How To Choose The Best Fasting Diet That Works For Your Metabolism

Finding Your Unique & Optimal Fasting Window

Have you ever wondered why some people rave about the benefits of intermittent fasting, while others find it challenging and less effective? Based on recent research (1), 45% of the world’s population will agree with you, while only 10% succeed in shedding those pounds long-term.

Could it be that our bodies, just like our personalities, have unique responses to fasting?

In today's digital age, where we seek personalization in everything from shopping to fitness regimens, intermittent fasting shouldn't be any different.

Intermittent fasting is a popular topic in health and fitness, and for a good reason. By strategically timing your meals, you can improve your metabolism and establish healthy eating habits that can lead to sustainable weight loss.

In this article, we'll explore the different intermittent fasting schedules and how they can be personalized to help you achieve your weight loss goals. So buckle up and get ready to discover a whole new approach to fasting.

Intermittent fasting for weight loss
What are the different types of fasting
How to find the best intermittent fasting schedule for you
Incorporating intermittent fasting into your diet
Tips for a healthy fast

What is Intermittent Fasting?

Intermittent fasting diets are eating patterns that involve short-term fasts of minimal or no food consumption. The reason this diet is skyrocketing in popularity is because it is an efficient way to improve metabolic flexibility, helps break through a weight loss plateau, and promote healthy weight loss. It does not necessarily dictate which foods you should eat but rather when you should eat them. The idea is to limit the time spent eating each day as this reduces overall calorie intake and promotes weight loss.

But, with so many fasting schedules and methods to choose from, selecting the right one for your body can be tricky. You can start by assessing your current metabolic state, to give you an idea of where you stand metabolically to find the one that’s a win-win.

Intermittent Fasting for Weight Loss

Our bodies are programmed to hold onto fat as a survival mechanism, so it can take a lot of effort to convince them to let it go. This is why traditional calorie-restrictive diets often fail in the long run - they can slow down your metabolism and make you feel deprived, leading to binge eating and weight regain.

Intermittent fasting takes a different approach by working with your body's natural processes instead of against them. The main driver of fat loss is reduced caloric intake, because people snack less.

By restricting your eating to certain windows of time, you can train your body to become more efficient at burning fat and boosting your metabolism. When we fast, our bodies switch from using glucose as the primary source of energy to using stored fat, which helps promote metabolic flexibility. This makes weight management easier in the long run.

While weight loss ultimately depends on a calorie deficit - consuming fewer calories than you burn - intermittent fasting can be a useful tool to help achieve this deficit. However, while you’re at it, ensure you eat a balanced macro diet personalized for your metabolism during your eating window.

Mia Dige, Metabolic Coach and Personal Trainer, shares that "there are individual biological factors that could make your fasting experience a little different than others". Edward Vasquez, trainer of Fledge Fitness adds how he's using Lumen to find his optimal fasting window.

I've used this [Lumen] so many times to measure at certain points when I'm extending my fast. I always check in the morning to see if I'm actually still burning fat, because I want to avoid getting to a point where I'm not effective, I want to be as efficient as possible.

Edward Vasquez, Fledge Fitness, Trainer

What Are The Different Types of Fasting

The most popular fasting schedules include the 16/8 method, the 5:2 diet, and alternate-day fasting, but there are other variations too.

Each of these schedules has its own pros and cons.

Time Restricted Fasting

Time-restricted fasting is a type of intermittent fasting that involves restricting the period you eat during the day. The idea is to limit the time you spend eating each day, usually to a window of 8-10 hours, and then fast for the rest 14-16 hours. During the eating window, you are allowed to consume all your daily macros and nutrients; during the fasting window, you drink only water or other calorie-free beverages. Some people do this daily, while others practice it a few times a week.

16/8 Fasting Schedules

The 16/8 fasting schedule, involves fasting for 16 hours and eating within an 8-hour window. Adults of all genders with good health and no underlying medical conditions can typically do 16/8 fasting without issues. However, some people may find it difficult to stick to an 8-hour eating window, especially if they have a busy schedule or social obligations. Additionally, pregnant or breastfeeding women, individuals with a history of eating disorders, and people taking certain medications or with specific medical conditions are not advised to use this fasting schedule.

