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O/T: Intermittent Fasting

caninelover's picture

Not SK related at all - but curious if anyone has tried intermittent fasting?  I just started a 16/8 schedule a couple of weeks ago, where I skip breakfast (black coffee only in the mornings now - used to have coffee with half-and-half and sugar), eat an early lunch at 11 am, maybe a mid-afternoon snack, and then dinner at 6 or 6:30.  Nothing except water after 7 pm.

The first week I had hunger pangs in the mornings and watched the clock until 11 am when I could eat.  This week has been better, no hunger pangs but I am definitely hungry for lunch at 11.  My energy level is good and I have lost 2 pounds so far (weight loss was my main goal - I put on about 10 pounds during the pandemic, unfortunately).  I'm also noticing less heartburn at night, which is probably the result of not eating after 7 pm.

Has anyone else tried it and if so did you like the results?

Comments

hereiam's picture

I have done it off and on for years. I actually like it and I do hope that it has the benefits that they claim (besides weight loss).

caninelover's picture

I'm liking it so far as well.  I feel like this is something I can stick with and also hope the benefits are real.

Evil4's picture

I started after a colleague recommended it to me after I found juicing too difficult. My colleague lost over 60 pounds doing OMAD. I started out doing 16/8 and when I found that doable, I tried 20/4 and then thought fuck it and went to OMAD. 

I've always had issues with binge-eating from being so ravenous that I would gorge with the feeling that I just couldn't ever get enough. Ironically, the OMAD shuts off my appetite and I NEVER binge when I do OMAD. The science is supposedly that IF causes autophagy and does something with leptin so you're not hungry like you normally would be on any other diet. The hunger is very fleeting and I find that I just move along and the hunger disappears within a couple of minutes.

I get great results with OMAD. I have plenty of energy to workout doing karate, burpees conditioning workouts and running. I swear my sleep improves which is good because I've always been a crappy sleeper. 

Now if only I could quit self sabotaging my results and figure LOL. I have no problem getting the results. I just keep fucking them up. But that's a whole other subject.

Evil4's picture

LOL!

caninelover's picture

I might try different schedules once I get used to this.  Particularly maybe one 24-hour fast weekly but that would be down the road.

I am finding the hunger fades, especially if (like you say) I just keep busy and take a few sips of water.

I will have to check for any dis-appearing wrinkles, but I am pretty happy that the heartburn's improved already and the scale is inching in the right direction!

Ispofacto's picture

Yes I have been doing this and/or keto on and off for years.  I used it initally to lose weight, but it also cut down my joint inflammation considerably, and made my skin look younger.  Insulin is the enemy, stem cells are your friend.  I am able to maintain size 6 or smaller using this in addition to occasional weight lifting and high impact intervals, I don't spend a ton of time working out.

 

Evil4's picture

Oh OK. I thought I was crazy when I thought fine lines were disappearing and I was de-aging. 

 

Evil4's picture

Thanks! 

It's good to find out exactly why.

caninelover's picture

I haven't been a size 6 since my 20's.  I would just be happy with a 10 pound weight loss.  If I could lose 15 I'd be really really happy!

CLove's picture

I love fasting but cannot seem to complete a "program". Just do broth and water for a while...

Im also back in the gym and doing a 10-day alcohol detox which I will probably prolong.

Ill need to get some kind of fasting program....good to know my Dad was right...

hereiam's picture

DH and I quit drinking alcohol (we were wine drinkers) 5 weeks ago. We both feel great. We sometimes miss the ritual of having a couple of glasses of wine on the weekends (and sometimes, during the week) but we actually like not drinking.

I have been reading about the different ways alcohol is bad for the body, besides the obvious. After we quit, DH noticed that he was breathing better, and my fingers were not swelling up like they had been.

caninelover's picture

We love wine and whiskey, so I don't think I'll get to the point where I want to give it up entirely.  But I have days where I don't drink alcohol (not planned per se - just don't want any that day) and I do notice that I feel better.  Of course sometimes I feel pretty good while drinking LOL.

I am thinking of doing a no-alochol Monday each week, and also having some prolonged alcohol-free periods going forward as well...

