Does it work?

[Makemedoit]

Have you genuinely lost weight using IF and how much per week did you lose and how strict about your diet were you during eating times?

A few years ago I used 4:3 (4 days eating normally, 3 days eating 500 cals).
At the time it was a perfect way for me to diet. I never eat breakfast and because of my working hours I was used to not having a lunch break either - so not eating for long periods was second nature to me.
I lost 2.5 stones in 3 months.
I wasn’t too strict on my ‘eating’ days but was more careful than I would have normally been - so perhaps only having a takeaway as a treat at the weekend, having smaller portions - just generally eating more sensibly. I also cut out all snacks (no crisps, biscuits, chocolate etc.).
I was very strict on fasting days and carefully counted my calories. There were quite a few times when we went to the pub and everyone was tucking in and I couldn’t eat so nursed one drink all evening 😀. Some fasting days when the hunger got to me and I was desperate for crisps (or whatever) I’d say to myself ‘Just wait until tomorrow, you can have them tomorrow’ and fortunately when tomorrow came I no longer wanted them.
As I say, it absolutely worked for me and I didn’t find it difficult. I also found it a useful way to maintain my ideal weight - just using the odd day of fasting to control it.

Thanks. That’s really helpful. Any other success stories?

I did fast 800 for 4 weeks in September and lost a stone. Felt great!

Lost 25kg over a year, 5:2. Not strict at all on “5” days, I went to McDonald’s for breakfast once a week throughout .

Have lost 23lbs on IF since January 18/6 - I have coffee with milk in the morning and then just have lunch & dinner. No weekday alcohol or snacks. I have wine at weekends though so sometimes do 16/8 @ weekend. I feel great & it definitely is worth a shot!

Almost four weeks in and lost 17lb. I am strict with eating 800 calories and not eating during fasting period. I genuinely don't feel that hungry anymore.

I did 5:2 a few years ago and increased the amount of exercise I did. Lost 1.5 stones over 4-5 months and that was with eating what I wanted during weekends.

I lost 2 stone in 4 months and 18 months later maintained. Life without breakfast though 😁. No food til lunch finish eating 8pm ish cardio most mornings. Can’t complain I was size 14 now a 10...

I’ve lost over 3 stone in the last year doing 18:6 most days. I am a bit flexible but that’s made it manageable, eg I have milk in my hot drinks in the morning and sometimes eat earlier in the morning or later in the evening at weekends. On the whole I eat more carbs at lunchtime than later in the day but won’t turn down a roast potato or a wrap if it’s fajitas but I do it 80% of the time and am finding maintenance pretty easy so far too.