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I am not a doctor and my medical knowledge usually consists of panic-reading WebMD about my pseudo-symptoms of stomach ulcers late on Sunday night after a particularly taxing weekend. I did self-diagnose my appendicitis from the dimly lit bunk bed of my Freshman dorm using the resource but I think that may be an anomaly.
This take is purely based on my experience and nothing else. All of that said, I’ve found a lot of benefits from intermittent fasting. It’s a trending topic that has been bouncing around health sites for some time now due to its perceived health benefits, so I thought I’d try it out to see if it helped regulate my see-saw dietary strategies that ebb and flow between the weekend and weekdays.
The Intermittent Fasting technique basically means that you only eat during an 8-hour period of the day, usually between 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. and “fast” for the remaining 16 hours. This means skipping breakfast and late night snacking for most people’s work schedules. People claim that IF has helped them lose weight, regulate their blood pressure, and even pump up productivity.
I’ve done it for about three months and have found enough personal benefits that I think it’s worth sharing what I’ve learned. Here’s why I’m all in on the technique.
It Helps You Get Back on Track
If it’s not known by now, I really enjoy craft beer. I also enjoy a solid day drinking session. Pairing both together on a typical Saturday or Sunday with late night bars and a few communal dinners and any semblance of a healthy weekend goes out the window. That said, I don’t feel guilty about any of that mostly because I know I can level-set starting Monday morning. Intermittent fasting on the weekdays has helped me manage how many calories I take in a typical day while helping offset the sheer decadence of my typical weekends. It’s surely not a perfect harmony, but it hasn’t led me too far astray from my typical 185-195 pound wheelhouse as of yet.
Breakfast Pangs Go Away Quickly
I love breakfast food. I would even consider IHOP one of my favorite fast-casual places to eat at even after their terrible burger promotion. But I’ve found through the IF technique that my body doesn’t really require breakfast. In fact, after a few weeks of not eating until noon, any hunger or cravings for breakfast stopped almost completely. Instead, I stick to coffee and a bunch of water. During that before-noon period, I’ve also found my concentration and productivity rise as well – which is a benefit backed up by some research.
By not eating breakfast foods packed with sugar, studies also suggest that people who restrict their caloric windows to an 8-hour period see lower insulin and blood pressure levels. It’s not a catch-all for every health benefit, but there is a good deal of research backing up some of it’s most impressive claims.
You Put More Meaning on Your Food Choices
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found out a lot about my personality. I’m a planner. I like the structure that a 9-5 work week provides me. I also like knowing when and where my meals are coming from. With intermittent fasting, my body knows that I’m eating a solid lunch and dinner every day, typically around the same times. Sticking to that eating schedule has helped me avoid the usual office snacks of donuts and candy. Meal prepping with a crock-pot also helps make sure that I avoid unnecessary meals. I’ll still indulge in ice cream or whatever sweet I’m craving from time to time, but I’ve found that IF helps me avoid these cravings more. I’ll admit that I’m kind of a square when it comes to my weekly eating habits, but the changes I’ve made through IF have helped keep my beer belly at bay – for the most part.
Intermittent fasting isn’t for everyone. It has helped me out but I completely understand that everyone’s body responds to food and meal scheduling in different ways. Here’s hoping my experience helped make you think about a new approach to things. Cheers (between the hours of 12 p.m. and 8 p.m.)! .
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@TaylorLaabs
@taylor1laabs
I’ve never gotten the fascination with a big breakfast, coffee and water is the way to go
I think I do this on accident due to being lazy and not making breakfast.
there is nothing quite like bouncing between fad diets and never being content with your physique
I’ve thought about doing it, but after a pre-work gym session I need that protein smoothie breakfast. I just try to keep my eating from 8:30am-6:30pm most days.
Coffee with MCT oil is your solution. I’m a pre-work gym guy too who also does IF. Adding some MCT oil to my coffee helps with the hunger pains. Technically it breaks your IF if you want to be strict about it, but it’s a great compromise.
Don’t you lose everything by not consuming any protein after that morning workout though?
Nah, the metabolic window is overblown
So even with AM workouts, is your eating window still 12-8pm? I’d be wrecked after an AM workout if I held out until 12 for nourishment.
I do IF myself, but a little less stringent. I only eat between 10am and 8pm since 14/15 hour fasts they say are better for women. I work out fasted every morning and I have to say my superiority levels have been through the roof. Definitely recommend.
Nope. Without breakfast, I’m too hungry to focus on work by 9, and I maintain that anyone who can go that long otherwise is nuts
There’s a “breakfast before 9/8am staff meeting” joke in here somewhere but i just can’t put it together…
I finally gave up on dieting and went with a nutritionist. FWIW, she said that, as a general rule, men see better results with IF than women do. Something to do with how their hormones regulate, etc. And of course, there are always exceptions to this rule.
Ehh obviously this is person-dependent. For me, I’m a lot more focused in the morning if I get my typical breakfast (egg whites, either oatmeal or toast and black coffee) than if I don’t. I’ve cut out eating after dinner…same concept but different eating windows.
It’s the tits, I was on it from like February to May with great results. Only reason I’ve switched is I workout in the mornings before work during summer to keep the evenings free for activities. And I need to eat after a workout, and I don’t want to be starving all evening; it’s much easier to skip breakfast and go with coffee and water when doing IF, than to have your last meal around 6pm.
I have been doing IF for 10 years now. I do a 20/4 setup. Even in college as a swimmer I did it and suffered no lack of muscle or endurance. It is just a matter of giving your body enough time to adjust to it. It is also good for those who suffer from gut issues (which I do) as your stomach isn’t constantly working on digestion.
That’s a helluvah short window. 1 or 2 meals?