16:8 any success?

[iddybiddymum]

I've been doing 16:8 Monday - Friday for 2.5 weeks now . I pretty much eat what I like between 12-8 ( not in excess and mostly healthy).

I didn't weigh myself but do feel clothes fit slightly better and feel
A little less tired.

Does anyone have any success stories at all? Would love to hear!

Good morning all

Day 3 completed last night and I can start eating now if I like but I'm going to leave it until a bit later and them have a bacon and onion omelette.

I had a boost this morning as I have lost 1.6kg which is 3.5lbs. I want to lose about 75lbs (about 34kg all together) so it's going to be a long slog. This is why I'm contemplating fast 800. I'll carry on with 16:8 for 1-2 weeks first though.

One thing of interest in The Obesity Code book was the topic of sweeteners. From memory it says although sweeteners don't raise your blood sugar but it does cause an small insulin response. Prior to reading this book I constantly had a can of Pepsi Max on the go. I work at a desk and had a can of Pepsi Max in front of me all day from waking up at 7am until going to bed at 10pm - just sipping every few minutes. So if that's the case and it is true, my pancreas must have been constantly releasing insulin. I love my Pepsi Max but have cut down to 2 per day which I have with my meal - the rest of the time I am sticking to water or fruit tea.

I bought some Twinings cold infusions which are little tea bags to keep in water bottles and they taste just like very weak diluted squash - not sweet enough to be moorish (like Pepsi Max) but flavoured enough that it doesn't taste like plain water.

I might even cut all the Pepsi Max out together when I run out of cans but sods law I bought 2 x 24 packs the day before I read the chapter on sweeteners HAH

Good morning!
How is everyone doing? Is it easier or harder for you at the weekend?
I'm still in bed but after reading the link that Floraflo put on and the info that scarlet gave, im realising I've been doing it wrong.
I have a bottle of squash by my bed that I drink through the night ( hot flushes!) And that coffee or fruit tea when I wake up.
So last night, just water and this morning ill try a black unsweetened coffee.
Then I'll really know im fasting!!
Hope everyone is ok xx

Morning all - start of day 6 for me. I used ketostix this morning and I’m in ketosis (+++), which is great news. That obviously why I’m no longer hungry. Yesterday we had a bbq with family and I didn’t eat a thing or any of the birthday cake!! Amazed haha. Little one awake at 5:10am (per usual 😩), so I’ve had a bottle of water and 2 camomile teas. Excited for first meal at 10:30! Happy Sunday all. Ooooo dinner is the one pot chicken from the recipe book, so it will feel like a normal Sunday roast (without the gravy and Yorkshire haha).

Hope everyone’s well x

Bugger just remembered no roast potatoes either. That’s fine though. I’m focusing on how fabulous I’ll feel at Christmas time wearing my old clothes again 😊

@Catty15 no difference for me between weekend and weekday. Cos I’m working from home. I think I would struggle to commute and work in an office during the start of fast800, so I’m lucky to use this time to fast

Morning everyone and welcome floraflo
Really interesting article from flora. As my go-to drinks are green & peppermint tea and black coffee (&gin & wine) then I shall just make sure the peppermint is only in my eating window. Well done Catty for trying black coffee - hope you enjoy! I started on black coffee at uni when it was too far to go to the fridge!!
Also I downloaded The Obesity Code onto Audible & started listening (it was free with 1 month Audible trial but would have been £9.95 on my Kindle or in print). Had to really concentrate when listening & I am being good & listening right through....even though I want to get to the end chapters on 'how to'. So far he has really debunked calorie restriction diets - which are always a fail for me.
Start of day 5 for me. Just about to make that vat of coffee! Hope to wait until 1 for food. Def harder for me to stay disciplined at home. Meals planned which helps.

@PC20 – I’m no good when I’m being talked at, I just zone out so I’m better with a print book (although I did download it on my kindle). I’ve discovered Jason Fung has got quite a lot of stuff on Youtube regarding fasting so that’s my next port of call.

I’m absolutely hopping mad that I’ve wasted so much of my life on calorie restriction diets only to put more and more weight on. It’s made me feel a right failure. I hope more research is done and the NHS make it their way of advising weight loss and save us another generation of yo-yo-dieters.

@HighlandPeach – Are you doing Fast 800 for the full 8 weeks? I feel like I should do given that I’ve got between 5-7 stones to lose. I feel like I should just go for it but then I think maybe I should only start doing it once 16:8 plateaus? What is the advice after the 8 weeks?

I’ve got a family wedding to go to in December (if it goes ahead) so I’d love to be able to wear something nice and shop in normal size ranges. I’d happily not eat something if it is proven this diet works.

@Catty15 – Definitely easier at the weekend as I usually wake up 2.5 hours later than I would do for work so I’ve slept through a bit more of my fast. I was up early today for overtime – ironically I am saving up for gastric surgery! It would be great to think I’d be able to have a load of money to go on a size 14 spending spree (I’ve got quite an athletic frame when I’m not fat), broad shoulders and big boobs so I just cannot see me being any less than a 14. I’m a size 20-22 at the moment.

