{"id":12245,"date":"2018-10-03T01:00:57","date_gmt":"2018-10-02T21:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/?p=12245"},"modified":"2022-08-24T11:55:00","modified_gmt":"2022-08-24T07:55:00","slug":"intermittent-fasting-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/intermittent-fasting-women\/","title":{"rendered":"Intermittent Fasting for Getting Lean: A Beginner&#8217;s Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I love food. I always have. But sometimes, you can have too much of a good thing. It\u2019s easy to overdo it and indulge too much, especially at a great restaurant. And nothing is worse than waking up the next day feeling sick and bloated.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That said, after indulging in a big meal, it\u2019s tempting to eat less the next day. It makes me feel better, more alert, and more prepared to get <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/how-to-recover-from-a-binge\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">back on track<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for my weekly workouts. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But what if I told you that fasting is actually beneficial even if you haven\u2019t overindulged? I have written before <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/intermittent-fasting-good-weight-loss\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">about this topic regarding weight loss<\/a> and fasting but I wanted to tell you more about the positive effects intermittent fasting can have on your body.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Believe it or not, skipping a few meals can have some crazy awesome benefits both to your overall health as well as your waistline. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/intermittent-fasting-1.jpg\" alt=\"intermittent fasting\" class=\"wp-image-12336\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/intermittent-fasting-1.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/intermittent-fasting-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intermittent fasting for women, when added to your regular workout routine and a healthy diet, can help you get lean without forcing you to actively count calories day in and day out. Here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Intermittent Fasting for Women<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intermittent fasting is the process of fasting throughout the week. I\u2019m not talking about skipping a meal here and there when you\u2019re too busy to take a lunch break. I mean planning those missed meals into your day. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think of intermittent fasting as a way to interrupt your body\u2019s metabolism in a good way. When you eat several times each day, you\u2019re constantly giving your body nutrients and calories which it has to digest. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Digesting those calories does help give you energy, but it also allows your body to store those extra calories. Worrying about calorie intake is normal, but <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/11-sneaky-high-calorie-foods\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">some foods<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have an incredibly high-calorie count and you might not even know it. This makes it difficult to be mindful of what you\u2019re eating.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With these high-calorie foods, the calories you don\u2019t burn get stored in your body as fat, increasing your weight and leading to that unwanted <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/226-the-truth-about-how-to-lose-belly-fat\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">belly bulge<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intermittent fasting allows you to forgo eating for a set period of time (typically for 16-24 hours at a time) triggering your body\u2019s response to start burning the stores you\u2019ve put away from previous meals. After the fasting period is over, you\u2019re free to eat like normal until the next fasting period.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intermittent fasting is done for hours at a time rather than days, making it easy to incorporate into a daily routine without interrupting your workday or wrecking your weekend out with friends.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/intermittent-fasting-2.jpg\" alt=\"intermittent fasting\" class=\"wp-image-12337\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/intermittent-fasting-2.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/intermittent-fasting-2-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When your body doesn\u2019t have a steady supply of new calories from food and drink to burn through, it finds other resources to give you the energy you need. For most people, this means using up your fat stores.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Benefits of Intermittent Fasting<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intermittent fasting for women can help them achieve their fitness goals, but there are a number of other benefits as well. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Weight Loss<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most common reason women start an intermittent fast schedule is to help facilitate <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/intermittent-fasting-good-weight-loss\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">weight loss<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Fasting and eating only during set hours typically reduces the number of calories you consume daily, but that&#8217;s not all.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By eating meals during set times during the day rather than grazing whenever the munchies hit, your blood sugar levels even out. This helps you produce less insulin. Insulin is responsible for a large part of the fat storage in your body. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you eat frequently, insulin is consistently produced, increasing the amount of fat your body holds onto. By following an intermittent diet plan, insulin production levels out, reducing the amount of fat stored every time you eat.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over time, this can help you lose weight and keep it off for good.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/224-how-to-fix-a-damaged-metabolism\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Related post: How to Fix a Damaged Metabolism<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Improved Energy Levels<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Believe it or not, digesting food takes work. When your body is constantly working to power through calories, it can leave you tired even after eating healthy foods. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/intermittent-fasting-3.jpg\" alt=\"intermittent fasting\" class=\"wp-image-12338\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/intermittent-fasting-3.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/intermittent-fasting-3-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intermittent fasting for women can help keep your energy levels high without forcing you to reach for (yet another) cup of coffee in the afternoon.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Better Sleep<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intermittent fasting allows your body to focus on producing healthy relaxation and sleep hormones rather than digesting and processing food.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since following an intermittent fasting diet plan gives your body the opportunity to create hormones to help it unwind at the end of the day, you\u2019ll likely be able to sleep better at night.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Say goodbye to those annoying caffeine jitters and racing mind. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Lowers Inflammation<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By following an intermittent fasting diet plan, you might see a reduction in inflammation which can help you lose weight and feel better in the process.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just make sure to avoid those troublesome <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/nutrition\/6-foods-that-cause-inflammation#section1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">inflammation-causing foods<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to reap the biggest rewards here.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>You\u2019ll Eat Less<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After a fasting period, you don\u2019t have to count calories. However, even knowing that you\u2019re able to eat what you want during the appropriate time doesn\u2019t mean you will. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In fact, many people end up eating less when coming off of a fasting period. After all, you\u2019re only able to eat during a specific time window. This reduces the number of hours where you can graze and snack throughout the day.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The less you graze, the fewer calories you\u2019ll typically take in, resulting in an overall lower calorie count each day.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>You\u2019ll Regulate Your Appetite<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grazing can make it difficult to identify when you\u2019re hungry and when you\u2019re actually full. Contrary to popular belief, this can make it difficult for your body to keep up. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eating larger meals less frequently allows your body to create ketone bodies. These ketone bodies help regulate and stabilize the hormones that give you food cravings, even after eating a meal. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This means you\u2019ll recognize when you\u2019re feeling full and when you\u2019re truly feeling hungry.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>May Reverse Hormone Resistance Issues<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For many people following a standard diet protocol, hormone resistance is a key issue. Leptin resistance and insulin resistance can lead to increased fat stores and weight gain.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intermittent fasting allows your body to produce those hormones only during the designated eating times. Leveling out the hormone production helps your body realign itself so it produces the right levels at the right times.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For many people, leptin and insulin resistance can be reversed by following a fasting protocol over time and with the supervision of their doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-image-12370\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"343\" height=\"147\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/leptin-resistance.png\" alt=\"intermittent fasting for weight loss\" class=\"wp-image-12370\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/leptin-resistance.png 343w, https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/leptin-resistance-300x129.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 343px) 100vw, 343px\" \/><figcaption>Source: restartmed.com<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>How to Get Started<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The benefits are great, but it\u2019s important that you understand how to start your intermittent fasting diet plan. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As I said before, intermittent fasting for women is about more than just skipping meals occasionally. It requires planning and thought. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are many different ways to fast and some will work better than others. It all depends on your specific needs and schedule.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To start, I recommend fasting for 12 to 16 hours at first. This lets you ease into fasting for a full day at a time. Here are some of the easiest methods to follow.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Crescendo Method<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/intermittent-fasting-6.jpg\" alt=\"intermittent fasting\" class=\"wp-image-12341\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/intermittent-fasting-6.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/intermittent-fasting-6-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fast for 12 to 16 hours and allow yourself to eat for the remaining 8-12 hours of the day. It\u2019s easiest to start fasting while you sleep overnight and skip breakfast, then eat towards the end of the day. Most people see great results alternating fasting days and normal days throughout the week.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>16\/8 Method<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Building off the Crescendo method, eat during your 8-hour window only and fast the remaining 16 hours of the day. Just make sure to alternate fasting days throughout the week.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>5:2 Routine<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fast twice a week, restricting your caloric intake on fasting days to no more than 500 calories. Split the calories into two meals of 250 calories each on fasting days. Eat normally for the rest of the week. You can read more about it <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/what-is-the-52-diet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">here<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>24-Hour Fast<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fast for a full 24 hours, beginning when you first wake up. This is best done only once a week and after consulting with your doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Safety Matters<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Intermittent fasting for women is typically safe and can actually be quite healthy for most people. However, before your first fast, it\u2019s important to speak with your doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you suffer from ongoing health conditions, adrenal fatigue or have to take multiple medications, discuss any major change in diet with your physician.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They\u2019ll be able to advise you on what will and won\u2019t work for your health far better than any internet resource. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/intermittent-fasting-7.jpg\" alt=\"intermittent fasting\" class=\"wp-image-12342\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/intermittent-fasting-7.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/intermittent-fasting-7-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If, on the intermittent fast, you feel that you\u2019re pushing yourself too far, stop. Fasting can be uncomfortable, but if it\u2019s interfering with your daily activities or putting you in a position where you feel unsafe, stop fasting.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Common Questions<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After my previous post on weight loss and intermittent fasting for women, I\u2019ve gotten tons of questions in my <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/rachael_attard\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instagram<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> DMs. Though fasting is different for many people, most of the questions are the same.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Are you allowed to drink anything while fasting?<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, and you most definitely should. Dehydration can derail any weight loss routine, including a fast. