Having passed through the heart of the winter this year I bet a few of you would like to join me in shedding some weight. Let’s start by picking a diet, and there is a multitude of diets! Diets proven to be healthy, and diets proven to have detrimental effects. Simple diets, and complex diets. How do we choose?

Advice pours in with so many happy to tell you of their one and best and only diet to try. My best friend does this every year.  His eagerness to help quickly becomes a little too much eagerness, which causes me to try avoiding him.

Many successful dieters become eager to spread their success without understanding that every single one of us is different. Our bodies are all unique. We all have different metabolisms and particular health issues. What helped my friend lose weight could be detrimental to someone with diabetes, heart disease, or any of the myriad other health issues.

Currently popular diets on the fad-track include Paleo, Keto and Mediterranean. Of course, they all have great qualities. Qualities that may be great for some people, yet detrimental to others.

Now among the leaders on the fad-track, intermittent fasting is one of the oldest diets in human history. Intermittent fasting has been practiced by cultures and religions for thousands of years.

Many people associate the word ‘fasting’ with starving, and instantly reject this diet. The term, intermittent, puts a limit on the starvation and has made the diet more acceptable.

This diet is also now being used in varying forms, with the 16/8 intermittent fasting diet being one of the most popular:

“16/8 intermittent fasting involves eating only during an eight-hour window during the day and fasting for the remaining 16 hours. It may support weight loss, improve blood sugar, boost brain function and increase longevity.”

“16/8 intermittent fasting is simple, safe and sustainable.”

“To get started, begin by picking an eight-hour window and limit your food intake to that time span.”

“Many people prefer to eat between noon and 8 p.m., as this means you’ll only need to fast overnight and skip breakfast but can still eat a balanced lunch and dinner, along with a few snacks throughout the day.”

“Others opt to eat between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., which allows plenty of time for a healthy breakfast around 9 a.m., a normal lunch around noon and a light early dinner or snack around 4 p.m. before starting your fast.”

“However, you can experiment and pick the time frame that best fits your schedule.”

“Additionally, to maximize the potential health benefits of your diet, it’s important to stick to nutritious whole foods and beverages during your eating periods.”

“Filling up on nutrient-rich foods can help round out your diet and allow you to reap the rewards that this regimen has to offer.”

“Drinking calorie-free beverages like water and unsweetened tea and coffee, even while fasting, can also help control your appetite while keeping you hydrated.”

“While other diets often set strict rules and regulations, 16/8 intermittent fasting is easy to follow and can provide real results with minimal effort. It’s generally considered less restrictive and more flexible than many other diet plans and can easily fit into just about any lifestyle.”

16/8 intermittent fasting

Every meal should be balanced with different whole foods, such as:

• Fruits: Apples, bananas, berries, oranges, peaches, pears, etc.
• Veggies: Broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, leafy greens, tomatoes, etc.
• Whole grains: Quinoa, rice, oats, barley, buckwheat, etc.
• Healthy fats: Olive oil, avocados, and coconut oil
• Sources of protein: Meat, poultry, fish, legumes, eggs, nuts, seeds, etc.”

Finding this diet has stopped growth on the belt line. My doctor had cautioned that I would feel hungry and tired as I started this diet, but that only lasted the first few days.  Over the past two weeks I have been feeling more energetic and clearer-headed.  I am enjoying this diet, getting to intermittently eat whatever I wish!

Which made me realize this is not a diet. At least not akin to other diets.  Intermittent fasting does not change what you eat, just when you eat it. Intermittent fasting is just an alteration to your eating schedule.

Start by being safe – check with your doctor before making any change to your diet.