Welcome to Intermittent Fasting 101 for men:
There is one thing that would give you the most bang for your buck with health and fitness.
I'm talking bang for your buck in terms of fat loss, better health, reduced allergies, mental clarity and just all-round awesome results in all areas of life.
That thing is Fasting.
And today I will tell you why you should start an intermittent fasting program.
Fasting has many forms.
But the one that I use in my own life is intermittent fasting.
Intermittent fasting has been getting more publicity these days.
But unfortunately it's not getting the credit it deserves in the mainstream.
There are many reasons for this but the main reason is that the food industry and some parts of the medical industry don't like the idea.
The food industry don't like it for obvious reasons.
Because if you stop eating so much food then they lose money.
The medical industry also has their reasons.
The medical industry makes a lot of money from diabetes medications and other medicines related to obesity.
Fasting In History.
Fasting is not a new thing. Its been with us for a long time.
Buddhist monks have been using fasting for mental and physical benefits for centuries.
Christian Orthodox Monks have been using it for centuries. In the bible it states that Jesus went on a 40 day fast.
Muslims use fasting especially during Ramadan where they don't eat anything from sunrise to sunset.
The ancient Spartans used Fasting as a tool for health and mental clarity.
They believed in Fasting before battle.
This belief was simple for them: Lions hunted better when they were hungry. Therefore Spartans were better warriors when they were hungry.
Hippocrates the pioneer of Western Medicine was also a firm believer in Fasting.
“Everyone has a doctor in him; we just have to help it in its work. The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well. Our food should be our medicine. Our medicine should be our food. But to eat when you are sick, is to feed your sickness.”
-Hippocrates
Other great Greeks like the Philosophers Plato and Aristotle were also followers of Fasting. They loved the mental clarity it gave them.
There are many other examples of fasting in ancient human history.
The point is that fasting in one form or another was used as an important part of human healing and well-being.
But as humans got access to more abundance fasting disappeared in mainstream culture.
Luckily these ideas were not totally forgotten. And now today we see more people starting to go back to this ancient wisdom.
Fasting As A Lifestyle.
Nothing will improve your overall health like fasting.
The first mental block most people run into is the idea that they will be hungry and have no food:
“But John I can't just stop eating!”
My reply to that is that you will be surprised what you are capable of if you give yourself a chance to try it.
The first thing to remember that you have been programmed and conditioned in modern culture to believe the following statement:
“You have to eat 3 meals daily.”
And if you are working out and training then “You have to eat 3 meals and eat snacks in between”.
Both these statements are false.
There was a time in human history when food wasn't as abundant as it is today.
There was a time that we had to go out and hunt when we wanted to eat.
This meant that in times of drought or scarcity humans would go without food for days.
Guess what?
They survived.
Fast forward to today and you see that we have abundance in everything.
Hungry?
Just order food online, go to the supermarket or just walk into the fast-food restaurant.
We have turned food into an addiction.
Most people now don't eat because they are hungry. They eat because they are addicted to chemically engineered food.
They eat because they have an emotional gap to fill.
Feel lonely, bored or anxious?
Get a burger, pizza or ice-cream to fill that void for you.
Fat Society.
The result is a society where disease and obesity are out of control.
Fat people are everywhere.
These obese people get diseases and these diseases get covered up by treating the symptoms, not the cause.
They medicate themselves to manage their food addiction.
Most of these people can change their lives and get rid of all the symptoms like food allergies, type 2 diabetes, and other illnesses by using intermittent fasting?
Even if you are in reasonable shape but still have that soft look then fasting will help you shed that last bit of fat.
And if you are what they call “skinny fat” then fasting will take care of the problem for you.
What Is Intermittent Fasting?
So what exactly is intermittent fasting?
I want to start by saying that there are many different forms of intermittent fasting but all have the same foundation.
You will have the find the one you feel comfortable with and go with it.
That being said let's look more closely at intermittent fasting:
Intermittent fasting has become a popular way for people to manage their weight, improve their overall health, and even increase mental clarity.
Essentially, intermittent fasting is the act of alternating periods of eating with periods of fasting.
This could be achieved in a myriad of ways, such as a 16 hour fast followed by an 8 hour feeding window, or a 24 hour fast followed by a 24 hour period of eating.
