People who repeatedly lose weight only to regain it may find intermittent fasting easier to maintain than traditional calorie counting, according to new research from the University of Adelaide.
The study examined not only how much weight people lost, but also how different dieting approaches affected eating habits, mood, sleep, and overall quality of life.
Researchers found that intermittent fasting and continuous calorie restriction produced similar weight loss. However, participants following the fasting plan did not feel they had to constantly monitor their eating, avoid overeating, or count calories to achieve those results.
Different Mental Approach to Weight Loss
That experience differed from people following a calorie restricted diet. Those participants reported that losing weight required ongoing effort to consciously limit how much they ate and resist overeating. Researchers estimated that this increased sense of control accounted for about 15% of their weight loss.
