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.

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
WEEK 26 -1.2
TOTAL LOST -33.2 pounds

I'm now 26 weeks fasting. That time has flown by. I won't lie and say I would've hoped to have lost more by now but to be very honest I'm very relieved that after all my bouts of flu/tonsillitis in the new year I didn't give up as I usually have with weight loss when the going gets tough.

Fasts this week Monday to Friday were 20/4. Weekend was 16/8 and 12/12 and involved a meal out and wine last night.

Well done to you all with your achievements, its lovely to hear such positivity and satisfaction from you guys.
@mumlikeaboss 5 pounds is such a decent chunk, especially when you've already lost a lot and are moving into new territory.
@AnxieTeapot fantastic, you're quater of the way through in a couple of months. Do you see fasting as a way of life now?
@WoolerOwl you must feel amazing 2/3 sizes difference is a lot of fat gone. Well done you.
@itsmeagainagain good luck starting and with the fast. Fast Like A Girl was a very informative read, I do like Mindy too.

Wow I have literally just been reading through this thread and its amazing how well you are all doing! Its so very inspirational. I am starting today but my window will be 1pm to 9pm due to the hours I work.
I am hoping that isnt too late. But honestly everyone fantastic thread and really motivational :)

33.2 pounds over 26 weeks is amazing. Well done. It’s long term changes and long term loss not short term fixes or losses that make the difference. And just as important how you feel as what the scales say.

That's a great way of looking at it, thanks @TarasChoc - definitely does feel like a way of life right now and it's the first method I've stayed motivated with for this long. Had a bit of a wobbly start to the week but I know that I will get back on it - which is a different feeling to what I have had before.

How did you find the 20/4 days? What sort of things would you eat on a day like that do you mind me asking?

Pleased to read all the progress on here. Consistency is definitely the key.

I'm still keeping going and maintaining within the same 2-3lb range. I tried on some summer clothes today and can't wait to wear them!
I could do with toning up my arms and stomach. I exercise regularly but mostly cardio. I probably need to try some weights. Any recommendations?

Hi do you recommend a book for helping with fasting?

@Justcanthackit The one I follow mostly is Fast, Feast, Repeat by Gin Stephens but others on here have said good things about Fasting Like a Girl (I think that's what it's called).

Hi I've not been on this thread before I've been doing 16:8/17:7 since Monday. I skip breakfast and usually eat until around 7:30pm but my last food today was at 4.30pm and I don't think I'll have anything else tonight now. However I've just opened a can of Coke Zero and not sure whether my fast time has to start from now or if I can still have my fast time start at 4.30pm? I usually drink loads Pepsi Max/coke zero and this week I've hardly had any I've been drinking loads of water and never have any juice during my fasting period.

Just wondering if anyone has had any negative sleep effects after 16:8? The diet is going well and I am not hungry when I go to bed but I have noticed since starting it a few weeks ago my deep sleep has really diminished and I am a lot more restless in the night.

@BlackCatTabbyCat If you are following what's known as a clean fast, then the Pepsi/Coke breaks it due to the sweetener. Well down on cutting down so much. That stuff is so addictive.

@thedeepdarkwood I believe that's quite common. Some people suggest finishing on a protein and fat like Greek yoghurt with nuts. It's worth experimenting to see if what you eat helps.

Hi @Neeko it's always a great sign to look forward to a summer wardrobe, well done :). I'm not familiar with strength training using weights but found bodyweight hiit effective in the past! I used to do the Joe Wicks DVDs at home.

Welcome @BlackCatTabbyCat - so during a fast period you can have water, black tea or coffee (no sugar or milk) - so your fast would have begun after the coke zero in my understanding.

I've been falling off the wagon this week but this always happens around my period. I know I will get back on it as soon as I don't feel like rubbish but a bit annoyed at myself still after a good weight loss at the start of the week!

Thanks @AnxieTeapot. I'll have a look at that.

Fell off the wagon hard this week but I've just set my fast timer and intent to get back on it tomorrow. Oh dear :/. How's everyone getting on?

@AnxieTeapot Sometimes that can be a good way of confusing your body if it feels you've been over-restricting. You might be pleasantly surprised this week. Even if that doesn't happen, you are back on it now. Can't change the past and hope it was delicious. 😊

Thanks for your positivity @Neeko - the perfect message to wake up to and ensure I get back on it! Hope you've had a nice weekend :)

😊
Weekend was busy. Back at work for routine - and a rest!

Can't beat a bit of rest and routine - enjoy your week! @Neeko

My life is so stressful with my own health problems and those of my children. The worry is never ending but I also know that I have to do something about my weight. Does anyone have any advice about how I can simply introduce this way of eating? I’m desperate to lose A LOT of weight and I’ve been so encouraged by what I’ve read on other posts. Because of my poor health and other family worries, I don’t have a lot of time to read through books hence needing as simple a way as possible.

@Mydoghealsmyheart I started initially by stopping eating from dinner to breakfast. (This was a big deal for me at the time.) I then delayed my breakfast a bit at a time until I could cut it out altogether.
From dinner until breakfast, only have black unsweetened tea/coffee or plain water.
Pink Himalayan salt can help with the bitterness of the coffee.
Don't expect any weight loss for at least the first 28 days. Don't worry about what you are eating in your allowed time but try not to snack and just eat meals until satisfied. As time goes on, most people seem to naturally want healthier/less-processed foods.
For me, it was all about the baby steps and giving it time.
Best of luck!

Sorry I totally forgot I posted for advice on this thread and didnt come back to check the replies. Thank you both for responding and clarifying for me.

I'm finding it really easy to stick to the fast times I usually do about 17.5 hours but during my eating period I ruin it by eating rubbish. I work with food as well which makes it more difficult. I love days when it's a menu I don't like so there's no temptation. It's week 2 and I've gained 6oz.

I work Monday - Friday and am busy in the evenings so find it isn't too hard to stick to. Saturday I had a busy day so again it was easy but Sunday when I had no plans I found it harder.

I need to get into the habit of not stuffing my face when I break my fast and having healthier choices. I'm definitely eating less than I would before but still eating a lot some days.

I'm going to go read the thread now and hopefully pick up some tips.

Thanks Neeko that’s really helpful.

Wow, haven't checked in here for a while... Lovely to see some new faces 🥰
@Neeko is handing out great advice as usual 😘 hope everyone's getting settled in and adjusting to it okay!

@BlackCatTabbyCat the others are correct, the diet drink would have technically broken your fast, but from my understanding your body isn't actually in a "fasted" state for a good few hours after you finish eating, as your levels of insulin / blood sugar / other digestive hormones are all still balancing out after the last meal... So it does less damage than if you drank it much later in the fast, if that makes sense...? Because your insulin is probably still on its way down, and having a small amount of sweetener in a diet Coke would just delay it getting to its lowest point.

Hi all, sorry haven't been on in a few days, life has been crazy.
Last weeks loss was -0.6.
I've decided to update in monthly losses going forward. I'm trying to ease away from calorie counting and the scales as part of working on my diet brain. It's hard but my scales now needs a new battery so maybe I won't replace it for a while. I have been recently only calorie counting loosely in myfitnesspal pal to record main meals/recipes or higher calorie days to keep me in line.
Going forward my work Rota has changed a little and I'll either be eating 18/6 or omad. I'm a little daunted at all this but I'm going to trust in the process!

Now I'm off to read all the posts since I've last been on and will chat with everyone in a while :)