What Is The BEST Method For Intermittent Fasting?
There are so many methods of intermittent fasting, what do they mean, how do you do them, which one is right for me? Below will cover 3 methods of intermittent fasting so you are aware of some of the different options out there and see what would be best for you.
The 16:8 Intermittent Fasting Method
Let’s start it off with one of the most popular methods which is the 16:8. This intermittent fasting method is going to involve fasting for 16 hours every day. If you’re new here, before you freak out, 8 of them are normally while you’re sleeping. It’s going to depend on how strict you want to be during that fasting time for what you’re allowed to consume.
Some are super strict and only “clean fast” where they have 0 calorie intake during this time frame. Others will “dirty fast” and have under 50 liquid calories. You can dive deeper into this for what would be best for you, but we’re going to keep it simple.
After you finish your 16 hour fast then you are going to have an 8 hour eating window. This is the method I choose to do. So for me, I start my fast at 10PM at night and don’t eat until 2PM the next day. There is also 18:6 and 20:4 which have the same principles. Fast for the bigger time frame, eat during the shorter time frame.
So 10pm to 2pm is what works for me but you get to set your own schedule that would work best for you if you choose 16:8. I also believe this is one of the more sustainable methods of IF so I wanted to start with it first.
Alternate Day Fasting
Next is alternate day fasting. This one is pretty self explanatory and might be on the more experienced side. For this one you are going to have a 24 for hour eating window and then you are going to fast for 24 hours and switch back and forth.
Depending on where you look and who you ask, some will say you can have up to a certain amount of calories during your fasting day which gets a bit confusing to some. Modifying the alternate day fast can definitely help you ease into this routine.
I don’t see alternate day fasting as a long term sustainable choice for me persoanlly, but for you it could be the right decision and be just what you’re looking for.
The Struggle Is Real
Struggles with intermittent fasting can happen at any point throughout the journey. To help you out, grab your Free Intermittent Fasting Guide that explains 14 of the most common mistakes and how you can avoid them.
OMAD
Some people with a restrictive work schedule don’t find the 16:8 intermittent fasting method as easy as everyone else. It could be because of the time of their lunch break, time they start work, time they get off of work, or other life stuff happening on top of that. An option for busy people would be OMAD. If you thought alternate day fasting was self explanatory, wait until you hear what OMAD means…
OMAD stands for One Meal A Day… Thank you for stopping by!
Okay so One Meal A Day, simple right? Yes and no. Yes because you only have to plan for one meal. This saves time for others things, and, the longer fast can be more beneficial.
No because this can make it harder for you to eat enough food. Some don’t like to exercise while fasted so you’re going to have to time that right as well. There are other pros and cons to this method so be sure to do a little research and see if it would be a fit for you.
Picking The Right Intermittent Fasting Routine
When you start intermittent fasting, a mistake that people make is picking the wrong routine for their lifestyle. To be sure you don’t do this, check out the Top 3 Mistakes Beginners Make When Intermittent Fasting.
Intermittent Fasting Challenge
If you are new to intermittent fasting or want to get started, check out The BeneFitters 30 Day Challenge. We have a community of people that will be there to help guide you along the way during your journey. Have questions? Get answers. Going through a struggle? Most likely someone else has been there and can help you get through it too.