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 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 l
ess 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.
Let's have a conversation on
Jill the Health Coach FB page!
All material in this newsletter is provided for information only and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely on the contents of this publication;instead readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. The information provided has not been approved the Food & Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any illness or disease.
With so much disarray in the world today, it is more important than ever to take care of yourself and listen to what your body is telling you. Please join me next Tuesday when I will be a guest on the radio show Moore and Better Health hosted by Dawn Moore. I invite you to listen in on Tuesday, August 26th from 2:05 pm -3:00 pm. We will discuss the best ways to get back into your health groove to give you more energy and lose weight. Simply click on