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What is IF and How to start?

My husband recently watched an episode of Limitless, where Hemsworth talked about the benefits of intermittent fasting. My husband is quite active and lean but has a little weight in the gut that he hasn’t been able to lose. So IF really appeals to him. He was trying to talk to me about it this morning but I just don’t know enough about it. My concern with most diets/trends is if it’s actually healthy and sustainable. So I’m here to learn. I’ve heard of the 16/8 but not much else. I wouldn’t be opposed to trying it eventually as well but I’m currently breastfeeding and I’ve always heard that dieting or detoxing isn’t the best while doing so. Any information or articles would be appreciated! Thank you.

Answer

I’m not a health care professional…just want to get that out there.

If you are breast feeding, my suggestion would be not (as much as IF is working for me), to do IF at this time. Up your aerobic activity & strength training for now.

Once you stop breastfeeding, then start with 12 hours fasting, 12 hour window eating, while doing aerobic/strength training. If that 12/12 works for you, the move into 16 hour fasting window, 8 hour eating window. (I’m doing 16:8).

The reason I advise this is 2 fold:

  1. Give your child the maximum time with you & what you are able to nourish you child from your body.
  2. Breast feeding helps with post pregnancy weight. (Sorry I don’t have any studies but more anecdotal).

Enjoy this special time…best wishes to you & your family 🥰

Answer

IF is a wondrous wonderful thing in my opinion. Weight loss is a minor part, in a plethora of positive effects. So if I was you, I would set aside some time to look into it for sure.

(I have been doing one meal a day since 2008. In 2016 I started experimenting with one meal every other day, and I fully transitioned to it a year ago. The main health issues that I got rid of were high blood pressure, irritable bowel and frequent colds. There is also a higher level of energy and mental clarity, compared to regular eating.)

I hope this was enough to at least peak your curiosity. There is a medical practitioner named Jason Fung, who does a good job of explaining IF in some Youtube videos.