Many people hear about intermittent fasting and they want to pursue it for weightloss. This of course is a compelling reason to begin some kind of fasting regimen. But, there are so many more benefits as well!
The body was not designed to be in a fed state most hours of the day. The very cellular structures that we are made of have their own cleaning system. When we allow our bodies to be in a fasted state, magic happens. Our cells take out the garbage!! Most critically, our brains have an entire system designed to cleanse the brain while we sleep. Do I need to say that while we’re sleeping we’re not eating so the brain uses this time to take out the trash.
The process is called Autophagy. It’s a form of cellular housekeeping where the cells literally clean out old broken proteins, organelles and pathogens. Simply put, if you want to be healthy and live a long helathy life, you need autophagy to occur. This process happens when we are in prolonged periods of not eating, excerices can help boost autophagy and calorie restriction.
Ok, this all sounds fantastic but where do you start? If you havent incorporated fasting into your daily lifestyle, maybe you just start with not eating after dinner. Finish your dinner and have nothing else besides water for 2-3 hours before bed. Try and go at least 12 hours without eating. So, if you finish your dinner at 7pm, don’t have any food/caloreis before 7am.
Lastly, if you have any heart disease, high blood pressure, pre diabetes or diabetes or any other disease, ask your MD abot how to proceed before adding in a fasting regimen. If you are on insulin or other metabolic medications, fasting can have an impact on your blood sugar levels.
If you normally work out in the morning, drink some water and do your workout fasted. Being in a fasted state is especially helpful when practicing hot yoga. DIgestion is an energy intense process for the body. If you get your workout in fasted, you’re body will have an extra boost with autophagy. You will be surprised how you actually do not need calories before a workout, especially if you have a few pounds to shed. Those pounds are untapped energy for the body. Allow your body to tap into it’s extra reserves. Not only are you doing amazing things for your body an overall health, you just might start to loose those stubborn fat stores.

Love and light,
Alli