Copywriter and sports fanatic Mirte finds Intermittent Fasting both idiotic and interesting. So it was time to try it out for yourself.
This article is contributed by Mirte Rey.
Myrtle: “In April I wrote an article about intermittent fasting. Simply put, intermittent fasting involves putting your body into a fasting state by not eating for more than 12 hours. This would bring all kinds of health benefits, such as the increase in muscle growth, a higher insulin sensitivity, fat loss, a longer life and it could even reduce the risk of cancer. This sounds appealing, of course, but the fact that you don't eat for 16 hours sounded less appealing to me.
Don't judge until you try it yourself
I've already gone quite far with health. For example, I take a teaspoon of turmeric with pepper every day, I work away two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar every day and I exercise 3 to 4 times a week. I don't think you should start IF if you're not used to being disciplined about your health.
Now of course the big question is:did I last?
Yes! I've just been a full-time IF'er for almost two months now. In fact, something that seemed so extreme and intense to me is actually not that bad. Of course there are all the health benefits, but there are also practical advantages and, unfortunately, also disadvantages.
The practical drawbacks
- Rumbling stomach
My stomach sometimes makes sounds in the morning that you would expect from a 6-foot Grizzly bear. Sounds that I can hardly cough over during the quiet moments at work. Pretty embarrassing.
- Bad breath In the morning you smell like a pack of rats are staying in your mouth at night. If you don't eat for a long time, your mouth just stinks. Your bedfellow probably won't be very happy with IF. The rest of the world won't notice once you've brushed your teeth, used mouthwash and chewed gum.
- Enough food
Intermittent Fasting (for me) reduces hunger. Thick fine of course, but I have to get enough nutrients. For someone who used to live from meal to meal, this is a very strange thing to say, but I sometimes forget to eat. So I have to consciously include eating moments to ensure that I get all the necessary nutrients.
- Social struggles
'Ah, one piece of pie, you can have it' or 'Don't be so unsociable'. Well, you should not consume more than 60 calories during Lent. That means no beer in the pub, no piece of cake on a birthday or a cappuccino after your 'eating window'. And yes, that is a pity sometimes.
Fortunately, there are more advantages
- More time in the morning
My bed and I have fifteen minutes more quality time since IF.
- Everything tastes better
That 'hunger makes raw beans sweet' story was probably invented by an IF'er. After not eating for 16 hours, everything tastes so much better!
- More aware
After your body hasn't eaten for 16 hours, you don't want to immediately stuff it with greasy stuff. That just doesn't feel right. Plus, you only have a limited amount of time to eat, so you become more picky about what you want to eat.
- Happy dentist
My dentist is also completely pro IF. You shorten the time in which you eat sugar, which means that your teeth have less to endure.
- Less stomach discomfort My stomach is also happy with it. I mainly suffered from heartburn at night and that has become much less since IF.
- Energy
The first mornings, when I expected to be a sleeping zombie, I turned into some kind of super concentrated primordial human with ADHD. I went through my tasks at work at a murder rate and I did not shy away from confrontation. That indomitable energy passed after a week, but I do notice that I have more energy than when I didn't do IF yet.
- More muscle growth
Unfortunately I forgot to measure my fat and muscle percentage, so I don't have it in black and white but I certainly feel that I have gained more muscle definition.
In short, I really like Intermittent Fasting. I feel good about it, I notice results and for me the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. So for now I'll just keep doing it. If you are also a 'health freak' who wants to try something new, I can definitely recommend this.'
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