Intermittent fasting (IF) is a method of eating that involves periods of entirely or partially abstaining from eating ( or the “feeding window”). Intermittent Fasting is not a DIET; it is a timing mechanism many use to manage or lose weight. There are many methods of intermittent fasting that vary in the number of fasting hours and days. Some research suggests that this way of eating may offer benefits such as fat loss, better health, and increased longevity.
But is that true?
I used to own a strength training gym with my still dear friend Denise. Whenever I think back to those days and years, I smile about the memories we built, the training approach we adopted and the muscle clients built. 😉
Early in my time of gym ownership, I was on the forefront of learning a lot about Intermittent Fasting as a fitness and nutrition coach. It was so up my alley as someone with a history of disordered eating and pushing the limits. Back then I believed that if I just worked harder, I’d excel in everything.
Just don’t eat for long periods of time? Perfect! I prided myself on practicing the most challenging fasts. I fasted for 16 hours and once a month would fast for an entire day. But then there I was with twin toddlers while Denise and I had more-than-full-time jobs managing the gym and our ten coaches with my husband travelled extensively.
I figured less food was better. Of course, during IF I kept up my rigorous exercise schedule of tons of cardio and slept when I could, which was not much. Despite all of that effort, my waistline didn’t get the memo: I still put on and kept pounds around my waistline and hips. I was devastated daily as I hopped on the scale.
After a number of years of this frustration, and weight gain, I started to dive further into the research and of course the research led me to the truth, as I hope it will for you. Let’s dig in.
As a woman experiencing perimenopause and menopause, our brains are already stressed from:
- Lack of/declining estrogen
- Lack of declining/rising progesterone
- Caring for children and/or parents and/or teams or all of the above
- A seemingly long list of to-dos each day
- So much more
So, why would we put added stress on our bodies when we have already “fasted” while we slept between 6-10 hours?
Hello! The first meal is called Breakfast (to break the fast) for a reason. For most of us in our 40s and beyond, the morning is the busiest time of the day. So why would we not fuel ourselves for it?
When you fast, that stress adds to our existing stress, leading directly to belly fat from elevated levels of cortisol, our stress hormone. I mean directly.
When you awaken and head into your jam-packed day, YOU NEED FOOD. You need a hearty meal with ample protein (more on this on my blog), carbohydrates, fat, and water. You will feel much more energy, your body will thank you with better workouts, and you will skip out on the scale or obsessing about ups and downs of weight gain and loss – for good.
Today, I coach most of my members to eat a hearty breakfast. If they can’t bridge that gap, I plead with them – DO NOT fast. The morning is our busiest time of the day and we want to fuel our brain and muscles for all we intend to do.
If you are in the busiest time of your life. If you are pushing through your days to achieve as much as you can. And, if you want to maintain or lose a little waistline to feel good in clothes, eat. And please break the fast with breakfast.
