A 2005 study done by the American Society for Clinical Nutrition proved that intermittent fasting brings about not just metabolic health benefits but also weight loss. So the easiest answer to the question, does intermittent fasting work for weight loss, is yes!
The simplest reason it is that when your body is in a fasting stage, it ends up relying on the fat storage to produce energy. Instead of using the food that you usually consume (the 3 meals a day lifestyle) as fuel, your body learns to target excess fat for use as an alternate source of fuel. Doesn’t take a genius to see how this could result in weight loss.
On paper, weight loss is a simple concept. Eat less than your body needs. When you are eating 3 (or more) meals a day, the only way you can be well within your caloric needs are to count calories and watch what you eat. This works but you need to be extremely well disciplined to follow such a regime.
But when your eating window is restricted to 8 hours a day (or whatever you decide for yourself), then there are only so many calories that you can intake during that time. As a result you end up eating less or in other words, you eat only about what you really need without over indulging yourself.
Want to know Intermittent fasting pros and cons, Read here.
As to the question of, how much weight can you lose with intermittent fasting? It all depends on how seriously you adopt it into your daily life. The safe rate of weight loss, as recommended by physicians is between 1-2 pounds a week.
Intermittent fasting is a great lifehack
Apart from bringing about great benefits for your health, intermittent fasting benefits your overall lifestyle. When you are only eating once or at best, twice a day, you do not need to worry about what to eat and how much to eat. Not only does it save you money, it also frees up extra time in which you are free to pursue other interests that you might have. All the energy that you spent otherwise planning your meals can now be channeled to other productive ventures.
Similarly, if you miss a workout you do not have to start panicking and counting your calories. As a part of intermittent fasting, you are eating lesser times a day so that worry never arises. Most people are surprised by how easily this style of fasting fits into their daily lives and once they see the advantages they never go back.
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