Intermittent Fasting: Truth and Misconceptions in Burnley
As the practice of intermittent fasting has become more common, so have the misconceptions surrounding it, especially here in Burnley. So, what should be believed—the intermittent fasting success stories or the intermittent fasting naysayers?
Intermittent Fasting: Good or Bad?
Let’s not beat around the bush. Intermittent fasting, when done correctly, is beneficial for most folks. Many in Burnley turn to intermittent fasting as a method to manage their weight, and it also aids in keeping cholesterol and blood sugar at normal, healthy levels.
Intermittent fasting (IF) is a dietary practice focusing on a time-restricted eating schedule, alternating between periods of eating and fasting, with the fasting window typically lasting 12–16 hours. The most common IF schedule is 16:8, where you eat all your meals during an eight-hour window and fast for the remaining 16.
Most misconceptions about intermittent fasting arise from people not doing it properly. To grasp how intermittent fasting works, it’s crucial to first clarify what intermittent fasting is NOT:
- Starving yourself: The aim of intermittent fasting isn’t to continuously deprive your body of food but to give it a longer break from eating each day, which helps stabilize blood sugar levels and allows your body to focus on tasks other than digestion.
- Anti-food: Intermittent fasting doesn’t vilify food. Its purpose is to help us eat at the right times each day and provide natural breaks from eating.
- An excuse to eat whatever you want during your eating window: Binge-eating after a long fast might feel like a deserved reward, but this will likely negate any benefits from the fast and can cause weight gain. Intermittent fasting works best when we focus on a healthy, well-balanced diet. Consuming carb-heavy and processed foods can increase hunger and cravings later, making intermittent fasting tougher than it needs to be.
- Impossible to maintain long-term: Fasting for longer than 12 hours each day might seem daunting, but humans have evolved to thrive on this schedule. Our bodies need this time to rest and process nutrients. Continuous eating during waking hours can disrupt circadian rhythms and increase the risk of developing metabolic conditions. Intermittent fasting helps our bodies revert to a more natural fasting/eating cycle.
Because fasting is often associated with hunger, we tend to label it as “bad.” But truth be told, intermittent fasting is more manageable than it sounds.
Practical Tips for Intermittent Fasting in Burnley
For starters, most of the fasting occurs while we sleep. For most people, merely delaying breakfast a few hours and/or avoiding snacking after dinner is usually enough to maximize the benefits of intermittent fasting—no meal skipping required.
If you’re considering trying intermittent fasting for yourself in Burnley, here are some do’s and don’ts to help you start on the right foot.
Getting the Fasting Window Right
Intermittent fasting is a lifestyle choice, and for any lifestyle to be sustainable, it needs to align with your daily routine.
Finding the right fasting window for you is crucial. If you can’t start your day without breakfast, then don’t skip it—have breakfast when you need to and plan for an earlier dinner instead. If you prefer eating dinner later, waiting until 11 AM or 12 PM to break your fast might work better for you.
Also, keep in mind that the length of your fast should be tailored to your needs and lifestyle. A 16-hour fast is generally considered to provide the most benefits, but if you need to shorten that to 12 or 14 hours, then go for it. The first week or two on intermittent fasting may be challenging, but if you’re still struggling after a few weeks, it’s likely time to adjust.
The great thing about intermittent fasting is its flexibility, making it compatible with nearly any lifestyle. As long as you find a fasting window you can stick to, you’ll reap the benefits for years to come.
The Bottom Line
Finding an intermittent fasting schedule that works for you can take time, but in general, intermittent fasting is healthy for most people. However, if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a history with eating disorders, or have a medical condition, it’s best to consult your doctor before making significant changes to your diet.
Try it out and see how it fits with your life in Burnley. You might just find it’s the lifestyle change you’ve been looking for.