If you've tried losing weight through healthy eating and exercise without success, many experts recommend trying intermittent fasting (IF). It's defined as having a period of time when you eat (called your eating window) and a period of time when you don't eat (called your fasting window). It allows you to eat larger meals and eat the foods you want, which is why people love it so much — it doesn't feel restrictive.
There are many different forms of IF, so do your research and find one that makes the most sense for your life and your schedule. One common method is called 16:8, where you fast for 16 hours and eat for eight (such as 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.). If that seems too extreme, do 12:12, where you eat from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Aside from this being a sustainable lifestyle, fasting expert Jason Fung, MD, a nephrologist (kidney specialist) and the author of The Complete Guide to Fasting, says the reason IF is so effective is because it keeps insulin levels low, which is necessary for weight loss. It can help people lose weight and help diminish stubborn belly fat.