9 Methods on How to do Intermittent Fasting Safely

It doesn’t get much easier than not eating when it comes to diet strategies. However, intermittent fasting isn’t about starving oneself to lose weight, and the science behind this eating strategy is a lot more sophisticated and nuanced than it appears.

When individuals first hear about intermittent fasting , they immediately assume it’s a weight-loss strategy based on calorie restriction. Caloric restriction does occur as a side effect of fasting, but only because it is induced by the fast.

When you’re trying to compress a lot of time into four, six, or eight hours out of the day, you won’t be eating three meals. Because there are only so many calories in an average, healthy person’s diet in such a short time, most individuals naturally eat less.

But the real intermittent fasting genius isn’t about calories in the first place. Instead, it’s all about fat.

Intermittent fasting can be a great way to lose weight and improve your health, but it’s essential to do it safely.

Here are 9 tips on how to do intermittent fasting safely:

1. Start Slowly. Begin Your New Eating Plan Gradually.

If you’re new to intermittent fasting, start with a 12-hour fast. Once you’ve mastered that, slowly increase the length of time for your fasting.

It is recommended during the first week that you only do IF two or three days by starting slowly, and then increase gradually week by week. Taking it easy isn’t just a fantastic fasting approach; it’s also a life lesson in moderation.

2. Stay Hydrated, Drink Plenty of Water.

It’s important to drink plenty of water when fasting, especially if you’re doing it for an extended period. Dehydration can cause fatigue, headaches, and other health problems, so make sure to drink plenty of fluids while fasting.

Water is the best option, but herbal teas, non-caffeinated, and sugar-free drinks are also good choices. If you find yourself feeling thirsty, drink a glass of water right away. You may also want to keep a water bottle with you so you can drink whenever you need to. Staying hydrated is an integral part of fasting, so make sure to drink plenty of fluids every day.

3. Eat a Healthy and Balanced Diet.

When you fast, having a good blend of protein, fiber, healthy fats, and carbs can assist you to lose weight gradually and avoid severe hunger.

Eat enough protein during your fasting. Having adequate protein throughout your fast may aid in the reduction of muscle mass and control of appetite. In addition, eat lots of whole foods on non-fasting days to improve your health and stay well during a fast.

4. It’s OK to Eat When You Need To.

Don’t get too discouraged if you break your fast with little healthy bites. Your best bet is picking a protein-rich snack like turkey breast or two hard-boiled eggs to help you stay in a ketogenic (fat-burning) state. If you’re feeling up to it, you can try resuming fasting, of course.

5. Be Careful of Overeating.

People who know they’re going too fast try to eat as many calories as they would in a typical day, in just a few hours.

That said, you don’t have to start eating like a pig if you’ve stopped fasting. Not only can overeating leave you bloated and uncomfortable, but it can also jeopardize the weight-loss goals that brought you to IF in the first place.

Simply put: It’s not merely how much food is on your plate that may help you stay fuller for longer; it’s what’s on it.

6. Avoid Strenuous Exercise While Fasting.

When you’re on a fast diet, you can certainly work out. However, it would be best to be cautious about the kinds of activity you perform and when. If you want to exercise while fasting, I recommend exercising first thing in the morning, when you will have the most energy.

Walking, moderate yoga, modest stretching, and housework are examples of low-intensity activities.

7. Break Your Fast Slowly.

After a fast, it’s tempting to eat a large meal – but this will almost certainly cause indigestion and make you overeat. So instead, take your time eating, chew deliberately, savor your dish, and concentrate on good nutrition instead of fattening foods.

You may feel like a human vacuum after eating nothing for several hours. But consuming quickly is not healthy for your body or waistline. Instead, you should chew carefully and eat slowly to allow your digestive system to process the meal entirely. This will also assist you in knowing when you’re full so that you avoid overeating.

8. Listen to Your Body.

Intermittent fasting isn’t suitable for everyone, so keep your eyes open at all times for symptoms such as dizziness, tiredness, (unusual) irritability, a headache, anxiety, and difficulty focusing. If you experience any of these conditions, stop fasting immediately. These are all indicators that the body is entering starvation mode and requires nutrition. Furthermore, if you notice that you’re feeling colder than usual, it’s time to call it a day.

Be patient, though. It will likely take some time for your body to adapt to fasting, and you may feel hungrier and weaker than usual during the first few days. So don’t go crazy if you have these (less severe) symptoms for a week or so. On the other hand, suppose these difficulties continue for longer, and you experience similar symptoms as above dizziness. In that case, it’s recommended that you stop the diet and try something else to help you achieve your objectives. No amount of weight is worth risking sickness over.

9. Take Time Off from Intermittent Fasting.

Taking time off from intermittent fasting will affect your weight loss outcomes, but it’s OK to do so. There isn’t a wrong way to do intermittent fasting, as it is straightforward. However, you will eventually have to alter your intermittent fasting plan to fit your needs and devise your own. The essential thing is that YOU can follow it easily.

In Conclusion

The verdict? Intermittent fasting is safe for most people, as long as you’re sensible about it. You should always listen to your body and avoid pushing yourself too hard or fasting for too long if you don’t feel up to it. But with a little bit of common sense, intermittent fasting can be a great way to improve your health and lose weight. Give it a try!