How Intermittent Fasting Can Help You Lose Weight

Intermittent Fasting and Weight Loss

It is no big secret that more and more people are facing an uphill battle against excess weight. The change in our lifestyles over the past few decades, partly due to the rise of information technology such as computers and mobile phones, has completely transformed the way we work, learn, entertain ourselves, and communicate with others. While on one hand this has generated many conveniences in our daily lives, it has also had an impact on our health.

Related: How to Start Intermittent Fasting ​

The Need for Intermittent Fasting

​In the past couple of decades, the number of overweight people has increased at such an alarming rate that obesity is now considered one of the biggest health related challenges mankind has ever faced. As a result, we now have weight loss clinics, special weight reduction training programs, and even fat burning supplements.

As a young, independent woman, however, I feel that adopting a natural approach to control your weight is the best option, and intermittent fasting is an excellent, all natural way to lose weight. Read on to learn more about intermittent fasting and its benefits for your health.

Related: Ketosis and Intermittent Fasting for Women​

​Intermittent Fasting: The Science Behind It

One of the best techniques of making a permanent change to your body weight is through intermittent fasting. Fasting has been scientifically proven to help people reduce the amount of calories they eat. It has also been linked with releasing hormones which reduce the appetite and improve weight control.

​The basic concept of how intermittent fasting works is very simple. Essentially, when your body does not receive any food for a certain period of time, a number of chemical changes occur which together have the effect of promoting weight loss.

The first change that occurs is insulin levels decrease which in turn facilitates the burning of stored fat (which is the hardest to get rid of). Fasting also promotes production of the Human Growth Hormone or HGH which aids fat loss and promotes muscle gain.

Finally, norepinephrine or noradrenaline is utilized by the body to break down fat cells for energy. The combination of these changes delivers a number of results which are listed below.

Related: How to Handle Craving while Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent Fasting and Weight Loss

​Intermittent fasting delivers good results for weight loss, including:

​Increasing Fat Burning:

​The release of Human Growth Hormone (HGH) and Norepinephrine as a result of intermittent fasting helps break down fat cells and increase the rate of fat burning.

Boosting Metabolism:

Additionally, fasting boosts metabolism by around 3.6 to 14 percent over a 48 hour period following the fast.

Decreasing Caloric Intake:

Fasting also helps decrease the amount of calories eaten due to the restriction on consuming foods or liquids over certain periods of time. This is one of the major factors which helps people on intermittent fasting lose weight.

Getting Started with Intermittent Fasting

There are a number of ways you can start intermittent fasting and a number of different methods you can chose from. One method is to skip breakfast and then only eat during an eight hour period that day. Another option is doing one or two 24 hour fasts each week. There are many other intermittent fasting methods and you can read more on how to choose the right intermittent fasting method for you.

Related: Best Ketosis Cookbook for Intermittent Fasting

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