Intermittent fasting is trendy, but is it suitable for everyone? If you look on health blogs and social media, intermittent fasting and Keto are trends that people claim to make them look and feel better. However, according to the New England Journal of Medicine, research on humans and animals has shown the positive effect of intermittent fasting on cardiovascular health, anti-aging, weight loss, and diabetes. 

Unfortunately, many people assume that these health trends are for people who can afford gym memberships, diet coaches, and other unique products. However, fasting does not cost a dime and is an affordable method of dieting and improving health. 

The other concern is that fasting is more suitable for sedentary, white-collar jobs. This depends on various factors, but it is not difficult to incorporate intermittent fasting into any career or lifestyle. 

What is Intermittent Fasting? 

Although fasting may be familiar to some people because of religious observance or spiritual practice, most people in the West are new to fasting. Modern intermittent fasting for health reasons can take several forms: 

• Alternate day fasting
• Eating normally five days a week and having seriously restricted caloric intake for two days a week.
• Eating during specific time windows, for instance, restricting eating for 12 to 16 hours and then eating for the rest of the time. For example, you can eat between 8 am and 4 pm and fast between 4 pm until 8 am. 

The choice of which kind of fasting to pursue is individual. Many people find that they need to attempt several fasting patterns before they find the right one for them. Others may choose the pattern that is most suitable for their work schedule. 

Intermittent Fasting and Working-Class People

It is a false stereotype that diet and exercise plans are for affluent people with sedentary white-collar desk jobs. Although gym memberships are beyond the budget level of many people, most exercise and diet routines can be done at home or accommodate what is already in your refrigerator or cupboard. 

The other issue for intermittent fasting and working-class people is how restricting caloric intake for extended periods can fit into an active lifestyle. Many people go out of their way to work out while fasting because they believe it can build strength, but being active while fasting is not for everyone. 

Some people report more incredible energy and alertness while fasting and feel that it fits nicely into an active lifestyle and manual work. People whose jobs are mildly active, such as house cleaners and repair people, may not feel that it is inconvenient to fast while on the job.

For more strenuous jobs or those that may create danger for others if the worker becomes fatigued, it is better to adjust intermittent fasting so that it is only in off-hours. For instance, the following are some intermittent fasting patterns that can suit manual jobs:

• Fast in off-hours
• Eat for five days and save the semi-fasting days for weekends.

You can eat breakfast, for instance, right before you start working at 8 am and eat lunch in the middle of your workday as well as a late snack. You can then fast from 4 pm until 8 am the following day. If you follow the plan that allows you to eat for five days and limit calories for two days, save weekends for fasting. Alternate day fasting can be done on days off. 

Enjoy the Benefits of Intermittent Fasting on Any Schedule

The benefits of intermittent fasting are available to everyone. Although it is essential to consult with a physician before undertaking a periodic fasting program, there is no reason why people of all economic levels can’t fit fasting into their schedules.

 According to a Harvard study, limiting caloric intake for certain hours can encourage weight loss and stabilize metabolism and blood sugar levels. Although fasting is challenging, it can be manageable if you choose the proper intermittent fasting for you. 

Some find it easier to stay active when fasting, and others may want to adjust their eating times so they fall throughout their workday. Whichever plan is right for you, intermittent fasting is definitely worth a try.