4 Reasons Why You Should Be Intermittent Fasting | Jim Stoppani

If you've ever wondered if intermittent fasting is right for you, check out these great health and fitness benefits that show just how effective fasting can be to help you reach your goals!
Jim Stoppani's Favorite Supplements ►
Read Jim Stoppani's full Intermittent Fasting Article ►
| Jim Stoppani's Training Programs |
12-Week Shortcut to Size ►
6-Week Shortcut to Shred ►
6-Week Shortcut to Strength ►
"Intermittent fasting" refers to periods of fasting followed by periods of feeding. The typical daily intermittent fasting diet—and the one that I follow—is called a 16:8, where you're basically fasting for 16 hours of the day, and eating for only eight hours.
We already have periods of fasting in our normal lives as a result of our daily sleeping patterns. The reason it's called "breakfast" is because you fast while you sleep and break your fast with the first meal you eat when you wake up.
Most people fast for about 12 hours and eat for about 12 hours. By simply extending that fasting window by a few more hours, so that you're fasting for 16 hours and eating only for eight, you'll derive many of the benefits of intermittent fasting that are lacking with normal eating schedules.
Benefit 1: Greater Fat Loss
Research I was a part of at Yale University School of Medicine showed that—contrary to popular belief—your metabolic rate increases when you follow intermittent fasting. This ups the number of calories your body burns in a day. The way intermittent fasting does this is by supporting gene activity. Fasting turns on genes, which in turn produce proteins that make the body less efficient. While this may sound like a bad thing, it is actually very beneficial for fat loss.[1]
Benefit 2: Improved Health
Research shows that intermittent fasting supports immune function, which means you'll be less likely to get sick and need to skip days in the gym. Other studies also show that intermittent fasting promotes normal insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular health![2]
Benefit 3: Helps Fight Jet Lag
Believe it or not, intermittent fasting can help fight jet lag. Research shows if you fast for at least 16 hours, it helps to erase what's called our "food clock."
Our bodies work on a 24-hour clock based on light cues. This clock helps to signal when it's time to eat or sleep, which is why we naturally become drowsy when it gets dark and more alert when it is light. When you change time zones, your body clock must adjust to the change in cues, which is why you can feel tired and "off" when you travel to a new time zone.
But light isn't the only signal your body uses to set these patterns. There are a variety of other cues throughout the day to help program your body clock, and one of them is eating.
Benefit 4: Convenience
When I wake up in the morning, I don't have to make breakfast, I don't have to prep food for my lunch—I really don't have to even think about food until 4 p.m.!
| Recommended Supplements |
Jim Stoppani's Pro JYM Protein ►
- Blended Protein Supplement for Maximum Effectiveness*
- Made with the Highest Quality Whey, Casein, and Egg Proteins
Jim Stoppani's Pre JYM ►
- Pre-Workout Powder Powerhouse*
- Scientifically Advanced All-In-One Formula for Improved Workouts*
Jim Stoppani's Post JYM Active Matrix ►
- Post-Workout Powder for Recovery and Growth*
- Powerful Cocktail Designed to Help Boost Repair, Maximize Recovery, and Build Muscle*
========================================­=====
| References |
1. Hildebrandt, A. L., & Neufer, P. D. (2000). Exercise attenuates the fasting-induced transcriptional activation of metabolic genes in skeletal muscle. American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, 278(6), E1078-E1086. ►
2. Mattson, M. P., & Wan, R. (2005). Beneficial effects of intermittent fasting and caloric restriction on the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 16(3), 129-137. ►
========================================­=====
| Bodybuilding.com |
Sales & Specials ►
Fitness Articles ►
#1 Online Supplement Store ►
Free Fitness Plans ►
#1 Women's Fitness Site ►
========================================­=====
We are Bodybuilding.com. Your transformation is our passion. We are your personal trainer, your nutritionist, your supplement expert, your lifting partner, your support group. We provide the technology, tools and products you need to burn fat, build muscle and become your best self.