How long are you trying to fast?  From what I've read it seems to be 'easier' to work up to longer fasting periods.

I'm not increasing my exercise yet because it makes me hungry.  But next year I'm thinking of signing up for some bike and/or running races so I will probably kick-up the exercise next year.

CLove's picture

About once per week.

I love wine AND whiskey and a friend of mine just opened a new speakeasy place with her partner...but I am doing a 10-day alcohol detox which will bode well for my wallet, as well as waistline. I downloaded a book with daily readings...its been a long time coming. I just started a new 10-day cycle yesterday (11-1 = DAY 1) and I have done 2 4-day cycles punctuated by some drinking days. My energy is higher and my mental clarity is better...

* raises water glass* CHEERS 

Biggrin

grannyd's picture

Hey, canine,

My post-menopausal weight gain became so challenging, 25 years ago, that I discontinued alcohol for 8 months, stuck to a low-carb, 1,200-calorie diet and began walking our ‘country roads’ with my DH. I lost a substantial amount of weight, purchased a new wardrobe and was downright delighted with myself. But dammit, after 2 years of Covid, I’ve watched the scales climb up, pound by pound. EEeeeKKkkkk!  

Canine, as far as I’m concerned, the best exercise for weight loss is pushing one’s overfilled plate away. So you’re hungry? Pain and itching are far worse! When dieting, I realized that I could either drink or eat and when faced with a choice between food and booze, the eats won every time. Blush

 

 

caninelover's picture

Thanks grannyd, yes I realized being hungry really won't hurt you.  Sip some water and occupy yourself with a task.  The next meal rolls around soon enough.

Yeah Covid did a number on my weight.  For the most part I eat reasonably and exercised 4 days a week, but after we started working from home it was too easy to walk down to kitchen and forage throughout the day.  Whereas at the office I would have a few snacks (almonds, etc) and usually a salad for lunch.

Next year I don't plan to be working, so I need to nip things in the bud before an extra 10 pounds becomes 20!  Its early but I'm seeing encouraging improvements so I hope I will get that pandemic weight off in the next 3-4 months.  Of course the holidays are coming...

hereiam's picture

Of course the holidays are coming...

It's the mindset. You have to change the mindset. Yes, the holidays are coming but they are only 1 day each. You can eat a nice Thanksgiving and Christmas (or whatever you celebrate) meal, dessert included, without sabotaging your entire weight loss efforts. People use "the holidays" as an excuse to overeat for 2 months straight, but it doesn't have to be that way. Just think how much you will be ahead if you don't overeat for those 2 months.

Same with being home, instead of the office; don't change those habits just because you're home. Be of the mindset that you cannot raid the kitchen and eat crap. Easier said than done, I know, but it has to be a conscious choice. And effort, a lot of effort!

caninelover's picture

Yeah it's never the actual holiday it's all the parties and gatherings leading up to the holidays.  

Agree about just not raiding the kitchen.  It's helped to look at the clock and have a structured feeding window.  

DPW's picture

I have done it on and off for a couple of years. It works for me as I have binge-eating issues. Currently I'm quasi doing IF as well as eating revive superfood meals. I've lost 25 pounds so far in a few weeks. Good luck!

caninelover's picture

Thanks DPW.  As a good friend of mine likes to say, it is really hard not to be fat in America...we are surrounded by food everywhere and all the time it seems.

SMto2's picture

Yes, I've done IF for a couple years, combined with keto. I eat my first meal around 12:30pm and try not to eat after 8:30pm. Once in a while, I'll have a "country cooking"  Sunday dinner at a family member's home. I just enjoy the meal without guilt and then do a 24 hour fast the next day. I'm not going to lie. Most days, I'm still starving by noon, and it's sometimes hard to focus from about 11:00 am until I eat. However, I force myself to stay the course. It has allowed me to maintain my weight, which has been harder and harder as I get older. That, plus the health benefits, encourage me to stick with it. 

caninelover's picture

Today is the first day I'm not counting down until 11 am!  Its 10:30 here now and I feel pretty good.  I could eat lunch at 11 or maybe even a little later.  So I hope that means my body is adjusting.

Right now I can't imagine trying a 24 hour fast but maybe someday!