When you first think of fasting, it sounds very easy. After all, you just need to go without food for an extended period. However, as many people often find out, committing to fasting can be one of the most difficult things you can do.
Or perhaps are you planning to fast to lose weight? In the old days, people were not as tempted by sweet smelling food everywhere they went. Now with cafes, fast food joints and restaurants in every corner, it is all too easy to catch a whiff of that roasted chicken and decide to check in for a bite.
Now all you are left with an excuse and you will have to procrastinate on your fasting. Don’t be surprised if you come up with an excuse for next time.
However, there are a few things that you can do to make sure that your fasting is successful. Let’s find out!
1. Make a Plan
You would be surprised at the number of people who go into fasting without a plan. This is a sure way to fail.
Before committing to your fasting, the first thing you should do is to plan. You need to decide when are you going to eat as well as what food will you eat.
For instance, you can make a hearty protein rich meal which you can have at around 4pm. Having done this, you can begin your fasting for the rest of the evening without consuming more food. If you find that you can continue with the rest of the evening by only taking water, then there is a high chance you will succeed in your fasting.
2. Exercise is Important
Exercise is not what most people would associate with fasting. If you understand what is autophagy, then you’re aware that it’s easy to lose not only the body fat but muscle mass as well through fasting. Because of this, including an exercise routine will help your body retain the muscle but burn then fat.
Combine exercise with protein dense meals. Protein has also been shown to help maintain muscle mass during the fasting period and while you exercise. This is because it helps repair damaged muscle tissue.
3. Protein Dense Meal
Make sure that the food you eat before you fast are rich in protein. This is because protein allows you to stay full for longer.
On the other hand, it is a good idea to avoid carbohydrates especially the fast digesting carbs. These will pass through your digestive system fast leaving you feeling hungry again.
Furthermore, you may want to include food that is high in fats such as cheese. Fat provides high energy in times where there are no carbohydrates.
4. Energy Dense Foods
Speaking of meals, whenever you eat, always make sure to choose your food wisely. You want to consume nutrient dense foods such as nuts, vegetables meats, eggs, milk and fruits.
Have a proper meal and ensure you are full. One of the main factors that would cause many people to fail in their fasting is hunger. The better you can combat your hunger, the more successful you will be at your fasting.
5. Get Others Involved
While for some people, fasting may be a personal matter, it is always a good idea to let family and friends know. Otherwise your significant other might decide to surprise you with a delicious home cooked meal.
What’s more is that by getting your friends involved, they will be less likely to invite you for lunch or breakfast as they are already aware of your goals.
Lastly now that your friends and family know that you are fasting, they will hold you accountable. You will want to adhere to your plans since you don’t want to look like you couldn’t commit to your plans.
6. Stay Hydrated
Note that fasting doesn’t mean not getting sufficient hydration. You must drink plenty of fluids throughout your fasting.
Many people often complain of headaches during fasting. They think that the cause of headaches is the hunger and the lack of food. However, the truth is that people also forget to take sufficient amounts of water and it leads to the headaches.
Final Thoughts
Fasting is a great way to achieve your fitness goals. However, it is not as simple as it sounds. You need to be mindful of your lifestyle and daily routine to maintain the goal. By applying a few useful tips; consuming protein dense food, doing exercise and staying hydrated, fasting can be made successful. Happy Fasting!!!
