Fasting for weight loss, often known as “time-restricted eating”, has been increasingly popular in recent years, with more people becoming converts every day. One of the reasons why intermittent fasting works and is becoming more popular is because you don’t have to be as rigid about what you eat (as you would on other diets, like Keto, for example).
Intermittent fasting may be the ideal weight loss approach to help you lose unwanted belly fat because it does not require a restrictive eating plan. Then, is intermittent fasting beneficial to your health, and should you attempt it? Or does intermittent fasting work and how long can you see results after trying intermittent fasting?
Let’s dig into the real intermittent fasting results based on some influencers’ experiences and decide for yourself if this diet is right for you.
Results Summary – Before and After Intermittent Fasting
In as few as 10 days after starting your intermittent fasting regimen, you may notice changes occurring to your body. After two to ten weeks, weight loss becomes more noticeable. Here is an intermittent fasting results summary from some influencers’ real fasting experiences.
Intermittent Fasting Results in 24 Hours
The 16:8 intermittent fasting plan is by far the most popular eating method since it is seen to be the most simple and achievable of all. The 16:8 diet consists of an 8-hour eating window followed by a 16-hour fast. On the first day, you may feel especially tired and unfocused. Also, your stomach may be literally growling. Fasting for up to 24 hours might also trigger a metabolic shift, causing your body to utilize fat instead of glucose as an energy source.
According to Lacey Baier, 2 phases will be experienced during a 16-hour fast. “Upon reaching 4 to 16 hours, you’ll reach the breakdown phase (a.k.a. the catabolic phase) while after 16 hours, you’ll reach the ketosis phase during which your body releases fat and converts it to energy,” she stated in her blog.
Intermittent Fasting Results in a Week
You may also find it difficult to obtain adequate sleep in the first week. You may feel hungry or thirsty late at night. You may find it difficult to fall asleep again if you wake up regularly only to drink water. It occurs as a result of calorie restriction and lifestyle modifications. You will fall asleep peacefully once your body has become accustomed to it.
According to Roshni Sanghvi’s blog, she said, “It took me a week to get used to this pattern but once my body adapted, it was great. I did not wake up feeling hungry or tired. We do not need as many calories as we think we do. Besides this, almost every day of my first week of trying IF was a family movie night. Meaning, late-night nachos- guac and popcorns (pizza sometimes too). Since I was committed to IF, I did not taste even a bite of any of this.” Besides, another person called Ashley Edwards Walker stated in her blog that she felt a lot lighter at the conclusion of the week. However, when she weighed herself, the scale stayed the same – to the hundredth of a pound. She also examined her measurements, and other than a quarter-inch loss around her waist, she didn’t notice any other change in her physical look.
Intermittent Fasting Results in a Month
When you keep IF for several weeks, then you can choose another type called the 5:2 method if your body is acceptable. The 5:2 diet reduces your calorie intake on two non-consecutive days of the week while allowing you to eat normally during the remaining five days. And you can expect a healthy weight loss of 2 to 6kg a month, fantastic inch loss, and a boost in energy levels and brain function if you perform the fast correctly and ensure that it is aligned with your mind, body, and soul.
Here is a very concrete result of intermittent fasting from an influencer called Janice. In Janice’s blog article about intermittent fasting results, she mentioned that she was disappointed because she only lost 1/2 pound the first week. She lost 2.5 pounds the second week, 2 pounds the next week, and 2.4 pounds the following week for a total of 7.4 pounds lost. Based on her statistics, she has got a significant achievement in weight loss.
Intermittent Fasting Results in 2 Months
After 2 months of intermittent fasting, you are more likely to lose more weight and you can handle the obsession with food and sugar cravings. Besides all the weight loss, you can also get more energy and feel more clear-minded.
However, remember that your overall health (and how your body feels) is more important than how quickly you lose weight. Yes, quick results are desirable. But don’t lose sight of the big picture! The importance of sustainability cannot be overstated.
Mike has been living the Intermittent Fasting lifestyle for about 2 years now and it’s changed his life for the better. Based on his post, he has lost 5lbs and his waist and belly also changed by 2 months’ 16:8 intermittent fasting method. Here is what he stated in his blog:
At the end of Month 2 here’s where I was…
- Results Vs Prior Month:
- Weight 161 (+1 lbs)
- Waist 36 (no change)
- Belly 36.5 (no change)
- Results Vs Baseline:
- Weight (-5 lbs)
- Waist (-.25 inches)
- Belly (-1 inch)
How long can you see the result after intermittent fasting?
