Is Intermittent Fasting Different For Women?

We have to face facts…

When it comes to equality, fairness, sexism etc, then of course there’s no reason why men and women should be treated any differently.

But, is intermittent fasting different for women?

However, when we’re talking physiology, we are so biologically different that it would be a disservice to both sexes to lump us all in one bucket. Women have the amazing ability to create and grow life inside us – that fact alone means there has to be a more than a few differences between us!

When it comes to intermittent fasting, men and women might need to approach it differently so both can reap the benefits.

Some of the fitness bloggers out there would have women believe they shouldn’t try IF at all. This is ONLY the case if you have serious health conditions that you are discussing with your physician, are pregnant, breastfeeding or undergoing any medical treatment. Regardless of your situation, it’s always advised to seek medical advice prior to creating major diet changes.

Anyway… you might have heard that women could suffer from:

• Hormonal imbalances
• Constant headaches
• Diarrhea
• Feeling full or hungry all the time
• Reduction in athletic performance
• Disruption to menstrual cycle

While these issues might be faced by some women, a lot (like me!) have been regularly fasting for 20 years and have not suffered any negative side effects. Once again, proving how different we all are – regardless of gender.

In my previous blog post – The Ultimate Guide to Intermittent Fasting for Women – I go into more detail about the science behind it all, but ultimately fasting for a few hours each day (or basically just extending the fast you go through overnight when you’re asleep for a few more hours) can be incredibly beneficial for your weight loss and overall health.

Some Intermittent Fasting tips for women (that can also apply to men):

• Take it slow – try gradually reducing the window of eating by a couple hours each day (so your eating window might decrease to 9am-7pm, then 10am-7pm, then 11am-6pm)
• Get your 8 hours sleep and feel rested before you start fasting
• Workout in the morning while still fasting

And, contrary to a lot of advice out there, age doesn’t make much of a difference either. Adults can benefit from intermittent fasting at any age, and the effects can still be worthwhile even later in life.

So is intermittent fasting different for women?

So I guess my point is that, as women, we might need to approach intermittent fasting a little differently, take it slower and be aware of any negative effects our bodies face as a result. But I do believe the majority of women can benefit just as much as men from this type of eating timeframe.

If you’d like to know more, contact me about my next challenge group and download my free ebook that gives you clear guidelines on what and when to eat!