Why Do I Fast for 16 Hours Every Day?

Happy Sunday!

When I tell people that I don't eat breakfast, they look at me like I'm a one-eyed monster. Some respond by lecturing me on why breakfast is supposed to be the healthiest meal of the day. While others are intrigued and ask "do you not get hungry?"

Now imagine their horror when I then follow up by telling them that I run each morning. I run at least a 5k every morning and frequently run up to 15k each morning without breakfast. People shocked by my eating habits think I'm superhuman, but I'm really not. Skipping breakfast is healthy, and it's something that everyone is capable of doing.

So why do I run without breakfast:

1. It started while I was at university, where I was too busy (lazy) to make myself breakfast. Now that I'm busier than ever, skipping breakfast is a convenience.
2. I don't usually feel hungry until around lunchtime anyway.
3. Skipping breakfast keeps me sharp and focussed.
4. It also helps with ensuring that I'm in top shape.

At the same time, I also avoid eating dinner late. Not having dinner late into the night, means that I can get to bed earlier and I also have a better quality of sleep. I generally won't eat past 8 pm, unless perhaps if I'm on holiday.

Given the fact that I don't eat until lunch, my eating window is between 12:30 and 8 pm. Having regular periods of fast like this, is known as intermittent fasting. It's something that I've been doing for years, long before it became common or cool.

When we take a step back to think about how we have evolved, it wouldn't have been normal for us to be eating what we want, when we want. Food was scarce for most of human history (and still is for millions of people). Periods of fast would have been entirely normal. Which is why I think it's healthy to fast from time to time, it's what our bodies have evolved to do. Three large meals a day is certainly not typical for most of our early ancestors. At best, they would have eaten one large meal, while snacking on berries and fruits during the day.

My eating habits is something that has evolved by chance more than something that I planned. But it's natural, as this is how our bodies would have evolved. It's also completely healthy. Since going 16 hours a day without food, I concentrate a lot better, and my energy levels have been through the roof.

If you decide to try some intermittent fasting, let me know how it goes.

Have an awesome week ahead,
Samuel

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