Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss

Today I will be discussing Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss. This post is brought to you by our sponsor, Always Eat After 7 PM: The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks—While Burning Fat Overnight by Joel Marion. The opinions expressed below are my own.

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This is part 2 of a 4 part series of the Always Eat After 7 PM Book Review. This series will document my experience and results from following the program from the Always Eat After 7 PM: The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks—While Burning Fat Overnight by Joel Marion. If you missed part 1 of this series go catch up Always Eat After 7 PM Book Review: Part 1.

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How to incorporate Intermittent Fasting into your lifestyle.

The Always Eat After 7 PM program promotes intermittent fasting. The philosophy behind the program is that the most challenging times to curb hunger are just before bed and in the morning. By following the Always Eat After 7 PM program, you have the most willpower to stay on the diet because you are eating during the hours when you are most hungry. This also puts you into both intermittent fasting, increasing testosterone and your metabolism, while putting you into ketosis. You can learn more about the science behind the diet here.

I was initially skeptical of intermittent fasting because I’m a big breakfast person. However, the author Joel Marion says that fasting for at least 12 hours can have a big impact on your energy levels and help with weight loss. When I broke it down, I realized that I was sleeping for most of the fasting time, so it actually fit easily into my schedule. For example, if my last snack was at 9 pm, then I would eat breakfast, the next day at 9 am. This was feasible because that was generally the time I ate breakfast anyway.

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Always Eat After 7 PM Program

The Always Eat After 7 PM plan consists of 3 phases: The 14-day Acceleration Phase to kick-start the program and see rapid results, The Main Phase where you’ll learn exactly which foods to eat and when, in order to achieve your weight-loss goals, and The Lifestyle Phase to keep the weight off for good. 

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The Always Eat After 7 PM Book: The Acceleration Phase.

The Acceleration Phase of the program is designed to activate weight loss in a healthy way with lots of nutrient-packed foods. The book helps you determine exactly how many calories and macronutrients you should be eating based on your current weight and your fitness goals. This was easy to assess. The book lays out exactly what you should eat and the regimen you should follow for each phase. This took out any guesswork, which I appreciated.

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What can you eat while Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss?

Always Eat After 7 PM, talks about how drinking lemon water first thing in the morning helps to boost your metabolism. So, I started my mornings with a cup of lemon water, warm or cold, depending on my mood. I sipped my water until it was time to break my fast, which was usually around 9 AM. To my surprise, I wasn't starving when it was time for breakfast.

My breakfast generally consisted of some sort of protein and a carb. I typically ate eggs and Ezekiel toast or plain greek yogurt with berries. I loved that I could still enjoy carbs on the Eat After 7 PM plan. I wouldn’t wish a Shanelle without carbs on anyone, seriously, I need my carbs! 

In the book, Joel says, "We’ve been traditionally taught to avoid carbs, have an early dinner, and never eat before bed. But the fact is, the latest scientific research shows us this earlier model is not the most ideal." 

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Barriers and Challenges to Losing Weight

My biggest challenge with Phase 1 of the program, the Acceleration Phase, was that alcohol is not allowed for this phase. I look forward to enjoying, a glass of wine with dinner, a cocktail or 2 on Fridays, and mimosas at brunch. However, I know those drinks are just empty calories. As I mentioned in Part 1, food is a very big part of my social life. Yet, I knew getting past this challenge would help me achieve my fitness goals.

I decided to replace my evening glass of wine with a cup of chamomile tea before bed. At dinner and brunch, I swapped out the cocktails and mimosas for sparkling water with lemon (in a fancy glass of course). Initially, I felt like I was missing out, but after day 3, I was fine. I realize I still got to experience the ritual of winding down in the evening when I drank tea at night.

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Does Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss Work?

I was proud of myself for getting through Phase 1. After the 1st week, my craving for wine dissipated. I felt less groggy and more focused in the morning. I had more energy and felt good after Phase 1. I also lost 4lbs! I was happy with that since 2lbs a week is a healthy amount to lose. Remember my goal is to create a lifestyle that I can maintain. I’m not looking for a quick fix.

Learn more about the book and how to purchase  Always Eat After 7 PM: The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks—While Burning Fat Overnight by Joel Marion.

Feel free to drop me a line and let me know if you have any questions or if you try the program so we can encourage each other. Stay tuned for my next post in this series.

This post is brought to you by our sponsorAlways Eat After 7 PM: The Revolutionary Rule-Breaking Diet That Lets You Enjoy Huge Dinners, Desserts, and Indulgent Snacks—While Burning Fat Overnight by Joel Marion. The opinions expressed are my own.

Looking for more ways to achieve your health goals:

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Always Eat After 7 PM Book Review: Part 1

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