Avoid Some Of The More Common Intermittent Fasting Mistakes People Make

Common Intermittent Fasting Mistakes

In our conversation on Intermittent Fasting, we must share some ideas to avoid some of the more common Intermittent fasting mistakes people make. Taking in some of these simple ideas will help you gain the benefits of intermittent fasting while avoiding the challenges some people make that might slow them down. 

You now may be at the point where you have decided to begin the practice of IF. 

Before you get started with intermittent fasting, it helps to have a better understanding of how it works, and what you should or should not do. We wrote a post on How to Eat While Intermittent Fasting For Best Results here - https://wendybottrell.weebly.com/blog/how-to-eat-while-intermittent-fasting-for-best-results 

The following list includes some common do’s and don’ts that are bound to come up, allowing you to avoid some of the more common mistakes people make.

Do: Transition Slowly

Make sure you are not going into intermittent fasting without planning ahead of time, and without really researching different protocols. You might want to transition into it slowly, such as doing the 16/8 protocol a couple of days a week instead of every day, or trying to fast just 12 hours at first, then gradually working your way up to 16 hours.

This is exactly what I did. I started with 12 hours because I did not want to feel stressed about fasting. I wanted to have some immediate WINS, see how I felt and then move forward successfully to a 16-hour window. It worked out well for me. I felt like I challenged myself and yet I didn’t feel stressed at all. So, in my opinion, I would highly suggest transitioning slowly so you can have the WINS for yourself and feel good about this practice. 

Don’t: Make Yourself Uncomfortable

Intermittent fasting can be hard on your body at first, especially if you are used to eating 6-8 small meals throughout the day. This is another reason why you might do better transitioning to eating fewer meals during the day, then switching up the hours so you are following an intermittent fasting regimen. If you feel like you are faint from going too long without eating, then it is time to re-think the protocol you are following for IF.

This idea is really about paying attention to what your lifestyle habits have been and how you want to move forward. Small changes made over time will take you further than drastic changes that are not sustainable to success in a new habit. 
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Do: Listen to Your Body

You also want to listen to your body when you start intermittent fasting. You may try a protocol that simply isn’t working for you, so it shouldn’t be forced. While you do want to give each protocol a good amount of time to find out if it is a good fit, don’t go months being uncomfortable and miserable on a particular IF protocol. You may just need to accept the fact that it isn’t a good one for you.

Don’t: Start Binge Eating

This is one of the bigger mistakes people make when they first start intermittent fasting. You might find that during the short window when you can eat, all you want to do is binge eat and go for anything you can get your hands on. This is the absolute wrong way to fast. Intermittent fasting is not meant to encourage unhealthy eating habits. You MUST eat the same healthy real foods you normally would, only during a shorter window.

Do: Stay Hydrated While Fasting

Make sure you are staying hydrated while you are fasting. People often forget to drink water just because they are fasting. During the fasting window, the ideal beverages are water, coffee and tea. It is suggested to have black coffee and tea however a bit of creamer in coffee goes a long way for the enjoyment. 

Don’t: Watch the Clock

While you do want to be sure you are waiting for the appropriate amount of time while fasting, don’t let it take over your life. You want to develop a different mindset with food and how often you should eat, so try to just set a timer on your phone when it’s time to eat again. 

As you practice fasting in my experience it becomes much easier to not focus on eating. In fact, when I go for a hike in the forest, I rarely even remember I haven’t eaten. Out on the trails or walking in the neighbourhood, I go fasted and this goes for so many activities in daily life. 

Share any ideas and comments below. 

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