My 16/8 / 18/6 fasting 80 pounds to lose journey

[TarasChoc]

I've just started this Woe last Monday and I'm very happy with how much more naturally this comes to me than anything else I've tried. I fell into it accidentally after starting The fast 800 a few weeks ago. I had a few things on and found the low carb and calories aspect hard to stick to but realised I was still in a decent deficit, eating less sugar and doing a 16/8 without finding it all too hard. I've now fallen into 18/6.
I am tracking calories, I'm only eating two meals and the occasional snack so I don't find calorie tracking hard.

I'm looking at losing 70 pounds so I'll be in this for the long haul. I'm currently doing a lot of research listening to Gin Stephen's podcast and reading Delay, don't Deny , The Obesity Code and Fast, Feast Repeat.
I've been weighing everyday to track the trends but my official weighin day will be Monday.

Thank you both for the advice and encouragement, it means a lot.

I finish antibiotics today so will look at trying to improve my gut health after that. It's not something I had considered but know I'll benefit from along with trying to fit in a couple of longer fasts when I'm actually up and running properly. I think part of my problem is I'm trying to pick up where I left off many weeks ago and really I need to ease into it.

I'm the same with sugar Neeko, its so easy to let it creep in and much harder to cut back. I've stocked up on some nuts and cheese as snacks I just need to remember to eat them before I find myself reaching for a couple of biscuits.

I listened to Gin on a podcast the other day where she was saying something like the gut controls our cravings and a healthier (more diverse?) gut would reduce sugar cravings. Worth a shot!

Yes that's an interesting one! I think the idea is that whatever you eat feeds a certain kind of bacteria, which then require that type of food to keep feeding them... So if you eat sugary stuff you feed the "bad" bacteria, which start to monopolise your microbiome and create cravings for more sugar!

And of course the opposite should work too, that if you eat tonnes of different fruits & veggies and fibre etc., you'll be feeding the good bacteria and helping them to flourish and crowd out the bad ones so your cravings are for healthier stuff...

I just don't know in practice how long it takes for that to happen 😅 I don't think I've managed to be disciplined for long enough to prove it 🙈

Thanks, @mumlikeaboss. You explained it so much better than I did!

That makes sense, I'll try and read up more on it tomorrow. I found when we went away in December I was robbing the salad rather than the chips off dh plate, it was a first!
I eat plenty of vegetables and salad since starting this, fruit not as much so. I often used to find it made me hungry but it'll be worth introducing some more again and seeing how I react. I love fruit.
I've two good days done, eating plenty of protein and some fat and drinking plenty of water. Yesterday was hard, really having to push through cravings, today much less so.

You guys really are a mine of information😊

I love the hive mind on here. It also saves me from wittering on to friends and family who aren't interested. 😂
I managed to restrict my sugar somewhat yesterday. I'm focusing on a wider variety of fruit, veg, nuts and seeds to keep things interesting.

@neeko lol I am the same, have to come on here to geek out about IF when real life people are bored of me talking about it 🤣

So funny!

If you have Disney+ watch episode 3 of Limitless. It's all about fasting and talks about autophagy and zombie cells. Really interesting. I think there's a lot for science still to learn about the impact/benefits.

I'll watch that over the weekend Neeko. I think knowing the science and health benefits will be the key to keeping me fasting even when my heart isn't in it for weight loss.
My rheumatologist was really excited to hear I'm trying fasting and how I've done so far. He feels that as time goes on and more people are doing it long term it'll be very interesting to see the full benefits it brings. This is from a consultant who 15+ years ago believed fully that diet would have very little impact on the condition I see him for.

This thread definitely spares my husbands ears. In real life anyone I speak to about fasting is only interested in the weight loss side.
I'm so happy to have you guys to chat to.

WEEK 1 TO 20 - 25.4
WEEK 21 (sick) -0.6
WEEK 22 -2.2
WEEK 23 -.8
WEEK 24 -.4
WEEK 25 -1.6
TOTAL LOST -32 pounds

Happy to update today and say I had an excellent week last week. I feel like I'm getting back into the swing of it and it feels like I'm starting to make progress again.
3 things that really helped me were, been prepared with a food plan, been busy and drinking plenty of water. Without these key elements in place then I would struggle. I've also been more careful to eat less processed foods and to have a variety of nutrient rich and less sugar.
My weekend wasn't as good as I hoped but it's a big improvement on recent times.
I don't mind been more flexible on weekends while I'm still able to lose weight but I find with longer eating windows I tend to revert to type and snack when I'm not hungry. That's something I'll have to work on.

Well done @TarasChoc sounds brilliant and to have lost the total amount of weight you have is fantastic. Definite goals!

I did a weigh in and measure just before holiday and found I have lost 10 pounds and 9 inches since starting in January. Really chuffed. Also just came back from a 7 night holiday where I fell off the wagon pretty hard to find I haven't put any weight on. So that has motivated me to get straight back on it today! Felt really rough for eating junk last weight so it has definitely shown me how much better this style of eating is for my body and mental health.

@TarasChoc @AnxieTeapot

Wow both of you 🤗 fab results 🤩

I'm still hanging out between 236-238 even tho my period is due in a couple of days!! Recently I've been swinging right up into the mid 240's around TOTM so I'm dead chuffed that hasn't happened so far this month.

Am consistently averaging 19 hours ish at the moment, which is v good for 2nd half of cycle. Fingers crossed for a drop in weight soon 🤞🏻

On a more negative note, I had a wander round Primark this morning and tried a few things on and got thoroughly depressed by the changing room mirrors 😔😔 REALLY want to get off this bl**dy plateau and make some progress towards 230lbs and then the 16 stone mark, which I haven't been under in about 8 years!!! 😱

@AnxieTeapot well done you! That's decent progress from January. Not putting on weight on holidays is a lovely achievement, you can pick up fasting right where you started.

