16:8 2022 thread

[Piglet89]

Just continuing from

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/fasting_diet/4124232-16-8-2021-thread

Piglet89 and Sunshineandflipflops I'm sure you won't have scuppered it as it sounds like you're being sensible - I'm just not very sensible . I just found that I was giving myself leeway to eat more than I should or needed to just because I had skipped breakfast, so I needed to rein myself in a bit. Once I get into the swing of it and can see weight loss (fingers crossed), I will probably ease up a bit.

I've done two fasted runs now and am finding it hard going on an empty stomach. My Strava times don't seem to be that slower though, although the Apple Watch disagrees, so no idea what's really going on. I'm not doing IF at the weekend so may head out on Sunday fortified by a banana or a couple of biscuits and see if it feels any easier....

@SydneyCarton I think people who run fasted are hardcore. I made the mistake of exercising once after an (unintentional!) fast and it was a nightmare; I went to empty and fainted and had to be revived with an instant sugar fix as I literally couldn’t get up from my bench in the gym changing rooms. They had to call the work doctor and everything (gym at my old work). When he asked when I had last eaten and I told him about 1700 the previous day, he looked at me like I was a complete imbecile. Oops.

My husband is basically combining 16:8 most of the time with low carbing and is also on the Peloton daily! He is going to see very quick results!

Hello all, I'll join this thread if I may!

I'm on Day 2 of IF, tending towards an 18:6 rather than 16:8 as I've done it before and found that quite straightforward. Trying to get back on track after a very indulgent last few months that have seen me pile on over a stone!

I'm not bothering with low-carb too much (although trying to be sensible about my choices and not overload on sugar as that's my downfall) but I have knocked the booze on the head as well. A couple of glasses of wine in the evening just make me want to snack!

I've just broken my 18-hour fast with a sandwich of smoked salmon and avocado. Feeling a bit headachey but I think that's the sugar withdrawal.

I would love to lose a stone and get myself firmly back into a normal BMI, but now I'm in my late-40s the health benefits of fasting have become even more important than the weight loss.

@Piglet89 That sounds scary! Thank goodness there was a doctor onsite. I usually run about 9 ish, a couple of hours after breakfast, though at the weekends I go around 8.15 before breakfast, so not totally unused to running on empty (although I will probably have had a cup of tea and a biscuit!) and was surprised how hard I found it. Those 2 Rich Teas are obviously more of a boost than I thought.

I'll see how it goes as I don't want to sacrifice my running speed (such as it is!) and if I'm finding it a real struggle I'll end up using that as an excuse not to go. Maybe I'll need to tweak it so I only fast on non-running days and have a small breakfast on days I do run.

I run fasted 😊 I’ve done up to half marathon distance fasted but only if I start my run at 7ish. I eat before races because they start at 10 usually which seems too long to go to me.

I generally exercise fasted mainly because if I don't exercise in the morning then I don't do it!

I accidentally fasted until 1pm today and won't be doing that again. I was starving and it was so tempting to just grab q sandwich from the shop. It helped knowing I had a easy lunch waiting for when I got home. I won't go past 12 again because i felt way too close to stuffing my face with all I could find!

Not planning will be my downfall, weekly meal plans are a necessity!

Sounds like everyone has had a pretty good first week though which is great!

GO TEAM! 👏

I just started IF- I have started and failed so many diets over the years I'd sort of given up. I also stress eat and binge on sugar all day every day, so most diets I just found too restrictive. But this! This seems to be working for me- I'm just doing 16:8 at the moment, I open my window at 1pm and close at 9pm. Eating fairly normally in my window but trying to be healthy, less carbs and sugar. The first few days I really struggled to get to 1pm- yesterday was the worst, and then today it was 1:30 and I realised I'd better make lunch!? I'd felt so switched on and alive all morning. I've really suffered with fatigue and brain fog and it just seems to have started clearing over the last few days. I'm excited to keep going!

I do need to lose weight so once I've nailed 16:8 I'll start making changes if the weight isn't coming off. Is 1/2 pound a week achievable do you think?

@Oomling yes I think half a pound a week is more than doable! I’m aiming for a pound a week. I’m not counting calories but the maths tell me, if I skip breakfast every day, I should be down 500 cals per day, so 500 x 7 every week, so 3500 a week, so just about a pound of fat (which is roughly 3000 cals).

I weighed in this morning - lost 4lb so now at 13st 5. Feeling pretty happy but I know I always have a big loss the first week. My downfall is losing motivation when the losses get smaller or even stall. I'm hoping my wedding will be motivation enough to keep me on track!

Hows everyone feeling?

@twinkydink

I weighed in this morning - lost 4lb so now at 13st 5. Feeling pretty happy but I know I always have a big loss the first week. My downfall is losing motivation when the losses get smaller or even stall. I'm hoping my wedding will be motivation enough to keep me on track!

Hows everyone feeling?

I started 4 days ago and I've gained 2lb since I started which is a bit concerning! I'm sticking to under 1500 calories during my window as well, but have barely moved so think I'll up the exercise!

