Is intermittent fasting the secret to weight loss?

The 5:2 Diet, Alternate Day Fasting, The Fast Diet, Eat Stop Eat, 16:8, 20:4. There are several variations of intermittent fasting. Choosing one or doing any of them is a personal choice but it's a choice I think we should all incorporate in some form.

As a previous habitual dieter, I always found that following any diet as written always resulted in some level of weight loss. For my body type and chemistry, I found the most success in low-carb diets. In about 2 weeks, I can easily drop 10-15 lbs by severely restricting my carb intake.

"The best of all medicine is resting and fasting. "

- Benjamin Franklin

Yes. I know a lot of it is water weight, but I feel and look much better in a short period of time. But after a month or so, my love of carbs overtakes me. As a Caribbean, rice is a staple and can be eaten at any meal. Then there's pastas, breads, and sweets that I crave with a vengeance.

So where does that leave me? Deprived, isolated and eventually binging on any carbs I can find. This is why intermittent fasting has been a godsend. Not eating for 16 or more hours a few times a week or everyday has allowed me to eat what I still enjoy but without the consequence of weight gain or feeling lethargic.

I love carbs and that will not change. I don't want to say no to a piece a cake or spend a bunch of time and energy counting the calories or carbs I consume in a day. For me, meal prep is a tedious process. It just doesn't work for me. To some people it's simple and some even find meal prepping fun. But we all have different body types, preferences, temperaments, and live different lives.

I find that doing what comes naturally, and not feeling as if I'm fighting myself all day has been the best strategy for me. I have other battles to contend with such as work, family, and life in general. So simply not eating on a particular day or holding off my first meal to noon, is way easier.

Another benefit of intermittent fasting is that I get full much faster because my stomach shrinks. I have more energy and look forward to my meals and therefore choose wisely. There are many benefits to intermittent fasting. Do some research and give it a try. Even if it is fasting one day a week or one day a month to give your body a break, it will be well worth it.

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