Click above to watch my VLOG – Hungry for Results – Is Intermittent Fasting Worth the Agony? Or, feel free to read the transcript below instead!
Transcript:
Note: The following is the output of transcribing from an audio recording. Although the transcription is largely accurate, in some cases it is incomplete or inaccurate. This is due to inaudible passages or transcription errors. It is posted as an aid, but should not be treated as an authoritative record.
Hi Beauties,
Welcome back to our weekly vlog where our topic this week, Hungry for Results – Is Intermittent Fasting Worth the Agony? We love to cover all the different trends and talk about them together here because it can be really confusing.
You may wonder if you’re missing out or there’s some sort of miracle solution to get you the best wellness, best health and the best body. You’ve probably heard about intermittent fasting because it’s become quite popular. Today I want to talk about some of the pros and cons around it.
What is Intermittent Fasting
First of all, let’s define what it is. It actually doesn’t have one set way of being performed. Intermittent fasting can mean that you condense your eating to eight hours a day and you fast for the other 16 hours.
Or it could mean that you eat one day and then you fast the next day. You don’t eat at all. There’s different ways to perform intermittent fasting, but basically the gist is that you are constricting your eating hours down. You’re not eating on a consistent basis throughout an entire day regularly.
It can sound extreme and there are aspects of it that I don’t necessarily agree with or think are the best. However, I will say that fasting in general is something that has been promoted for thousands of years.
There’s a spiritual tradition around fasting. There is Ayurvedic tradition and yogi’s that talk about fasting to separate our attachment to food and to start to really build the energy from within.
Is Intermittent Fasting Healthy?
There’s also studies on the benefits. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that fasting decreased insulin sensitivity and allowed for increased fat oxidation, which allows the body to burn existing fat for fuel. The study also noted that subjects were consistently hungry on the days they fasted, so they claimed that intermittent fasting may not be sustainable. This was written in the actual study.
Another study from 2018, concluded that intermittent fasting can lower blood pressure and oxidative stress, improving overall health in its subjects. The benefit of intermittent fasting is that your body is getting a break from the very energy intensive process of digestion. It’s able to clean up debris and is more adequately able to digest what’s already in your system.
I think if someone in particular eats a very heavy acidic diet or they eat a lot of animal products, dairy or sugar, giving your body that break is definitely going to be beneficial.
What we believe here at Solluna and Beauty Detox is more of an overall lifestyle and more of a balanced approach. We want to create practices that are sustainable. I truly believe what we do day in and day out is what creates the long term benefits.
Intermittent Fasting Side Effects
One of the issues with intermittent fasting, especially in our community, which is very female dominant, is that it can be very problematic for women. This is because of having battled eating disorders and have any sort of tendency to obsess over food, me included.
It’s almost giving you the license to skip meals and to not eat for long periods. From a mental and emotional standpoint, this can be very hard for those of us that have that susceptibility to imbalance already.
I also think that it can backfire because you could feel so deprived while you’re doing the fasting that the days when you’re not doing the fasting, you can actually binge and eat more and actually gain more weight.
Intermittent Fasting and Individual Body Types
Intermittent fasting doesn’t always take into account individual body type. In Ayurveda for instance, there’s three different body types, primarily Kapha, Vata, and Pitta. If you’re a Kapha type and you have that steady energy, you’re going to do better with intermittent fasting.
If you are a very Vata and you need more warmth, you can do it sometimes, but if you are a Pitta, which is primarily a fire energy, you could have a very difficult time with intermittent fasting. It can negatively impact you emotionally and mentally and create all kinds of stress in your life.
My Version of Intermittent Fasting
I think that there are definitely benefits to resting your digestive system. But here is my take and what I recommend. If you’re following our Beauty Detox/Solluna morning routine, you will start by drinking the Glowing Green Smoothie® – which doesn’t have concentrated fat and protein, you’re drinking hot water with lemon, you’re taking your SBO Probiotics, you’re pretty much having an intermittent fasting window anyway.
You’re just having a green drink basically, and then heavier foods towards lunch. So you’re freeing up the morning and that’s something I’ve always talked about since the Beauty Detox Solution that you want to create more of that lightness in the morning.
If you are eating a more balanced plant-based whole food, fiber rich diet, you’re constantly sweeping toxins out and keeping refined sugars and dairy and any difficult to digest toxic food away, you can enjoy food, you can enjoy your life. You don’t have to go to these extremes.
Here at Solluna, we talk about our four cornerstones and it’s food, body, emotions and spirituality. It’s not just, “this is the best thing for my body.” We have to see what’s the best things for our emotions and spirit and how we feel day to day.
In Closing
I think if it’s something you want to try, I would start off small and maybe try to condense the hours that you eat and try to eat dinner earlier. That’s probably the best way in and then follow the Beauty Detox method of a very light morning until lunch.
