There are many different methods of intermittent fasting. As a beginner, you can follow these 7 steps to intermittent fasting and see results within a few weeks.
1. Decide on your fasting method
The first and most important step is choosing the right intermittent fasting method. The 16-hour fasting method is very popular today.
Other popular methods are the 5:2 diet (you fast 2 days per week), Eat-Stop-Eat (fast for 24 hours, once or twice a week), alternate-day fasting, warrior diet (you fast and eat one large meal at a certain time of day) and spontaneous meal skipping (you skip meals that fit your schedule).
2. What to eat?
Through intermittent fasting, you do not need to restrict your food intake. You just need to fast according to the time of the method you follow. No matter what you eat, set your eating time frame wisely so that the negative effects of junk food do not have too great an impact on your health. However, choosing healthy foods rich in nutrients and minerals is still necessary for your body’s functions.
3. Skip breakfast
Even though doctors and health experts swear by the importance of breakfast, skipping breakfast is very important when it comes to intermittent fasting. This way you can extend your fasting period up to 8 – 12 hours. It has been shown that people who skip breakfast during these hours lose more weight than those who do not skip breakfast.
4. Eat once a day
This is one of the simplest steps to intermittent fasting. Eat enough nutrients once a day. Experts recommend that you eat a full lunch so you can lose weight quickly while still eating your favorite foods despite their high calorie content.
5. Eat whole, nutritious foods
You may find this diet very interesting because you can eat junk food. However, regularly eating those processed foods will not help you lose weight. So, when preparing your diet, include healthy foods such as eggs, meat, chicken, milk, fruits and vegetables. This is the most important point in the 7 steps of intermittent fasting.
6. Check your weight
It is important to check your weight every week as it will help you understand your body and how fasting will affect you. If you find that you’re not losing weight anymore, you can change your regimen and try a new one instead.
7. Keep yourself busyStay busy and complete your work schedule because doing nothing can increase your hunger levels and make it difficult to fast. However, make sure you do not make yourself tired by participating in physical activities as well as stress from work.
Note: Intermittent fasting is not for everyone. And results may vary depending on each person’s constitution. If you decide to try intermittent fasting, remember that you need to follow a healthy diet because your body will begin to experience nutrient deficiencies at intervals.