Fasting Is The Fountain Of Youth.
When people first hear the word fasting, they tend to freak out a little. They tend to think it’s some crazy diet that they would NEVER ever be able to do. Visions of a “hangry” you come to your mind, am I right? I was a snack QUEEN so I was so scared to try it but it has literally been the best thing I’ve ever done!
First of all, it’s not in just a diet! I see it more as a lifestyle adjustment, but by definition it’s an eating pattern. You can still eat the same amount of food, but you simply keep the eating to a time frame – your “eating window.” So you are cycling between a period of eating and fasting!
Second of all, it’s not about losing weight! It’s about the countless benefits that come with fasting, weight-loss is simply the cherry on top.
1. Simplifies your everyday – slay the day!
You are essentially eliminating a number of meals eaten on a daily and weekly basis, so this means an awesome bonus: meal prep is a walk in the frickin’ park! During your eating window you eat your food like you usually do, then during your fasting period you can drink water, tea or coffee.
I’m a Keto Coffee addict, it contains MCT oil which I like to call a little cheat; it’s pure clean fat and eases your cravings without touching any food! *Evil laugh*
2. Skin benefits? Yes please!
Anything that benefits my skin, I’m like SIGN ME UP! So how it works is when you give your body an extended break from its usual digestion routine, that boosts your body into detox! Allowing your body to adjust to this new digestion pattern can see your skin clearing up, looking healthy and even a GLOW. Choo-choo, hop on the fasting train!
3. Cheapest “diet” on the market
Using the term diet loosely here as I see it as an eating pattern more than anything. But compared to other diets that involve subbing in expensive ingredients or ones that you’ve never heard of – this one involves less money and less effort.
It’s simply eliminating some of the food you eat and not having to replace anything if you don’t want to! Save those dollah-dollah bills YO!
4. Fountain of youth, is that you?
We may not be able to stop time or aging but dang we can control the effects! It’s all down to how we treat our bodies! Ready for a biology class throwback? Research has shown that dietary routines like intermittent fasting can help your mitochondrial network stay in a youthful state. It basically means that fasting can activate these life-extending mechanisms and create space for new cells to grow – hello rejuvenation!
5. Good for the ole’ noggin
Another thing I learned is that fasting can benefit metabolic factors that are linked with our brain health. I am forever in awe with how every part of our body is always linked and can often be reflected in other parts of the body! Fasting can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation – high levels can often be linked with anxiety and depression. When your body has become accustomed to fasting, it can increase the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factors – a hormone that when in low supply is also linked to mental health issues! Anything to keep winter blues at bay!
6. Wave bye to inflammation
Another little biology lesson: free radicals are atoms that like to pair up with other electrons. In the process of looking for their partner – they cause damage to cells, protein and DNA. Fasting can control the release of the free radicals in your body therefore protecting you from inflammation. It’s basically like the Sheriff comes into town and takes no crap from these radicals and inflammation. Add a daily badass intake of water to your fasting routine and you are Bad Boys for life.
7. Weight loss – the benefit that everyone and their cat knows
This is most likely the benefit that you are here for, but let’s really dumb down the science behind the weight loss. When your body is fasting, it increases fat burning in the body and changes hormone levels that engage weight loss. Your insulin levels are lowered while your growth hormones are increased; fasting also releases a fat-burning hormone called norepinephrine. Thanks to these lovely hormone changes, fasting increases your metabolic rate. Fast metabolism me all the way up and let me PLEASE fit back in to those skinny jeans!
Studies have also shown that practicing fasting can decrease the waist circumference up to 7%, which means adios to harmful belly fat that build up around internal organs and causes diseases. It can also reduce cholesterol, blood sugar, blood triglycerides, and inflammatory markers. This is basically setting you up for an amazing health path for later down the line in your life!
What you can expect to feel:
Your energy levels increase in just ONE week
Say hello to a faster metabolism level
Your water intake will rise naturally
Reduce risk of disease
Say good bye to food cravings in just a few days
Reach that weight goal!