It's not a secret that I'm a huge fan of fasting.
I’ve been doing it for a few months now, and it has helped my focus reach new levels. It’s not just about losing weight—it’s about mental clarity and being more productive. The best part is that you don’t have to be a monk or anything like that to do it! I’ve been able to make fasting work into my schedule regardless of whether I’m at home or on the go.
Limit the amount you eat, and your body will become superhuman.
Fasting is a practice that’s been used for thousands of years. It’s been used by many different religions and cultures to achieve spiritual enlightenment, but fasting also has health benefits. Fasting helps reduce inflammation and detoxify your body by eliminating toxins through urine and sweat. It also reduces oxidative stress, which means fewer free radicals attacking healthy cells in your body, and no one wants that. And all this happens while fasting helps boost your metabolism by increasing insulin sensitivity!
Pretty mind-blowing, right? Limit the amount you eat, and, in turn, your body becomes superhuman(sort of).
So, how does one go about fasting? Where do I start?
Fasting is a great way to improve your mental and physical health. But before you start, there are a few ground rules you need to take note of.
First, it’s essential to understand that fasting is not about starving yourself. While fasting, you’re still eating—you’re just eating less than usual. Eating healthy foods during fasting is vital to ensure you get the nutrients your body needs.
Second, it’s essential to drink plenty of water while fasting. This will help keep you hydrated and prevent any headaches or lightheadedness.
Third, there are different types of fasting, so it’s vital to find the best method for you. For example, intermittent fasting is when you eat only during certain hours of the day—say, from 12 pm to 8 pm—and fast for the rest of the time.
You may ask yourself, “there are so many types of fasting; which one is the best for me?”. The answer to that question is…it honestly depends on you as an individual and your lifestyle.
That said, tons of resources—including this one!—can help you find the perfect method. The ones that have helped me the most mention books
Some forms of fasting include intermittent fasting (which involves eating within an 8-hour window each day). On the other hand, full-day fasts for those experienced veterans (which involve eating nothing at all for 24 hours) and water fasts (which include drinking only water). We will look into these in more depth a bit later.
Have you ever wondered how fasting affects the body? Well, let me tell you.
Fasting is a great way to cleanse your body of toxins and can also help with weight loss if you’re trying to lose some pounds. But it can also be dangerous. I’m not saying that fasting is terrible—it benefits your health and wellbeing. Still, there are certain things you should know before you start fasting. When you fast, your body goes into survival mode and starts burning fat as energy instead of carbohydrates. So if you’re doing it correctly (and safely), it will help you lose weight. But if you’re not doing it correctly, it can lead to serious health problems.
Here are some of the things that happen to your body when you fast:
1. Your blood sugar levels drop
When you fast, your body starts to burn stored sugar for energy instead of food. This can lead to a drop in blood sugar levels, which can be dangerous if you’re not careful.
2. You may feel dizzy or lightheaded
If your blood sugar levels drop too low, you may feel dizzy or lightheaded. This is because your body isn’t getting the energy it needs from food.
3. You may feel tired
When you fast, your body starts to burn stored fat for energy. But this process takes a lot of energy, so you may begin to feel tired.
4. Your metabolism slows down
Fasting can also lead to a decrease in metabolism. This is because your body isn’t getting the food it needs to maintain a high metabolism.
5. You may lose muscle mass
If you’re not eating enough protein, you may lose muscle mass. This is because your body will start breaking down muscle tissue for energy.
There is a considerable upside. Here are the benefits to your body when you fast.
1. You’ll lose weight
If you’re fasting for weight loss, it will work. This is because your body will start burning stored fat for energy instead of food.
2. You’ll detoxify your body
Fasting is a great way to cleanse your body of toxins. When you fast, your body will eliminate all the toxins in your system.
3. You’ll boost your immune system
Fasting can also help boost your immune system. This is because when you fast, your body will produce more white blood cells responsible for fighting infection.
4. You’ll increase your lifespan
Studies have shown that fasting can help you live longer. This is because it can help prevent age-related diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s.
5. You’ll improve your mental clarity
Fasting can also help improve your mental clarity. This is because when you fast, your body will produce more ketones, which are responsible for improving brain function.
But here’s where things get tricky: when your body doesn’t have enough fuel to survive a fast, it starts breaking down muscle tissue for energy instead of fat stores. That means that after a few days without food, your muscles will begin to get smaller, which isn’t suitable for anyone! It’s also essential to ensure you don’t want fast too long, or else you could feel weak when it’s over. Not exactly something anyone wants from their diet plan!
Here are some of the most unexpected ways fasting affects the body:
1. You’ll lose weight—but only if you’re doing it right. You will lose weight if you don’t eat enough calories during your fast. But if you’re overeating while fasting…Then all that extra food will get stored as fat in your body! So make sure you’re eating enough calories!
2. Your heart rate will decrease—but only for short periods. When people start fasting, their heart rates go down because they’re not eating anything with any fats (which would raise blood pressure). But once their bodies realize that there aren’t any fats, their heart rates will go back up again!
3. You’ll have more energy than ever—but only if you’re eating enough calories! If you don’t eat enough calories during your fast (like I said above), then this won’t happen.
It’s not just the body that gets affected by fasting. The mind does too!
The mind is also very much involved in this process. Fasting significantly impacts the mind, and it can be hard to understand how it affects us.
