Discover 19 incredible intermittent fasting Non-Scale Victories (NSVs) that have absolutely nothing to do with weight loss and everything to do with improving your overall health and quality of life.
Intermittent fasting is definitely not just an extremely effective weight loss plan. In fact, even if I hadn’t lost 46 pounds in 4 months with intermittent fasting along my weight loss journey, I’d absolutely still fast. This is because intermittent fasting offers so many incredible health benefits and life-changing non-scale victories that have nothing to do with body weight.
In this post, we will define intermittent fasting and dive into the many reasons why the scale and reaching your goal weight isn’t the only measure of intermittent fasting success. We’ll explore 19 significant NSVs that go way beyond just numbers on the scale.
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What is Intermittent Fasting & How Does Intermittent Fasting Work?
Intermittent Fasting is not your traditional calorie deficit focused diet plan. It’s a healthy eating plan that focuses on WHEN you eat, not WHAT you eat. Intermittent fasting alternates between a fasting period and a feasting period (eating window). It’s become super popular because it’s pretty flexible and can fit into many different lifestyles. Additionally, this meal plan can help with weight loss and can be really awesome for your daily life and overall long term health goals.
19 Intermittent Fasting Non-Scale Victories
From increased energy and mental clarity to improved sleep and better fitting clothes, let’s dive in and uncover 19 intermittent fasting non scale victories (NSVs) that will inspire and motivate you along your intermittent fasting and health journey.
1. INCREASED ENERGY LEVELS
Are you ready to up your energy level? Intermittent fasting is a great way to do just that! At 48 years old, I’ve never had more energy in my entire life than I do today as I consistently live an intermittent fasting lifestyle. Intermittent fasting involves taking short breaks from eating, giving your digestive system time to rest. This helps your body use stored energy more efficiently, and makes you feel more energetic.
2. BETTER SLEEP
Sleep deprivation is a real struggle for many people. Luckily, intermittent fasting can really help. Taking breaks from food and extra calories for an extended period, helps your body get ready for sleep, so you can feel more rested when you wake up. Intermittent fasting can also help improve sleep quality by regulating the body’s circadian rhythm and promoting the release of sleep-inducing hormones, such as melatonin.
3. IMPROVED MENTAL CLARITY
Intermittent fasting improves various metabolic features known to be important for brain health and giving your brain time without food helps it stay sharp and focused.
4. ENHANCED MOOD
When your body gets the right balance of food and rest, it can help improve your mood and make you feel better overall.
5. IMPROVED DIGESTION & REDUCED BLOATING
Intermittent fasting gives your digestive system regular breaks, allowing it to rest and work more efficiently. This can lead to improved digestion, reduced bloating, and a healthier balance of good bacteria which can greatly improve overall gut health.
6. IMPROVED BODY COMPOSITION
Even if the number on the scale doesn’t go down, intermittent fasting can still help you lose inches and increase lean muscle mass so your body looks and feels better. Improved body measurements can make your clothes fit better, making you feel more comfortable in your own skin. And, studies have shown that losing inches around your middle can reduce your risk of life threatening cardiovascular diseases.
7. IMPROVED SKIN, HAIR & NAIL HEALTH
It really is all about giving your body those much needed breaks from eating. When you you do this, your body gets a chance to use nutrients for making your skin clearer, hair shinier and nails stronger.
8. REDUCED STRESS LEVELS & BODY INFLAMMATION
Intermittent fasting can help reduce stress levels by potentially reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, which are linked to increased stress. Additionally, intermittent fasting can help promote the release of hormones that can have a calming effect on the body.
9. REDUCED JOINT PAIN
As mentioned above, intermittent fasting can help to significantly lower inflammation levels in the body, which may help reduce joint pain and discomfort.
10. IMPROVED CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Heart health improvements is an incredibly awesome intermittent fasting non-scale victory. Intermittent fasting supports cardiovascular health by helping to fight against heart disease and reducing blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and inflammation.
11. IMPROVED WORKOUT PERFORMANCE – REACHING FITNESS GOALS
Intermittent fasting can improve workout performance by optimizing the body’s energy utilization. When you fast intermittently, your body becomes more efficient at using stored energy, which can enhance endurance and strength during regular exercise and physical activity. Additionally, intermittent fasting may lead to better fat utilization, contributing to improved overall fitness and exercise performance.
12. IMPROVED IMMUNE FUNCTION
Intermittent fasting can help improve immune function by supporting the body’s natural repair and defense mechanisms during fasting periods. It may enhance the production of immune cells. This, in turn, promotes a more robust immune response and overall better protection against chronic illnesses and diseases including fatty liver disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Asthma and more.
13. IMPROVED BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS
Did you know that intermittent fasting can help manage Type 2 diabetes? It does this by improving insulin sensitivity and promoting better blood sugar control, potentially reducing the need for medication and supporting overall metabolic health.
14. REDUCED MENOPAUSAL SYMPTOMS
Together, Intermittent fasting and menopause can actually be quite the dynamic duo when it comes to feeling great. Intermittent fasting consists of specific periods of fasting and specific times for calorie restriction. This strategy is beneficial because it can help your body handle many of the nasty and uncomfortable changes, like hot flashes and mood swings that happen during menopause.
15. REDUCED CRAVINGS
Intermittent fasting can help reduce cravings by stabilizing blood sugar levels, reducing the frequency and intensity of hunger-related urges. Additionally, it may contribute to improved hormonal balance, particularly in appetite-regulating hormones, helping individuals better manage and control their cravings for sugar and other unhealthy foods.
16. IMPROVED DENTAL HEALTH
Fasting may contribute to improved dental health by reducing the frequency of acidic food exposure, which can help prevent tooth decay. The breaks between meals during intermittent fasting allow saliva to neutralize acids. This promotes a healthier oral environment, potentially reducing the risk of dental issues.
17. HEALTHIER RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOD
Intermittent fasting can foster a healthier relationship with food by encouraging mindful eating during designated eating windows, promoting a better connection with hunger and fullness cues. Living an intermittent fasting lifestyle allows individuals to break free from constant food thoughts and cravings, reducing the emotional attachment to eating outside of designated times. Additionally, intermittent fasting can help shift the focus from restrictive fad diets and food-related guilt, to a sustainable, balanced and more enjoyable approach to food.
18. AUTOPHAGY
Intermittent fasting has the ability to trigger a special cleaning process called autophagy in our bodies. It helps to take out old or damaged parts of our cells, making them work better. This cleaning-up job happens when we give our body a break from eating. This is what helps keep us healthier and looking younger.
19. ENHANCED QUALITY OF LIFE & INCREASED LONGEVITY
Personally, I feel that I have saved the best intermittent fasting non-scale victories for last -Enhanced Quality of Life and Increased Longevity! Intermittent fasting has the ability to completely change your life for the better, just like it has with mine. Intermittent fasting helps you feel empowered and in control of your health and well-being. And, another great thing – it might just help you live longer – and what is cooler than that?
The Final Victory
So, as you can see, intermittent fasting can do some pretty amazing things inside your body. And remember, intermittent fasting isn’t just about weight loss, weight gain, and the scale number. It’s about creating new habits and making positive changes and better choices that lead to healthy lifestyle changes. So be sure to recognize all of the remarkable non-scale victories that you encounter along the way.
Whether it’s feeling more energized, or just giving your digestive system a high-five, these intermittent fasting non-scale victories are your badges of awesomeness. Keep embracing the intermittent fasting journey, and let those victories sparkle in your everyday life.
I’d love to know what awesome intermittent fasting non-scale victories you have experienced. Leave me a comment below and let me know! And, as always, BE KIND and BE WELL!