We all know that no matter what type of diet you follow, it takes time for it to operate in your body, so how long would intermittent fasting take to work in your body? According to experts, those who follow the fundamental principles may see a difference in their bodies about 10 days after starting intermittent fasting. It could take him anywhere from 2 to 10 weeks to shed considerable weight. When following intermittent fasting religiously, 10 weeks is the best time to lose at least 3 kilograms.
Generally, you could feel a little sluggish in the first week. This isn’t a cause for concern, but if you’re experiencing this, it could be a good idea to work out in the morning rather than at night.
Intermittent fasting gets much simpler after two weeks, and most people report feeling better overall. By week three, they’ve hit their “sweet spot,” where weight reduction is at its highest and they don’t require as much sleep since their bodies have adapted to using fat for energy. If you can only work out at night, by all means, stick to this routine; it will still help you get the most out of your intermittent fasting.
Certainly, the results of intermittent fasting vary from person to person. Lacey Baier said that she could see changes in her body in as few as ten days and after two weeks of intermittent fasting she could experience more significant weight loss. Also, intermittent fasting can help adults lose anywhere from 0.55 to 1.65 pounds (or 0.25 to 0.75 kg) per week, and more importantly, she no longer obsesses over calories after learning all about macros and healthy weight loss by intermittent fasting. Instead, she relies on how she feels. She made it a point to acquire muscle, eat properly, and develop good habits.
For Roshni Sanghvi, in a month, she lost 2kg of weight and got rid of a bloated belly by intermittent fasting. But the most significant effect for her was that she no longer felt “hungry”, and her cardio endurance improved slightly. According to Tracy Huneycutt, her appetite has naturally diminished over time by IF. It has completely changed her perspective on food and eating. She’s learning to follow her instincts and eat only when she’s truly hungry (and not bored or prompted by a food trigger.) She has developed a drive to make healthier dietary choices as a result, yet she still enjoys sweets to avoid feeling deprived. In Janice’s blog, she said, ”The first week I lost only 1/2 a pound so I was pretty discouraged. The second week I lost 2.5lbs, then I lost 2lbs the next week, and 2.4lbs in the last week for a total of 7.4lbs lost.” She found intermittent fasting to be the easiest to get started and by the 16:8 method she really achieved her goal of weight loss.
What results can be expected from intermittent fasting?
Weight loss is, without a doubt, the most prevalent and desired side effect of intermittent fasting.
Many diets promise quick results, but they frequently result in the yo-yo effect, in which dieters return to their original weight or gain weight. Most intermittent fasters agree that intermittent fasting is a terrific strategy to achieve long-term weight loss – not just lose, but keep the weight off.
In addition, intermittent fasting has been proven to have significant benefits for insulin resistance and to result in significant blood sugar reductions, which can lower the risk of type 2 diabetes. According to a human study on intermittent fasting, fasting blood sugar was lowered by 3–6% in persons with prediabetes over the course of 8–12 weeks, and fasting insulin levels have been lowered by 20–31%.
Cancer is defined by uncontrollable cell growth. Fasting has also been found to have a number of metabolic benefits, including a lower risk of cancer. Intermittent fasting or diets that imitate fasting may help prevent cancer, according to promising findings from animal research. Human research has yielded similar results, but additional research is still needed.
References:
- https://www.asweetpeachef.com/intermittent-fasting-before-and-after/
- https://roshnisanghvi.com/blogs/nutrition/my-take-on-intermittent-fasting
- https://triadmomsonmain.com/my-blog/my-personal-experience-with-intermittent-fasting/
- https://thathelpfuldad.com/intermittent-fasting-results/
- https://www.salads4lunch.com/weight-loss/my-intermittent-fasting-results/
- https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/a48008/intermittent-fasting-results/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S193152441400200X
- https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/fulltext/S1550-4131(15)00224-7
- https://academic.oup.com/eurpub/article/30/Supplement_5/ckaa166.216/5914370?login=true