Amanda For You: Healthy Eating-Intermittent Fasting

The Benefits Of Healthy Eating Combined With Intermittent Fasting Will Increase Your Daily Vitality

Wednesday, August 28, 2024, 12:45 P.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Amanda Scarlata: Englebrook Independent News,

MORRISTOWN, NJ. Good morning. As I mentioned in my last article, a healthy diet is a massive part of your fitness journey. Many of us have often needed help consuming the proper and balanced food to achieve our weight goals.

     As previously stated, there are many fad diets in which people cut out certain food groups or limit their calorie intake dramatically. The real question is, does this really work, and what harm are these diets causing to your bodies?

     Since beginning my workout journey, I have tried "cutting" my calorie intake when I wanted to lean down or "bulking up" when I wanted to gain more muscle, but I still felt I wasn't doing what was suitable for my well-being. I tried increasing my protein intake to maintain my muscle mass in the gym and even increasing my daily meals, like others were doing, but I did not see the results I had hoped for.

     Yes, I was working out and continuing to stay active every day to burn off the calories I consumed, but I was not where I wanted to be physically and mentally. I constantly felt drained and, at times, bloated and just not comfortable with myself.

     About a year ago, I set out on a moderate lifestyle change while staying focused, dedicated, and consistent in obtaining my goals. A friend and personal trainer mentioned that he had begun intermittent fasting to hopefully lose some weight and lean down, which was also my goal. He explained that he would only consume food or snacks at 12:00 p.m. or shortly after that every day to shorten the window of hours in which he could eat. I thought to myself, what's the worst that could happen? I decided to try it out for a week or so, and if I found out it was not for me, I would stop.

     This can be a very controversial topic for many of us because we have been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but I have learned this may not be the case for everyone. After hearing about intermittent fasting, I considered my schedule and what would work best for me. Since I have always been an early riser and enjoyed working out in the mornings, I forced myself to eat something, even if it was just a banana or a piece of toast, before I began my workout routine, thinking it would provide me energy. Still, I began to notice it was doing the exact opposite.

     I would feel full and sluggish during my workouts, so I decided to start my morning workouts without eating to see how I felt. Quickly, I noticed I started not to feel so sluggish and was able to increase the time of my workouts. For many of my friends and clients, it appeared that I was starving myself and only eating after I completed my routine or even waiting until noon. 

     Within a few days, I figured out what was working best for me, and I learned that allowing myself a twelve-hour window to eat my meals and snacks helped me feel a lot better throughout the day.

     Finally, within a year, I have reached my weight goal, and I am still only allowing myself the other twelve-hour window to consume my meals. I am still focused on my meals and having a high-protein intake, but I no longer force myself to eat in the morning when I am not feeling hungry just because my family and friends have always told me that breakfast is a must.

     I have also learned that there is a huge misconception that eating late at night or right before bed is terrible for you. However, following the proper diet and, as I have done, giving what I call my "12-Hour Reset" has allowed me to maintain my ideal weight and has increased my overall energy level. I found that I can still have a late-night snack if I choose.

     I'm not telling you to immediately change your daily routine and begin intermittent fasting. Still, start out slowly and see if you notice a change in your energy levels and weight. Remember, you need to find out what time frame of the day works best for you to achieve your weight loss goals. It has worked for me.

     My goal is for your future and to help you girls find out what works for you and gain confidence in your everyday life. In the upcoming weeks, I will discuss this in more detail and provide you with some quick and straightforward recipes to maintain your health and well-being. If you have any questions, reach out to me any time at amandaforyous@gmail.com

FILED UNDER: AUGUST 28, 2024: LIFESTYLES, HEALTH & FITNESS,