Learn to enjoy intermittent fasting on keto
Have you been doing keto for a while but have noticed a stall in your weight loss? Maybe you have heard of intermittent fasting(IF) but are hesitant to embark on a period of time where you don’t eat? If this is you, then do not fear! There are ways to learn to enjoy intermittent fasting on keto and even make you feel like a goddess!
A few tidbits before taking on fasting
Prior to embarking on intermittent fasting do keto for at least 2 weeks
If you are ready to start intermittent fasting but have not started keto, then I would advise you to wait at least 2 weeks! In order to fast effectively and like you want, it is imperative to get into fat-burning mode and produce ketones. The reason for this is that the ketones will help in terms of appetite suppression. If you start fasting right from the start then you will have more hunger pangs and it will not be as pleasurable for you!
Plan out your fasts
Prior to taking on any type of fasts, it is important to plan them out. When you plan out your fasts then you are more likely to be compliant. Also, it is important for you to read up on any tips on fasting. This is crucial because if you get hunger pangs or any other symptoms, you want to be able to tackle them head-on. I would recommend reading my article called, Seven intermittent fasting tips for more information.
Tips on enjoying your fasts
After you have done keto and successfully planned out your fasts, then you are ready to do intermittent fasting on keto! Remember, intermittent fasting is completely optional and you do not have to do it. When you decide to take on IF, you are making that decision and nobody else. Prior to starting IF, I would recommend that you clear it with your healthcare provider and have the best mindset possible. Do things to help your mental stability! Please listen to my podcasts on Keto diet and chakra balance for your health to learn more about how to align your chakras and get yourself in a good emotional state! This is very important for any type of lifestyle modification!
Tip #1- View your fast as a body cleanse
The first way you can learn to enjoy intermittent fasting on keto is to view your fast as cleansing for your body. When you are fasting, try to picture that your body is repairing your mitochondria and even making new ones! The process of intermittent fasting involves getting rid of the old mitochondria and stimulating new ones to form. This will create an energy powerhouse! In turn, it may also help prevent cancer or other diseases from manifesting.
Also, think that your body is making new beneficial gut bacteria and getting rid of the old! Researchers find beyond its benefits on your body and brain, IF could favorably influence the balance of beneficial gut flora that protect against metabolic syndrome1. This benefit is wonderful because that means IF will also help with insulin resistance and lower your blood sugar!
Tip # 2- Learn to enjoy productivity on a fast
Have you noticed that you have more energy and can get things done on a fast? When this happens, learn to be most productive during this time! When I am fasting, I set aside things to do that I know I can do better while I am fasting. In fact, being productive and keeping my mind occupied really helps me to fast more efficiently.
Tip # 3- Discover your mental clarity and creativity on a fast
If you have ever fasted for a prolonged period of time, you may have noticed that wonderful creativity and mental clarity. Learn to stop and relish this feeling! Maybe during this time, you could take up something you’ve been wanting to do for a while-like learning to play the piano or writing a book. Maybe there was an art project you have been eyeing and have put off to the side. Anything goes! Savor this newfound creativity while your fasting and not only will you enjoy IF, but you will be reaping the benefits!
If you don’t have any projects in mind, then watch something educational or inspirational on Youtube or read a good book! You will notice that you will absorb the information that you learn much easier because of the ketosis. After all, your brain prefers ketones as it’s fuel!
Picking the perfect fasting interval
After you have decided to take on fasting, it is important to pick the perfect fast for you. Fasting is a lot like keto in that there is not a one size fits all type of fast. There is fasting for 16-hour intervals, warrior diet, 5:2 fasts, water fasts, the list goes on! If you would like to read more about the types of intermittent fasting, please read my article called What to know about the five types of intermittent fasting.
Learn to acknowledge the difficult fasting times
Prior to beginning any type of fasting, you need to accept that there may be times when it is difficult to take on a fast. These instances may be a holiday party coming up or even the start of your period. In these times, it is important to schedule around these events! If you know that you can’t commit to fasting for a party then plan to work around it. For example, if you usually stop eating after 2 pm, plan to change your fasting interval around so you can eat at the party. Instead, you would just plan to fast all day and then eat around 6 pm at the party ( if that is the time the party starts).
Learning to not deprive yourself
An important thing here is to learn not to deprive yourself! If you feel like you are cheated in any way then it will be hard to be compliant with fasting or keto! If there is a wedding that is coming up in a month and you want to eat cake, then do it. It is not like you will eat a piece of cake every day! Sometimes, we have to treat ourselves in order to improve our compliance. I am a firm believer in breaking your keto diet every now and then! You are fine as long as you can limit yourself to that one piece of cake and then jump back on the bandwagon. Maybe that day you even take on a full fast before eating the cake!
Surround yourself with good fasting resources
An important thing to do prior to starting fasting is to invest in some good reading material. I really like Jason Fung’s The complete guide to fasting or Dr. Mercola’s book called Ketofast. Both resources are excellent in all things fasting! There are tips on how to deal with side effects and they talk about the different types of fasts. When I am fasting, I like to read these two books. I have found that reading about fasting while I am fasting tends to help with my compliance on a fast.
Fasting is part of the equation to better health
I am so glad that you have found my article on fasting! It is important to remember that fasting is only part of the equation to improve your health. It is also important to follow a low carb diet and incorporate mental stability with chakra balance. Please sign up for my email list to get information on these concepts straight to your inbox! Also, sign up for Healthologist, which is a forum where you can communicate with experts and others on living a healthy life.
Namaste!
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3946160/1
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