, intermittent fasting worked best for me because it is simple, free, and effective.
However, fasting is not for everyone. What works for me may not work for you. Our body is more complex than we think and the results may vary from person to person. Before adopting this regimen, It’s better to consult with your medical practitioners to avoid any harm it may inflict on your health.
My experience with intermittent fasting
The Benefits:
Weight loss
It promotes weight loss and It stops me from snacking all day long. Limiting my food intake for an extended period of time has decreased the number of unhealthy foods and calories I would consume resulting in losing weight over time.
Time-saver
Intermittent fasting is a time-saver. I don’t have to waste time worrying too much about what and when should I eat. This helps me establish a systematic pattern and schedule, hence, it becomes easier for me to think and organize my eating habits.
Better digestion
I’ve been doing this regimen for more than a year now and it improves my bowel movement. In addition, I feel satisfied and less likely to feel bloated after meals.
More focus
Abstinence from food has shown promising results on the brain and cognitive functions.
In a fasted state, It somehow sharpens my focus, alertness, and my ability to remember things. Back then, I experienced difficulty recalling names and forgetting where I placed items.
The Downsides:
Fatigue
Sometimes prolonged fasting goes wrong. While practicing intermittent fasting, I experience tiredness during the day. There are instances when I feel tired and weak as a result of not eating for a long period of time.
Besides, it also disrupts my sleeping patterns and when I wake up, I feel groggy and my body is running on less energy.
Mood changes & Headaches
During the adapting phase, I experienced irritability and mild headaches. Studies revealed that fasting will lower blood sugar levels which can lead to irritability, anxiety, and mood disturbances.
Being healthy requires effort, patience, and flexibility to adapt. Genes, diets, routine—all of these play a crucial role in our bodies. It highly depends on we keep our health and lifestyle in check. Therefore, incorporating some regimens is an important investment we can make in life as it can teach us to make better choices to optimize our health.
