No matter what the motivation is for shaping up, losing weight is not an easy task. When trying to hit weight loss goals, some people might hope to trim down a specific body part, such as their stomach. Following a structured diet plan can help keep slimmers on track and there are plenty of different plans on offer. One of these is intermittent fasting, which is thought to help dieters beat the bulge by focusing largely on when they eat.
Intermittent fasting can be done in a number of ways and it involves fasting at certain times of the day or on specific days of the week.
A popular form of the plan is the 16:8 method, which requires slimmers to eat all their meals within an eight hour window each day, and fast for the remaining time.
Others might choose the 5:2 diet, which means they will limit what they eat to just 500 calories on two days off the week and eat normally for the other five.
By doing this, they are expected to make healthier choices on the days they are allowed to eat without counting calories.
So, how does it work?
The diet plan comes with a number of benefits and reducing the times people are able to eat can lead to a lower calorie intake.
By limiting the period a dieter is allowed to eat, they are thought to have a reduced appetite and are less likely to overeat or opt for unhealthy snacks.
According to research published in the US National Library of Medicine, those following the plan could see their metabolic rate boost by up to 14 per cent.
Another study revealed those who followed intermitted fasting lost up to seven per cent of their waist circumference, meaning it helps target belly fat.
As well as this, intermittent fasting is believed to change hormone levels which helps promote weight loss.
For those looking to slim down, there are lots of other diet plans they can choose from to beat the bulge.
Adding citrus fruit, such as grapefruit, into the diet can help slimmers shape up.
Doing this has properties linked to weight loss, including it’s fibre content which promotes fullness.
Eating one cup of spinach a day can help slimmers see huge changes in their body.
The fibre content in the leafy green is also thought to help people lose weight.
A study of overweight women found consuming five grams of spinach extract every day for three months helped them lose 43 per cent more weight than those on a placebo diet.