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?

milk has calories, and fats and natural sugars: those will unfortunately break the fast and you don't get the full benefit of the fast. green tea, peppermint tea, water with lemon or lime or cucumber are fine (as long as you don't eat the lemon/lime/cucumber lol)

@Makemedoit - one bit of advice - unsweetened almond milk. Very low in calories, so doesn't break your fast and super low in carbs/sugar so much better fasting/insulin trigger-wise than dairy milk. Add it to tea or coffee, once you get used to it, it's delicious and definitely helps stave off hunger :-) Also, if you do break your fast, don't beat yourself up over it, just try breaking it with fats ideally - nuts, greek yogurt, cheese, egg etc. Sugary stuff will just make you more hungry! And lastly, headaches are very common when you're beginning to fast (it's to do with ketosis) but they fade once your body gets used to it. Hope this helps xx

Small amounts of milk in tea is really the thing that stands in the way of this way of eating for me. I really don't mind not eating breakfast, or even lunch. But the lack of milk in tea is a real problem. I don't have much, just a dash, but I can't bear black tea. I think I may have to try a little harder as it is almost certainly the way to go in terms of weight loss.

Ah. I missed your update SwordPlay. That is really encouraging - I will try that, as I'd love to be more disciplined and it really does feel like a quick win.

I think what I'm learning from this thread is that it's like anything new really - trial and error. And what suits one person / family might not suit another. Try your best, and do it gradually. Don't beat yourself up if you break your fast early sometimes

I slept so much better last night after having Weetabix before bed. So think I'll just accept I need that some evenings, but aim to have it around 9pm. Then fast until between 10am - 12noon, depending on my energy/mood/plans etc

I did well this morning and didn't eat anything until 1pm! But that's probably down to having Weetabix at 10.30 last night, having a good night's sleep and being in a much better mood. I did have my usual cuppa with a hint of milk and sugar (life's too short) first thing then a giant mug of Tetley Immune boost fruit tea with fresh lemon slices. Had a busy morning so didn't miss breakfast.

Like others are saying, if you're still drastically reducing calories and fasting for 10hrs + most days then weight loss should occur, fingers crossed.

Hi all, just wanted to add my 2 cents on the whole fasting issue.

1. If you're fasting primarily for weight loss, rather than other benefits (insulin resistance, longevity, brain function, autophagy), then honestly, a cup of tea with milk and sugar won't ruin your efforts. Sure, it does break a fast but if it helps you to delay a meal and avoid snacking then I'd say go for it.

1. However, if you do want to fast properly, bear in mind that it does get easier. Like with any habit, if you do it enough times, it becomes a part of your routine and you don't even think about it. Your friends in terms of staving off hunger are: lemon water, lots of water in general, almond milk (unsweetened), mild exercise and distractions :-)

1. Whatever fasting method you decide to go on, make sure you don't overcompensate and eat a calorific surplus - that WILL ruin your efforts :-)

1. And lastly, if you want to learn more about fasting and all the amazing benefits, I recommend YouTube videos of Dr Jason Fung. Super knowledgeable and accessible.

(By the way, I'm only doing 15:9 three to four times a week, so I'm not super religious about it, but it does interest me a lot and I've definitely benefitted from fasting).

All the best xx

Thank you @SwordPlay - great tips I'll have to look up Jason Fung when I get a chance.

I've downloaded and started to use the Fastic app @bonfireheart uses so hoping that'll help. Have chosen the beginner level and 14:10 to start. Started my fast at 9pm this eve so will see how tomorrow morning goes and hope I can hold out til 11am minimum. Off on a family day out so shouldn't be a problem as will be driving in the morning.

You are so right about not looking at the eating window as an opportunity to over-eat or binge. I thought I might do that, but have my sensible head on this week... So far so good. I'm using MFP to make sure I'm not going over 1500 cals a day. Drinking loads of water or weak squash (is sugar free weak squash ok during fasting too do you know? I drink some during the day when water doesn't cut it).

Hi @SatsumaFan, hope your fast is going well! 14:10 is a great way to start for sure. When I began flirting with fasting, I definitely did go on a binge on multiple occasions, but I have a history of doing that anyway, fasting or not :D

Sugar-free squash is absolutely fine, as far as I'm aware. Basically, anything under 50 kcal doesn't break your fast, as long as it doesn't contain sugar/carbs (Sugar is what triggers insulin response, and insulin itself promotes fat storage). So yeah, sugar-free squash in moderate amounts is OK :)

Good luck xx

Loving the Fastic app - thanks so much for making me aware @bonfireheart! Managed 14hrs no problems today Love checking the timer and reading all the info (tho the science / biology stuff goes over my head a bit if I'm honest!) and have just synchronised it with Google Fit so it knows I've done my 10k steps today.

Going to celebrate my good start this week with a small vodka with sugar free lemonade and fresh lemon tonight... I know how to party Not sure I'll be fasting on weekends, will see how I feel. If I can do Mon-Fri min 14hr fasts with

I’ve lost a lot of weight doing 16:8 and have had a cup of tea with semi-skimmed milk every morning during this time.

