We have all experienced bad relationships from time to time. We may have ended the relationship. We may have opened the relationship and met others. We may have even taken a brief break to stimulate fondness through absence. While we recognize these as good ideas for relationships, we seldom apply the same ideas in food. We eat bad food. We eat healthy food. We eat diverse food. But, no matter what, we’re always eating.
Enter an ancient idea that’s catching on – fasting.
I know, fasting sounds like some religious practice where we wear white clothes, brag to all our friends about our sacrifice, and awaken our deep inner soul. But some people fast only for sake of health benefits – and this has grown in popularity in the fitness community. You don’t have to be spiritual to fast.
"I will give up food and drink, but not the ocean and yoga."
A few years ago, I stumbled across a new idea that I had heard from a few fitness buddies: intermittent fasting. Intermittent fasting involves taking a break from food for an extended period of time. The major benefit of intermittent fasting they mentioned? Increased insulin sensitivity (now, you may not see how that’s great, but when your body is sensitive to insulin, you stay younger for longer, you lose fat easier, and you can build muscle easier than if you experience insulin resistance).
But that’s not it. Some of the research regarding intermittent fasting shows other results on top of increased sensitivity to insulin:
1. Reduction in blood pressure (cardiovascular benefits)
2. Reduction of oxidative stress to DNA (reducing DNA damage)
3. Increased lifespan
4. Resistance of neuron damage
5. Low rates of kidney disease
Think about it: not eating food for a day can provide you with these (and more benefits). In some cases, fitness individuals decide to go without food for twenty-hours, and then eat for their remaining four hours. What these various methods have in common is an extended time without food so that the body can focus on other things.
So how does this all work?
So how has intermittent fasting worked? When I have been consistent with it I have noticed benefits of increased mental focus (no food distraction), easy weight loss, and strength and endurance gains at the gym. My major problem with intermittent fasting has been consistency – something that I need to improve.
How do I intermittent fast? I follow the protocol from several of my friends: I stop eating at 5 PM on day one and fast through day two until 5 PM. I psychologically benefit from this method as it never “feels” like I am fasting (day one I am eating until 5 PM, and on day two I’m not eating until 5 PM, which is a full 24 hour fast). Other methods exist, but whatever method you choose, do one that’s easy for you to handle.
If these benefits sound good to you, it’s time to tell food, “Hey, we need to take a break.” Trust me, it’s for the good of both of you.
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