Any advice on fasting?

[lovemymonkeys2]

I've just started intermittent fasting this week. I'm doing 16:8 and my eating window is between 11am and 7pm. I was a bit hasty to jump in to it and didn't really read much about it first. I am right in thinking I should eat 1500 calories in my eating window, but try to make it as healthy food as possible? Or should I be eating less calories than that?

I've also started exercising everyday and have stopped drinking so I'm hoping I should see some good weight loss if I stick to it.

I find that as long as I avoid alcohol and the usual sweet things (biscuits, cakes etc), I can eat pretty much anything

So I fast from 7 til 12.
I basically eat what I want in between but I'm not trying to lose weight just maintain my current weight.
I was always the same weight and able to eat what I want until I hit 50!
So if works for me as I can still have lots of treats (I eat healthy stuff too!)

I've done it off and on but for thr last week, I've started using the all nutracheck again. It keeps me focused when I have to type in what I eat. I'm sticking to 1200 calories a day low carb high protein ( struggling to get enough protein without going over calories though so I've ordered collagen protein powder). Drinking more water and exercising a bit. Clothes feel a bit looser but it's my totm so I don't think I'll bother weighing myself tomorrow

Some really good advice on here about fasting, thank you. I made it through today with the sugar cravings, I actually ended up eating less calories than normal. I've been eating about 1400 each day so far but today was the first day I didn't exercise (DH had to work longer hours so had no childcare) so I ate around 1200. I also wasn't that hungry today for some reason. I did eat healthily and low carbs but I did have a teaspoon of ice cream when I was dishing some up for the kids. Not to bad though considering I was worried about losing my motivation today. Hope everyone else has had a good day too!

I find if I eat breakfast it just makes me hungrier - if I don't eat in the morning I can last til mid day without feeling hungry. I'm technically doing 14:10, but try and stretch it to 15 or 16 hours fast. Then I eat 1500-1600 calories a day. I lose about a kilo a week, but I have a lot to lose.
I'm not sure if it's the IF helping to actually lose weight, more likely it's just the reduced calories, but what I think is that eating in a shorter time span means I can eat proper meals rather than a few small meals which are never that satisfying, so it makes it more sustainable, plus I use MFP, and once I press 'start fast' it makes it harder to break!

Are you saying you sometimes fast for 24 hours a day? And sometimes 18?

Intermittent fasting is just a fancy name for skipping breakfast. Swap out the peanut butter for a 2 finger Kit Kat or a chocolate digestive biscuit. Fewer calories, less fat and they’ll help keep the cravings at bay. Keep the apple. Or try a different fruit like a proper orange. They’re great - they take ages to peel and eat and are packed full of vitamins. Good biscuit or Ryvita alternatives are oat cakes and there’s a good variety of sweet and savoury ones in supermarkets. They’re packed with oats so they’re great for your blood sugar and helping you to feel full.

@SafeAsAMouse Yes. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mid April and wanted to try to put it into remission so I followed the advice of Dr Jason Fung and managed to do it in 3 months.

It really isn't just about eating not breakfast!

The big difference for me is the no eating after 7pm, it's hard sometimes but definitely works for me.

That’s great you reversed it but fasting for 24 hours a day doesn’t sound particularly healthy.

@SafeAsAMouse Needs must.

@Franticbutterfly well done at reversing Type 2 diabetes.

@SafeAsAMouse if your metabolism is healthy, your body should be able to manage without food. However, most of us are out of practice as food is so plentiful. Also, you can go slowly into the longer fasts (excepting if you are pg, bf or totm).

Yes @quirkychick I have found that if my blood sugar is stable (ie not subject to the highs and crashes of eating carbs) and I don't have any extra energy requirements (if I do weights, the next day it's almost impossible to fast much past noon) it not difficult when you get used to it. Also being diabetic I dont go into fat burning easily so I have to push my fasts longer than most to get the benefit.

@Franticbutterfly the stable blood sugar was such a revelation for me (family history of type 2). I have done up to 22hr fasts. In workout (weight) days I do Mindy Peltz MTOR protein cycling, which is 30g+ protein in 4 small meals throughout the day to build muscle. So, I can completely get why you wouldn't be able to fast beyond midday!

I fast from 7pm until midday so I'm asleep for the bulk of the fast.
I only drink black coffee and water but found it was giving me headaches so I now put a scoop of calorie free electrolytes in my water, I googled it, it doesn't break your fast.
Then I have for lunch, poached eggs and wholemeal toast if I'm at home or a wrap with chicken breast if I'm in the office, also a piece of fruit then a proper evening meal, meat and veg, chilli and rice, spaghetti bol.
I avoid salad at all costs unless it's in the chicken wrap.
I also have fat free Greek yogurt, fruit, drizzle of organic honey with some crushed almonds.

@Campervangirl I'm a great fan of Greek Yoghurt! Today was with blackberries and a small drizzle of maple syrup.

@quirkychick @Campervangirl Me too! I spend a small fortune on Fage.