@Sammysquiz that's good to know This is my first week doing it and have had my usual strong Yorkshire tea, 0.5 level teaspoon sugar and tiny splash of semi skimmed milk. Then switch to zero calorie green tea or fruit tea and water until I break my fast mid-morning.

Will weigh in Sunday morning and see how I've done.

I was doing so well and then today my sister was drinking orange juice and eventhough I was thirsty I poured myself one and only half way through drinking it did I remember I waa fasting, so annoying!!

Ah never mind @bonfireheart! Only a small blip on one day!

I've just got my 3 day streak on Fastic Tempted to pay £14.99 for three months to see what Premium is like. Have you tried it? Is it much different to the free version?

I'm on the free version and suits me fine. I prefer to keep things simple, too much information tends to make me feel overwhelmed and anxious.

I know what you mean I tried a 7 day free trial of the Premium My Fitness Pal and was like "nope!". Too much unnecessary info (unless you're an athlete maybe) so stuck with the free one.

Every time I eat a pear, Fitness Pal tells me off because of how much sugar it has!

Oh yes, it can be a bit annoying like that with fat/sugar content of natural whole foods hey.

Started my fast early this eve, 7pm, so I can treat myself to a bowl of cereal at 9am tomorrow (after my 1st weigh in. Am nervous but really hope I've lost a pound or two).

Haven't had breakfast for a week... Never thought I'd be writing that as a lifelong breakfast lover!

Only lost 1.5lbs, so was disappointed this morning. Then handed myself a grip as actually that's great considering I only started on Tues. Still had a day off from mfp and fasting and have enjoyed it. Back to it tomorrow.

Realised how much of a massive impact the numbers on the scales have on my mood, so need to shift my focus onto how I look and feel (which was good until weighing). It will be hard after a lifetime of diet culture and weekly weigh ins at Slimming World etc I started Slimming World aged 17 and 10st 4lbs ffs (I'm 5ft 7") I lost a stone and have been chasing 10st-something for decades. I think I'm now wired to weigh and feel happy/sad/disappointed etc depending on what that number says. So annoying).

Watched the C4 programme recommended up thread this evening. Lose a stone in 21 days. Tho accidentally watched ep 3 of 3 first Was really good tho. May watch the other two, will see.

How's everyone else doing?

Have fallen of the wagon already. I don’t know what to do any more. I feel so miserable about my weight but I just can’t seem to change and stick to anything.

Feel miserable tonight

Big unMumsnetty hugs @Makemedoit deep breaths, be kind to yourself. I've had a day off today - currently swigging red wine and munching mini Cheddars.

Tomorrow is another day - we can do it.

Hi: can I join you all? Sorry to see you're feeling low tonight @Makemedoit: I have a very low key success story for you, in case it might help?

I started fasting (16:8) nearly three weeks ago. I am not doing it quite properly as I do allow myself my morning tea with a tiny bit of milk: but some of the stuff I've read has said that's OK, so I'm going with it. I'm not calorie counting in between, but after a couple of weeks it's becoming 'normal' for me: I automatically say no to dh's offer of crisps in front of the TV, and I'm increasingly finding I don't feel hungry in the mornings (I'm skipping breakfast as I like to eat with the family in the evening). I've NOT lost loads of weight quickly, and esp the first week it was a bit frustrating, but now I can see there's a slow, steady downwards move, and very importantly it feels like a lifestyle I can easily maintain. I'm pants at diets and denying myself, but I'm hoping this is something more sustainable. So hang on in there @Makemedoit: it honestly does get easier much faster than you'd think...

(oh, I use free version of fastic too: there are a couple of usability issues and I keep thinking I've logged fasts starting/finishing when I haven't but otherwise I find it really good for easy tracking.

Hello @AndwhenyougetthereFoffsomemore and welcome thanks for sharing your success story. I pray for the day I can resist crisps and wine on the sofa!

How many days a week do you fast? Did you used to have breakfast and did you go straight to 16:8? It's been hard for me giving up breakfast with my two children. I also have my morning cup of Yorkshire with a small slip of milk and half a teaspoon of sugar (cos life's too short and I hate coffee!)

@Makemedoit - I wish I could offer advice from the standpoint of someone who has all under control but sadly, I have also slipped over the weekend, goodness only knows how many calories I've consumed between yesterday and today..! It's this ALL OR NOTHING mentality - once you let yourself go, you go deeper and deeper.. Or at least that's what I do!

We've all got to remember that our bodies are clever and guided by biology, they want us to be healthy and well-nourished. Our brains however, often lead us to self-sabotage. Brain is where the ego resides and the ego fears change.. Sorry if this is a bit deep but having struggled with my relationship with food for so long, I have to look further than just things like "I have no self-control", "I'm just so greedy". I really think that the key to weight-loss success and healthy eating habits FOR LIFE lies in our mind and understanding our psychology.

I don't know if this helps anyone, sorry for rambling and best of luck to all! New week & fresh start tomorrow xx