Intermittent fasting. Experience?

[Patbutcherismyhero]

Like lots of people I've put on loads of weight during lockdown and am keen to get it shifted. I find being at home all day tough because I'm constantly tempted by food in the cupboards and fridge.

I've read about intermittent fasting and the 16/8 approach sounds doable to me. I usually eat dinner about 7pm anyway and can hold off breakfast for a few hours to give myself an 8 hour window of eating throughout the day. But is it really that simple? Does it actually work? And how strict do you need to be with the food you're eating during that time? Would love to hear some thoughts.

For those successful intermittent fasters, can I ask how you've handled the kids wondering why you're not eating breakfast?

I don't want to put ideas about weight and diets into DD's head really but otherwise I think 16:8 could work really well for me.

@OceanPacific, @Turnedouttoes Ty I didnt expect those replies lol I am quite seriously morbidly obese. I was 133kg or thereabouts and im now 124 but it keeps fluctuating despite the intermittent fasting, lack of carbs and low calorie intake. Its driving me mad.

@INeedNewShoes mine isn’t old enough to notice yet but she usually eats with my DH - I would just say I’ve already had something or sometimes you don’t fancy it but little ones need to grow big so need breakfast. I’m honestly not sure but maybe someone else can advise?

I would say give it a go though, it’s made a huge difference to me and would really recommend it!

I have been fasting for 4 weeks and have lost a stone. I started with 19lbs to lose so now only 5 to go. I lost 5 stone on WW 12 years ago and kept it off, the 19lbs was baby weight! Fasting makes SO much sense compared to WW/SW etc. I haven’t felt deprived at all. In the 4 weeks I’ve had a weekend of alcohol and takeaways and a couple of evenings where I’ve had a drink and nibbles. I would say I stick to low carb/16:8/800 cals a day 80% of the time. I feel amazing, I sleep better, I feel healthier, I’m not thinking about food all the time. I weighed myself today and for the first time in about 18 months I am in the 9 stones!

I haven't told my DCs I'm not eating breakfast but we all eat it at different times anyway so they are unlikely to notice, especially at the moment with school holidays and WFH, our normal weekday mornings are totally different.

My dh did this and lost weight , seemed very effective.
We are doing 5:2 just now. Been at it for 5 weeks ( 1 week was on staycation ) , have lost 5 lb, not doing any fitness plans , eating mindfully on non fasting days.

@Purplelion that’s great - how do you manage on 800 cals a day? Genuinely interested in what your food diary looks like on those days for inspo?

I lost about 1012 kg 2 years ago doing this, found it quite easy. I've put some weight on over lock down so have started again last week and have lost 1kg already.

The only time I’ve ever lost weight in my life was with IF. Think I need to go back to it after lockdown. I did 5:2, although we found it easier to do 2 fast days, 3 semi fast days and 2 normal days.

that was meant to be 10/12kg not 1012! :)

Hi @BoxAndKnife waves

I lost 1.5 stone in 6 months on 5:2 a couple of years ago and have been maintaining using 16:8 ever since. I skip breakfast (no big deal for me as never hungry first thing anyway), lunch around 12.30 and dinner at around 7pm. I try not to snack in between meals but am not religious about that. If my weight creeps up a bit (as it did during first weeks of lockdown) I just cut back and calorie count a bit but otherwise don't bother - key for me is to monitor it and keep it in check. I eat what I want at the weekends. My BMI is 20. I really like the fact that IF teaches you what being genuinely hungry actually feels like and that you don't have to satisfy that feeling straight away. It's just what I do now - don't even give it a second thought anymore.

@Teacaketotty well done. Came across this as I wanna start this fasting. Hoping to loose abit of weight before ttc. Lockdown has not helped and gyms are shut 🤧🤣. You loss a lot during those months can I ask what exercise you were doing please

Anyone wondering if a fasting diet works? I can categorically say yes! 6 weeks in and I'm losing weight. I'm less tired. Less irritable. Less breathless. I fast from 7pm to 1pm the next day. Eat two healthy meals and snacks in the 6 hours. Ive cut out dairy, sugar, totally. Drink lots of water, black coffee, green tea. I feel amazing. I just cannot believe it. I'm not weighing myself until Xmas day as I want it to be my present to myself. Yes there are bouts of hunger especially at night as I would sit in front of the TV and just eat crap but I rise above it. My arthritis is eased and I can now walk for miles. Never thought I'd feel better. Just shows.

@user1499215433

Anyone wondering if a fasting diet works? I can categorically say yes! 6 weeks in and I'm losing weight. I'm less tired. Less irritable. Less breathless. I fast from 7pm to 1pm the next day. Eat two healthy meals and snacks in the 6 hours. Ive cut out dairy, sugar, totally. Drink lots of water, black coffee, green tea. I feel amazing. I just cannot believe it. I'm not weighing myself until Xmas day as I want it to be my present to myself. Yes there are bouts of hunger especially at night as I would sit in front of the TV and just eat crap but I rise above it. My arthritis is eased and I can now walk for miles. Never thought I'd feel better. Just shows.

I love this idea, being your own Christmas present to yourself, who doesn’t want to be a bit slimmer and healthier? You have completely inspired me, thank you so much!