I’m sure you may have heard or come across the term “intermittent fasting” in the diet or bodybuilding world.

I’ve known about it for quite some time but never was interested/ applied it until I had my twins. My eating habits turned into “intermittent fasting” as I was losing weight and I didn’t know why.This isn’t to say that it will provide weight loss, but it may help!

I eat this way because it fits my active lifestyle and my stomach actually feels much better (I have IBS & GERD issues) throughout the day.Here’s a bit from an article on healthline.com that explains intermittent fasting: quite nicely:

“What Is Intermittent Fasting?

Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern where you cycle between periods of eating and fasting.

It does not say anything about which foods to eat, but rather when you should eat them.

There are several different intermittent fasting methods, all of which split the day or week into eating periods and fasting periods.

Most people already “fast” every day, while they sleep. Intermittent fasting can be as simple as extending that fast a little longer.

You can do this by skipping breakfast, eating your first meal at noon and your last meal at 8 pm.

Then you’re technically fasting for 16 hours every day, and restricting your eating to an 8-hour eating window. This is the most popular form of intermittent fasting, known as the 16/8 method.

Despite what you may think, intermittent fasting is actually fairly easy to do. Many people report feeling better and having more energy during a fast.

Hunger is usually not that big of an issue, although it can be a problem in the beginning, while your body is getting used to not eating for extended periods of time.”

No food is allowed during the fasting period, but you can drink coffee, tea or other non-caloric beverages. BUT, I have heard you can have under 100 calories since 100 calories plus will cause your body to come out of the fast. I usually do 1-2 cups of coffee during the fast with a splash of half & half.

While the 16/8 is the most popular, I follow 14/10; which is 14 hours fasting with a 10 hour eating window.

I’ve played around with different times but the 14 hour fasting was the best for me, especially since I wake up sometimes at 4:30am for work.Now this isn’t to say if I’m starving at 8:00am, I don’t eat. I try to get at least 10 hours fasted regardless.

Overall, I have my last meal at 7:00pm and eating my first meal at 9:00am.It usually is yogurt with some cereal and other fixings, oatmeal or a protein pancake. I try to make sure it keeps me full until lunch time.

Lunch for me ends up being around 1pm.If I am working, I’ll do a salad with a veggie burger.

If I am at home, I’ll still do a veggie burger but in a wrap or do one of these delicious cauliflower pizzas [half for lunch, half for dinner].As I mentioned in my last post, I am a big snacker, so that usually helps me stay full as well as plenty of water.Dinners, I’m pretty boring, since I don’t eat dinner with the hubs because of his schedule.

I stick to the basics; protein, veggies and some form of carbs. Veggie burgers, lean beef or chicken for my protein, broccoli or a salad for greens and sweet potato, brown rice or a wheat wrap for my carbs. I try to eat at least one of the things the kids are eating at dinner. I spotted this Birds Eye veggie made pasta that both mama and twins approve of.If I ever feel hungry for some reason at night, popcorn or Greek yogurt are my go to’s. If I need something sweet, I’ll do some mixed nuts with a few milk chocolate almonds and that usually takes care of it.

But I’ve found I don’t think about food as much with intermittent fasting and find that I can focus better on doing other things.I do still track my calories on My Fitness Pal but more to asses how I feel and see maybe what I was missing in the day. I don’t count calories anymore but my calories in a day range anywhere from 1400 to 2100.

Not stressing out about a specific number, as well as being more mindful with my eating choices is what I think helped me lose those 16 lbs.

Calorie counting worked for a long time for me but for now, intermittent fasting has become a more effective approach.

Find what works for you. ❤