Intermittent Fasting

[AlwaysSummer]

Those doing IF and/or OMAD do you ever have breaks? I’m wondering how feasible it would be to have Saturday evenings off and still feel most of the benefits and lose my weight. I’m thinking fast till afternoon on Saturday but then be off the wagon (not to excess but like having a late meal and wine on the Saturday, breakfast/brunch with friends or family on Sunday etc) until Sunday evening

yes, I do! I tend to do my longer fasts during the week and then relax over the weekend. Keeping your fasting windows varied is key to make this a lifestyle rather than yet another diet. It also keeps your body guessing and metabolism working.

 

[AlwaysSummer]

In the last month my husband and I have done 3 meal-less Mondays, so not eating from Sunday evening until midday on Tuesday and have really enjoyed them. I’ve been surprised at how easy this has been but there is no way I could have done this length of fast when I first started. Even 16 hrs felt like a lot to start with. It’s really about keeping practicing and giving your body time to adjust.

 

[Randy77]

Has anyone done IF? I'm on day 10 and absolutely loving it. I am doing 16:8. I'm currently WFH so eat breakfast at 11am, fruit or naked noodles around 2.30pm. Dinner is at 6pm with lots of water during the day.

My stomach is less bloated, I'm eating less but feel better for it.

I'm not sure if I'm doing the right thing in terms of the food I eat, but so far so good and I lost 3lbs in my first week.

 

[mcfeez]

Nope, just seems pointless to me. Calorie deficit is the only thing that ensures weightloss - theoretically I suppose its easier to eat less in a smaller restricted time.

 

[or JusRollWithIt]

I read somewhere that fasting is like a muscle. If you don’t do it for a while, you can’t always jump right in and expect the same as before. To work your way up slowly again, strengthen that fasting “muscle.” So if 16:8 is hard, do 12:12, or 14:10. Or just start with skipping one meal, whichever feels more natural. I find this forgiving attitude helps me, and like someone said above, you never really fall off the wagon. And if you do, it takes a lot less willpower to climb on again than other restrictive diets I’ve tried in the past. Just sharing in case it helps others. I know it’s not for everyone, especially if it triggers disordered eating. But I know it has helped me heal my relationship (or at least start to) with food and curb my cravings that send me into unhealthy spirals.

 

[Flowergirl14]

I am doing 16:8, eating between 10 and 6pm. Eating healthy also and no booze. 6 lbs down in week 1, I know it will slow down after this.

 

[AlwaysSummer]

I do fasting and it’s one of the best things I’ve done for myself in middle age. It’s helped me heal my relationship with food and stop unhealthy diet-mentality tendencies, like cheat days/ binges/ cravings. I mix my fasting windows from 14 to 21 hours a day and try and listen to my body. If the fast feels easy/ mental clarity/ calm feeling/sense of positivity then I keep going until I get hungry. If I have a day I want to eat more, then I have a longer eating window.

It’s not really a diet for me, it’s a lifestyle that allows enough flexibility for special occasions, holidays etc. I never feel I’ve fall off a wagon anymore. Last year I put on quite a bit of weight due to peri/HRT and have lost about half of it on the last few months through fasting. I’m happy to lose the rest whenever as this feels so natural and easy to sustain.

 

[or JusRollWithIt]

Just resurrecting this thread. How is everyone doing? I recommitted to IF this new year after an indulgent December. I can hardly believe it, but in the few short weeks it has been, I’ve been able to come off my blood pressure meds with my GP’s approval. I was on the lowest dose so this has been a goal of mine to come off meds completely.

 

[Rmd0609]

I do love breakfast but I definitely feel hungrier once I’ve started eating, so I find not eating my breakfast until at least 11 helps me so much.

 

[Lalalalaaaaaa85]

I started Monday and weighed myself today and I’ve lost 4lb! I’ve been making some more healthy choices as I’ve been doing it for my hormones as well as weight but haven’t really been dieting in the traditional sense. So pleased!!

 

[AlwaysSummer]

This thread seems quite quiet but figured I’d post anyway. Went to the doctor today about perimenopause and because my BMI is obese she told me I should do intermittent fasting, 16/8 to start but ultimately moving to 20+ fast windows and to go low carb. She said the goal was to get to one meal a day (which I believe is a thing? I’ve seen OMAD talked about on social media).

I’ll admit I was shocked at the advice as it feels like it’s going to be very restrictive but I’m excited to try anyway and hopefully get healthier
---
Probably should have read the thread before posting, I see others do OMAD already

Welcome! Delay Don’t Deny by Gin Stephens is def worth reading if you are just getting into IF.

