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A Fasting Workout May Help Stave Off Hunger Later in the Day

  • October 26, 2016

Another new study shows that skipping breakfast and working out while your body is in a fasting state may help you feel less hungry, and eat less, later in the day, according to LiveScience online.

As you know, I’m a huge advocate of intermittent fasting, which helps reset your body to burn fat for fuel, and helps optimize insulin sensitivity. This is one of the most effective interventions for normalizing your weight and helping you feel less hungry because, when you exercise while fasting, it essentially forces your body to shed fat, as your body's fat burning processes are controlled by your sympathetic nervous system (SNS), and your SNS is activated by exercise and lack of food.

But did you know that how you think, and what you think about the food you’re eating can also rule how hungry your stomach thinks it is? It’s true: studies have shown that merely believing the meal you’ve just eaten is satisfying may drive down your hunger hormone, which has the secondary effect of revving up your metabolism to start burning the calories you’ve just eaten.

Chronic loss of sleep and stress also contribute to hunger pangs. That’s why a mind-body approach to weight loss is best. Proven strategies that work include avoiding eating in response to negative emotions and stress; holding yourself accountable for your decisions; fostering a sense of autonomy, internal motivation and self-efficacy when it comes to your eating choices; and establishing a social support network.

Also remember that calories gleaned from bread, refined sugars and processed foods promote overeating, whereas calories from whole vegetables, protein, and fiber decrease hunger.