Do you know that Intermittent Fasting has become one of the popular ways to lose weight? Most celebrities are following this diet to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Kourtney Kardashian, Gisele Bündchen, Chris Hemsworth, Bendith Cumberbatch, and others are following this trend for staying in shape.
Mostly, people think that Intermittent Fasting is a diet plan. No, it isn’t a diet plan. However, it is an eating pattern that allows you to eat whatever you want to during an eating window.
People Follow Intermittent Fasting For:
- Maintain healthy lifestyle
- Lose stubborn body fat
- Maintain physical as well as mental health
- Minimize the effects of aging
- Develop healthy eating habits
How To Start Intermittent Fasting (IF)? -5 Simple Steps
It is usually safe for healthy people. However, it might not be good for those people who are suffering from any kind of medical condition. In order to start well-planned fasting, the following steps might help you
1. Set Goals
Generally, people who go for IF have goals in their minds. By setting a goal, you will be able to achieve it in less time. Your goals might include weight loss, maintaining overall health, developing healthy eating habits, or maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Your ultimate goal will help you determine the best fasting method and technique.
2. Choose a Suitable Technique
Choosing a suitable fasting technique might be difficult for most people. Before starting your journey toward fasting, you need to choose the method that suits your preferences and health.
Intermittent fasting has a variety of techniques to choose from. After choosing a suitable technique, you need to stick to it for at least a month.
If you have any medical issues, you must consult your doctor first because fasting might not be suitable for you.
3. Figure out your calorie needs
Although there is no calorie restriction in intermittent fasting, it doesn’t mean that calories don’t count. In order to make your fasting journey successful, you need to count each calorie you consume.
You should consume low-calorie and high-energy foods that will make you feel full for a long period of time. Suppose you are on a fast, and in an eating window you are consuming high-calorie foods, your fast will be useless.
Therefore, before starting intermittent fasting, you have to figure out how many calories your body needs to function normally.
4. Choose the best meal plan
In this step, you have to choose the best meal plan, according to your body’s needs. A meal plan is a helpful tool that helps you find what to eat while fasting. Your meal plan should not be overly restrictive. It should contain such foods that provide important nutrients to your body.
The meal plan will help you to stick to your calorie count and help you pick important nutrients in one recipe.
MyPlate Plan will help you plan your meal each day.
5. Increase your taste for low-calorie foods
By increasing your taste for low-calorie foods such as leafy vegetables, fruits, and legumes, you will be able to start your weight loss journey. Meals with low calories that contain garlic, vinegar, herbs, and natural spices will enhance their taste. Avoid added sugar foods or processed food.
FAQs
How should a beginner start intermittent fasting?
As a beginner, you need to choose the technique of fasting suitable for your body. Initially, fasting for a few hours per day is the best. You can also start with the 16:8 technique of fasting.
What eats to eat after fasting?
You can eat low-calorie foods that have high nutrients. Homemade broth, soups, vegetables, and unprocessed food are the best options.
The Bottom Line
As a beginner, intermittent fasting might be difficult for you. With the help of the above-mentioned steps, you will be able to follow your fasting routine without much difficulty.