You Only Have To Do This Two Times a Week?

Imagine living as our ancestors did way back when.  If you were hungry, there was no fridge to peek in.  Running out for a bite to eat would not mean getting into a car but grabbing a spear and trekking out on foot to see what might make a suitable meal.  One never knew if it would be feast or famine. 

The reason so many didn’t die off of starvation is that our bodies are actually designed to withstand periods of fasting.  In fact, it turns out that fasting has a number of health benefits.  They range from cardiovascular health and reduced cancer risk, to gene repair and longevity.  It may even helps crush sugar cravings and lower insulin sensitivities. 

As a Health Coach, I never recommend low calorie diets as they often lead to muscle-loss, slower metabolism and fatigue more than anything else.  However, I was intrigued by this “ancient” trend of intermittent fasting, based on the way our ancestors ate.   The Fast Diet by Dr. Michael Mosley introduces the 5:2 diet in which he ate normally for 5 days in a week and then fasted the remaining 2 days.  If he didn’t fast, he ate a small amount of calories on his fast day (600 for a man and 500 for a woman).

The premise is that we use sugar as a source of energy.  However, our society consumes far too much sugar by eating too much processed food.  This is leading to insulin resistance more and more which is a primary driver of chronic disease-from heart disease to cancer.

Intermittent fasting can actually help reset the body to use FAT as its primary fuel instead of sugar.  In turn, when the body becomes adapted to burning FAT instead of sugar, it may dramatically reduce the risk of chronic disease.  Furthermore, this may even aid in the prevention of memory loss such as with dementia.  You see, ketones are released as a byproduct of burning fat.  Ketones (as opposed to glucose) are the preferred fuel for the brain.  So, fasting may be better for the brain, and certainly much better than those inflammatory carbs.

With all the buzz, I decided to take the plunge myself.  I decided to fast on Tuesdays and Thursdays (as the weekends just seem too tempting).  Admittedly, the first few days of fasting were not the most pleasant.  Yes–I was hungry!  However, I experimented with what little I ate on the fast days and the times and came up with a very comfortable schedule.  I would drink lemon water in the morning and maybe a total of a handful of raw nuts throughout the day.  For dinner, I usually have a light protein and veggies such 2 eggs with greens.

I started this about 2 1/2 months ago and feel pretty good about it.  The fast days are actually more convenient as I don’t need to plan on my lunches or breakfasts.  I also find that I am less hungry as dinner time approaches.  I haven’t really lost weight,  as I don’t really need to, but I feel pretty good.  However, I know at least 2 people using this method who have each lost over 10 pounds in just a few months using the 5:2 diet.  It’s a simple alternative and certainly does much more than just help you lose weight.

Keep in mind, how weight gain may have happened in the first place by eating junk food.  On non-fast days, be sure to stick with higher protein and vegetable options to greatly enhance the results.  You sure don’t want to eat the carbs and sugar that got you where you began in the first place.  Of course, always check with your doctor before you start with any diet.

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