5:2 Fasting

This approach involves eating normally for five days a week and then limiting calories to 500-600 per day on two non-consecutive days, and alternate-day modified fasting, which involves eating 25-30% of daily calorie needs on fasting days and eating normally on non-fasting days. However, it may be too restrictive for others and can lead to overeating on non-fasting days.

Alternate Day Fasting

Alternate-day fasting is a type of intermittent fasting that involves alternating between days of normal eating and days of either no food or significantly reduced calorie intake. This means that on your fasting days, you may eat only a small amount of food or consume no calories, while on non-fasting days, you can eat as you normally would. On the other hand, alternate-day fasting can be challenging to stick to in the long run and may not be suitable for everyone.

24-hour Fasting

24-hour fasting is a type of intermittent fasting that involves abstaining from food for a full 24-hour period. It can be done once or twice a week, depending on individual preferences and goals. During a 24-hour fast, you consume no calories and may only drink water or other calorie-free beverages. It's important to note that 24-hour fasting is not suitable for everyone, especially those with certain medical conditions or who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

14/10 Fasting Schedule

The 14/10 fasting schedule involves fasting for 14 hours and eating within a 10-hour window. During the 14-hour fasting period, you can consume water, unsweetened tea or coffee, and other non-caloric beverages. The 14/10 fasting schedule may be a good starting point for females or those who are new to intermittent fasting.

“I think it’s a fantastic tool. Understanding the numbers and how they correlate to my behaviors/circumstances is KEY to tweaking things”

Tracey, Colorado

18/6 Fasting Schedule

The eating window is typically limited to 6 hours, so you have a shorter time frame to eat your meals. This fasting method can be suitable for most healthy adults, regardless of gender or age, as long as they don't have any underlying medical conditions that may affect their ability to fast.

20/4 Fasting Schedule

A 20/4 fasting schedule, or the "Warrior Diet," involves eating all your daily calories during a 4-hour eating window and fasting for the remaining 20 hours. Listening to your body and adjusting the schedule as needed is very important. Some people find it easier to start with a shorter fasting window and gradually increase the fasting period.

How to Find the Best Intermittent Fasting Schedule for You

There are several different intermittent fasting methods, but finding the right intermittent fasting schedule that aligns with your body's metabolism can help you achieve your health goals and optimize your overall well-being.

The optimal fasting duration varies for each individual, and no one-size-fits-all solution exists.

Everyone's body is different. What works wonders for one person might be suboptimal for another. Research has increasingly highlighted the variation in metabolic responses to different fasting durations. For instance, while one individual might find a 14-hour fasting window optimal, another might benefit more from a 16-hour or even an 18-hour fast.

In the image below, we have a daily measurement timeline of three different fasting Lumen members. Those color-coded numbers? They're not random. They show the members' metabolic responses at different fasting durations, from a breezy 14-hour fast to a challenging 18-hour one. Each one seeing different results. Why does this matter? Because for each person, understanding your unique metabolism can be the key to experiencing a multitude of health benefits. Weight loss, enhanced mental clarity, and boosted energy are just the tip of the iceberg.

Why This Personalization Matters

Understanding your metabolism from a physiological perspective can give you more clarity to comprehend the impact of intermittent fasting on your body entirely. In essence, the function of our metabolism is to convert the food we consume into energy that our bodies can utilize, much like an engine.

This intricate process involves a series of chemical reactions that break down the nutrients found in our food, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, transforming them into usable energy for our cells. It then affects numerous aspects of our well-being, from energy levels to weight management and athletic performance.

Brea Lofton, a registered dietitian at Lumen, shares, "By tapping into personalized insights, you can craft a fasting routine that is both effective and sustainable for improving the core of your health - your metabolism.

Factors to Consider when Choosing a Fasting Schedule

Intermittent fasting is not a one-size-fits-all. When choosing an intermittent fasting schedule, there are several factors that you should consider to find a plan that suits your lifestyle, health goals, and personal preferences.

