How well did fasting work for you?

[kippymcquick]

Did you notice any big changes quickly ? What is you're regime and are you watching carbs?

Hi OP. I'm currently doing alternate day fasting. I've done it on and off and sometimes with keto and it works really well for me. But like others have said you have to be in the right frame of mind to do it. I tend to eat whenever I feel anxious or bored. Fasting for me is not just about the weight loss but trying to break old habits and resetting the system. And it really does help. Once I'm in the habit I find it easy to continue. As for carbs, I think it depends on the individual and you have to find what works with you.

I don't think I suit carbs. Whenever I am eating carbs my appetite spirals out of control and I end up almost compulsively eating. It's like there's no off button for me with carbs. I always want more and don't feel satisfied.

When I fast and give myself a break from eating its like the whole system resets. I'm doing 36-40hr fasts with an 8-10 hour eating window. I'm managing fine with it for now, but I do have about 8kgs to lose.

Also the pps are right. The longer harder fasts are easier at the beginning of the menstrual cycle. I don't do long fasts in the second half of my cycle. I change to OMAD or 18:6. You have to be flexible and know when to give yourself a break.

For those who don’t want to give up the morning coffee/tea, I lost loads of weight eating only between 10am-6pm with the exception of a massive mug of builder’s tea with milk first thing in the morning.
Maybe I’d have lost even more without that, but it’s a non-negotiable for me, and without it I’d never have stuck to it. Now a size 10, and am not so rigid with the timings.
Its the stopping of post-6pm snacks which made the biggest difference I think!

Just picked this up @Phlegmatic but having to dash tonight. Well done. You have engaged with the process brilliantly. It has been really hard for you, but you tried regardless of the risk of failure and that is the point. You came out a tinge early, but that is better because you were being true to you. This is what the process is about. Be kind to yourself now. Be gentle on yourself now. Don't slip back to bad habits. You've run a marathon, take some rest and nurture your body with good food.

@Chatillon thanks for your help, have a great weekend.

I started a loose version of 16:8 a few weeks ago as am late 40s, perimenopausal, and found the stomach weight creeping on.
I say loose version as I have a cup of tea most mornings. I eat well during the 8 hours (healthy home-cooked, lots of veg) and have cut out most snacks and most alcohol (though I tend to relax this at weekends).
I walk 60-90 mins every day with my dog and I do weights/HIIT at home most days.
I don't have masses to lose, maybe 8lbs for me to feel comfortable, and am steadily losing 1lb a week with what feels like little effort. I'm 5ft11 and was 12 stone 4, am now 11 stone 11 after about 6 weeks. Am v happy! It feels manageable and sustainable.

Well everyone I've officially lost 6 since 23rd may buy fasting from 5/6pm - 12:30 the next day. I'm clean fasting and drinking lots of green tea ( make a flask and sip it all morning ) I'm also trying to eat much healthier at lunch when my window opens then I'll have something small at dinner - more of a snack than a meal. I definitely feel my clothes looser and my face doesn't seem as moon like 😂 so I'm really enjoying it so far!

I am 11st 10 and I'd love to get back to my pre lockdown weight of 9st 7 so we'll see how we go. I'm enjoying all your responses

Anyone else just feel better eating this way? Only thing I have noticed is I'm having lots of breakthrough bleeding which is frustrating but it's probably hormones correcting themselves or something

Just wondering - does the weight go back on when you start eating normally again? I mean of course you will lose weight if you don’t eat. Thinking long term.

I also struggle with fasting as I’m very active - physical job and lots of exercise. I know from research that exercising fasted is not good for women as it increases cortisol.

But I also need to lose a few pounds and my current regime of eating less (but more protein) no sugar. Exercising more is not working so I’m becoming tempted. I guess I could just not exercise on fasting days.

I think from listening to a podcast about this for women fasting is best done at certain times in the menstrual cycle. Most studies that show all the benefits of fasting were done on middle aged men. It’s an interesting area.

@Delatron I work alongside medical communities and most research in the past has been carried out on male bodies (what a surprise!!), there's a movement to try and redress the balance as the physiology means that males and females would respond differently to disease/conditions so it's vital both sexes are part of research.

Re weight gain after fasting stops, for me personally, I plan to keep up a 16:8 or 18:6 routine as I feel so much better, more energy, sharper, less bloating, along with losing weight. I'm also taking HRT which is likely helping the way I'm feeling.
I think in the past I was simply eating too much, and this helps me regulate without feeling like I'm depriving myself.