Weighed in this morning and have lost 2.5lb this week. Won’t carry on at this rate but it’s a nice start 😊

Accidentally did a 22 hour fast today. Felt ok but I was glad to eat 😊

@Oomling I think 2 days is very early so don't get disheartened!

@swampytiggaa well done brilliant start!

I appear to have knocked off two pounds in 3 days . I imagine it is just water weight / bloat at this stage but I'm not complaining.

Day 3 here and feeling great! The energy has kicked in, headaches have gone. I've been busy all day and only just broken my fast, so that's another 20 hours down. Probably could have stretched it a bit more but I'm wary of going too far. I've read lots that suggests women in peri- or menopause shouldn't 'over-fast' so I think 20 hours is about my sensible limit.

It is weird when you realise that you're not hungry even after 20 hours without food though!

Oomling - Gin Stephens' book suggests that weight gain in the early days is possible, but it will go, so don't worry too much at this stage.

Is there a reason why you're counting calories though? Also bear in mind that fasting is a stress on the body (a good stress but a stress nonetheless) so upping the exercise might just add to that stress. I'm definitely no expert but fwiw my advice would be to see how it goes for another week as you are, and then make some tweaks after that if you feel you need to.

Well done all who’ve weighed in and seen weight loss!!! Great job!

I forgot to weigh this morning (like to do it same time of day each time for consistency). Will weigh tomorrow morning. I started at 9 stone, 13.75lb.

@anungratefulwretch

Oomling - Gin Stephens' book suggests that weight gain in the early days is possible, but it will go, so don't worry too much at this stage.

Is there a reason why you're counting calories though? Also bear in mind that fasting is a stress on the body (a good stress but a stress nonetheless) so upping the exercise might just add to that stress. I'm definitely no expert but fwiw my advice would be to see how it goes for another week as you are, and then make some tweaks after that if you feel you need to.

I have no self control so I think I was eating about 3000 calories a day for a while! So mainly tracking calories for interest, really. I'll give it a few weeks I think, it really suits my lifestyle so hoping it works to shift some weight as well!

I’m not weighing and can’t say I’ve noticed a difference yet (day 9) but I have cut out alcohol and am walking/running an average of 12.5k steps a day so I keep thinking it HAS to be doing me some good!

I don’t know how some of you go so long without eating…I struggle to get to 10am most days from 6pm the previous day. Morning have always been my hungry time though and have always been big on breakfast so just can’t cut it completely. I also get too hangry!

Re running, I am finding it easier to go after work as the fasted running I find v hard going but I have fuelled my body by 4pm and need that leg stretch after sitting for most of the day.

Well done everyone, I am in awe of those of you who exercise fasting! I have also lost 2lb, have found it surprisingly easy to miss breakfast and it’s a definite plus that I’m drinking so much more water.

I’m not fasting at weekends as I always always eat breakfast with 5yo DD and don’t want diet/weight loss on her radar. I guess that might slow me down a bit but never mind.

Exercise has been hit and miss this week, must try harder! Definitely aware of just trying to move my body more and haven’t been in the lift at work all week.

Enjoy your Sundays all

Hi, can I join you all please? I tried 5:2 before but it didn't suit me (my mood was so shocking that even the teenagers asked me to please stop!!). I have upped my exercise level (just walking for now but at a decent place) and need to stop snacking and make food changes. Does anyone use an app for doing 16:8? I like an app to keep me accountable but there seemed to be quite a few out there so hoping for recommendations. Also any tips in general would be good! Thanks.

@TrivialSoul I use zero. Only the free version as I can’t see the need to pay for extra features 😊 it links with my watch so easy to start and finish fasts.

@Squaffle I start work sometimes at 5 am so can’t eat before and I’m trying not to eat in the work canteen even though they do amazing bacon rolls 😂😂 so I eat when I get home. Yesterday I ended up working over because we were behind so left at 2:30 instead of 12:30 then put tea in before I broke my fast. Tbh I’m hungrier at the 15/16 hour mark than I am once I’ve passed that!

Today is awkward because I’m working 12:30-21-30 so I closed my window early yesterday so that I can have a decent brunch before work… considering beans and cheese on toast then I’ll take a sandwich for my break and start my fast again early evening so I can do the same tomorrow 😊

@swampytiggaa thanks, I'll have a look at that one.

I use the Simple app which I downloaded last year and signed up for fifteen pounds a year on an offer. It’s American so everything is in pounds and ounces, and can be a bit preachy (if you log a glass of wine more than twice in a week you get a concerned message about whether you’re reliant on alcohol ), but it’s good for keeping track of the type of foods you eat and why, plus you can set hydration and exercise goals and it reminds you to stop and start fasting.

I meant to run this morning but slept badly so might try to go later and see if it’s easier with some fuel. I’m also not fasting at the weekend but being sensible about what I eat. Haven’t weighed myself yet but feel a little less bloated.

I weighed this morning. Im now 9st 11.25lb so that’s a loss of 2.5lb this week, if you rely on my notoriously unreliable bathroom scales. I assume they are correct when they show weight loss, but not for weight gain.

I am also relaxing things a little at weekends.