If you have thought about fasting for weight loss, you may have heard some conflicting stories regarding whether or not this is a good idea. Some people will tell you that fasting is a great way to lose weight, particularly when you are doing very short fasts. Others will tell you to not fast at all because you could end up slowing down your metabolism if you are not consuming enough calories every day.
So what is the truth? Will fasting for weight loss really work? Keep reading for the answer to this important question.
Recent Research
Recent research has shown that, yes, when you fast, your body could end up burning fewer calories. This is because your body’s calorie burning rate is influenced by your brain, which sends signals to either increase or decrease your metabolism. When your brain realizes that you are not eating enough, your metabolism will drop.
However, there are ways to fast and make it work for you.
The Types of Fasts
There isn’t just one way to approach fasting for weight loss. Intermittent fasting, in particular, can help, and below are two of the most popular methods to try if you want to shed those excess pounds.
The 5:2 fasting method will have you fasting for two days per week, but they are not done consecutively. You will only consume roughly 25% of your calorie needs for the day, so that would translate to about 600 calories for the guys out there and 500 calories for the ladies. However, on the other days of the week, you will consume the normal amount of calories.
The 16:8 fasting method is another option. With this fasting protocol, you will eat all of your daily calories within 8-10 hours of the day. Nothing else is consumed the other 14-16 hours of the day, though. So, for example, you could skip your breakfast and then eat from 11 a.m. all the way to 7 p.m. to ensure you are getting enough calories and nutrients.
Doing It Right
When it comes to fasting to lose weight, it is all about doing it right. In this way, you will not damage your metabolism. Avoid binging and always focus on eating the right portions and the leanest, healthiest options. And if you need extra calorie burning support, you can even consider taking an over-the-counter weight management product like Phentramin-D, so you may not need to fast at all.
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