Here are some of the key factors our Lumen metabolic coaches urge you to consider:

Before starting any intermittent fasting regimen, consider your health status, medical conditions, and any medications you take.
Determine what your schedule or work and social commitments will look like around your fasting times.
Choose a plan that fits your daily routine to avoid disrupting your lifestyle too much. You can still join brunch; just adjust the timing and quantity of your last meal.

Depending on your appetite and level of hunger, you can choose a plan that suits you best. Some people prefer a short fasting period, especially when starting, while others prefer a more extended period.

However, if your primary goal is to lose weight, you can choose a plan that allows you to create a significant calorie deficit to achieve your desired weight loss.

"It is crucial to ensure you get all the nutrients from your meals when you are not fasting. Make sure to eat a healthy and balanced diet that meets your macros and nutritional needs."

Marine Melamed, R.D at Lumen

Finally, choose an intermittent fasting schedule you can use in the long run. The more sustainable the plan, the more likely you will stick with it and achieve your health goals over time.

How to Incorporate Intermittent Fasting into Your Diet

If you're interested in trying intermittent fasting, there are a few things our metabolic coaches recommend that make it easier, such as:

Start slowly and gradually build up to more extended periods of fasting.
Experiment with different schedules until you find one that works for you.
Drink plenty of water or non-caloric beverages, such as tea or coffee, during fasting periods to stay hydrated and energized.
When you're not fasting, ensure you eat healthy and nutrient-dense foods to provide your body with the necessary nutrients.
Include many fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates.
Regular exercise is essential to a healthy lifestyle and can help you maintain muscle mass and burn calories.

Keeping track of your progress can help you stay motivated and adjust your fasting routine as needed. You can use apps or journals to track your fasting periods, meals, exercise, and weight loss progress.

“Not every day is perfect, but each day gives me an opportunity to learn more about me, my body, and my relationship with food Lumen has been a huge help for me!!”

Elayne, Canada

Tips for a Healthy Fast

Fasting can provide several potential health benefits, including weight loss, improved blood sugar control, and reduced inflammation. However, it's important to approach fasting safely and in a way that works best for your needs.

When breaking a fast, it's important to avoid high-calorie foods that can overload your digestive system. Instead, choose light, easy-to-digest foods such as broth, soup, or salad.

Pay attention to your body's signals and stop fasting if you experience any adverse effects such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness, it's best to break your fast and eat something. Speak to a healthcare provider if you notice any unwanted side effects.

Consistency is important when taking on a lifestyle change. By tracking the biofeedback and your progress, you will see your efforts and dedication pay off.

Conclusion

You do not have to push your limits. Use an app that supports optimal intermittent fasting timing for your metabolism and personalized meal plans to go along with them.

There are several other benefits of intermittent fasting, like being mentally and physically active, improved insulin sensitivity, and improved heart health.

So far, we have seen that the best duo for weight loss is going on fasting diets and exercise. As much as you're motivated to try this, make sure you find a fasting schedule that suits you because making the wrong choice can stress you out.

By understanding the different types of intermittent fasting and their pros and cons, you can find the right approach that works for your body and start seeing results.

Remember, sustainable weight loss is all about making healthy habits a part of your daily routine, and personalized intermittent fasting can be a great way to do that.

For further reading, learn how intermittent fasting can be combined with a carb cycling plan in this guide

Sources

Intermittent fasting: how it works and for types explained. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/intermittent-fasting-4-different-types-explained/amp/

5 Intermittent Fasting Methods, Reviewed - Healthline https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/6-ways-to-do-intermittent-fasting&ved=2ahUKEwiw0b-S2679AhWAXfEDHVeDCrMQFnoECGcQBQ&usg=AOvVaw3h7qASj7_FtGE3sZv7RvUB

Intermittent Fasting and Human Metabolic Health - PMC https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4516560/&ved=2ahUKEwjC66uZlbD9AhU5iv0HHSWHAbsQFnoECBIQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3LxYtG-CLybPohugvGQLiO

Intermittent Fasting in Weight Loss and Cardiometabolic Risk Reduction https://journals.lww.com/jnr-twna/fulltext/2022/02000/intermittent_fasting_in_weight_loss_and.3.aspx

How To Personalize Your Intermittent Fasting Schedule