I’m getting more used to plain water although I’m still not keen on it. I’m segmenting my day into four four hour segments and trying to drink 500ml in each segment (but during my eating hours I am drinking fruit teas and pepsi max).

I got weighed again this morning – I should try get out of this habit as I know one day it is going to really upset me! But I’m a full 2kg down now after four days which is 4.4lbs lost (woo me). I haven’t taken any measurements though which I really should do.

Have a good day everyone. I could have broken my fast at 11.30 but I’m going to try and hold out a bit later (maybe have some scrambled eggs followed by berries).

Well done on your loss @ScarletPower! That’s a great result.

Yes, try Fast800. By day 5 I didn’t feel hungry anymore, which is unusual, as I’m a constant snacked usually. The recipes in the book are lovely. I like that they’re all for 2-4 servings, so you could repeat days and save yourself some cooking.

I’m going to do 12 weeks of Fast800, which is the longest they say to do it. Not sure what after that. I think probably 3 meals (instead of 2) a day using 16:8 still till I get to my target weight. I want to lose 3.5 stone 😊

Awake in the middle of the night with DC, who never sleeps through!! On the plus side, I just realised that it’s day 7. Not in the slightest bit hungry 😊

Happy Monday all! Hope you have a good start to your weeks.

P.s. welcome @floraflo, thanks for sharing the article. I’ve switched from mint tea during fasting hours and now drinking a black tea instead

Morning everyone
Day 6 for me & I am getting up with lots of energy. I know I should not weigh so often but I have just done so and am down another 1lb since Saturday. That is 2lb total. So pleased. Have a good day.

Well done @PC20 on your loss. I weigh every morning, it helps keep me on track.

Day 7, I’ve lost 5lbs. 10% of my target, which is great. I think I need to start exercising too, as I need to tone, as well as lose weight.

Does anyone have a good exercise plan they follow?

Happy Monday all. Week four for me (week two properly without lemon water etc) I used to love a cup of tea in the morning with milk and sugar but now I'm used to black coffee I actually find myself looking forward to it!

Feeling positive and hoping to do a few 18 hour fasts and possibly a long 20+ hour fast if I can this week.

@HighlandPeach - I've been doing the body coach hiit workouts on you tube. They're very good. I started at the beginning of lockdown and they've definitely helped me tone up

Hi everyone I've been doing this for 3 days and I'm finding I'm really bloated especially in the afternoon and evening. It may have just happened to coincide with my body trying to have a period (I take the pill continuously with no break) but wasn't sure.
Has anyone else found this? Thought it was meant to help ease bloating!

Welcome Roobear
Flora is on week 4 but the rest of us are finishing our first week - so it is early days for a lifestyle change.
I felt very heavy & overfull after eating main meal last night but not bloated.
Highland - well done on your weight loss. Just imagine those 5lb of butter (10 blocks) sat on the top shelf of your fridge as a motivator - & be impressed!!
Flora - well done on doing that regular online training. I haven't tried it but I'm sure it is hard work. I was getting out for a walk (woods & stream v close to me) every day through lockdown but a bit less recently since back to work and the rain. It really helps my mental health to get out into nature but also I think it is the steady pace of the walk which is therapeutic too.

Hi all and welcome Roobear!
I'm impressed with your loss Highland, thats brilliant!
I think today is really only day 2 for me as I'd been having milk and sugar in my coffee or a fruit tea first thing until I read the list that Floraflo put on.
So yesterday I was definitely clock watching until my eating window opened at 12, drank only water but was definitely quite snappy and irritable which im sure was because of my caffeine addiction.!
Today, I've had a black unsweetened coffee and it was ok actually
Regarding excessive, I thoroughly recommend couch to 5 k, i started it in 2017, I've always been very unfit and always hated sports but I've done three 10k races and numerous 5ks.
Park run is fantastic and so friendly to all abilities ( obviously not on atm)
Good luck everyone, have a good day! Xx

exercise not excessive!

Afternoon all

Day 5

I weighed in this morning to another good loss – not quite into the next stone down bracket but another half pound and it will be gone – 2.6kg gone so far (around 5.7lbs).

I found this morning really difficult – I started last Wednesday but had Thursday and Friday off, and then the weekend so I got some lie ins and it felt easy going until 1pm for food. But I woke up at 5am today and by 11am I was pretty hungry. I had some belly pork but was still hungry but a dessert of berries and single cream killed the pangs off and I can quite happily wait til 6.30pm to be fed again.

@HighlandPeach – that’s a good idea to make the portions for 2-4 portions to save cooking - what do your family members eat? Are you cooking two lots of meals?

Re your exercise – I think you should be doing resistance training, so weights to build lean muscle.

@Roobear - I can’t say that I have felt bloated at all except for maybe straight after eating until I’ve digested. I think if you are eating a lot of fruit and vegetables you eat more fibre so maybe that is it?

Sorry, that should have read off work, not off the diet.