I am definitely not an advocate for skipping eating every other day, although doing a properly administered smoothie and juice or soup cleanse here and there can be a great way to rest your system.
I hope this helped Beauty and gave you some food for thought. This is something you definitely want to think through before you try. If you have any more questions, leave them in the comments below.
Otherwise, thank you so much for tuning in and joining us about this discussion on potential intermittent fasting results. I will see you back here next week until then, take care and so much love.
Thank you Kimberly! Good advice. ????
Yes, thanks for bringing fasting to our awareness. Anything done bro the extreme is unhealthy for the body mind and soul. We must always be aware of what we’re doing and why. I personally came off of a 21 day fast and only drank lots of water, ate fruit and cooked vegetables. I did this as a way to sacrifice my body to The Lord Jesus Christ for Lent. Yes, weight was lost, but the fast was for a greater purpose ❤️
Hi Beauty! I agree that balance is key. Sending you lots of love!
I’ve also read that intermittent fasting isn’t good for those with adrenal issues which unfortunately is so many nowadays particularly women.
Yes, it’s definitely always good to check with your doctor before starting a fasting routine, especially if you have any specific health concerns. Thanks for reading, Beauty! xx
Hello Kimberly,
Thank you for breaking it down, as it relates to the individual body types.
Thanks for reading, Deschion! Sending you lots of love. xx
I’ve had good luck with alternating the amount of eating/fasting hours (8/16, 9/15, or even 10/14). It’s easier that way. I don’t know if this is true, but I read that fasting for even 13 hours each day can work, so that would make 11/13 possible. Doing 10/14 helps with the hunger pangs after doing 8/16 for a few days. I try to stick to your diet rules, but I can’t seem to get away from having feta (only from goats or goats+sheep) a couple times a week.
Hi Beauty! Every body is different, so I always encourage you to listen to your body and do what feels best 🙂 xx
Loved this article. Thanks ! I like the technique where I condense my food in a 8-10 hours window and fast for 14-16 hours. It works great and I’m not hungry.
Hi Beauty! I’m glad you’ve found a routine that works well for your body. Balance is key! xx
Fasting is three folds. There is a higher purpose for fasting mentally or religiously, developing some form of discipline by understanding your food psychology, and giving the body a apoptotic reset. It’s important to understand one size fits all model is not practical. Anything extreme doesn’t sit well with body and the body prefers homeostasis and balance. I totally agree with you Kim—by making it a lifestyle such as eating an earlier dinner or starting off light to heavier foods. This is how I incorporate “fasting” without making it a constant obsessive focus. After all the body has been in a fasted state overnight naturally so introducing something light makes perfect sense for a steady release in insulin, the body’s fat storing hormone.
Yes, exactly – balance is key! Thanks for following along, Beauty. xx
Hello Kim. What are your thoughts on working out such as yoga, walking, body weight exercises first thing in morning. Should green smoothies be consumed before or after? I like to exercise in fasted state first thing in morning.
Hi Sienna! I always recommend drinking hot water with lemon first thing in the morning to boost your body’s cleansing process. If you have the energy to do light activity before drinking your smoothie, you could certainly do so beforehand! If exercising in a fasted state in the morning works for you, that’s great. Hope this helps! xx
Thank you Kimberly! I always appreciate the advice you give! You always have a balanced and sensible approach! Thank you for covering this very timely topic!
Thanks for tuning in, Christine! Sending you lots of love.xx
Thank you so much for addressing this!
Thanks for reading along, Beauty! xx
Thank you
I like this technique 8/16 and it works for me. Thanks so much for info.
Hi Ella! I’m glad to hear you’ve found a routine that works for your body! Sending you lots of love. xx
Hi Kimberly!
I’ve been incorporating your lifestyle. I believe I want your perspective on fasting 36-72 hours? I believe I’m a pitta and because I have been attempting to fast 36 and sometimes 72 hours. Every time I hit just about 72 hours. I’m out of it I feel depleted, but once I hit over 24 hours let’s say 36 hours I have so much energy especially with the new moon. I felt maybe I should of ate at the 36 hour mark. I’ve been experimenting with it. I’ve started to wonder that since I am completely plant based and incorporate your detox lifestyle, do I have to go to the extreme? I fast during the full and new moon so it’s every two weeks. Should I still fast for 36 hours every two weeks?
Hi Ronnie – thank you so much for sharing your fasting journey and for asking such a great question. I think your answer is right within your question. Sounds like your body is telling you when you’re feeling depleted and when you have energy and that you don’t need to go to the extreme. You’re off to a great start by eating plant-based and incorporating the Beauty Detox lifestyle, along with fasting during the full and new moon. Let your body guide you. No two people are alike. My gut is saying to put the 36 hours every two weeks aside for the time being and let your body be accustomed to all the amazing things you are doing for it now. Hope this helps my love. Be sure to stay connected with the community and share your experiences. We all learn from each other. Sending you so much love and support. Xo