Tips for Starting an Intermittent Fasting Protocol

By now, you have probably read about intermittent fasting and all of its health benefits, 
but now it is time to start planning. You should not just jump into it without getting all the 
pertinent information, and definitely not without planning ahead of time. Here are some 
tips for starting an intermittent fasting protocol.

Plan Ahead of Time

One of the most integral parts of starting an intermittent fasting protocol is planning 
properly. You need enough time to plan ahead, including choosing your protocol, and 
knowing when and how to eat. Don’t just spend 20 minutes reading about IF, then 
assume you can start tonight. It takes time to learn about different methods and what 
will work with your schedule. Take the time to write down what times of the day you will 
eat, workout, and fast, so that you know what to expect.

Don’t Follow the Common Mistakes

There are some mistakes that people tend to make when they begin with intermittent 
fasting. By planning ahead, you are already avoiding one of the common pitfalls. In 
addition, try not to obsess too much about the eating and fasting windows. This is where 
many people go wrong. Just eat at the same time for each eating window, and it should 
be fairly easy. You can also set timers or put it on your calendar if that is simpler for 
you. Over time, you will become accustomed to how long you go without eating.

You also want to avoid these common mistakes:

Don’t binge eat when it’s time to eat after a fast 
Avoid excessive cardio when you are fasting 
Don’t use this as an excuse to eat what you want
Eat as Healthy as You Can

When you first start with a new intermittent fasting protocol, make sure when you eat, 
you are eating healthy food, but don’t be too strict. There is a delicate balance here 
between nourishing your body and providing essential fuel that gets you through the 
next fasting stage, but not depriving yourself so much of what you want, that you can’t 
stick with intermittent fasting. It is okay to eat how you normally would with intermittent 
fasting, unless you have some type of strict diet regimen you need to stick to, from low-
carb to being gluten-free. It is also a good idea to talk to your doctor about what to eat 
even while doing intermittent fasting.

