Intermittent fasting ,or IF, is a protocol which helped me to loose 50 lbs over the course of a few months in Spring of 2018. I got the idea from Reddit and started a deep dive into videos and learning as much as I could about the benefits and risks before deciding to try it myself. Dr. Jason Fung and his book “The Obesity Code” helped me to really understand the science behind why this protocol works so well. Here is one of his videos which got me started.

The protocol is simple. You pick a time window in which you choose to allow yourself to eat for 8 hours. Then, you don’t eat anytime before or after that window of time. Personally I’ve chosen to stick to 12p-8p. You cook and eat 2 or 3 meals within that window . You’re also encouraged to not snack. Simple.

The reason this works is every time you eat there’s an insulin response. With sugars and carbs your body’s insulin spikes a lot more than with say fats and proteins to be able to break those foods down. When you’re constantly snacking and continuously putting your body into an insulin response, you reduce the efficiency and stress your pancreas out. This is why type 2 diabetes is so prevalent within our modern day culture. What if gives your body is enough time to actually rest and digest. Snacking breaks that rest and throws your body right back into an insulin spike. March and springtime are a really great time to be thinking about starting an if routine. 

It does take some getting used to the new protocol. Headaches, are common and also are general malaise and a strong urge to eat. Grellen is the hormone used to regulate hunger pangs. These pangs will naturally occur a few times during the day. Typically in the morning before you break-fast then in the afternoon around noon and then again around five or so. These are our bodies natural responses and yet responses which can be ignored and worked through with water. Sparkling waters help to quell these pangs and won’t throw off your fast. Once your body gets used to the idea of only eating in an 8 hour window the weight will naturally start to fall off.

Enjoy the ride my friends.