@mumlikeaboss, I'm delighted for you, its so nice to see your dedication and faith pay off.

We are similar enough in weight, the clothes thing can be so frustrating. I find primark clothes just don't fit me right most of the time so I've all but given up on them.
For budget brands I find tesco can be quiet good actually both size wise and quality.

@TarasChoc yes Primark is false economy really... It's just not designed for someone my height/shape but I do go there for a few basics.

Little trade secret, I often buy their mens' hoodies 😁😁 because the extra body/sleeve length is so useful for a tall girl!

Sainsbury's do lovely clothes too, love some of their dresses.

Some great news in here today. Well done everyone!

I think Primark sizing is pretty hit and miss regardless of what size you are buying. In fact, I think there's no standard high street sizing these days.

I'm still ticking along. Scales dropped a smidge on Saturday and I wore a pair of pre-pregnancy (from 17years ago!) jeans yesterday for the first time since, well, pre-pregnancy. It was a great feeling and they are back on trend. 🤣

Fabulous @Neeko you must've felt great trying them on. Fitting into clothes is a great reward.
I'm having a funny week so far. I feel much less motivated than last week. I'm not sure why I feel like this but I'm still sticking to plan.
Some days its just faking it till you make it. I'm not tempted to eat outside my windows or overeat during them but I have had a couple of snacks each day I didn't need. Only a couple of hundred calories so it's okay. I'm aware this will pass and I'll feel enthusiastic again soon and this is most likely hormone related.

Consistency is key so I think if you stick to your eating window and have some time in it where you aren't eating, then you will be fine. Maybe add the snack on at the end of the meal? That would limit impact as you aren't spiking your insulin level again (I think).

Yes I would usually have two meals and if a snack it would normally be straight after the meal. Then there'd be a gap of approx 3 hours before I eat again apart from tea with milk.

I'm happy with my week so far even though I didn't feel very enthused earlier this week. That passed after Tuesday and I'm very thankful I didn't allow whatever inner negativity to properly rear its head. I think I'm getting better at dealing with that side.

I noticed a small change in my side view this morning, my tummy which is my worst area since hitting my late 40s is starting to be a tiny bit less of an apron. Its still very much there but I'm thinking that the outline in clothes looks a bit neater.

How's everything one getting on? Any nice weekend plans? Do you find the approach of spring and summer makes fasting easier than over the winter?

@TarasChoc you're doing great 🥰 keep on keeping on!

I don't know if the seasons make a difference to how easy fasting is... Although I do think I tend to gain weight around January / February probably from comfort eating because I hate the tail end of winter!! It's easy to eat lots of lovely fresh, light food in Summer but also ice cream etc... 🙈🤣

Had a meal out with friends last night, bit too much wine 🤭 so a pound up this morning but I'm okay with that. Started my monthly cycle 5lbs down from last month so I'm feeling optimistic that I can move the 'yoyo' a few pounds lower... 🤞🏻

Sounding really positive @TarasChoc - it is so motivating when you start to see a change in the mirror - well done you. I am definitely looking forward to the lighter and warmer months - I do find it easier to maintain healthier habits during spring and summer. I think it motivates me to be more active too!

You've got to treat yourself @mumlikeaboss - loving the positive attitude - 5lbs down is brilliant!

I started in January at 13.5 Stone and weighed myself this morning and was 12.5 stone - I'm so chuffed to have last a stone in this time. The progress was quite slow at first but in recent weeks I seem to be losing more weight. I feel like I could definitely be eating healthier during my eating window so was a bit surprised to see that number on the scale this morning - but obviously chuffed too! I think I will be getting into PMS territory next week so thinking I might until after my period to weigh again now. 3 stone to go!

I am still lurking and really appreciate reading all your comments. I’m still not weighing, as I get too obsessed with the minor fluctuations, but can feel the difference in my clothes. Size 14 is now comfortable and I just bought some size 12 M&S trousers (with elasticated waist) that just fit. Size 18 when I started. I guess I’m still in the overweight category for my height, so plan to continue. Very flabby stomach overhang. Have booked holiday for July. 5 months to go so something to aim for. I’ve been doing IF for 7 months now, so July will be a whole year. Grateful for all your tips and encouragement. Trying a 36 hour fast from dinner yesterday to lunch tomorrow. Usual pattern is daily 18/6 window plus Sunday lunch to Monday lunch longer fast.

Found your post very inspiring @WoolerOwl - would love to achieve what you have in 7 months - also great that you've got that 5 months of motivation before hols to keep you going! Well done :). Getting into a pair of size 12 trousers is the dream!

Thank you! I have off days occasionally too, when I eat biscuits and chocolate and crisps and cheese and crackers - but the difference this time is that I just get back to it and don’t feel like I’ve blown all the progress. I also don’t get into that horrible cycle where I daren’t get on the scales and comfort eat. Small steps, most days.

hey @TarasChoc that's great that you are seeing changes in the mirror on tummy area must be very motivating. Following the recommendation from @NorseKiwi I've listened to Fast like a girl and have been waiting for day 1 of my period to give her method a try. It really resonated with me and am glad to be starting tomorrow - I'm going to go for a 36 hour fast just for a great start. I don't normally do such long ones but tomorrow will be the perfect day for me to do that and then I'm going to follow her advice about adjusting my fasts depending on the time of the month - feeling positive 💪loving hearing about all your successes everyone