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and if you need a pick-me-up, don\u2019t hesitate to reach for a cup of black coffee or tea. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/intermittent-fasting-8.jpg\" alt=\"intermittent fasting\" class=\"wp-image-12343\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/intermittent-fasting-8.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/intermittent-fasting-8-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can even flavour your beverages with lemon or lime juice for a calorie-free boost. Once the fasting is over, feel free to get a bit more creative with your water\u2019s flavour with these <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shape.com\/healthy-eating\/healthy-drinks\/20-tips-make-drinking-water-taste-better\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">creative ideas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Can I eat anything while intermittent fasting?<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re free to eat during your eating period on fasting days. With the Crescendo method and the 16\/8 method, the eating window is restricted to 6 or 8 hours of each fasting day. Eating outside that window is a big no-no. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>So, coffee is acceptable?<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, but there\u2019s a catch. You can\u2019t add cream or sugar to any of your beverages when you\u2019re fasting. Cream and sugar contain calories and can stop a fast before it really even starts. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/intermittent-fastinh.jpg\" alt=\"intermittent fasting\" class=\"wp-image-12344\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/intermittent-fastinh.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/intermittent-fastinh-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That said, coffee, green tea, and black tea are all great ways to help stave off hunger on fasting days while also offering many <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthline.com\/nutrition\/top-13-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coffee\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">health benefits<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If you\u2019re worried about the jitters, switch to herbal tea or decaffeinated options.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Will I lose weight immediately?<\/b><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s likely that you\u2019ll see some weight loss after a fast, but it may not be permanent. Intermittent fasting works best when done consistently and your body is frequently pushed outside its comfort zone. When incorporated into a healthy diet and exercise routine, you\u2019ll likely see long-term results.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><b>Can I eat what I want after the fast?<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You don\u2019t have to count calories after the fast, but that doesn\u2019t mean you should reach for a bag of potato chips as your first snack. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead, choose healthy foods and focus on eating nutrient-dense meals. Fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins are all ideal post-fast foods. Not sure where to start? Check out these delicious <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/recipes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">recipes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think of fasting as a way to boost your diet efforts. It can\u2019t undo the damage of eating junk food every day of the week, but it can help speed up your weight loss efforts if you\u2019re already eating right and exercising regularly.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fasting can be the perfect way to help you overcome those annoying plateaus, but it\u2019s not a replacement for exercise. Try these great <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/workout-program\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">exercise<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> routines as part of your new intermittent fasting schedule.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Have you every tried intermittent fasting? Was it beneficial for you? Let us know in the comments section! Xx<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I love food. I always have. But sometimes, you can have too much of a good thing. It\u2019s easy to overdo it and indulge too much, especially at a great restaurant. And nothing is worse than waking up the next day feeling sick and bloated. That said, after indulging in a big meal, it\u2019s tempting&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":33944,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,838],"tags":[714,598,745,747,746],"class_list":["post-12245","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-weight-loss","tag-52-diet","tag-appetite","tag-fasting","tag-intermittent-fasting","tag-juice-fasting"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.1 (Yoast SEO v25.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Intermittent Fasting for Getting Lean: A Beginner&#039;s Guide - Rachael Attard<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Intermittent fasting for women, when added to your regular workout routine can help you get lean without forcing you to actively count calories.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/intermittent-fasting-women\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Intermittent Fasting for Getting Lean: A Beginner&#039;s Guide\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Intermittent fasting for women, when added to your regular workout routine can help you get lean without forcing you to actively count calories.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/intermittent-fasting-women\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Rachael Attard\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"www.facebook.com\/rachaelattardpt\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"www.facebook.com\/rachaelattardpt\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2018-10-02T21:00:57+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-08-24T07:55:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Blog-post-header-image-20.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Rachael Attard\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Rachael Attard\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/intermittent-fasting-women\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/intermittent-fasting-women\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Rachael Attard\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b3efe7356fc7a2488627fc7a1fd3172d\"},\"headline\":\"Intermittent Fasting for Getting Lean: A Beginner&#8217;s Guide\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-10-02T21:00:57+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-08-24T07:55:00+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/intermittent-fasting-women\/\"},\"wordCount\":1947,\"commentCount\":19,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/#\/schema\/person\/b3efe7356fc7a2488627fc7a1fd3172d\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/intermittent-fasting-women\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Blog-post-header-image-20.png\",\"keywords\":[\"5:2 diet\",\"appetite\",\"fasting\",\"intermittent fasting\",\"juice fasting\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Blog\",\"Weight Loss\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/intermittent-fasting-women\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/intermittent-fasting-women\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.rachaelattard.com\/intermittent-fasting-women\/\",\"name\":\"Intermittent Fasting for Getting Lean: A Beginner's Guide - 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