Is Intermittent Fasting Actually Worth It? My Honest Take

My Intermittent Fasting Journey: The Beginning

Okay, so intermittent fasting. I feel like everyone and their mom has tried it, right? Or at least considered it. I was definitely in the latter camp for a long time. I kept hearing about all these amazing benefits: weight loss, better energy, improved brain function… the list went on and on. Honestly, I was skeptical. I’m the kind of person who gets hangry like, five minutes after missing a meal. The idea of going for extended periods without food sounded like a recipe for disaster, both for me and anyone unfortunate enough to be around me.

But, you know, curiosity got the better of me. Especially after the holidays last year. All those cookies… Ugh, what a mess! I needed to do something. So, I started researching different intermittent fasting methods, reading articles, watching YouTube videos (yes, I went down that rabbit hole). There’s the 16/8 method (fasting for 16 hours, eating within an 8-hour window), the 5:2 diet (eating normally for five days, restricting calories for two), and even alternate-day fasting. It all seemed so…complicated. Was I the only one confused by this?

I finally settled on the 16/8 method because it seemed like the easiest to incorporate into my lifestyle. Plus, skipping breakfast sounded a lot more appealing than skipping dinner (I’m definitely a dinner person). My eating window would be from noon to 8 p.m. Okay, time to be honest. The first few days? Rough. Really rough.

The Hunger Games (of My Stomach)

The hardest part was definitely the mornings. My stomach would start rumbling around 10 a.m., and it felt like an eternity until noon. I tried drinking black coffee to suppress my appetite, which helped a little, but I was still constantly thinking about food. It was kind of like when you’re on a diet and all you can think about is pizza and ice cream. I also felt a bit sluggish and irritable. My coworkers probably weren’t too thrilled to be around me, to be honest.

I made a crucial mistake, which I later realized. I didn’t really change what I was eating during my eating window. I was still eating the same sugary snacks and processed foods I used to, just within a smaller timeframe. Big mistake. Huge. It’s kind of like squeezing all the junk into a smaller box, it’s still junk. Who would have thought, right?

Funny thing is, I actually started using an app to track my fasting and eating times. There are a ton of them out there, but I ended up using one called “Zero.” It’s pretty basic, but it got the job done. Seeing the timer count down actually motivated me to stick with it, even when I was feeling hungry.

Seeing Results (Eventually)

After about a week, things started to get a little easier. My body seemed to adjust to the new eating schedule. The hunger pangs weren’t as intense, and I actually started to feel more energetic in the mornings. I also started to make healthier food choices during my eating window, focusing on whole foods, lean protein, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. This made a HUGE difference. Seriously, it was night and day.

I also noticed I was sleeping better. I used to have trouble falling asleep, but now I was conking out pretty quickly. Maybe it was because I wasn’t eating right before bed anymore? Who even knows what’s next? I’m not a doctor so take everything with a grain of salt, you know?

Within a few weeks, I started to see some changes in my body too. I lost a few pounds, and my clothes were fitting a little looser. More importantly, I felt healthier and more confident. It wasn’t some overnight transformation but I was moving towards my goal. My mood also improved a lot. This wasn’t just about weight loss; it felt like a shift in my overall well-being. If you’re as curious as I was, you might want to dig into the science behind how intermittent fasting can affect your brain function.

Was It Worth It? My Final Thoughts

So, is intermittent fasting actually worth it? For me, the answer is yes, but with a caveat. It’s not a magic bullet. It’s not like you can just fast and eat whatever you want and expect to see amazing results. You still need to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly. It’s kind of like thinking that eating healthy once or twice a month will get you into shape. It takes time.

It takes dedication. It takes really forcing yourself to be okay with being hungry in the morning.

But if you’re willing to put in the effort, intermittent fasting can be a valuable tool for improving your health and well-being. It’s about building new habits and listening to your body. I mean, I’m still doing it, so I guess that says something, right?

Ultimately, everyone’s experience with intermittent fasting is going to be different. What works for me might not work for you. But if you’re curious about trying it, I encourage you to do your research, talk to your doctor, and give it a shot. Just be prepared for a few rough mornings at first. And maybe warn your coworkers. Just kidding… mostly.