Intermittent Fasting

[AlwaysSummer]

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!

Welcome! Sound plan- all you need to do it keep hydrated with plain water, black tea/coffee during your fasts. If you are normally active during the time you are planning to fast, then no need to change your routine. You might find the busier you keep yourself on fasting days, the easier it is to stick to your schedule. Pay attention to how you feel and make sure to eat if you start feeling weak and headachy. You’ve got this!

 

[PennyPop]

To begin with I’d throw out any rules honestly.

Just see how late you can go without breaking your fast. You’ll get to the point where you’ll be like ‘ah I can wait a little longer, just one more hour’ ..
That way if you do fall off the wagon so to speak there’s no guilt.

I have my coffee in the morning (it gives me something to look forward to in the morning ) then I drink 2L of water. I try to wait until I get home & then I’ll have OMAD.
I’m not mega strict though & won’t deprive myself anything & I go to lunch with friends etc.

OMAD is great for weight loss, as is IM. it depends where you’re at now though. It certainly may cuts the calorie intake.

Sorry if this is a load of waffle! hope it helps!

Love this, thank you! I feel like this might be how I do it!

Right now I'm just unhappy with my weight and when I catch myself in the mirror 🫤

I was talking to my husband about it all tonight and I realised that counting the calories in every single thing I eat is making me miserable. Googling the calories in 5 cherry tomatoes is depressing! I'd much rather be able to eat 5 cherry tomatoes within a window and not have to worry!

I'm going to fast as long as I can tomorrow, see how I get on and go from there.

I really appreciate the input from you guys, I feel positive!!
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Worth reading Delay Don’t Deny by Gin Stephens as it explains how to get started with IF and various fasting schedules. We are all different and it’s worth finding out what works for you and your lifestyle.

I've read some stuff about her tonight too, got some homework to do!

 

[Lalalalaaaaaa85]

I’ve been really embracing the fasting life and I’ve even done a 20 hour fast, 2 x 24hour fasts, a 37 hour fast. Other than that I genuinely do 16/8.

I’ve lost 5lb but I find I get pretty naughty on the weekends which is impeding my progress so going to try and be better going forward.

 

[blossombloss]

I've started doing this, not for weight loss but because a book I am reading talked about it. The book is about "ageing as a disease" and spoke briefly about he beneficial it is to the body. I've started off doing the 14-10. I found the first two days very easy, today not so much because I woke up starving but I also ate later in the evening the day before. Would love to eventually do a 24 hour fast. I like the apps that tell you about what is happening to your body.

 

[ladygardener]

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?

 

[Kezzle]

I second looking at Delay Don't Deny by Gin Stephens, it has been life changing for me. Also look for Dr Jason Fung on You Tube

 

[JL8828]

Thank you!! Very helpful advice! I've been doing some reading this evening and am now looking at doing the 16:8 everyday rather than the 5:2 every week. I've also been reading about OMAD, but I think that might be something to work towards!

Have you guys had good results doing IF?

I was going to say if you’re going to do two days as in 5:2 that (for me anyway) is a brutal introduction to fasting. I did that about ten years ago and ohmygod, couldn’t sleep for hunger, 16:8 definitely more manageable. Also if you listen to Dr Mindy Pelz she doesn’t recommend OMAD for women, esp in lead up to period, it’s not enough. I’m not doing any exercise just now but last time I worked out regularly I did it in the morning to get it out the way and I found it much easier doing it in a fasted state. As soon as I eat tiredness creeps up

 

[PennyPop]

Thank you!! Very helpful advice! I've been doing some reading this evening and am now looking at doing the 16:8 everyday rather than the 5:2 every week. I've also been reading about OMAD, but I think that might be something to work towards!

Have you guys had good results doing IF?

 

[scantysandwich]

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!

Congrats for starting it - just stick with it. Don’t feel bad if you don’t do it one day. Tomorrow is another day. It’s a lifestyle not a diet

 

[JL8828]

Hello all, I’m back doing IF and finding it easier and can go longer 20+ hours if I put a tbsp of MCT oil in my black coffee in the morning (glass of water and electrolytes first). I actually lost 4lb the first three days but have struggled the past week as had one totally sleepless night with a migraine (PMT related I think) and my eating window had to be longer, MUCH longer. Back to it tomorrow. I like it as it’s not like SW where you have to have all the right foods in the house and no faffing about weighing things and counting cals plus the mental clarity feels amazing.

 

[Lalalalaaaaaa85]

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

 

[hereforagandergoose]

You will loose weight if you are in a calorie deficit.. if you are the same amount as before you restricted your eating times you will stay the same, if you eat less and put yourself into a calorie deficit you will loose weight. Have you calculated your calorie intake for weight loss and what you are consuming?

 

[instagramloverinlondon]

Congrats for starting it - just stick with it. Don’t feel bad if you don’t do it one day. Tomorrow is another day. It’s a lifestyle not a diet

Thanks lovely. So far so good. Day 6 now getting easier each day. Managed almost 18 hours yesterday too. Taking each day as it comes...there will definitely be off

 

[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

 

[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!

 

[BBC1HD]

Hi all, resurrecting this thread for some advice. I want to try IF for health reasons rather than weight loss. I read that you can have coffee and water while fasting, what are the rules around having a sugar in your coffee?! I don't want to go down the sweetener route but is having a sugar in my coffee going to ruin the effects of the fast?

Hey! I do IF 23/1

Sugar will break your fast unfortunately .
I know it's not the same but I eventually got used to having my coffee black after about a week

 

[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!

 

[Sheva]

When I was on IF I usually did 16/8 or 18/6, usually it would end up as 17/7. I didn't count drinks outside my window. I plan to start again next week as I found it hugely helpful for staying on top of my snacking.

 

[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.

 

[tarquin16]

Free IF E-Book
this is the (free) book I read to get me started with IF, it's quite short too so doesn't take long to read