@Delatron hi, I naturally only eat two meals a day, and a couple of days a week have just one meal in the evening. I just finished my first extended fast on Friday morning and have not regained but continued to lose a little more weight. However I have not returned to ‘normal eating’ but I don’t intend to as the fasting was to help me reset. I am eating chicken/fish and lots of veg. No junk, v low carb. I suspect if you go straight back to your old normal eating you would regain half the weight back pretty quickly but this is just my guess from reading about fasting. I don’t thing fasting suits everyone, I really like it but I am retired and in my 50s, I couldn’t have done this while taking care of toddlers or during my career days.

@Gherkingreen Thank you. Yes there does need to be more research on women and it’s good that this is starting to happen. I also think it is such an individual thing - seems to work very well for some and less for others.
I think viewing fasting as a reset is a good idea.

@Phlegmatic That sounds great, looks like it’s working well for you. I do think at different life stages we need to have a big rethink about what we are eating. What used to work for ha often doesn’t any more.

I’m trying to reduce sugar and up protein and veggies.

But my main struggle with fasting is my job and lifestyle. Have to walk the dog a good 4. miles every day then teach exercise classes then do my own exercise. I think I just need to be more considered about my fuelling choices. But I’ll definitely consider fasting once my activity level calms down a bit.

Thanks both for you input!

I was overweight all my adult life, but in my fifties started fasting and have lost 3 stone. It doesn't work for everyone, but I'm delighted with it and feel so much healthier and more confident.

I do a 36 hour water fast once a week.

The rest of the time I eat a decent lunch at midday and a large meal at 6pm.

I also have wine and pud at the weekend.

I do around 10 hours of exercise a week (walking, swimming and one gym session).

I am gearing up to doing another fast if anyone is interested in joining. Thinking 72 hours with just water.

Sounds great @Phlegmatic. I'm fasting from tomorrow too. Hoping to manage at least 48 hours. Last month I made it to 72 hours with just water and herbal tea. I noticed weight dropped off and I have had motivation to keep going as I'm going on holiday soon. I have time for one more long fast before I go.

Are you low carb before starting?

@Etherealcelestialbeing yes I am low carbing to get ready. I am doing three days of preparation, today is just one meal at 3 pm before going to the cinema. Its roast chicken and five veg. I will have my last meal Monday evening and see how long I can do, hopefully 72 hours.

I am looking forward to it! If you time it well (around what’s going on in your life) it can be a pleasant experience. I have a quiet week ahead with just one teenager in the house (who enjoys cooking their own meals).

I would love to hear how you are doing if you feel like posting here.

I will join. That timeframe suits me though I have an important event Thursday afternoon and that's Day 3 so need to think about how I handle that.

@Chatillon great, three of us! I think @Etherealcelestialbeing may have already started.

Great! Let's keep each other updated.

I'm starting tonight. Will have an early Sunday dinner and then aim to make it to Thursday. I'm off work this week so not sure if that will help or hinder my efforts! I tend to find it easier to forget about eating when im busy at work.

@Etherealcelestialbeing I think it’s a good thing you aren’t working, lots of sleep, books, tv, gentle walks.

need to lose 2-3 stones and inspired by this I’ve downloaded a fasting app
to do 16:8. Need a serious shake up. Watch this space!

Sorry Wednesday not Thursday! Hopefully you're right @Phlegmatic although I will be wrangling small children some of the week and that could make me want to stress eat

Good luck @purpleros I have really found it life changing. My whole perspective on eating/weight loss/health has changed.

How’s it going @Etherealcelestialbeing @Chatillon ? 38 hours in for me, no issues, I feel well.

That's great @Phlegmatic ! What are you drinking?

I've really struggled being off work and having to feed kids etc. it's too tempting to eat. I think at work I am busy and have built fasting into my routine. Instead of one long fast, I have managed 2 x 24 hr fasts. So basically one meal a day for the last couple of days. Aiming to do another one today.

I'm away on holiday next week so will not be fasting for another few weeks.

@Etherealcelestialbeing sounds like a good compromise, I am just drinking water.

I'm an instinctive faster in that I've discovered since my kids went to uni that I feel so much better (physically and mentally) for ditching an evening meal. My natural pattern of eating seems to fall into the 10am -6pm window.

I'd quite like to keep a semi-formal eye on it though and hopefully track some perimenopausal weight loss, so can I ask for app recommendations? I've had a quick look and it seems there are quite a few. Just wondering if some are better/easier to use than others and if anyone could share their top picks!