Starting 16:8 tomorrow, any advice

[Makemedoit]

Just that really. Am going start tomorrow. I have about 3 stone to lose in total but hoping to lose about half a stone in the next 6 or 7 weeks. So any tips or advice for me?

The first few days it feels impossible, then tough and then it's just life and mornings suddenly seem much easier without having to faff around making breakfast and there isn't the dilemma in the evening of whether to have a snack and, if so, what to have as you know the kitchen is closed.
On which point, I've just noticed the time so has better stop MNing and go and have my final cup of tea of the day. That will be it for me now until lunch time tomorrow.

Am a bit worried about getting through the mornings particularly without my cups of tea!

It gets much easier after the first week. Do you drink black coffee? I found a black coffee with a pinch of sea salt in can keep me going with no issues until 12.30/ 1 when me eating window opens.

I've been doing it since January and it's been a revelation!

Thanks. No I don’t drink coffee at all.

If you like you could start with doing ist 10:14 - then for instance eat from 9am to 7pm (or start earlier or later) and then increase the fastening to 8:16 slowely. I find 10:14 works better for me and I am just restarting doing this.

I do it and I start approx 6:30pm or 7:00pm then by the time I get up iv done 12 hrs.
I drink black coffee or water or peppermint tea.
I'm mindful of what can break a fast so I don't even use toothpaste, I clean my teeth with bicarbonate of soda.
It gets easier the more you do it, I do three days a week, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and it really helps

Yes aiming to start at about 7pm. Am just a bit worried about gettting through the morning on just water but hopefully I will adjust to it over a few days. I used to naturally do this when I was younger and seemed to stay v slim!!

Download the fastic app
Have a nice brunch to look forward to (I skip breakfast and bring lunch forward)
If water gets boring you can add mint, rosemary, cucumber, lime slices

I drink redbush tea (without milk) in the morning as I find black tea or coffee too bitter

I started it on Friday and it has been surprisingly ok. Third day today and I haven't felt too hungry. I also need to lose 3 stone and 3 days in I have lost 5lb! I would recommend the Fast800 recipe book, really lovely recipes that keep you full.

Would a dash of milk in a cup of tea really affect it that much?

Thank you for all your tips. I will def try the red bush tea and will have a look for the recipe book as well.

@TheGirlWithGlassFeet glad to hear you are not finding it too tough!

I do it a different way round and am always surprised no one else does it my way! I eat breakfast at 8am, lunch at noon and then bring my dinner forward to 4pm. It's pretty easy once you get used to it. And, if I don't feel like doing it that day, or I'm going out, I just don't do it that day.

I’m a big tea drinker too and I’ve found that just one proper cuppa makes me hungry, whereas if I start the day with green tea or Earl Grey (both without milk), I’m absolutely fine. And awake!

Skipping breakfast is easy after a few days. I miss my tea with milk in the morning, but it's not such a great hardship really. I have black tea first thing, then a tea with milk after lunch.

Hello, can I join you please? I also don't drink coffee, and am a huge fan of breakfast. My two young children love having breakfast with me, so I struggle. I also wake up around 7am starving with hunger pains... I've tried skipping breakfast before but am then short tempered and snappy, and feel sick and dizzy on school walk. So it's put me off. I've not tried for a year or two though so am keen to try again.

Like the idea of 14:10 to start, then gradually try and reduce. Also will only do it Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Am looking to do a 30 min home workout most days, and am worried I'll have no energy?

Oh, I love Tetley Boost fruit teas, like a tropical or orange with extra Vit C in for a no-calorie hot drink. Do you like those OP?

@Schnable

I’m a big tea drinker too and I’ve found that just one proper cuppa makes me hungry, whereas if I start the day with green tea or Earl Grey (both without milk), I’m absolutely fine. And awake!

That's interesting. I love my first cuppa of the day - strong Yorkshire with 1/2 teaspoon of sugar and a small amount of milk. I've tried switching to redbush or fruit but it's just not the same! Hoping it'll be easier to just have water or weak squash in the warmer months.

I drink pu-erh tea, black.a lot of it.
Now if I am thinking if thats ok.

@SatsumaFan
Can you do it my way round - ie have breakfast but don't eat from 4pm? I know most people seem to skip breakfast, but my understanding is that as long as you fast for 16 hours, it doesn't matter when those hours are. I might be wrong.

@arethereanyleftatall no because I have two young children and a husband and our evening meal together as a family is very important to us. I do all the cooking and couldn't cook a meal for the family and then not eat, even three days a week. But thanks for the idea

I didn’t realise you weren’t meant to drink tea on 16:8! Thought it was just sweetened drinks that were out. I do 16:8 for a few weeks every so often and find it pretty easy but there’s no way I could do it without my morning and evening cups of tea.

Tea is fine, it's the milk that's the problem!

Yes I take milk and sugar in black tea. That's the problem

I've failed already barely slept so had my usual tea with 0.5 teaspoon of sugar and a little milk at 9.30am. Then a small apple at 10.30 to try and help the tiredness / hunger headache. Out now which should help... At least its a reduction in calories as would normally have two Weetabix, milk and a banana (or similar).

Oh bad sleep makes it so much harder! Honestly though, if you can manage to really do a total fast, including going without milk/sugar in your tea, for a few days it becomes so much easier. By allowing yourself a bit of sugar an apple etc, you're preventing yourself from getting over the difficult bit! A little bit of sweet stuff is the worsr - it just kicks your appetite into action without even filling you up. I was a definite breakfast fan, but after 3 or 4 days of 16:8 I'm honestly not remotely fussed about breakfast and happily go until 12:00.

Well I have started well and managed to avoid tea!! I keep thinking - it's just 2 more hours (or 3 or 4 or 1). I am hungry now but hoping after a few days my body will get used to this. Am planning on a cup of tea and an apple at noon today to celebrate my first day!

I weighed in this morning and was pleasantly surprised that I was 3lbs lighter than I though I was so at least that's 3lbs closer to my first goal!! I was hoping to lose 7lbs during this first month and am trying not to be too ambitious and then disappointed.