The first thing that happens when you start fasting is that your brain produces more dopamine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters are responsible for feelings of energy, motivation, and pleasure (among other things). So this initial boost can make fasting seem like a great idea! However…
After about 24 hours of fasting, these neurotransmitters start to dip again. They’re being replaced by other chemicals like norepinephrine and acetylcholine. These chemicals are responsible for feelings like anxiety and irritability—which is why many people claim that fasting makes them feel moody.
For example, suppose you’re fasting for Ramadan or Lent. In that case, you might initially feel slightly dizzy because of dehydration and hunger. But your mind will start getting more precise and focused after a while. You’ll be able to think more clearly and concentrate better on work or school projects.
Studies have shown that people who fast regularly tend to perform better at school or work than those who don’t fast!
1. Your concentration will improve
When you fast, your body will produce more ketones. These are responsible for improving brain function and focus. So if you want to improve your concentration, fasting is a great way to do it!
2. You’ll be in a better mood
Fasting can also help improve your mood. This is because when you fast, your body will produce more endorphins. Endorphins are responsible for making you feel happy and reducing stress levels.
3. You’ll have more self-control
Fasting can also help you have more self-control. This is because when you fast, your body will produce more dopamine. Dopamine is responsible for making you feel motivated and focused.
4. You’ll be more productive
Fasting can also help you be more productive. This is because when you fast, your body will produce more norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is responsible for making you alert and focused.
5. You’ll sleep better
Fasting can also help you sleep better. This is because when you fast, your body will produce more melatonin. Melatonin is responsible for making you feel sleepy and relaxed.
Fasting can help improve your mental clarity and focus, but it can also make you more impulsive. It all starts with a hormone called ghrelin. Ghrelin is an appetite stimulant—it makes you hungry! But it also has other bodily roles, including regulating blood sugar levels and maintaining bone density. So if ghrelin is high, your body thinks it needs food, which means you’ll be craving sugar or carbohydrates. On the other hand, if ghrelin is low, your body will think it doesn’t need food—and therefore won’t crave anything.
Ghrelin levels are highest when you haven’t eaten in a while, which is why you always feel hungry after skipping a meal. But as you continue fasting, your ghrelin levels will start to decrease. This is because your body will begin to adapt to not having food by burning stored sugar and fat for energy instead.
Here’s where things get interesting: ghrelin levels drop significantly when we fast (not eat for an extended period). Because our bodies get energy from stored fat cells instead of food intake. That means more power for us! And even better news: Studies show that fasting can help improve cognitive function, increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, and protect neurons! Pretty wild, right?
So if you’re looking for a way to improve your mental clarity and focus, try fasting! It just might help you out.
Fasting can also help improve your memory. One study found that people who fasted for 24 hours were better able to recall memories than those who didn’t fast. The reason for this is unclear, but it may have something to do with the fact that fasting helps improve BDNF levels.
BDNF is a protein that helps protect and repair neurons. It also helps with the growth and development of new neurons.
What type of fasting is ideal for me?
Fasting is a great way to improve your mental clarity and focus. Still, it’s essential to do it safely and healthily. If you’re new to fasting, start with a shorter fast, like 12 hours. And be sure to drink plenty of water!
If you’re looking for a longer fast, try a 24-hour fast. This is a great way to reset your body and give your digestive system a break. Just be sure to eat plenty of healthy foods when you break your fast! If you need a well-written, informative guide, take a read at…
But I start slow by only fasting 12 hours a day, gradually increasing the duration as my body becomes more accustomed to it. I also drink plenty of water and eat healthy meals when I break my fast. I cannot stress that part enough,, as it will be a game changer on how you feel post-fast.
If you have any other questions about fasting, please feel free to leave them in the comments below! I’m always happy to help out where I can.
If you’re interested in trying fasting, be sure to talk to your doctor first! They can help you figure out if it’s right for you and give tips on getting started.
There are different types of fasting, but the most common one is intermittent fasting. Intermittent fasting is when you eat all your meals within an 8-hour window and fast for the remaining 16 hours of the day. So, if you finish your last meal at 8 pm, you wouldn’t eat again until noon the next day.
Despite its reputation of being revived by Instagram celebrities, it has a lot of benefits for our minds and body that are worth exploring.
The human body is a wondrous work of biological engineering. When we throw a curve like fasting, even the most hardened skeptic has to raise an eyebrow. It’s no surprise that fasting seems magical when you understand how it works on our bodies. Removing calories from the diet will always trigger a chain reaction across many of our processes.
Share your experiences with fasting in the comments below! I’m always curious how others are faring with this interesting eating method. And if you found this article helpful, please share it with others who might benefit from reading it, and be sure to follow me for more health and wellness tips!
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I like to leave you with a quote.
The future depends on what you do today.
References:
Collier, R. (2013, June 11). Intermittent fasting: The science of going without. CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l’Association medicale canadienne. Retrieved July 13, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3680567/
Intermittent fasting: What is it, and how does it work? Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2022, March 7). Retrieved July 13, 2022, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/intermittent-fasting-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-work
Staff, H. H. P. (2021, February 28). Intermittent fasting: The positive news continues. Harvard Health. Retrieved July 13, 2022, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/intermittent-fasting-surprising-update-2018062914156
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Hi Judi, Not at all, and appreciate your interest. Much obliged Judi