 

[Caramel Latte]

I've been doing IF for 9 days and lost around 1.5 kg. It helps to avoid snacking before bed (which was usually more than just a fruit lol)
I drink more water, less coffee, eat more veggies. I went for walks but the weather is currently no outdoors friendly where i live 🥲
IF works for me as it doesnt affect my life and there's no drastic changes just better eating choices.

 

[AlwaysSummer]

@Ladygat

I've been reading this thread with interest as I don't know anyone in real life who is into fasting. I've read books articles, watched documentaries etc and have picked up the benefits of this lifestyle, but I just haven't managed to give it a go yet! I'm very routine with my eating and never miss a meal, even eating when I'm not even hungry (!), really need to sort it out and give IF a go to prove to myself that I can if nothing else, and hopefully shift some pounds! I've downloaded the Fastic app this morning from a recommendation on here and as I'm wfh tomorrow am gonna try finishing eating today at around 8pm and eating again around lunchtime tomorrow and see how I get on. Honestly it shouldn't be so hard but like I said, I'm very routine with my eating ‍ I do like a hot drink before bed, would having something like a peppermint tea be breaking the fast? Or in these early days should I not overthink it so much?

The easiest way to start is by delaying your breakfast by 15-30 mins over a few days and see how you get on with pushing your first keel if the day towards midday. If you’ve never done IF your body will need time to adjust so be kind to yourself and approach the process from a place of curiosity rather than some sort of a test you are meant to pass. Fasting feels different every day- some days are easier than others. If you like peppermint tea before bed, then have it. Herbal teas are a grey area, but if you just starting with IF, no need to put too much pressure on yourself.

 

[call.me.coco]

Hi all,

I’m going to give IF a proper try.
I have never stuck it out for more than a week.
I’m disgusted with the amount of weight I have put on. I can’t even call it ‘baby weight’ as my ‘baby’ is almost 3!.

 

[PennyPop]

Hello! I'm glad I've found a thread on IF before I start!

I'm a beginner looking to loose weight, feel healthier and be happier in my skin! I weigh more than I've ever weighed and am dreading the spring/summer months because layers are my friend!

I'm thinking of fasting on a Monday and Wednesday until tea time, is this a sensible start point? I know I have to keep hydrated during the fasting hours, but is there anything else I should be doing/not doing?
Should I exercise during fasting hours or is this not advised? I don't do a lot of exercise, it's school runs and the odd half hour on an exercise bike!

Thanks all!

 

[DownBelow21]

I'm on week 6 of IF and have lost around 1.5 stone. I love it!

I do 18:6 normally, but this week trying the 20:4

 

[Sailorontheseasea]

Yep doing 16:8 too - I know calorie deficit is the way forward but feeling hungry and not bloated when I eat at 12 really keeps me going and makes me feel like my body is ready for a meal instead of eating for the sake of it. I also find it helps to keep my calorie intake down throughout the day as I tend to eat at 12 then eat again at 5-6 and then no more until 12 the next day and don’t feel starving hungry.

 

[Lalalalaaaaaa85]

I’m about to start 16:8 but I’m concerned about exercise. I do spin 2-3 early classes per week and I was worried about not eating before or after the class. Usually I’d have a banana before going then eggs on toast or something when I get back. There aren’t any later classes.

There are definitely people in the FB group that do fasted exercise, some of them do long fast 48hr+. You should probably drink an electrolyte drink, I got this one on Amazon and have it when I do 24+ fasts

 

[or JusRollWithIt]

There are a lot of hard-wired myths about fasting, many of which I believed until I did my own research. At the end of the day, it’s not for everyone. You have to listen to your body and be armed with actual facts. But it can be a valuable and in some cases a lifesaving tool.

Some good science-based resources to search are youtube and podcasts featuring Dr Jason Fung and Megan Ramos. There is also a very active Facebook support group where you can search for feedback to questions or ask your own. It’s called the Fasting Method Network.

 

[whocarez]

Hi everyone, I hope you're all doing well! I've just come on for a quick bit of advice...I'm out for dinner this Friday and I'm wondering if it's more effective to have a long fast prior to going out, or a long fast post dinner? I fell off the wagon last weekend BIG time and I reeeeally don't want to fall off again because I was so disappointed and annoyed with myself. I want to try and be as prepared as possible!

why would you starve yourself before or after it.
Enjoy the meal draw a line and get back on track the following day.
it cannot be perfect every single day there is no quick fix to weight and life happens. be good 90% of the time consistently enjoy the days when something comes up choose boiled veg potato over fried or mashed.
consistency is key one day isn't going to throw everything be consistent for 6 days take the dinner following week be consistent for 7 days!