Intermittent fasting is becoming an increasingly popular way to lose weight, diet healthy, improve health, and simplify life. By cycling between periods of fasting and eating, it allows the body to burn fat stores while maintaining muscle. Plus, it is an ideal way for women to get back in shape and stay healthy. However, some common mistakes can sabotage your intermittent fasting results. Let’s take a look at them.
5 common intermittent fasting mistakes to avoid:
- Not Drinking Enough Water
It’s important to stay hydrated while fasting by drinking plenty of water and unsweetened teas or coffee. Dehydration can cause headaches, fatigue, constipation, and even increased hunger pangs during your fasting plan. Aim for at least 2 liters of fluids per day while fasting. Adding lemon, mint, or cucumber can help make plain water more appealing.
- Binge Eating
One of the biggest healthy dieting and intermittent fasting mistakes is binge eating during the eating window. Gorging on unhealthy foods until you feel stuffed will negate the benefits of the fasting period. Be mindful of your portion sizes, eat slowly, and focus on nutritious whole foods like vegetables, fruits, lean protein, and healthy fats during your meals.
- Choosing Unhealthy Foods
What you eat during your eating window is just as important as when you eat. Be sure to emphasize whole, unprocessed foods that are high in nutrients but lower in calories. Avoid sugary desserts, fatty, fried foods, and refined carbs, as these provide empty calories and won’t keep you as satisfied. You can use a women’s fasting app to help you with picking the right food items.
- Not Easing Into Fasting
If you’re new to intermittent fasting, don’t try to go from eating six small meals per day to a 16/8 protocol overnight. This may set you up for failure, frustration, and rebound overeating. Ease into IF by gradually expanding your overnight fast until you reach your desired fasting/eating window. A fasting diet app can help you adjust to the new routine well.
- Being Too Rigid
Keeping your eating strictly within a narrow window every single day can be difficult. Don’t be afraid to be a bit flexible according to your social plans, sleep schedule, hunger cues, or health. The key is sticking with it most days, not being 100 percent perfect every day.
Conclusion:
The beauty of intermittent fasting for weight loss in women’s health is that it doesn’t require counting calories or eliminating foods. By being aware of these common mistakes, you can troubleshoot problems and continue losing as you simplify your eating schedule. With consistency over time, those stubborn pounds will come off and stay off.