Simple Life

As I talked about last week in my column, I started my three new years resolutions. The main one is losing weight. So, to make sure I am successful in losing the weight I have gained in the last couple of years, I have done some serious research on diets and plans, looking for the best game plan to follow for me and my lifestyle. I came across intermittent fasting.

Intermittent fasting is not very hard to do, and some even eat what they want while they are doing this program. So let me share with you just what I have learned about IMF (intermittent fasting).

IMF is not a diet, really; it’s more of an eating pattern that you follow. For those who are not sure what fasting is, let me explain. It is when you eat nothing while only drinking water, black coffee, and unsweet tea for the time frame set for the fasting. The average time most fast is around 16 to 18 hours straight. Then at the end of your fasting time, you open the window time to eat. For example, if you fast for 16 hours straight, the next 8 hours is your window to eat. That’s it. Not too hard, right?

I tried 16:8 IMF for a couple of days last week. It’s defiantly a different way to diet. I decided to eat my supper at normal time and do my usual evening routine, but I would not eat anything after 8 pm until 12 pm the following day. I chose those times slots, thinking of how easy it would be since I am sleeping half the time I am fasting.

Well, let me tell you, it is a little harder than it sounds, but with some time and adjusting, it is totally doable, in my opinion. But you must remember intermittent fasting is meant to improve your life, not make you miserable. Don’t force yourself to stick to specific fasting patterns if you’re really struggling. Change up your times for fasting and eating. You could even do a 12:12 to start out with and slowly work your way up to longer fasting periods.

My results from IMF were awe-inspiring for me. I felt somewhat lighter, you might say, after the first day of IMF. I didn’t have my usual full feeling or bloat. But I only tried IMF for a couple of days last week. I also never weighed myself to see if I had lost any weight during those days. Despite what I thought I would feel, I felt very good and full of energy, which impressed me.

With all this being said, let me say that I will be trying the IMF for a longer time frame in the future.

If you have any tips or tricks you would like to share on intermitting fasting or just simplify your life, email me at publisher@thevindicator.com.