Intermittent Fasting

[BBC1HD]

Does anyone who does OMAD (or even the fasters) find that then when they do eat, their lower stomach/bowel makes crazy noises? Mine reacts so badly. Sometimes it even gives me the runs…been struggling with heartburn type symptoms of late with it too. Obviously I’ve googled, and thus have my self dead and buried as a result. Be good to hear if other people’s experiences are similar?!

Yes, I do! If I eat a meal that is high large or too carby/too much sugar it gives me the Hershey squirts.
And yes too the heartburn too but my triggers on that is spicy or too acidic.
It's just about getting the balance right and finding out what your triggers are.
But you aren't alone!

 

[TinyDancer2602]

Thanks for your reply, good to hear other people have this too. I was definitely starting to over think the whole thing, I thought I’d ruined my stomach

 

[Carapop]

Thanks for your reply, good to hear other people have this too. I was definitely starting to over think the whole thing, I thought I’d ruined my stomach

Ah a dietician would never endorse the OMAD approach. Our digestive systems don’t enjoy it and it’s hard to get all required nutrients and fibre in such a short window. Also, the body can only absorb so much protein at once so I believe you may risk losing more muscle mass than a more moderate approach.

 

[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.

 

[Carapop]

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.

Very fair. There is science supporting both sides and absolutely to each their own. I personally don’t eat for 16hours of the day. I don’t get hungry until I start eating and it’s easier for me to manage that hunger inside the shorter 8 window rather than try and keep it in check all day long. But it’s also another way for me to cater to a restrictive eating disorder so the idea of OMAD is as alluring as it is horrifying. Is it all in pursuit of weight loss, or just weight maintenance? Or is it going beyond weight management into other perceived bebefits?

 

[or JusRollWithIt]

Very fair. There is science supporting both sides and absolutely to each their own. I personally don’t eat for 16hours of the day. I don’t get hungry until I start eating and it’s easier for me to manage that hunger inside the shorter 8 window rather than try and keep it in check all day long. But it’s also another way for me to cater to a restrictive eating disorder so the idea of OMAD is as alluring as it is horrifying. Is it all in pursuit of weight loss, or just weight maintenance? Or is it going beyond weight management into other perceived bebefits?

trigger warning: disordered eating mentioned

Well, it’s more than weight loss for some. It is something that can help those with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.Others use it to help ease symptoms of inflammatory diseases. Some people who do not need or want to lose weight fast for the autophagy benefits, though that’s stepping into the territory of extended fasting rather than intermittent. Everything I have read warns against doing OMAD on an ongoing basis, so my comment wasn’t in defense of that or against what you stated in particular. There are myths that persist like calories in vs calories out, breakfast being the most important meal, your metabolism will tank if you fast, etc.

I do agree that certain aspects of fasting can trigger disordered eating, or as you say cater to eating disorders, which is why it’s not for everyone and you have to know yourself. But then I know others who have healed their relationship with food through fasting, as they say it cuts back on their cravings and some bingeing tendencies. I just think it shouldn’t be dismissed just because many, including those in the medical field (as well as meddling mother-in-laws ) try to convince you you are going to kill yourself by fasting.

 

[Carapop]

trigger warning: disordered eating mentioned

Well, it’s more than weight loss for some. It is something that can help those with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.Others use it to help ease symptoms of inflammatory diseases. Some people who do not need or want to lose weight fast for the autophagy benefits, though that’s stepping into the territory of extended fasting rather than intermittent. Everything I have read warns against doing OMAD on an ongoing basis, so my comment wasn’t in defense of that or against what you stated in particular. There are myths that persist like calories in vs calories out, breakfast being the most important meal, your metabolism will tank if you fast, etc.

I do agree that certain aspects of fasting can trigger disordered eating, or as you say cater to eating disorders, which is why it’s not for everyone and you have to know yourself. But then I know others who have healed their relationship with food through fasting, as they say it cuts back on their cravings and some bingeing tendencies. I just think it shouldn’t be dismissed just because many, including those in the medical field (as well as meddling mother-in-laws ) try to convince you you are going to kill yourself by fasting.

Oh we are all dying anyway. Whatever gets you through the day.

I guess it’s just important to be aware of the risks and the benefits and making an informed decision that best suits your own specific needs. Diet is so individual.

and thank you for such a respectful response

 

[voice of reason]

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.

Didn't work for me the days I wasn't fasting I ate double my usual amount of food

 

[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.

 

[Peepynose]

Trying to get into fasting, been reading through this thread. I just wondered if anyone could recommend a free fasting app to help you track your fasts please? Thank you!

 

[scantysandwich]

Trying to get into fasting, been reading through this thread. I just wondered if anyone could recommend a free fasting app to help you track your fasts please? Thank you!

Zero is good!

 

[Rmd0609]

Trying to get into fasting, been reading through this thread. I just wondered if anyone could recommend a free fasting app to help you track your fasts please? Thank you!

Fastic is really good!

 

[Notorious PIG]

Yes. I do fasting 2-3 times per week and it does help keep my weight down.

The fast days for me are normally 3 boiled/‘dry fried’ eggs + three small pieces of toast + teaspoon mayo + coffee per day. It’s meant to be 500 cal per day but admittedly with me it’s more like 600-650. Sometimes I switch up the eggs for tuna in spring water. And sometimes instead of toast I’ll have those rye crackers which are only 35-40 cal each.

The only problem is I go away a lot and I can only manage fast days at my house. But once home I’m straight back on it.

 

[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.

 

[whocarez]

I do it without realising it. I started skipping breakfast as I was hungrier by lunch than if I didn't have it
I end up eating dinner left from night before for lunch then actual dinner and then fruit with moose like the low calorie aero or milky way. generally all is about 1400/1500 cals and I don't be hungry

 

[Flowergirl14]

I do it without realising it. I started skipping breakfast as I was hungrier by lunch than if I didn't have it
I end up eating dinner left from night before for lunch then actual dinner and then fruit with moose like the low calorie aero or milky way. generally all is about 1400/1500 cals and I don't be hungry

Yes I lost 3 stone during lockdown.
I had coffee for breakfast and brunch at c.11am of scrambled eggs with salmon and then a home cooked meal at 5pm. I was doing the 16:8 diet without realising it!
Plus not going out for meals and drinks helped...
I was also a member of SW and joined their weekly zoom calls. The social element helped when stuck at home.
Just to say I have never followed SW's ethos or counted sons. Just love the comeraidaire and just feeling being accountable each week....stepping on those scales...

 

[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

 

[tarquin16]

I did "fast five" several years ago (five hour eating window) with great results, got at least a stone to lose after having my daughter in January. Think I will start with 16:8 to ease myself back into IF

 

[instagramloverinlondon]

I'm on day 2 of 16:8...hoping I can stick to it. I lost 2 stone before my wedding doing it so fingers crossed...to all of us haha!

 

[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.