09/27/2022
Intermittent fasting is not necessary for weight loss + 4 reasons why it may not be a good strategy for you if you are a woman.
while I F has many benefits, it’s important to understand that most of the research has been done on men. Women are physiologically different & don’t respond to IF in the same way as men!
What does this mean?
It means that, instead of losing your metabolism and promoting weight loss, I,F can increase cortisol by up to 50% and decrease insulin sensitivity. This is the exact OPPOSITE of what you want when looking for weight loss.
Here are 4 reasons why I asked, may not be a good strategy for you:
1. You are already overly stressed, (physically, mentally, or emotionally). I learned this the hard way when I tried I asked when I had adrenal fatigue, and it was a complete disaster. I felt like s**t!
2. You aren’t able to get enough calories and protein in Dearing your fasting window. As we age, women need more protein to help combat muscle loss that occurs. I see far too many women trying to fast and they aren’t getting enough protein in. Protein trumps fasting! Protein intake needs to be spread out evenly throughout the day and if you have a short eating window it’s really difficult to hit your protein goals.
3. You find yourself binging at night. A shortened eating window will naturally create a calorie deficit. The problem is when you restrict calories too much and you don’t get enough protein and you are more likely to suffer from hunger and cravings later in the evening. At this point, you’re tired, exhausted, and probably have a little willpower left, which can result in over eating at night.
4. If you have a history of eating disorders, I asked may not be the best choice for you.
If you are a woman who practices IF and you feel successful with that, then do what works for you.
However, if you are a woman looking to lose weight, and you’re struggling to find the best strategy for you, just know that intermittent fasting is not a miracle weight loss plan.
Have you tried IF? comment below. I’d love to hear your experience.