Thanks @floraflo for suggesting body coach. I saw some of his PE sessions on YouTube, which seem quick, but work up a sweat 😊

Haha @PC20 I love that visual of butter blocks. We’ve got 4 in the fridge and I just grabbed them to show DH that I’ve lost at least 9 of those!! Amazing when you can actually visualise the weight.

@ScarletPower DH has been eating the plan with me, but I add carbs and more veg for him! And then cooking separately for DS. As I’m no longer hungry, I’m not clearing his plate or nibbling whilst cooking. That’s been the biggest change for me!

@Catty15 Hope you’ve had a good day. I don’t think my body is built for running. Even when a size 8, it just wasn’t natural lol. Excited to try the HIIT workouts suggested above!

Welcome @Roobear23 😊

Thanks everyone really nice to read everyone's experiences. I just wanted to try something to be healthier, tone up and something I can maintain. Love that there seem to be so many other benefits to this way of eating too. I'll have a read of that article as see that some of you are suggesting even herbal tea is not ok.

Morning all 😊 Today is that start of day 8, so I’ve completed one full week on Fast800. I’ve stuck religiously to the meal plan and other than feeling a bit unwell (dizzy for first 3 days and vomiting once on day 2), I’ve felt really well, energised and happy. Drumroll...I’ve lost 2.8kg (6lbs). Delighted. My tummy is much flatter than before, which is incredible, as I don’t feel I’ve made much effort. I’m still in ketosis (+++) and don’t feel hunger pangs. Other than 1 particular meal, I’ve loved all of the recipes.

After reading the article posted higher up the thread, I’ve moved onto black tea now (instead of mint) and I plan to add some exercise (HIIT) soon.

Have a great day x

I just checked and it’s 11 packs of butter. Thanks @PC20, that’s going to be my reference point now!! 😂

Morning everyone. So glad you are all here. I had a rough day yesterday. I know I am an emotional eater. My DS is 13, out of school because of lockdown & not engaging in learning. We are always clashing about it. He has agreed for me to teach him the maths (I am no teacher but I did do A level). Most days we clash because unless I sit with him then he goes back to his games or never gets started. Yesterday was the same and after he stormed off...I went & made flapjack!! I did eat several but managed to keep my eating into 8 hours....and this morning have weighed myself & stayed the same! I consider that a positive. There is still half the flapjack in the tin.
Starting off my day with green tea and determined to carry on. When reading the Obesity Code yesterday I was reading about insulin. The next chapter is cortisol...the stress hormone. Will be interesting reading!!
2 more days of the stress of home teaching & then a relief to get to work on Thurs.
Thanks for letting me rant x

Sorry to hear about the challenges with home schooling @PC20. I’ve always been an emotional eater, too, almost as a consolation prize. That’s good on staying the same. The window of eating helps enormously. Sending you strength and patience for home schooling today. I can’t even imagine trying to parent a 13-year old, I often feel battle fatigue with a stubborn 2-year old.

Do you have the Fast800 cookbook? Let me know if you want me to post some pictures of the treat stuff in there. The smoothies are delicious and I saw some chocolate beetroot cake that might be a good substitute for the flapjack 😊

Ooh thanks @HighlandPeach. I have found that recipe online. As well as flapjack I am the brownie queen so not sure DS will be impressed!! I'll buy beetroot at next shop. The other thing I have baked recently is scones. I make them quite small and freeze most as soon as cool - then getting them out of the freezer & defrosting is an extra deliberate step...and they last longer. DS is a very impulsive eater (& overweight) as well.

@Roobear23 – I’ve been listening to some Podcasts today on the benefits of fasting and the evils of sugar and processed foods, and I am flipping well converted now!

@HighlandPeach – Well done on the 6lbs – that’s a great loss, you sound like you are buzzing. I did Lighter Life a few years ago and remember how great I felt when I was in Ketosis (not to mention the half pound falling from the scales every day). I did have a think about starting Fast 800 but I’m going to keep that in reserve and continue with 16:8. If my weight loss stalls I’ll shift to Fast 800 and probably do one meal a day.

@PC20 – at least it was something home made and not processed – you know everything that went into your flapjacks. I can’t imagine how stressful home schooling must be especially with older kids – I used to be baffled when the DS’s brought home primary school maths work.

Day 6 for me.

I had another weigh in and was disappointed to see I am only 0.1kg down on yesterday but this is 5.94lbs in total (2.7kg). I had all these negative thoughts in my head saying “here we go again, something else that works for a week and then stops” but I’ll battle on. I’ve regained my positivity after listening to Podcasts all day on IF (with the odd true crime interspersed). I have to say that I have noticed my stomach is a bit ‘flatter’. I use the term loosely as it isn’t flat at all but my pouch is less pouchy. I put some jeans on today fresh after a wash and they felt looser.

I also managed to make today’s fast stretch an extra two hours.

My eldest DS is really fit, but with not having any training or gym and developing a snacking habit and sweet tooth in lockdown he's developed a bit of a belly. He started 16:8 with me last Thursday and observing the fast window seems to be the only thing he's doing right - he's eating a ready meal for lunch and snacking and despite this he's noticed today that he's gone down two belt holes! I just wanted to share this because he's not overweight at all so it must work.