While the idea of intentionally denying oneself food may seem intimidating at first, there are a variety of benefits associated with intermittent fasting, including improved insulin sensitivity, decreased inflammation in the body, and a reduction in the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
It's important to note that intermittent fasting isn't a diet per se, but rather a way of structuring your eating habits.
As with any lifestyle change, it's important to consult with a medical professional before embarking on an intermittent fasting approach.
Fasting is a voluntary activity where the individual abstains from food for however long he chooses to do so.
So that means you have the choice to fast as long as you want.
Therefore you can break the fast when you choose to do so.
People do fasting for different reasons: Some do it for the health benefits others for mental or spiritual reasons.
Whatever your reason is you will get all of the benefits that fasting provides.
Most men who come to fasting want to get rid of that stubborn body fat that won't leave their bodies.
But the other benefits that you will see will surprise you:
-Your blood pressure will improve.
Intermittent fasting is a popular method of controlling blood pressure and promoting overall health.
By restricting food intake to a set timeframe (typically 8-10 hours per day), the body is given time to rest and recover from the stresses of digestion.
This can lead to a reduction in blood pressure, as the body is better able to regulate its internal systems and maintain proper circulation. I
-Lower the risk of cancer.
One of the most notable advantages of intermittent fasting is its ability to reduce the risk of cancer.
Studies have shown that it can prevent cancer cells from forming, slow down the growth of existing cancer cells, and even enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatments.
Intermittent fasting also promotes weight loss, which is another factor that can lower the risk of developing cancer.
By incorporating this lifestyle change into your routine, you can not only improve your overall health but also potentially prevent the development of cancer.
-Improve mental focus.
Many people find that they are able to concentrate better and stay focused for longer periods of time while fasting.
This is because your body is not using energy to digest food, so it can redirect that energy towards other tasks, like mental clarity and focus.
Additionally, intermittent fasting can help reduce inflammation in the body which has been linked to cognitive decline.
So, if you're looking for a way to improve your focus and concentration, intermittent fasting may be worth considering.
-Reduce the risk of Diabetes or Improve Some types of Diabetes
Intermittent fasting has been gaining popularity as a potential approach to reducing the risk of diabetes and improving some types of diabetes.
This eating pattern involves alternating between periods of eating and fasting.
By prolonging the fasting period, the body enters into a state of ketosis, where it mobilizes stored fat to produce energy instead of relying on glucose from food.
This can lead to improved insulin sensitivity and reduced blood sugar levels, which are key factors in managing diabetes.
Studies have shown that intermittent fasting can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and, in some cases, help control blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Incorporating intermittent fasting into your lifestyle may be a beneficial step towards improving your overall health and reducing the risk of diabetes.
-Fat Loss
Intermittent fasting has gained popularity as a weight loss method in recent years.
One of the main benefits of following an intermittent fasting routine is that it can lead to fat loss.
This occurs because when your body is in a fasted state, it starts to burn stored fat as a source of energy instead of relying on the food you consume throughout the day.
This helps to reduce your overall body fat percentage and can lead to a leaner, more toned physique over time.
Additionally, intermittent fasting has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and boost metabolism, further promoting fat loss.
So if you're looking to shed some extra pounds and improve your overall health, intermittent fasting could be a worthwhile option to consider.
-Healthy Skin
Intermittent fasting, a popular trend in the world of health and wellness, has many benefits, including promoting healthy skin.
When you fast, your body goes through a process called autophagy, where it starts to repair damaged cells and tissues.
This process can have a profound impact on your skin, helping to reduce inflammation and promote collagen production.
In addition, fasting can help to balance hormones, including those that affect skin health, such as insulin and cortisol.
By incorporating intermittent fasting into your routine, you may find that your skin looks clearer, brighter, and more youthful-looking.
As always, make sure to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new diet or lifestyle change.
Conclusion.
When it comes to Fasting most people just stop listening or reading when they hear they have to stop eating for a day.
They are so conditioned by society that they don't question their own ways.
Open your mind and transform your health.
Give intermittent fasting a try and see where it takes you.
If you want to find out more then get this book:
The Complete Guide to Fasting: Heal Your Body Through Intermittent, Alternate-Day, and Extended by
