Intermittent Fasting has been in the media spotlight for the last couple of years, but TODAY Show hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager have recently decided to try it!
They wouldn’t be the first—celebrities from Jennifer Aniston to Kourtney Kardashian to Hugh Jackman (and many more!) have all talked about their Intermittent Fasting lifestyle… and for good reason. Intermittent Fasting is a popular strategy for weight loss as well as overall health because it can help the body burn fat, regulate hormones, and even detox on a cellular level.
When people start Intermittent Fasting, they usually report less brain fog and bloating with more energy and confidence. And that’s usually just the beginning. We hear all the time how much it simplifies busy mornings, helps people get lean and strong, and even helps IFers sleep better at night.
Worried it will put you into starvation mode or tank your metabolism? Put those fears to rest, the science shows that, as long as you do it correctly, you’ll steer clear of starvation and even increase your metabolism!
Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
We can’t wait to see what it does for Hoda and Jenna, who said they’re doing it to be healthy rather than to lose weight. While many people do practice Intermittent Fasting in order to lose weight, it’s also beneficial for so much more!
Benefits of Intermittent Fasting include:
Improved brain health
May prevent some diseases
Improved insulin sensitivity
Cellular repair
Increased levels of human growth hormone
Reduced inflammation and oxidative stress
There are several popular Intermittent Fasting strategies, but Hoda and Jenna will be using the 16/8 protocol (the same one we use in the FASTer Way to Fat Loss). Sometimes called Time-Restricted Feeding, this is a popular strategy because it’s simple and easy to do on a daily basis. All it requires is fasting for 16 hours, then eating within an 8-hour window each day.
How to Track Progress
In order to “track progress,” Hoda and Jenna weighed themselves on live TV to set a starting point. If you’re familiar with the FASTer Way, then you know we like to track progress through other important markers like body measurements.
Why don’t we use weight to track progress? Simply put, it doesn’t mean much. As you lose fat and gain muscle, your weight may not go down at a steady pace even though you’re making progress and seeing gains. Muscle is denser than fat, which means it’s heavier when you compare equal volumes of each. This means you may not see a big drop in weight if you are engaging in strength training in order to boost your metabolism and burn fat faster. If weight is the only milestone you’re tracking, then you may feel frustrated and disappointed—even though you’re actually going through a significant change in body composition!
For More information About Intermittent Fasting:
Expert Tips for Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent Fasting and Carb Cycling 101
Intermittent Fasting Implementation FAQs
Have you tried Intermittent Fasting? Tell us about YOUR experience in the comments!