I just want the willpower to fast

[IHateFlies]

I go through phases when I can fast but I haven’t been able to do it now in 2 years. It seems impossible.
I do the opposite at the moment and snack constantly. Just fed up of it.
Any tips to help me get going would be very appreciated.

Hi, hopefully this is the start of you getting the willpower.
No 2 people are the same, what we eat, why we eat it, when we eat and where.
Are you worried about your spending on food, or the time it takes to prepare and eat it, are you worried about the damage your food is doing to your body, or your physical energy or intelligence and alertness levels. Or is it the common problem of when you an eat it, it drives straight to the bum and hips?

Fasting is presented as the holy grail that will cure it all. The reality is that fasting isn't for everyone and that it can trigger disordered eating and binging.

If you struggle to fast, don't. What would you like to achieve by fasting?

You can and should however tackle the snacking and understand that an adult woman doesn't need to eat between meals and that a lot has to be with associative behaviour, like being used to eat in front of tv or while MNetting.

You need to break the snacking and all the specific moments associated with it, and you should not only bin all the rubbish you have in the house but also understand that if you maintain the habit eating a healthy snack such as a carrot, the need of snaking will never go away and one day before you know it, it will be back to the crips or whatever your devil is.

UK is so addicted to snacks and it is not your fault, this behaviour start from babies, when mothers are encouraged to give their not-even 1 year old snack such as puffs, rice cakes, cereal bars and it continue in childhood with daily crisps or chocolate or whatever.

I am French and I don't know a single adult woman who snacks in France . It is culture and behaviour and it is in your power to change that.

So focus for now on what is in your power, and that is what you buy instead of fighting a vital instinct of eating to enforce fasting.

Good luck!

Have you tried extending your fasting times slowly. Like starting with 16/8 then move 17/7, 18/8 etc
Also be sure to fill up on healthy fats in your eating window.

I fasted til 2 today. I probably ate too much though.
I’m going to try to fast until 4 tomorrow.

@IHateFlies what do you want to fast? What is your purpose?

To lose weight. Have some self control. For autophagy.

You need to fast for over 24 hours for autophagy which might not be achievable. I stick to 16/8. Why don't you try fasting to 11am and stop eating at 7pm? When I need motivation I watch Youtube videos on the benefits :)

Do it slowly and build up.
This is really important if you're going to succeed.
Start small and decrease your window of eating gradually so your body gets used to it.
The other tip is to ride the hunger waves. They don't last long, but you need to distract yourself.
Good luck!

Set your mind firmly, and do not be defeated.
You can actually do this.
There is no easy way, but this is within your power!

It's not about willpower. It's about ghrelin, the hormone that makes us put food in our mouths. It's released at the times of day we normally eat. It takes less than a week to manipulate your ghrelin release into the shape you want.

So, eat at the same time(s) every day. Note the time you eat, and move it 15 mins per day (or half an hour if you feel brave) towards the time(s) you want to eat. Your ghrelin release will follow, and you'll find that you don't get hungry until later and later.

It looks like you're moving your window too fast. What's the rush? Don't do it fast (no pun intended) Do it right.

If it helps, I do the opposite of fasting. I eat every three hours. 100 grams of protein and unlimited vegetables. No sugar, very low carb. I'm NEVER hungry. This works better for me than fasting, because I like to eat and I don't function at all well when hungry (extreme hanger). Fasting isn't for everyone.

Try 16:8 instead - works for me.

I've lost half a stone since July doing 16:8. The best part is that you are doing most of the fasting while you are asleep!

I've lost 2 stone since April by combing 16:8 with low carb and no calorie counting - I still drink gallons of tea with milk in the mornings (so not proper fasting before 12:00!)