Tropical Weight Loss
Photo by Yan Krukov Pexels Logo Photo: Yan Krukov

How long does fat-burning stage last?

Your body enters the long-awaited fat-burning phase when it runs out of its glycogen stores. This starts approximately the 12th hour of your fast. The fat-burning stage continues until the 18th hour of your fast. This is especially important for people who are trying to lose weight without losing muscle mass.

Which fruit is good to eat at night for weight loss?
Which fruit is good to eat at night for weight loss?

The best fruits to eat at night for weight loss are melons, cantaloupe, and honeydew. These have good water content and are less in calories....

Read More »
What is the BMI to qualify for Ozempic?
What is the BMI to qualify for Ozempic?

Ozempic is indicated for treating obesity in patients with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or over, or 27 or over with a serious medical condition...

Read More »

Burning excess body fat and losing weight for good are very common fitness and wellness goals. To achieve these goals, intermittent fasting is rumored to be very beneficial. That’s why “Does intermittent fasting burn fat? How does it work? Is it good for burning belly fat?” are just some of the many frequently asked questions about intermittent fasting. If you’re curious about the answers, you’ll love our deep dive into the details of the fasting fat-burning stage.

What is intermittent fasting?

Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that has become known for its countless health benefits including weight loss, weight control, and fat burn without muscle loss.

There are two different periods of intermittent fasting:

The eating period, during which you eat your meals. The fasting period is when you can only consume water , and zero-calorie beverages and not eat anything.

Some popular fasting plans are the 14/10, 16/8, 20/4 intermittent fasting plans.

What are the stages of fasting?

When you finish the last meal of your day, your fasting period begins. During the fasting period, your body goes through different stages hour by hour, depending on your fasting plan.

The five main stages of fasting are as follows:

Anabolic (0-4 hours)

Your body starts digesting the food you have eaten. This is your body’s growth stage.

Catabolic (4-12 hours)

The breakdown phase starts when your body starts to look around for a new energy source. Stored glucose (glycogen) becomes your body’s first choice.

Fat Burning (12-18 hours)

The fat-burning stage begins after 12 hours of not eating anything when your body has depleted its glycogen stores.

Ketosis (18-72 hours)

The body keeps looking for more sources of energy and begins transforming fatty acids into small particles, called ketones or ketone bodies. This is when you enter the ketosis stage.

Deep Ketosis (72+ hours)

Rejuvenation of the immune system and production of stem cells begins. But this is not an easy stage to reach and must only be attempted by very advanced intermittent fasters, under the supervision of a doctor.

How does the fasting fat burning stage work?

Your body enters the long-awaited fat-burning phase when it runs out of its glycogen stores. This starts approximately the 12th hour of your fast. The fat-burning stage continues until the 18th hour of your fast. This is especially important for people who are trying to lose weight without losing muscle mass. After the 18th hour of the fast, the fat-burning stage continues on a more cellular level as the body consumes ketone bodies for energy. If you’re following a fasting plan that has a fasting window longer than 12 hours, such as the 14/10, 16/8, 18/6, or 20/4 plans, you burn fat and begin to lose weight! (1)

Is there a healthy fat burner?
Is there a healthy fat burner?

These natural solutions include caffeine, green tea extract, protein supplements, soluble fiber supplements, and yohimbine. Among these, caffeine,...

Read More »
What burns fat while sleeping?
What burns fat while sleeping?

Lemon: Although one might think lemons to be acidic because of their sharp and sour taste, this citrus fruit actually has an incredible alkalizing...

Read More »

Does intermittent fasting burn belly fat?

Let’s give you the good news: Intermittent fasting does burn belly fat! People who fast indicate that their waist circumference reduced by 4–7% by the time they had fully adopted this eating pattern in their lives. The most important thing to be cautious about is that although fasting can help you to a certain extent, burning the fat in specific areas of your body requires a bit more effort. Doing cardio exercises regularly and building healthy eating habits are essential for losing belly fat.

Here are the top things you can do to burn belly fat:

1. Exercise

Whether it’s at-home cardio, swimming, cycling, or bodyweight workouts, your muscles need to work to burn fat. You can get the Fitness Kompanion to get hundreds of bodyweight workouts suitable for all levels.

2. Build healthy eating habits

Eat more protein and fiber-rich foods to feed your muscles with good nutrients and to support your digestion. Eat less refined carbs and avoid junk food too.

3. Hydrate

You should consume about 2 liters of water a day. This equates to approximately 8 glasses of water. This amount should be increased still further on your workout days. Here are some tips to increase your water intake.

4. Sleep adequately

A healthy adult needs at least 7 hours of sleep per day. Even if you think you’re satisfied with less sleep, your brain needs at least 7 hours of sleep to perform all its functions. If you’re suffering from insomnia, you may be able to combat it with a few lifestyle changes.

To sum up

Fasting is a very powerful tool for weight loss and fat burn. But you also have to remember that it’s not a magic wand and that it won’t be as effective if you continue with bad life habits such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, a sedentary lifestyle, and eating mostly junk food. However, when combined with healthy lifestyle choices, intermittent fasting can create big changes in your body. Fasting Kompanion enables you to visualize your fasting stages, track your fasting progress, and keep you informed with notifications and blog articles.

How does apple cider vinegar help lose weight?
How does apple cider vinegar help lose weight?

Apple cider vinegar isn't likely to be effective for weight loss. Proponents of apple cider vinegar claim that it has numerous health benefits and...

Read More »
What is the new drug to treat obesity?
What is the new drug to treat obesity?

But semaglutide is the first of a new generation of highly effective hormone-based obesity medications. Semaglutide mimics a hormone called...

Read More »
Is it better to run or walk to burn fat?
Is it better to run or walk to burn fat?

If your goal is to lose weight, running is a better choice than walking. If you're new to exercise or aren't able to run, walking can still help...

Read More »
How do I get rid of liver and belly fat?
How do I get rid of liver and belly fat?

How to Cleanse Your Liver and Loose Belly Fat Stop eating processed foods. ... Drink one gallon of lukewarm water throughout the day. ... If you...

Read More »