3 Don'ts While Fasting


Often times, you'll come across posts on how you should fast and what you should do while fasting. So instead of repeating what has already been said, I'd like to share what you shouldn't do. I wouldn't say my don'ts are new, but they've not been emphasized enough. Hopefully, my post adds to their importance.

#1 DON'T FEED 30-60 MINUTES BEFORE BEDTIME

Whether you're on the 16:8 protocol or the warrior fast, do not feed too close to bedtime. Why? Because you'll have trouble sleeping.

There are two reasons why you struggle to snooze: one, your heart is beating faster than usual. Most of us break fast with larger meals. And if your meal contains high amounts of carbohydrates, your insulin level will rise resulting in an increased heart rate. But what if you consume little carbs? A large meal naturally releases more hormones. These hormones bump your heart rate too, and possibly extend its tenure.

Two, you're just too full. It goes without saying that the discomfort you feel, with a brimmed stomach, makes sleeping a challenge. It's not impossible to fall asleep stuffed up. But, it would take a while - after you find a position that doesn't attempt to force your food up your throat.

As we know, sleep is important. So don't sacrifice sleep by chomping minutes before bedtime. Give your body some time to digest before hitting the sack, and you wouldn't toss and turn any longer.

#2 DON'T OBSESS OVER CALORIES

Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern. So as much as counting calories is important, don't obsess over it. Don't drastically reduce your intake hoping it would aid in quicker results. If you intend to keep at it for the long run, this isn't the way to go. In fact, you would only feel unsatisfied after every meal. And what's worse is if you don't see the crazy weight loss after you've cut so much - the disappointment might deter you from fasting again.

Remember, intermittent fasting isn't a quick fix. And attempting to speed up the process, by substantially reducing calories, would make fasting unsustainable. So eat! Eat healthy while meeting your daily requirements, and you'll see the results you're looking for.

#3 DON'T BE TOO AMBITIOUS

I know, you're gung-ho to get started. You probably already drafted an eating plan and scheduled when and how you'd transition from a 14:10 protocol to a 20:4 protocol. Heck, you might just do one meal a day from the get-go. But hold up... take a few steps back.

You need to know that no body is the same. Your body isn't my body. Your tolerance for hunger might be lower than mine. Your hormonal reaction is most probably different from mine. So despite having ambition being a good thing in life, it doesn't translate well into fasting. You don't want to throw in the towel, just because you've taken on more than you can handle, do you?

A lot of times, we try to do everything at the same time. And most of the time, we burn out through this approach. Starting intermittent fasting is ambitious enough, so don't overdo it. Learn to take your time. Give your body a period to adjust. Fitness is a journey - let this be a part of that journey.

BONUS: OBVIOUS DON'TS

- Don't break fast with sugar (simple carbohydrates).
- Don't forget to drink lots and lots of water.
- Don't snack in between your meals during a wider feeding window.
- And... don't give up!

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