‘There is always a first time.’ You will always hear that when you are trying out something new. There are many hiccups to a new skill, practice, or art. It is confusing, and often you experience a few pitfalls. Over the years, you look back in time and think, “I wish I knew this before.”

The same thing happens when you are starting intermittent fasting. When done correctly, intermittent fasting can bring countless benefits, such as weight loss, physical and mental healing, etc. However, there are five things that you must know before you embark on this dietary practice. These five tips for intermittent fasting will enhance your training and keep you at it for longer.

Extending Your Fasts is a Strict No-No

In our blog posts, we have often discussed how intermittent fasting is all about timing. Depending on the hours of the day, categorized into different types, there are several types of intermittent fasting. Timing your fasting duration is critical. Anything shorter or longer than the intended duration will have a negative impact.

At the beginning of your intermittent fasting, you feel energized, experience enhanced sleep cycles, and are less often bloated. You are principally wrong when you think extending a 16-hour fasting period to 20 hours is beneficial. People struggle to include different nutrients in their diet within a short eating window. Therefore, you might lose muscle mass, gain hunger pangs, and reduce metabolism.

Your Long Fasts Won’t Make You Hungry

People often delay starting the intermittent fasting program because they feel they cannot deal with staying hungry for such long durations.

The truth is – You Do Not Feel Hungry At All.

Several studies indicate that intermittent fasting can curb the hunger hormone – Ghrelin, which means to feel less hungry.

Watch Your Exercises

Working out while intermittent fasting will help you reach your goals faster. Intermittent fasting is a fat-burning tool that allows storing hormones, insulin, and others to dip during the fast. This fat-burning process lasts between 3-14 days.

During this period, you can focus on low-intensity workouts that target fat burning. You can try walking, swimming, resistance training, and cycling these days.

You are good, to begin with high-intensity workouts once you have crossed the threshold period.

Include strength training and sprints in your workout regime to maximize your results.

Your body becomes sensitive to insulin when you couple intermittent fasting with high-intensity workouts.

Follow a Balanced Diet

Intermittent fasting does not prescribe a dedicated diet for you. However, crunching your body with junk food and carbs may worsen your condition if your goal is to lose weight. High insulin-spiking food will reverse your weight loss process. Include proteins, fiber-rich foods, and fats in your intermittent fasting meals.

Avoid eating snacks at odd hours. You are unsatisfied with the meals if you feel hungry during practice sessions. Not eating to satisfaction will keep you hungry throughout the day. This will also make you reach for food now and then. Eat enough protein within your 2-3 meals during the eating window. This is essentially one of the best intermittent fasting strategies.

Stay Consistent in the Intermittent Fasting Transition Period

It is challenging to break habits and patterns. It can take several days to weeks to adapt to new eating habits. Sticking to your intermittent fasting plan is initially difficult. You can adapt to this routine easily with consistent efforts.

Bottom Line

An intermittent fasting regimen is one of the most effective for overall well-being. The beginning may be difficult and rough but with consistency and the above-shared tips. You can embark on the most worthy practice and unlock a new version of yourself in less time.